Seattle has more to offer than just the Space Needle

Seattle is, without a doubt, the culture haven of the West Coast, as well as the birthplace of grunge, post-grunge and the beginnings of Northwest pop culture.

The stereotypical natives of this town are twentysomethings in pseudo-trendy clothing wielding espresso like a religious sacrament to their dying religion of Generation Y. The reality is, however, that Seattle is the greatest city in the West: rainy, exciting and big. Furthermore, a lot can be packed into a day, so the trick is to use time wisely.

The first traditional stop while sightseeing in Seattle is the famed Space Needle, standing 605 feet high and allowing viewers to see the entire sprawl of Seattle. Natives will probably roll their eyes, as the Space Needle is the generic tourist symbol. The great thing about the Space Needle, however, is it never seems to get old going that high in the air. An elevator takes you up, and when you get sick of the view you can always sit down for a steak at the Space Needle restaurant.

Seattle is also home to the Seattle Aquarium. The aquarium features an underwater dome that visitors can walk through to view a 400,000-gallon tank from all views. The dome is also open for dining at night when the underwater lighting highlights the fish. An IMAX theater is also located at the aquarium, which is an incredibly experience. The 180-degree screen captures a vivid picture from all angles, using Omnimax film technology and advanced surround sound.

Visitors who wish to roam the historical and cultural centers can check out Pike Place Market (where the aquarium is located) and Pioneer Square.

Pike Place Market, developed in 1907, is a combination of Saturday Market, Farmer's Market and the Fifth Street Public Market. With 100 farmers, 150 craftspeople, more than 200 local merchants and 50 performers, Pike Place is regarded as Seattle's premier downtown market district.

Further into the city, visitors can find Pioneer Square, which offers a variety of art galleries and bookstores. Sports fans may be especially interested in this part of the city because Safeco Field and Seahawks Stadium are also in this area. Pioneer Square is a great place to wander around, see the people of Seattle and visit local shops.

For museum fans, a trip to the Seattle Art Museum is a must. The museum offers nearly 23,000 exhibits, from ancient Egypt to contemporary America, and is especially concentrated in Asian and African exhibits, as well as modern and European art.

No visit to Seattle would be complete without a night of drinking and debauchery. Try Club Medusa for dancing and drinking, Funsters for gambling and live music, or Jazz Alley for jazz in a relaxing atmosphere. Seattle has a great variety of clubs, so don't be shy to end the night with a valiant mission to see them all.

Contact the reporter at janmontry@dailyemerald.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Emerald.

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