Following my recent Seattle city excursions, I’m definitely feeling the Seattle love. For that reason, I feel a giveaway is in order! Awhile back, I attended an event sponsored by The Seattle TourSaver and received one of their great discount books. Packed with over 100 buy-one-get-one deals in Seattle, the San Juan Islands and Victoria, it’s the perfect book for locals and visitors alike. Take a look at The TourSaver website to see examples of the places you can save.

The book retails at $79.95 but entering for the chance to win one for FREE is insanely easy!

Simply subscribe to the RSS feed (at right) via email or in a reader and leave a comment below telling me why you love Seattle. If you’ve never visited, tell me why you want to win.

The giveaway ends at 11:59 PM PST on March 24, 2010. Also, please leave your email address (not made public) so that I can contact you if you’re the winner. Check back here on March 25th to find out who the lucky one is. Winner will have 3 days to respond once being contacted. Open to US residents only (sorry!)

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had a number of guests visiting so I took advantage of the fact that they’d never been here and did some exploring around the city. If you have friends or family coming in anytime soon, consider taking them on this day trip of Seattle, or mix-and-match these spots with your favorite places. Just be sure to tell me about them in the comments!

Start off your day with a trip to Espresso Vivace on Capitol Hill. This sidewalk cafe serves up some of Seattle’s finest and is sure to get your crew excited about the day. You may remember that I reviewed Vivace’s sit-down stop on Broadway earlier this year but I’ve come to love this order-and-go location even more.

After energizing with a caffeine fix, walk down Pike Street for a taste of Seattle’s art, vintage and music scenes. Be sure to pay a visit to Billy at No Parking on Pike, between 11th and 12th Streets, for antique furniture, cowboy boots, ties and hats. And don’t forget to check the lineup outside Neumo’s to see who’s in town during your stay. As you continue downtown, you’ll come across a spattering of interesting retail stores and art galleries – as one of the most famous streets in Seattle, Pike is sure to have something for everyone.

Once you hit 1st Ave, you’ll come face to face with an iconic Seattle image. The Pike Place Market at the bottom of Pike Street is a staple for any traveler to see but if you’re looking for something a bit less touristy, stop into La Buona Tavola and talk to David about partaking in a wine tasting. $5 will get you three samplers and a detailed history (complete with pictures and first-hand stories) about the Italian vineyards and their owners. After your tasting, buy a bottle from the shelf, open it up and enjoy it right in the store window front.

Before heading to grab a bite to eat, send your gag reflux into overdrive by visiting the gum wall in Post Alley. Named the 2nd germiest place to visit by TripAdvisor, I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t want to take a peek. Leave your mark…er…your chewed gum as a tribute to your travels.

Now that your stomach has settled down, I’m sure you’ve started thinking about food. I have the perfect solution: Elliot’s Oyster House on Pier 56. You’ll want to get there early but don’t fill up on their incredible sandwiches just yet. Elliot’s runs a progressive oyster happy hour Monday – Friday. Starting at 3PM, oysters on the half-shell are a measly 50 cents! For each 30 minutes that passes, the cost rises by 25 cents, until 6PM when the tasty treats return to regular prices. Elliot’s boasts one of the largest (and freshest) local seafood menus in the area and should not be missed.

After stumbling out of Elliot’s in a seafood stupor, take a stroll over to the new Olympic Sculpture Park. If your legs have had enough excitement for the day, hop onto one of downtown’s free buses and get out at Broad Street. This nine-acre park is a former industrial space that has been transformed to an outdoor art museum. With stunning views of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, it’s a great place to watch the sunset and unwind after a hectic day.

What are some of your favorite Seattle sights and activities? Share them with me in the comments or on Twitter @TheFlyingSalmon.

Recently Hotel Sierra in Redmond, WA asked me to be their guest for an evening. Since I’ve been scoping out hotels for my parents to stay in when they visit in June, I took them up on their offer and spent a Friday night on the eastside. The new hotel, which opened in September 2009, offers guests a range of amenities including a fitness room, indoor pool and hot tub, conference rooms and full bar with outside patio seating and fireplace.

The rooms are spacious and modern, with dark wood cabinets and simple decorations. Many rooms offer work areas, private balconies and full kitchens, making it a great option for business travelers or extended out-of-town guests. While it’s close enough to Seattle by car, visitors without their own transportation may find it difficult to get to Seattle city center conveniently. And while Redmond certainly isn’t the epitome of adventure, there are enough activities nearby that you won’t go crazy if you’re without a car. For outdoor-types, there’s a 42-mile trail system and 2.5-acre community park located right outside the hotel doors. Redmond Town Center is also within walking distance to the hotel and offers a plethora of shopping and dining options.

If you do have a car to get around, ask the front desk to help you plan a day trip to Woodinville Wine Country which is home to over 45 wineries and tasting rooms. The hotel is also a short drive to Snoqualmie Falls, Washington’s 270 foot waterfall, with hiking trails and observation decks. And at the end of your day, there’s no need to worry about parking – Hotel Sierra offers free garage parking to all guests.

A major perk for me was the complimentary breakfast with omelette bar. Though the omelette filling station was lacking a bit (I had cheese and onions), the buffet was well-stocked with Starbucks coffee, pastries, yogurt and breakfast meats.

Though I think this is a bit out of the way for my parent’s visit to Seattle, it’s definitely a great option for anyone in town on business or for families with children who need a bit more space.

For more information, rates and availability, contact Hotel Sierra at 425.297.2000.