Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Kubota Garden Located in south Seattle in a working-class neighborhood
not far from the shores of Lake Washington, this 20-acre Japanese-style garden
was the life's work of garden designer Fujitaro Kubota. Today the gardens are a
city park, and the mature landscaping and hilly setting make this the most
impressive and enjoyable Japanese garden in the Seattle area. Kubota began work
on this garden in 1927, and over the years built a necklace of ponds, a traditional
stroll garden, and a mountainside garden complete with waterfalls. A tall, arched
moon bridge is a highlight. The self-taught Kubota went on to design gardens
at Seattle University and at the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island. Free tours
of the gardens are offered between April and October; call for details.
Renton Ave. S. and 55th Ave. S. & 206/684-4584. www.kubota.org. Free admission. Daily dawn to dusk. To
reach the gardens from downtown, drive I-5 south to exit 158 (Pacific Hwy. S./E. Marginal Way), turn left
toward Martin Luther King Jr. Way and continue uphill on Ryan Way; turn left on 51st Ave. S., right on Ren-
ton Ave. S., and right on 55th Ave. S.
Washington Park Arboretum Acres of trees and shrubs stretch from the
far side of Capitol Hill all the way to the Montlake Cut (a canal connecting Lake
Washington to Lake Union). Within the 230-acre arboretum are 5,000 varieties
of plants and quiet trails that are pleasant throughout the year but that become
most beautiful in spring, when the azaleas, cherry trees, rhododendrons, and
dogwoods are all in flower. The north end of the arboretum, a marshland that is
home to ducks and herons, is popular with bird-watchers as well as kayakers and
canoeists (see p. 122 in “Outdoor Pursuits,” later in this chapter, for places to
rent a canoe or kayak). A boardwalk with views across Lake Washington mean-
ders along the waterside in this area (though noise from the adjacent freeway
detracts considerably from the experience).
2300 Arboretum Dr. E. & 206/543-8800. http://depts.washington.edu/wpa/general.htm. Free admission.
Daily 7am to dusk; Graham Visitors Center daily 10am-4pm. Enter on Lake Washington Blvd. off E. Madison
St.; or take Wash. 520 off I-5 north of downtown, take the Montlake Blvd. exit, and go straight through the
first intersection. Bus: 11, 43, or 48.
ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS
In addition to the listings below, kids will also enjoy many of the attractions
described earlier in this chapter, including the Pacific Science Center (p. 106),
the Seattle Aquarium (p. 103), the IMAXDome Theater (p. 102), Odyssey
(p. 103), and the Woodland Park Zoo (p. 111).
Even the surliest teenagers will think you're pretty cool for taking them to the
Experience Music Project (p. 106).
Adolescent and preadolescent boys seem to unfailingly love Ye Olde Curios-
ity Shop and the Underground Tour (see the “Good Times in Bad Taste” box
on p. 105). Younger kids also love the Museum of Flight (p. 111).
When the kids need to burn off some energy, see “Beaches, Parks & Public
Gardens,” above, for descriptions of Seattle's best recreational areas; section 7,
“Outdoor Pursuits,” later in this chapter, will give you the lowdown on biking,
in-line skating, and more. You can also take the kids to a sporting event; Seattle
supports professional football, basketball, and baseball teams. See section 8,
“Spectator Sports,” later in this chapter.
You might also be able to catch a performance at the Seattle Children's The-
atre ( & 206/441-3322; www.sct.org) in Seattle Center (see below); or at the
Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave. NE ( & 206/523-2579; www.nw
puppet.org).
Search WWH ::




Custom Search