Countdown to PDC: Tips for Exploring Seattle

If you’re one of the lucky people who registered early and will attend the PDC in Redmond, we hope you’ll
have a chance to venture out beyond the Microsoft campus.  Last week, Jeannine shared her tips on things to see in Redmond and the Eastside. This week,Amy (Event Marketing Owner, and@PDCEvent tweeter) represents for the Westsiiiiiide!  Watch this week’s show to get Amy’s picks for exploring Seattle.

SHOW NOTES:

• In 2007, a nine-acre industrial site along Seattle’s Elliott Bay was transformed into theOlympic
  Sculpture Park.  This is one of my favorite places to chill in Seattle.  In addition to the people-friendlypark
  and sculpture art, there are unobstructed views of the ferries, cruise and cargo ships coming and going in Puget Sound.  Getmore information on hours of operation and what’s currently on view at the Park.
• The Burke-Gilman / Sammamish River Regional Trail System (RTS) is a paved, urban trail used by cyclists and runners that follows a historic railroad route through the city of Seattle to Redmond and places beyond.  In total, the BG + SR trail spans approximately 30 miles (view the map by choosing the trail names on the right).  The entire trail is great, but the areas along the shores of Lake Washington andGas Works Park are my favorite.  You can join the trail at Marymoor Park, less than 1 mile from the Microsoft campus. 
• If you like live music (indie, hip-hop, punk, rockabilly…) or film (festival, foreign, independent, limited release…) you’ve come to the right city!  Seattle is full of music venues and typically gets early release on films, too.  VisitThe Stranger, for music, film and performance show times and reviews.  KEXP also has a goodclub calendar with music recommendations.
• Although the eastside certainly has some good, upscale restaurants (Café Juanita,El Gaucho,John Howie Steak…), Seattle is where the real foodie action is!  Visit theSeattle Met site to search for restaurants andreviews. Recently, I’ve enjoyed meals at Mistral Kitchen, Tavolata andBastille. Pike Street Fish Fry is on my list to try.

A little bit of Seattle trivia.

• The longest floating bridge on earth (7,578 ft / 2,310 m) is the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (SR 520), connecting Redmond with Seattle.  This may be your last chance to drive it for free –tolling and
  construction of a replacement bridge is set to being in Spring of 2011.  Oh yeah, and you can see the Gates’ residence from the eastbound direction.
• Seattle frequently tops the ranking lists as the #1 most literate city in the U.S.  That must be why we have the “Koolest” public library (designed by Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Ramus).  Learn more about the downtown Seattle Public Library.