S is for Six Sunny Hours in Seattle

When the sun shines in Seattle, you want to be where the action is: anywhere near the water with a view of the mountains.

One way to take in a panoramic view of the region is to head west on the 520 floating bridge towards downtown Seattle. From the bridge deck you’ll have a 180 degree view of the Olympic Mountains, with “The Brothers” peaks straight ahead, Mt. Rainier to your left, and Mt. Baker on your right. At the west end of the bridge, look for the University of Washington Husky Stadium. Go Dawgs!

Photo courtesy of Loco Steve – flickr

Next, take a couple of hours to stroll through Pike Place Market on Elliott Bay for a sampling of outstanding produce, flowers, and crafts from the Pacific Northwest. Be sure to check out the restaurants and shops on both sides of the street and on each of the market levels. Leave with a souvenir watercolor painting of the city or a photo of yourself atop the Market Pig. Shop for jewelry, teas and spices or a stack of magazines from around the world and stop at the original Starbucks store for a cup of your favorite joe to go. Don’t leave without trying your hand at catching a flying fish from the fun-loving guys at The Fish Market.

Photo courtesy of moohaha – flickr

When you’re ready to take a break from shopping, you can select from any number of restaurants at the Market for lunch – or you can hop back in your car for the drive to Ray’s Boathouse, Seattle’s premier waterfront restaurant, for a delectable meal of fresh seafood, like salmon, calamari, jumbo shrimp, scallops or crab cakes. Mmm . . .

What are your favorite places on a sunny Seattle day, wanderboomers?