I was recently in the International District in downtown Seattle. Went there early one Sunday morning for some the of the best Dimsum this city has to offer at the Jade Garden. This place was packed, this photo doesnt even do it justice for the corner was flooded with people when we first showed up . There was a long wait, though from what is known this is fairly unavoidable due to the huge popularity of the place. Other dimsum places are literally across the street and dont have nearly the business that this place seems tor produce, so fair enough there is something to be said for that. Putting in our 60 minutes of wait so that we could feast down on the questionable tasty trays was well worth it.If your a big fan of shrimp, it comes in almost everthing here. Its located down in the international district, parking is a bit of a pain, though there are heaps of buses that go into the area, or pay garages.
If you ever get the chance to come to Vancouver and your here to peek a show, the best place to see this would be the Commodore Ballroom. This is the best place to view shows in Vancouver. With a wide range of performers coming to play here through out the year there is something that almost everyone can get into. Thats unless you despise music so much that you plan to throw this idea in the toilet all together.
Located in Vancouver’s nightclub core on Granville street. It also makes a great starter for the night even if the group itself your viewing blows. I have had some good opportunity to see Jurassic 5, Common, Chromeo, and just recently Snoop Dogg, The Dogg Pound and Warren G.. Here are a couple snaps. Blurry yes, but it gives you an idea of how close you are.
I have to add that Warren G set it off with “Regulator“. People started going bananas, though the these were mostly people in their late 20’s to mid 30’s, It was even more hilarious to watch guys in the their teens and 20’s a little lost and baffled at the famous early 90’s track.
From whats been said its pretty similar to the Showbox Theatre in Seattle.
The Seattle Central library has to be one of the most creatice structures in Seattle. World renowned architect Rem Koolhas,(recently regarded by Time magazine as one of the most influential people of 2008) put his brilliance to paper and came up with what is now the Seattle Central Library. I have had the opportunity to visit some truly amazing library’s around the world, though I have never been in one that hit a persons senses like this one. The colours, media usage, and design truly keep an individual in an astonished state.Offering all technology like “wireless internet”, though this is everywhere to say the least. The only downside, if you are an out of towner, you can pretty much forget about taking out any materials. I wasnt even allowed to watch one of their films at the library itself.
However when visiting from Vancouver to Seattle, take some time, grab a latte on the main floor or a dirty Starbucks and have a walk through of the entire complex. Its a museum in itself, and is filled with characters on the top floor.
Located in downtown Seattle, close to all other top locations. Once again making the trip from Vancouver to Seattle a little more bearable.
Once down in Seattle and your really keen on getting into some true American cuisine, you may want to hit up the Icon Grill. This has been somewhat of a legend in Seattle for years. Located right on the corner of 5th avenue and Virginia Street, giving it a perfect location in downtown Seattle, with great proximity to Bell Town and Pike Place. At first glimpse of walking into this place I felt I walked into my grandmothers storage unit. The place didnt have a vacant area of wall space,, and was littered with candy trays, lamps, glass vases and more lamps.
The Icon Grill has been famed for its fried macaroni and cheese. The first time that I went there I ordered the mac up. It comes in fried cubes, tasted awsome and gave me heart burn. It’s a concoction of cheeses mixed together and then your given more melted cheese on the side to pour over it, hence the heart burn.That goes without saying that I also had a BBQ chicken pizza , salmon cakes and a few cocktails.That heartburn really topped it off though, and I felt that this was a true American meal. Supposedly the mac and cheese is not the dish that the Icon Grill is famous for, and its actually the salmon cakes. I cant recall the last time I checked up the contemporary American food guide, but I do not remember salmon cakes being Americans dish of choice. Either way, if you want order the fried macaroni and cheese, tell the waitress this is what you came for, and if she says otherwise, throw a Canadian Loonie into her tip jar.
That goes without saying, that this place is amazing for drinks. They pour them are delicious and they pour them with the intention of getting you right drunk. The Saphire Martinis and the Lemon drops are renowned and they have a couple of happy hours everyday. One from 4-6, then again from 10-close. This is probably your best time to get in there and enjoy a few cheap drinks. It can get a little pricey , and after some appys, main dishes, and drinks its probably going to run you about 50 bucks per person.
I love this dude. I always try to peek one of his sessions while Im down in Seattle. You can usually see him jamming out at 5th and Pine in the downtown core. Right out front of Westlake Center or Nordstroms on the corner. There are a couple guys that go to jam out though try and catch the guy in the video.
