Seattle TravelGram

Love Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners? Then don’t miss Opening Night for the M’s at Safeco Field!

Date: Friday, Apr. 8
Game Starts: 7:10pm
Doors Open: 5:10pm

Check out the Seattle Mariner’s 2011 Schedule to  purchase tickets online.  Remember, Safeco Field Tours are available year-round — Visit the dugout, field, Visitors Clubhouse, press box and more!

Watch the Seattle Thunderbirds vs. Tri-City Americans March 30th. Game starts at 5:05pm at the ShoWare Center located at 625 W James St in Kent. Contact the T-Birds at (253) 239-7825 or email stbirds@seattlethunderbirds.com for more information.

Looking for a place to watch the Seahawks and Bears game? Check out these great venues:

• Fox Sports Grill 1522 6th Avenue
• Sport Restaurant & Bar 140 4th Ave N
• The Hawks Nest Bar & Grill 1028 1st Avenue South

Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears, Jan. 16. Game starts 10am.
TV: FOX | Radio: 97.3 FM KIRO

Photos (above) Courtesy of Seattle Seahawks. Hawks defeated the Chicago Bears during week six of 2010 season with the final score of 23-20.

T-Birds hockey anyone? Seattle Thunderbirds play the Everett Silvertips. Game starts at 7:35pm, Jan 14. at the ShoWare Center located at 625 W James St in Kent. Never been? Seattle Thunderbirds offers some great family deals from time to time. Contact the T-Birds at (253) 239-7825 or email stbirds@seattlethunderbirds.com to learn more about special offers and promotions!

Come cheer for the Seahawks Jan. 8 in a post season playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. Game starts at 1:30pm. Watch them live from Seattle, on NBC TV or tune into 97.3 FM KIRO radio. PHOTO: The Sea Gals performed during Play 60 day at Qwest Field as the Seahawks took on the Chiefs. (Photo courtesy of Seattle Seahawks)

Skate and celebrate at the Group Health Ice Arena in downtown Bellevue! Located at NE 1st Street and 102nd Avenue NE, this beloved Magic Season tradition is the perfect memory-making activity for family and friends. The arena features the area’s only outdoor skating rink, plus music from STAR 101.5, free skating lessons, and a series of special holiday events. Open to the public now through Jan. 9, 2011. Complete schedule:

• Monday Jan. 3, 3:00pm-9:00pm
• Tuesday Jan. 4, 3:00pm-7:00pm
• Wednesday Jan. 5, 1:00pm-9:00pm
• Thursday Jan. 6, 3:00pm-9:00pm
• Friday Jan. 7, 3:00pm-11:00pm
• Saturday Jan. 8, 11:00am-11:00pm
• Sunday Jan. 9, 11:00am-6:00pm

Mt. Rainier Gondola at Crystal Mountain Opens tomorrow, Dec. 23!  This is the first gondola at a ski area in Washington and will begin loading public at 9:45am, following a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The first 100 people in line Thursday morning will receive a free scenic gondola ride. A neon green sign will mark the beginning of the line.

Throughout the day riders will be greeted by occasional prize cabins with presents from local outdoor brands and retailers including Jansport, Smith, UnderArmour, Outdoor Research, Marmot, Spacecraft, Crystal Mountain Lodging Association, Wapiti Woolies, Greenwater Outfitters and Evo.

Bill Steel, Crystal Mountain Director of Planning, will give a short speech about the project, followed by Jay Manning, Governor Gregoire’s Chief of Staff, reading a Gubernatorial proclamation. The ribbon cutting will follow.

Crystal Mountain is located in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. For more information, visit: www.skicrystal.com and www.mtrainiergondola.com.

Crew racing is a huge sport around the Seattle area and this weekend kicked it off in grand style. The Windermere Cup starts off the official opening day for boating season. Thousands of fans lined the Montlake Cut to cheer on the University of Washington’s Husky mens and womes crew teams.