Sleepless in Seattle?

eattle may be most readily identified as the birthplace of Starbucks and the Space Needle. But its eclectic You’ll find plenty of reasons to atmosphere offers much more than opportunities to stay up in the Emerald City. sip superb coffee and drink in the panoramic view Ⅵ By Maureen Haggerty from atop the most familiar symbol of the 1962 World’s Fair. SNamed for an American Indian chief and nick- named the Emerald City for the rain that keeps its

4 TravelNursing2006 www.nursing2006.com Opposite: Seattle’s famous Space Needle hovers over the nighttime cityscape. Left: A stunning arch with usable space connects old and new exhibit areas at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. Right: Enjoy a spectacular view of downtown Seattle and the Cascade Mountains from a Washington State Ferry.

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m including the immense

s o r h o T Hammering Man, popu- t i

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n o i t hundreds of parks lush and green, Seattle established n e v n o

itself as a major Pacific port within decades of its mid- C

s ' e l t 19th-century founding. Now home to more than half t a e a million people, 10 colleges and universities, and S such prestigious medical institutions as the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, this cosmopoli- tan metropolis is a vibrant mix of open-air celebra- tions, outdoor recreation opportunities, eye-catching art and architecture, theatrical and musical perfor- mances, and a veritable smorgasbord of shops, muse- ums, and restaurants. Seattle was built atop seven hills on Washington State’s Puget Sound, with Mount Rainier hovering in the background. Only 113 miles south of the Canadian border, Seattle has its share of water, which covers 41% of the 84 square miles within the city limits. Despite occasional thunderstorms, summers are more dry than humid. Temperatures generally remain in the mid-70s between June and September and rarely fall below freezing in winter. Locals tend to

dress in layers to cope with sudden chills or unexpect- n o s p

ed showers. m o h T

m i Self-propulsion is the way to go T Commuting by bicycle is more popular here than in Its central location makes Pioneer Square easy to reach any other urban area in America. Visitors and resi- on foot or via public transportation, and its charming dents enjoy 30 miles of bike-pedestrian trails and 16 vintage streetcars ferry passengers to various nearby miles of lanes designated for two-wheeled transport. destinations. You’re bound to find at least one irresistible walking The oldest continuously operating farmers’ mar- tour in this pedestrian-friendly city. ket in the United States—and considered by some Start at Pioneer Square, the heart of Seattle and the the finest public market in the world—Pike Place city’s first permanent settlement. Within some 20 Market is one of Seattle’s most popular tourist desti- blocks of its historic buildings, you’ll find totem poles, nations. Founded in 1907, this 9-acre exuberance of the country’s largest concentration of Victorian- produce, performers, artisans, and eateries is open Romanesque architecture, more than 30 galleries, every day except December 25 and January 1. dozens of unique and delightful shops, a secluded Whether you opt for a guided tour or choose to park whose centerpiece is a majestic waterfall, afford- wander the cobblestone streets on your own, check able cafés, vibrant nightclubs, and elegant restaurants. out Pike Place Fish. Employees there have elevated www.nursing2006.com TravelNursing2006, June 5 n o s p Left and opposite: Catch a cup of joe—and m o

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salmon slinging to an art form. d n a

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Seattle’s International District o i t

Only in the Emerald City: An elusive exclusive n e encompasses Chinatown. This v n o C

s historic area is a center of Equidistant from Tokyo and London, contemporary Seattle is an ethnic amalgam. ' e l t t a

