Time to launch the balloons and fire up the band Colorful Seattle’s – 10th Anniversary Edition is here - -Timeless local gems plus new location to explore.
With so much happening in this fair city since first the publishing, we knew it was time for new additions and a few updates.
So what’s new?
We’re humbled to include the Duwamish Longhouse. What is metropolitan Seattle today, was formerly land belonging to the Coast Salish people, namely, the Suquamish and Duwamish Tribes. The name “Seattle” is actually a derivative of Chief Si’ahl (pronounced “See-ahlth”), the leader of both tribes at the time the first settlers arrived here in 1851. The story of Seattle simply could not be told without this inclusion.
The beloved, super-sized Typewriter Eraser has been removed from the Olympic Sculpture Park along the waterfront (perhaps because 70% of the population does not know what it is??). In its place in Colorful Seattle, is Jaume Plensa’s “Echo”. This serene sculpture is located on the west side of the Park and gazes over the Sound to the Olympic Peninsula. (Mr. Plensa’s magnificent “Crown Fountain” in Millennium Park, with its ever-changing faces of the local community, can be found in Colorful Chicago.) ‘Bravo’ to one of our favorite artists from Barcelona!
The Smith Tower stands in the Seattle skyline like a classic well-tailored suit that never goes out of style. Be sure to visit the 35th floor Observation Deck to see Bainbridge Island and beyond.
In need of some uncontrolled laughs and general zaniness? Look no further than Archie McPhee in the Wallingford neighborhood. Goth cats, racing sloths and rubber chickens of all sizes. (Some members of the Colorful Cities team have had a rubber chicken in the fridge for 15+ years. Nothing odd about that, now is there?!)
Holy Moly! At the center of the Amazon campus, located in the South Lake Union neighborhood, sit three spectacular glass and steel Spheres filled with lush tropical plantings. Quite an amazing site on a dark and damp winter day! Although these are workspaces for employees, free public tours are available via appointment.
A day trip adventure is included in most Colorful Cities books and thus it was added to Colorful Seattle as well. Many unique Pacific Northwest options abound within an hour or so – diverse bodies of water or mountain ranges, but we chose one of the many amazing islands that are the pathway to the Pacific Ocean.
Whidbey Island is easily accessible by ferry just north of the city. Drive up the island, stopping at beaches and quaint towns. At the top find Deception Pass State Park with exceptional hikes, massive cedar trees, and a breathtaking bridge connecting Whidbey to Fidalgo Island. Don’t forget to eat some mussels in Coupeville on beautiful Penn Cove.
And don't forget for each copy of Colorful Seattle - Explore and Color purchased a donation is made to the Seattle Parks Foundation.
Happy Exploring!
