Last month, I told my mom I was planning a mini vacation to Seattle and that I wanted to visit the Space Needle, aquarium, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum.
"Are you going to use a CityPASS for your trip?" she asked.
What in the world was that? I did a quick Google search and was sold immediately.
CityPASS is awesome because it gives you access to the most popular sites a city has to offer at almost half the price it would cost to purchase those same admissions separately. It gave me the opportunity to see the best of Seattle while sticking to my budget.
Check out my fun-filled weekend in this cool west coast city and find out how you can win 2 CityPASS booklets to the destination of your choice.
Space Needle
Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle is an iconic Seattle landmark that gives you a bird's eye view of the entire city.
Shooting up 520 feet in a 40 second elevator ride was definitely a trip highlight. At the top, we took in the gorgeous Seattle skyline, gazed out at Elliott Bay, and even spotted the Olympic and Cascade mountains in the distance.
Seattle Aquarium
Want to touch squishy sea cucumbers, get close to cute sea otters, and come face-to-face with exotic fish? The Seattle Aquarium is the place to do just that.
Nestled along the waterfront at Pier 59, the Seattle Aquarium is bursting with cool marine life that's just waiting to be discovered. I loved getting my hands wet at the Life on the Edge touch tanks. I was entranced by the playful, cuddly sea otters. I was wowed in the Underwater Dome as hundreds of salmon, sturgeon, and lingcod passed me by. And I couldn't stop shouting out "NEMO!" at every clownfish I saw.
What sets this aquarium apart from others is its commitment to conservation. It's dedication to preserving the fragile Puget Sound ecosystem is incredible. Education is a major aspect of the organization and I left knowing a whole lot more about sustainable seafood, ocean acidification, and the problems local orcas face. The aquarium also did a terrific job in teaching visitors about how to make greener choices in their daily lives.
EMP Museum
If you think museums are boring, you clearly haven't explored the EMP Museum. Devoted to everything music, sci-fi, and pop culture, this contemporary museum celebrates the creative process and curates some of the most interesting exhibits ever (there's a Hello Kitty exhibit on right now; how amazing is that?).
Even the building looks rad. World-renowned architect Frank O. Gehry wanted to create a structure with a rock n roll vibe. That's why he got a few electric guitars, cut them up, and used the pieces as structural elements for an early model design. Situated right beside the Space Needle, the EMP museum is a landmark you can't possibly miss thanks to its bright, shiny exterior and intriguing shape.
Inside, the rock n roll vibe lives on. The Wild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad display shed light on the wild life of Jimi Hendrix, while the impressive guitar gallery showcased the accomplishments of musical innovators like Orville Gibson, Leo Fender, and Les Paul. There was even a Nirvana exhibit devoted to telling the public and personal stories of the band.
Argosy Cruise Harbor Tour
Although it was raining cats and dogs out, our enthusiast guide on the Argosy Cruise Harbor Tour managed to get our minds off the rain by keeping us entertained with interesting tidbits about the city. In between drizzles, I scurried out on deck to snap photos and managed to get a decent view of the historic waterfront and city skyline. We even spotted a group of seals lounging out near the harbour.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
The Chihuly Garden and Glass museum was my favourite attraction of all. Dale Chihuly is a phenomenal glass sculptor; just see for yourself.
I was completely mesmerized as I meandered through the exquisite Glasshouse. Look at those deep reds, bright yellows, and vibrant orange hues. Chihuly combines light and colour in a way that will leave you in absolute awe.
There's also a lush outdoor garden you can take a stroll through and 8 indoor galleries to check out. Every corner I turned, I was bombarded with spectacular, intricate, and vivid glass sculptures. The galleries took an innovative approach by placing installations on the ceilings, walls, and floors, while the garden was packed full of blossoming camellias and handkerchief trees.
GIVEAWAY: Win 2 CityPass booklets to the destination of your choice!
I want to share my memorable CityPASS experience with you. That's why I've teamed up with CityPASS to give 1 lucky reader 2 CityPASS booklets to the destination of their choice (excludes Southern California). CityPASS destinations include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Toronto.
Think about which CityPASS destination you'd choose and use the widget below to enter!
Contest Details:
- One lucky reader will win 2 adult CityPASS booklets to the destination of their choice (excludes Southern California)
- Contest closes Friday, December 4 at 11:59pm PST
- To enter, you must be a US or Canadian resident above the age of majority in your state or province (sorry international readers!)
- Each CityPASS contains actual admission tickets to a destination's top 5 or 6 attractions
- CityPASS booklets must be activated by February 28, 2017 and are valid for 9 consecutive days beginning with the first day of use
Good luck!
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San Francisco has been calling me for years. I need to go! The West Coast scenery and the amazing food - I am home!
ReplyDeleteNew York, because it's the city that never sleeps! There are tons I want to do there! Pick me pick me! :)
ReplyDeleteSeattle because my daughter graduates from college in Texas and is moving to Seattle in January. It would be a great way for her to explore her new home town!
ReplyDeleteNew York City! The view from the top of the Empire State Building would be incredible to capture.
ReplyDeleteSeattle or San Francisco, this coming April. Definitely going to use CityPASS .
ReplyDeletewould love city pass for Seattle or NY city !!!
ReplyDeleteToronto for me, I would love to show my kids the CN Tower.
ReplyDeleteI would love to take my boys to the EMP Museum in Seattle. I love music and I'm always looking for ways to get my kids to love it too.
ReplyDeleteI would love to take my kids to the Seattle Aquarium. We've never been and it is something they would be super excited about.
ReplyDeleteWOuld love a pass for Toronto Ont
ReplyDeleteToronto for sure!
ReplyDeletetoronto
ReplyDeleteThe view from the top of the Empire State Building
ReplyDeleteChicago is three hours away from my new home of a year and I haven't been to visit yet.
ReplyDeleteI would want a City Pass To Dallas, TX!!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly batman, city pass to Vancouver, BC. Wow, prize city pass is fab. & splendid. 2 fingers snap. It is tight, fly & off the chain. Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. :)
ReplyDeleteI would like to visit Seattle!
ReplyDeleteNew York or Seattle. But your pictures of Seattle have me leaning towards there.
ReplyDeleteI would love a citypass to Philadelphia. I live so close but I have hardly seen anything there.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to get a CityPASS for Toronto!
ReplyDeleteProbably Seattle, because I love it there. BUT I would love to visit someplace new!
ReplyDeleteCitypass to Tampa Bay, near home enough for a drive but have never been to those attractions.
ReplyDeleteI would choose Toronto
ReplyDeleteseattle!
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to go to Boston but haven't made it there yet!
ReplyDeleteI would visit Toronto, always wanted to go to Canada but never have before!
ReplyDeleteI would love to go to New York or Chicago for the sites and shopping, but I would probably end up in Toronto because it's close.
ReplyDeleteThe City Pass I would like to visit most is New York City because there is so many great sights to see.
ReplyDeleteNew York, I've just always wanted to go.
ReplyDelete