Japanese, Korean, Filipino, But the city’s Scandinavian heritage is proudly reflected in institutions such as the e S Southeast Asian, and Pacific Swedish Medical Center, the Norwegian Constitution Day Parade, the popularity of Islander culture and commerce. Scandinavian-language courses, and in residents’ unswerving allegiance to the Bill Speidel’s Underground embodiment of a mythical creature known as the Fremont Troll. Tour guides visitors along pas- Living in caves, alongside the ocean, in the forest, or under bridges, dwarf or sages that once connected down- giant trolls are mainstays of Scandinavian folklore. The Fremont Troll was first sight- town Seattle and now lie beneath ed shortly after Seattle’s Aurora Avenue Bridge was erected in 1932; its 18-foot-tall, the bustle of the city’s streets. 2-ton shaggy-haired likeness was sculpted in 1990 and immediately took up resi- Don’t overlook the striking dence under that span. Arguably less hideous looking than his imaginary counter- 11-story glass-and-steel Central parts, the Fremont Troll is decidedly gentler than those ferocious and greedy brutes. Library; the Convention Center, He raises no objection when visitors climb over his limbs, patiently poses for pho- whose gardens and galleria span a tographs for strangers’ scrapbooks, and enjoys being credited with saving the neigh- freeway; or the Smith Tower, one borhood from mud slides. Rumor has it that fellow trolls flock to the area during the of the world’s first skyscrapers. summer solstice and on Halloween. Museum enthusiasts will want to meander through the Center for Wooden Boats, a hands-on maritime heritage museum, scape. In addition to the Fremont Troll (see Only in the and the Museum of Flight, which houses an authentic Emerald City: An elusive exclusive), you’re apt to reproduction of history’s first successful powered air- encounter replicas of Rachel, the brass pig that’s a fix- plane. The Nordic Heritage Museum is the country’s ture at Pike Place Market and the inspiration for a only museum honoring the heritage of Norway, citywide charity drive; the mermaid that adorns the Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland. original Starbucks; a statue of Lenin imported from The Science Fiction Museum was the first of its Russia; and Waiting for the Interurban. This collection kind, and the Pacific Science Center includes a plane- of six cast aluminum figures who’ve been waiting for a tarium, interactive dinosaur exhibits, and a Tropical bus since 1979 is one of the city’s most beloved icons. Butterfly House, where jewel-toned insects flutter Seattleites regularly festoon the statues with clothing, through the air and drink the nectar of tropical signs, and other decorations to commemorate public blooms. The Wing Luke Museum, which focuses on or personal milestones. You can’t miss the Hammering Asian-American history, includes displays on immigra- Man, a 48-foot sculpture whose mechanized arm tion, the arts, and traditional medicine. The Burke hammers silently every 15 seconds between 7 a.m. Museum of Natural History and Culture showcases and 10 p.m., resting only on Labor Day. various facets of the Pacific Northwest. With the highest percentage of arts-related busi- Obviously, Seattle boasts art museums and galleries nesses and organizations of any U.S. city, Seattle nur- galore, but you needn’t go indoors to feast your eyes tures a world-famous opera company, 15 symphony on murals, sculpture, and other forms of creative orchestras, 80 clubs where live music is performed, 29 expression. Visit http://seattle.gov/arts/publications/ professional theatres, and 56 fringe theatre companies. publicart/walkingtours/default.asp to learn about a Its International Film Festival, which runs in early series of Public Art Walking Tours you can print out summer, is the largest in the United States. The Ex- and follow. These selectively curated rambles highlight perience Music Project, which features a three-story pieces from city, county, and state collections; corpo- guitar sculpture, celebrates popular music through rate artwork; community gardens; and incomparable unique interactive exhibits, artifacts, and live perfor- architecture. Call the Seattle Arts Commission at 206- mances. Bumbershoot, held every Labor Day week- 684-7171 to find out more. end, is one of the largest urban arts festivals in the Public art is an integral part of this dynamic city- United States.

6 TravelNursing2006 www.nursing2006.com Greek cuisine at Bacchus, Indian food at Banjara, or Argentinean entrees at Buenos Aires Grill. Ray’s Boathouse and Earth and Ocean serve seafood and other American favorites. Gourmet Indian delights are pre- pared tableside at upscale Nara Grill, and Kangaroo and Kiwi dishes up favorites from Australia and New Zealand in sports-bar ambience. Indulge your taste buds at Take a Bite of Seattle, when hundreds of vendors offer sam- ples of their specialties. This culinary extrava- ganza is held each July at the Seattle Center, a venue for concerts, exhibits, festivals, and sports events. Washington shares the same latitude as the great French vineyards, and touring the Snoqualmie Valley wineries may be just your cup of tea. Spend some time whale watching, take a seaplane excursion, or search for antiques in Kirkland, Langley, and Coupeville. Check out life on the waterfront too. You can

Smart moves

• Get a CityPass for access to Seattle’s most popular attractions at http://www.seeseattle.org/cvs/citypass.asp • Tap into the Citywide Concierge Center at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center at http://www.seeseattle.org/ccc. Let’s get physical • Investigate the Seattle Super Saver Value Guide at While in Seattle, make time to hike, fish, http://www.seeseattle.org/media/sss/SSSPKValueGuide.asp. canoe, ski, snowboard, or play a round of golf. Last accessed April 28, 2006. Or go rafting, clamming, or kayaking. Check out the professional sports too—alone catch a glimpse of the houseboats on Lake Union, the among Northwest cities, Seattle fields major league largest floating residential community in the United teams in all three primary sports—baseball, basketball, States, or treat yourself to a trip on one of Seattle’s and football. In fact, the city has become quite a base- romantic ferries. Even if you don’t encounter Tom ball town, but baseball isn’t the only game in town. Hanks or Meg Ryan, you’re sure to enjoy the ride. Seahawks Stadium is a state-of-the-art facility for both football and soccer. KeyArena is sports central at For more information Seattle Center—and home to the Seattle SuperSonics If you’d like general tourist information, visit the City (men’s basketball), the Seattle Storm (women’s basket- of Seattle’s official Web site at http://www.seattle.gov ball), and the Seattle Thunderbirds (hockey). or the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau at http:// www.seeseattle.org. (Their TDD-accessible phone Food fest number is 206-461-5840.) For tickets or reservations, All that activity is bound to stimulate your appetite, call Citywide Concierge Center at 206-461-5888.‹› and Seattle can satisfy cravings for everything from lutefisk or geoduck to latte or burgers and fries. Enjoy Maureen Haggerty is a freelance writer in Bucks County, Pa. www.nursing2006.com TravelNursing2006, June 7