Explore:NW Summer/Fall 2016 | Page 40

Space Needle The only way to get a better view of Seattle is aboard one of Kenmore Air’s airplanes, but in the event you want to soak up the 360-degree view then take the elevator to the observation deck of the Space Needle. Open seven days a week, there’s also a beautiful restaurant that deserves your attention. Built for the World’s Fair in 1962, the Space Needle is in the heart of Seattle Center. You’ll find yourself 520 feet in the air looking down on the city, or across the Puget Sound, and peering over to the Olympic Mountains. Let’s just say the views are to die for! If you don’t want to ride the elevator, then you might consider taking the stairs. All 848 of them. Located on Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle, the Woodland Park Zoo is a massive playground for over 1,100 animals and 300 different animal species. It sprawls over 188 acres and while animals are the primary draw, there are countless exhibits that will keep you entertained for an entire day. There are Zootunes Concerts featuring great bands and performers, plus camps and interactive programs for children. But really most people come to see the animals. Some of the more popular exhibits include the African Savanna and African Village, the penguin exhibit, the tropical Asia exhibit that includes the tiger and sloth bear exhibits, the park’s Asian elephant program and finally the Western Lowland Gorilla exhibit. WHEN TO VISIT to 6 pm. zoo.org Open daily (except Christmas) from 9:30 am jeremy dwyer-lindgren/woodland park zoo photo WHEN TO VISIT Observation deck is open Monday through Thursday 10 am to 9:30 pm; 9:30 am to 10:30 pm Friday and Saturday, and 9:30 am to 9:30 pm on Sundays. spaceneedle.com Woodland Park Zoo Alki Beach Why not see the city from where it all began? Alki Beach was the first settlement and it remains a popular beach for visitors and the city’s residents. It has 2 ½ miles of sandy beach, which is an anomaly for Puget Sound beaches (most are rocky). Here you can sunbathe, play beach volleyball, dip your toes into the water, picnic, run along the promenade, get a bite to eat at one of the many waterfront restaurants all while taking in one of the best views of the city skyline or the Cascade Mountains. WHEN TO VISIT Open daily from 4 am to 11:30 pm. Seattle Parks & Recreation, 206-684-4075 38 explore:NW | The Official Magazine for kenmore air | Summer 2016 Seattle Art Museum The traveling exhibits at the Seattle Art Museum continues to surprise visitors and residents of Seattle. It has hosted exhibits like the “Treasures of Tutankhamun” and “Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris” among many others. Be sure to check out the latest exhibits because it’s always changing. What you’ll always find at SAM is a stable of regular artwork that makes this place a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. WHEN TO VISIT Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm, Thursdays 10 am to 9 pm. Closed Tuesdays. seattleartmuseum.org