Seattle TravelGram

There is nothing quite as good as locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. How about treating yourself to fresh corn that is so sweet you can eat it raw or a perfectly ripe peach from Eastern Washington. The taste difference apple harvested that morning or a tomato that is allowed to ripen on the vine is so amazingly better than what you can buy at your grocery store.

The neighborhood Farmers Markets still are still going strong and now is the time to get those late summer/fall veggies and fruits. Each market has its own flavor (pardon the pun). Some have more prepared food like crepes and Mexican specialties, some have beautiful flower arrangements and others have smoked fish, honey, jams, cheeses, handmade gifts and so on.

Here is a list of some of the local markets to visit:

University District Farmers Market

Broadway

Phinney

Lake City

Magnolia

West Seattle

Columbia City

Supporting your local growers and eating locally is the GREEN thing to do and definitely the tasty thing to do.

The Pike Place Market, with its famous flying fish and numerous vendors, has a history that includes much more than meets the eye. The Market Ghost Tour will show you a darker side of the market that even the most die-hard market fan does not yet know. Let the wonderful guides show you the spookier side of Seattle’s most famous tourist attraction.

A twilight walk through a deserted main promenade reveals the past of Post Alley. Behind the infamous gum wall, the Market Theatre is supposed to be haunted by children who passed away during the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 where 1,600 in the Seattle area died.  The Market Theatre reserves five seats for those ghostly visitors.

You’ll pass the old LaSalle Hotel and hear stories of the infamous brothel governess, Nellie, who had the sailors lining up for a block and has since become the inspiration for Pike Pub and Brewery’s organic brew; Naughty Nellie.

Further into the night, the tale of Princess Angeline, the daughter of Chief Sealth, and her beautiful plum trees reveals that the entire market was likely built atop a Duwamish Indian burial site. To this day Princess Angeline is as a perpetual wanderer of the market.

The Market Ghost Tour is full of many more tales to incite your imagination. Be sure to ask your guide about the sub basement of Kells Irish Pub…or shall I say the Mortuary, which is proposed to be the most haunted place in Seattle.  

The Market Ghost Tour is part of the 2010 Seattle TourSaver where there is over 100 2-for-1 coupons with over $8,000 in savings on tours, attractions, museums and hotels.

By Sara Palmer

Car Shows, Rodeo, Horse Shows, Quilting and Produce Displays all have their place at the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe through September 6th.   A family favorite is always 4-H events and programs which go on through out the fair.

The Grandstand Concert line-up brings in some really big headliners from Los Lobos to Howie Mandel.

The Evergreen State Fairgrounds are located one mile west of Monroe, WA; 14 miles east of Everett, on US2.

At the Burke Museum, on the University of Washington’s campus, 75 winning conservation photography images from around the world are on exhibit through September 6th, 2010.

The International Conservation Photography Awards were founded in 1997 by Art Wolfe, a Seattle native and well-known nature photographer and published author. This summer, the Burke Museum presents the winners of the 2010 ICP Awards in a stunning exhibit.

The Burke has permanent exhibits that display dinosaur bones, native American artifacts and so much more. This museum is part of the 2010 Seattle TourSaver book which has over $8,000 in 2-for1 coupons savings on tours, attractions, hotels and museums.

Are you looking for a romantic evening on the water or a tasty tour of Seattle’s lakes? On Waterways Cruises you can pick from an Elegant Dinner Cruise, a delicious Seattle’s Lakes Lunch Cruise Tour, a wonderful Sunday Brunch Cruise of Seattle’s Lakes, or a fun Cocktail and Music Cruise of Seattle’s Lakes all from their beautiful Waterways yachts.  You’ll see why water and lakes are so much a part of the Seattle landscape. These cruises conveniently depart from beautiful Lake Union Park.

Waterways yachts are beautiful vessels, providing luxurious space for dining, dancing, entertainment and viewing of the ever-changing scenery of Seattle shorelines during all seasons.  Rain or shine, the yachts provide a comfortable ride regardless of the weather, and offer remarkable views from the climate-controlled interior salons and spacious open air decks with plenty of photo opportunities.  Some of the most spectacular sights in Seattle area are visible only from the water, including many waterfront mansions of the world’s rich and famous! 

Waterways Cruises is part of the 2010 Seattle TourSaver book where you will find over 100 2-for-1 coupons with over $8,000 in savings on tours, attractions, hotels and museums.

Fans of the wildly popular Harry Potter movies will now have an opportunity to see a touring exhibit coming to the Pacific Science Center in October. The tickets are on sale now for HARRY POTTER™: THE EXHIBITION. Guests are encouraged to buy thier tickets early so you can get the best time and dates.

Fans will be able to see displays inspired by the film sets and see authentic costumes and props used in the movies.

HARRY POTTER™: THE EXHIBITION will open on October 23rd and run through January 30th, 2011.

The Pacific Science Center will be the only west coast venue planned for this exhibition. General public admission to Harry Potter: The Exhibition is $26 for adults; $24 for seniors (65 and over) and youth (6-15); $17 for children (ages 3-5) and includes admission to all of Pacific Science Center’s exhibits.

For 3 days Holland America is having a sale and it’s worth looking into. From Seattle to Vancouver for example, you can take a 1 day cruise for as little as $29.oo per person. I know for a fact driving to Vancouver BC is more expensive and not nearly a scenic or relaxing.

Holland America has destinations all over the world included in this sale so now may be the perfect time to book your ticket out of town.

The 23rd annual Auction of Washington Wines will be held on Thursday, August 19 – Saturday August 21st. The auction is a worth while event that benefits Seattle Children’s Hospital and Washington Wine Education Foundation. Tickets are now on sale.

This “Must Attend” event promises to be a dynamic weekend filled with award-winning wines.

How many of you have been to Bremerton lately? Not too long ago there just wasn’t that much to see and do but now “wow”  it’s really a wonderful place to visit with restaurants, a variety of accommodations and lodging, parks, a terrific new marina, an award winning golf course and many fun events throughout the year. From Bremerton’s waterfront you will enjoy amazing views of Sinclair inlet, the Olympic Mountains and Mt. Rainier.

The second annual Kitsap Wine Festival is August 14^th from 2:00 to 5:30pm.  Sample wines from 30+ of Washington and Oregon’s fine wineries. The Second Annual Kitsap Wine Festival at Harborside Fountain Park is a celebration of food and wine on Bremerton’s scenic waterfront.  Tickets are $50.00 per person and no one under 21 will be admitted. Net proceeds will benefit Harrison Medical Center Foundation. 

Guests can meander through the spectacular Harborside Fountain Park, enjoy live music and take in views of Puget Sound and the Port of Bremerton Marina.  Cuisine will be provided by Chef Marsha Henry of Kitsap Conference Center and Chef Shawn Walker of Anthony’s at Sinclair Inlet as well as other local restaurants.

If you are coming from Seattle just take the ferry from Seattle’s waterfront terminal and head to Bremerton and have a great day on the Kitsap Peninsula.

It’s always wonderful to find something unexpected and new when you’ve lived in the Seattle area for a long time.  The Cougar Mountain Zoo right in Issaquah, about 15 miles east of Seattle, is a place I’d never known was there until a few weeks ago.

The zoo is located on the north facing slope of Cougar Mountain so you will be treated to breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains and Lake Sammamish. Established in 1972, this zoos primary focus is on endangered species and visitor education. You’ll learn about  the causes of the Earth’s vanishing wildlife.

Take your time touring this beautifully landscaped zoo and see the World of Cougars, World of Reindeer, World of Tigers and World of Macaws exhibits plus their wildlife museum.