I
T
I
N
E
R
A
R Y
|
S
H
O
R T
H
O
P
S
Tulips Upon Tulips at
The Butchart Gardens
While The Butchart Gardens offer floral displays year-round,
the spring is an exceptionally special time to visit. As the
days grow longer, the sweet scent of hyacinths perfumes the
meticulously manicured 55-acre grounds.
AN AVGEEK MUST Immerse
yourself in the wonder of
flight. Explore how mankind
took to the sky and the
stars at one of Seattle’s top
attractions — the Museum of
Flight.
STONE PATHWAYS AND STREAMS
AWAKEN with brilliant pops of color.
This is thanks in large part to the over
300,000 bulbs coming into bloom —
featuring daffodils, peonies, irises, and,
most prominently, tulips.
The Garden is tended by 50 full-time
gardeners and 20 seasonal gardeners.
During the early spring, the crew breaks
up the soil to ease the path of air, water,
and nutrients to the bulbs below.
Generally speaking, the most sensa-
tional blooms happen from mid-April
through the first week of May. But
Mother Nature can be a fickle mistress.
She sometimes brings spring earlier or
later than expected.
Approximately 1.5 miles of walking
paths wind through five distinct gar-
26
explore: NW | The Official Magazine for kenmore air | Spring 2019
dens, the most famous of which is the
Sunken Garden. Once a large rocky hole,
the quarry has been transformed into a
green-cloaked wonderland of flowers,
trees, and shrubs. At its center, a look-
out known as “The Mound” rises above
the immaculately pruned Japanese
maples and 151 unique flowerbeds. The
ascent to The Mounds top is almost oth-
erworldly. It follows a narrow circular
path that clings to the steep sides, as
though it’s drawing you into the garden
itself.
Though the small lookout can often
be crowded, benches are tucked in
quiet corners throughout the rest of
The Butchart Gardens. Be sure to take a
moment, sit down, and relish the cele-
bration of spring.
SEATTLE MAY BE BEST KNOWN as the
birthplace of Microsoft and Starbucks.
However, the Emerald City’s famed
industrial history began long before
electric guitars and computer code. It’s
arguably, Seattle’s first major contribu-
tion to the world which began on Lake
Union when Bill Boeing launched his
first aircraft in 1916, a Boeing B & W
Seaplane.
Today, a replica very similar to that
first plane hangs in the Great Gallery at
the Museum of Flight. It’s suspended
from the rafters of the 3 million-cu-
bic-foot, six-story, glass-and-steel exhib-
it hall. Daylight floods the space during
the day and at night, it’s dramatically lit
to showcase the stunning architecture.
Flight simulators are located at the
southern and northern corners of the
Great Gallery. A kid’s zone is located on
the second floor of the Great Gallery,
where children of all ages and abilities
can embrace their inner pilot.
But the museum doesn’t stop there.
There are five additional, awe-inspir-
ing galleries. It could take you days
to see everything. And seeing as the
galleries are indoors or covered, that’s
just fine! The Museum of Flight is the
perfect place to explore — no matter the
weather.
Museum of Flight
9404 E Marginal Way S.
Seattle, WA 98108
museumofflight.org