Located in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, and commonly called the Ballard Locks, are the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. The locks prevent the mixing of salt and fresh water while letting boats pass from Puget Sound's salt water to the fresh water of the Ship Canal that connects to Lake Washington and Lake Union. Visitors can watch boats of all sizes pass through, as operators adjust the water levels in the locks.
Parking and public transportation at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
A small parking lot has metered parking that is $2.00 an hour for a maximum of three hours. Parking payment is required Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. King County Metro buses also serve the surrounding area.
When to go to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Summer is a popular time to visit the locks, especially since the grounds around the locks include the Carl S. English, Jr. Botanical Garden.
Admission to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Admission is free. The grounds around the locks are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The visitor center, which has displays on the history and operations of the Lake Washington Ship Canal, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily May through September. From October though April, the visitor center closes at 4 p.m. and is also closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Must see/do at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Also at the locks is a fish ladder, where fish (mostly salmon) can pass between fresh and salt water. You can watch the fish as they swim through the ladder from a viewing room below the water line.
Other places to visit near the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
Also in Ballard is the Nordic History Museum, or you can head a little north to Golden Gardens Park, which has a beach on Puget Sound.
Insider tip for visitors to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
The best time to see the most salmon on the fish ladder is in September, although the fish do migrate up the ladder from mid-June through October.
Author's bio: Carol Wiley is a Seattle freelance writer who offers services ranging from articles and blog posts to customer case studies and white papers.
Martial arts fans from around the world make the trek to see the graves of martial arts legend Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee, who are buried side-by-side at Seattle's Lake View Cemetery. Flowers, coins, and other gifts continually cover their graves.
Parking and public transportation at Bruce Lee's Grave
Lake View Cemetery is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, a short distance east of Interstate 5. You can drive into the cemetery and park on narrow lanes near the grave sites. King County Metro buses also serve the area around the cemetery, but be prepared for a bit of a hike, as the cemetery is 285 acres and the grave is near the back of the cemetery.
Best and worst time go to Bruce Lee's Grave
More people gather when it's a nice, sunny day in Seattle. If you want to brave a little rain, you'll probably encounter fewer people.
Admission to Bruce Lee's Grave
The cemetery is open daily 9am to dusk.
Must see/do at Bruce Lee's Grave
Many people leave flowers or other gifts at the grave site. Visitors report the place has a serene feeling and stays amazingly clean. So, pay your respects and be respectful of the location.
Other places to visit near Bruce Lee's Grave
Lake View Cemetery is also the final resting place of other famous people, including some of the early pioneers who settled Seattle and Princess Angeline, daughter of Chief Sealth, who Seattle was named after. When you leave the cemetery, Volunteer Park is just south. You can enjoy the natural setting of the park or visit the Volunteer Park Conservatory or the Seattle Asian Art Museum, both located in the park.
Insider tip for visitors to Bruce Lee's Grave
Lake View Cemetery is a large place and doesn't have signs pointing to Bruce Lee's grave. As you enter the cemetery, you'll see a hill with a flagpole. Go toward the flagpole, and look for the grave on the lower east side of the hill, near a tree and some bushes. Visitors often report finding the grave by looking for a gathering of people.
Author's bio: Carol Wiley is a freelance writer in Seattle, WA. She writes about health, business, and travel, among other topics. She also writes case studies and web content for businesses.
While the Space Needle no longer has its 1962 title of tallest building west of the Mississippi, its retro-futuristic "flying saucer" façade still holds court over Seattle. A 41-second elevator ride takes you 520 feet up to the indoor/outdoor observation deck, which offers 360-degree views of the downtown skyline, Elliott Bay, the Olympic and Cascade ranges, and Mount Rainier. There's also the revolving SkyCity Restaurant, and at ground level, the SpaceBase gift shop.
How to get to the Space Needle
From I-5, take the Mercer St./Seattle Center exit and turn left onto 5th Ave N, then right onto Broad Street. There's self-parking in nearby garages, and valet parking is offered for a fee. A monorail from downtown (5th Ave. & Pine St.) travels direct to the Space Needle.
Best and worst time to go to the Space Needle
While a sunny, clear day offers you a better view of the mammoth Mount Rainier, the Seattle skyline after dark can be just as captivating. Be sure to book your tickets and select a Launch Time in advance online to avoid the general admission line. Otherwise, a weekday morning is the best time to go to avoid long waits and crowded elevators.
Admission to the Space Needle
Tickets are approximately $20, but there's a discount for buying online in advance. Dining at the upscale SkyCity Restaurant includes free admission to the observation deck.
Must see/do at the Space Needle
The interactive kiosks on the observation deck are as good as a guided tour. Don't forget to take a photo in front of the green screen on the ground level before boarding the elevator — you'll be able to access that image on the kiosk and have it emailed to you for free.
Other places to visit near the Space Needle
The Needle is adjacent to a day's worth of activities in the Seattle Center, including the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum, the Experience Music Project, and the Pacific Science Center.
Insider tip for visitors to the Space Needle
Seattle's climate can be tricky, and any weather condition on the ground is amplified at 500 feet in the sky. If it's a slightly breezy day, bring a jacket, because it'll be much windier on the observation deck. The same goes for fog — try to wait until it clears for better visibility.
Author's bio: Amy Cassell is a Seattle-based writer and editor. She loves words, travel, music, and naps.
