Pike Place Market

First Avenue and Pike Street

206 - 625-4764

Nine decades old, Pike Place is one of Seattle's most popular landmarks, as famous for the antics of its vendors as it is for its merchandise. Its most popular buildings are the Main and North arcades, with the carefully arranged stacks of produce, fresh fish, crabs and mollusks piled high with ice. The best time to visit the market is on a weekday morning.

Over half of the market's open-air stalls are now devoted to locally made arts & crafts, and its lower levels are filled with small shops, from Indian spice stalls to magicians' supply shops. The streets surrounding Pike Place Market continue the maze of shops, with ethnic food stalls, plant shops, galleries and gift boutiques. Pike Place Market is in the northwestern corner of downtown, close to the waterfront.

Seattle Center

305 Harrison Street

206 - 684-7240, Fax: 206 - 684-7342

Seattle Center general information: 206-684-7200

The 1962 World's Fair, also known as the 'Century 21 Exposition', brought in over 9 million visitors from around the world for a glimpse of Tomorrow, Seattle-style. What remains of the futuristic groupings of exhibition halls, arenas and public spaces is today called the Seattle Center.

The grounds are home to dance, theater, opera, museums and Key Arena.

The following are part of the Seattle Center:

(1 ) Space Needle

219 4th Avenue North

206-443-2100

Elevator hours are Sunday 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to midnight. There is no elevator fee for restaurant patrons. 206-443-2111

The Space Needle is a 600ft (180m) rocket styled observation station and restaurant. After the 41 second ride up its elevators to the top, visitors are treated to breathtaking 360° views. The top of the 605-foot Space Needle is the best place to orient oneself to the city and its surroundings