Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
busy nightlife, Ballard is one of
Seattle's up-and-coming neighbor-
hoods and is undergoing a pro-
nounced change in character. You'll
find art galleries and a few interest-
ing boutiques and shops along the
tree-shaded streets of the neighbor-
hood's old commercial center. It's
definitely worth a stroll here to see
what's happening. The neighbor-
hood's Nordic Heritage Museum
often has interesting art exhibits.
THE EASTSIDE Home to Bill
Gates, Microsoft, countless high-
tech spin-off companies, and seem-
ingly endless suburbs, the Eastside
lies across Lake Washington from
Seattle proper and is comprised of
the fast-growing cities of Kirkland,
Bellevue, Redmond, Bothell, and
a few other smaller communities. As
the presence of Bill Gates's media-
hyped mansion attests, there are
some pretty wealthy neighborhoods
here; but wealth doesn't necessarily
equal respect, and the Eastside is
still much derided by Seattle citi-
zens, who perceive it as an uncul-
tured bedroom community.
WEST SEATTLE West Seattle,
across the wasteland of the port
facility from downtown Seattle, is
not just the site of the ferry termi-
nal for ferries to Vashon Island and
the Kitsap Peninsula. It's also the
site of Seattle's favorite beach (Alki),
which is as close to a Southern Cal-
ifornia beach experience as you can
get in the Northwest. Here too is
the waterfront restaurant with the
best view of Seattle: Salty's on Alki.
2 Getting Around
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
BY BUS The best thing about Seattle's Metro bus system ( & 800/542-7876
in Washington, or 206/553-3000; http://transit.metrokc.gov) is that as long as
you stay within the downtown area, you can ride for free between 6am and 7pm.
The Ride Free Area is between Alaskan Way (the waterfront) in the west, Sixth
Avenue and I-5 in the east, Battery Street in the north, and South Jackson Street
in the south. Within this area are Pioneer Square, the waterfront attractions,
Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, and almost all of the city's major
hotels. Two blocks from South Jackson Street is the Seahawks Stadium, 3 long
blocks from South Jackson Street is Safeco Field (where the Mariners play), and
6 blocks from Battery Street is Seattle Center. Keeping this in mind, you can see
a lot of Seattle without having to spend a dime on transportation.
The Ride Free Area also encompasses the Metro Tunnel, which allows buses
to drive underneath downtown Seattle, thus avoiding traffic congestion. The
tunnel extends from the International District in the south to the Convention
Center in the north, with three stops in between. Commissioned artworks dec-
orate each of the stations, making a trip through the tunnel more than just a way
of getting from point A to point B. It's open Monday through Friday from 5am
to 7pm and Saturday from 10am to 6pm (closed Sun and holidays). When the
Bus Tunnel is closed, buses operate on surface streets. Because the tunnel is
within the Ride Free Area, there is no charge for riding through it, unless you
are traveling to or from outside of the Ride Free Area.
If you travel outside the Ride Free Area, fares range from $1.25 to $2, depend-
ing on the distance and time of day. (The higher fares are incurred during com-
muter hours.) Keep in mind when traveling out of the Ride Free Area that you
pay when you get off the bus. When traveling into the Ride Free Area, you pay
when you get on the bus. Exact change is required; dollar bills are accepted.
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