Seattle Center

Built in 1962 for the Century 21 Exposition, the Seattle Center features some of the cities top attractions. A fairground, the EMP, various exhibition halls, museums, the monorail and of course, the Space Needle.

On a March afternoon, not surprisingly, it’s a little cloudy, but there are still some unique views thanks to the EMP.

   

Elsewhere in the park is the international fountain and of course many views up. And yes, there were kids in swimming costumes running through the water in spite of it being about 50 degrees F.

Even on a cloudy day though, you can still get some good views from the top – the Olympics, Quest Field, The PI (which just closed) and downtown.. oh and the EMP :)

On a better day, you can see Rainier too, but that will have to be another time… About a mile from downtown, you can walk to the needle, but the tourist way is on the monorail which cuts through the EMP and provides some different views of the city.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial

Just east of CKS metro is the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Park, also featuring the national theater and concert hall.

The theater and hall are of the traditional design…

 

With intricate details.

 

The memorial hall has some resemblance to an Egyptian pyramid which may not be a coincidence.

Inside is a huge statue of the man in question and honor guards.

There’s also some nice views of the park.

 

They don’t let just anyone inside though.

 

Though once inside, there are multiple museums of old and new.

 

Including some of the opulence the KMT was criticized for.  

Things to do when jetlagged #7

Take photos of the full moon…

The Botanical Gardens

Just west of CKS Metro is Nanhai Road (btw, on the metro road map, it appears on top which logically suggests it’s to the north – the maps are oriented to major roads though so don’t assume this).

Along here you’ll find a few museums like the National History Museum and Art Museum. Just round the corner from where it meets the elevated 1st Boulevard is the entrance to the Botanical Gardens.

Mainly green this time of year, there are still some interesting things to see…

Outside the east gate are a few interesting buildings which have seen better days and a pond.