Some of the best drinks and pours the city of has to offer. Rendevous in Belltown Seattle is a great bar to hit up. The drink specials are always interesting and they pour them with intention of making their customers happy. The scene is very casual and even will host private parties in that dungeon like basement they have. Its a great place to have 1 or 10 drinks. The bonus of being in Seattle and not Vancouver is “Happy Hour”. Something that does not exist in Vancouver. Rendevous will help you out with drink specials from 4-6pm daily. View Larger Map
Jimi Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942, in Seattle. If you in the area of Capitol Hill , try and stop by the Hendrix statue and get a photo. This is an amazing piece of rock n roll history,and its coming straight out of Seattle. I wonder when Bryan Adams passes on an iron figure will be put up for him in Vancouver? Hmmm, probably not! Starting on April 26, the EMP is exhibiting Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound. This is will illustrate how Jimi Hendrix musical sound changed over time, starting with his younger years in Seattle to his journeys to New York and later London.
Mariners baseball is finally underway and tonight is their season opener. Either way, no need to fret cause there are too many of these games to go and check out. I was able to get to one game late summer and had the time of my life. I don’t necessarily recall the game due to all the BudLights I was drinking but I had an amazing time. Vancouver is limited to Canadians Baseball, a farm team to the Athletics. I recall these games as a child of disgruntled players who would shout back profanities to hecklers in the stands, and refuse to sign autographs for the kids. However in fairness, baseball in Canada is very much limited to the east coast and that of the Toronto BlueJays. If you are planning some trips from Vancouver to Seattle over the spring, summer or fall, have a look and try to catch a game. Tickets are cheap and in abundance. If you planning on just going down for the game, look into bus tickets through amtrak. Amtrak has buses going directly from Vancouver to Seattle downtown region.The bus drops you right off at the stadium, and in the crowds of thousands of baseball fans.
At first glimpse of the ever glamorous Gas Works one may possibly think of all the tetanus shots this contraption has caused. It was built around 1906 as a coal plant, though when natural gas came into play, this rust piece was turned into a park.It certainly had a melancholy feel to it all, though when you look at that rusty bin and then across Lake Union at the downtown city centre of Seattle, it is a bit of Seattle past and present all on the knoll of a hill.
Though on closer inspection of Gas Works Park itself, lying around on a sunny day looking at the city of Seattle with a book in hand, may not be such a bad idea.A sun dial is atop the hill and was pretty spot on when I gave it a check, an hour off, or my watch was, depending on who is looking. From my shadow, I peek in around 215 though my watch reads 315., though either way you be the judge. There is also a picnic area for families to take a packed lunched. This seems like a really great concept, except when we were walking through the picnic area, it was more of a way station for Seattle homeless relaxing and drinking some Rainer beers. I would recommend stopping off here while driving in from Vancouver to Seattle, for it gives a great view of the city itself. A clear day would be best,though the rain loves this place, so plan ahead. Follow the map ahead to have a look into whats the best way to drive off the ramp.
Fremont is located just north of queen anne. Its a mega funky part of Seattle, at one point recognized as “the centre of the universe”, this being to people that lived in the neighborhood, for I never heard of this place until I went there. Fremont is located just north of Queene Anne, I have thrown in a map for you, but you can take the Number “5″ bus from the Downtown Seattle Centre core. Its pretty quick and is only a dollar and a bit, compared to that 2.50 ride fare in Vancouver, going anywhere. Either way, once your there, there is a lot to start checking out. The Fremont Troll. A massive piece of Troll Art, under the Fremont bridge clasping onto a VolksWagon. Have a clamber around and take some photos, its a complete tourist gimic, but an artistic one at that. There are also really cool music stores, cafes, and restuarants in the region as well. One spot that we popped into was Blue C Sushi, They have a really cool concept in differentiating their plates. They simply just make them the same colours as the Tokyo Subway Lines. As confusing as it may sound they make it pretty simple. Though before you depart Fremont you should really have a visit with Lenin.
This really threw me off, I imagined possibly seeing this is Socialist loving Canada, and not the United States. I was looking at a towering iron statue of Mr. Communism himself. Purchased from Slovakia after the fall of the Iron Curtain, this now prominent figure finds himself a home in Fremont.Vancouver to Seattle, making it more interesting.
