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Destination: September
2002
Seattle, Washington:
Waterways, Markets and More!
The city of Seattle offers many sights to see and activities
to do, both for people and dogs. In fact, canines are welcome at some
of the most popular attractions, including the Seattle Center, Pike
Place Market, Pioneer Square, and ferry rides. You can take a sightseeing
cruise on the Seattle Harbor and walk through the site of the 1962's
World's Fair with your pooch.
There are many places to stay in Seattle including the
Alexis Hotel and the Pensione Nichols Bed and Breakfast Inn. The Alexis
Hotel is a boutique hotel, located within walking distance of the historic
dog-friendly Pioneer Square. Well-behaved dogs of all sizes are welcome
at the hotel and there is no extra pet charge. If you pay an extra $30
one time fee for your dog, he or she will receive the Deluxe Doggie
Upgrade which includes a keepsake water bowl with water, doggie treats,
a Three Dog Bakery cookbook, special doggie in-room dining service menu,
and a morning and afternoon walk by the Alexis Hotel bellman. For an
extra charge, they can arrange a pet sitter for your pooch if necessary.
Room rates start at about $170 and up. At the Pensione Nichols Bed and
Breakfast, dogs at least up to 75 pounds are allowed. The inn is located
in downtown Seattle, and overlooks the dog-friendly Pike Place Market.
Room rates range from $90 to $110 per night and $195 for a suite. There
is no extra charge for pets.
There are many sightseeing opportunities in downtown Seattle,
including the Seattle Center. This 74 acre urban park was home to the
1962 World Fair. While your pooch cannot go into the buildings, he or
she is allowed to walk around the center with you and spot out several
points of interest. The famed Seattle Space Needle resides at the center
and is always a good photo opportunity. You and your pooch can also
visit the Sculpture Garden and watch jugglers, musicians, face painters,
and more. Pets must be on leash. If you have a doggie that happens to
be under 20 pounds, you can even carry them on the Seattle Monorail.
While dogs are usually not allowed at many farmers markets,
this huge marketplace actually allows dogs. The popular Pike Place Market
is a historic area that covers nine acres, has about 15 residential
and retail buildings, and gets about nine million visitors per year.
This marketplace offers fresh seafood (watch out for flying fish!),
vegetables, fruit, flowers, cafes, shops, artists, street performers
and more. The place might look familiar if you have seen the movie,
"Sleepless in Seattle," which was filmed at this marketplace.
While here, dine with your pooch at the Il Bistro, an Italian ristorante.
They offer three outdoor tables where your well-behaved dog can lay
next to you. The dinner menu includes seafood specials, pasta and more.
For lunch, you can stop by the Sister's Cafe for a sandwich and eat
outside with your dog. Canines are welcome at the marketplace, but are
not allowed inside the stores or cafes.
Next stop is Pioneer Square which is Seattle's oldest
neighborhood. It is preserved as a National Historic District. Please
note that dogs are not allowed on the Underground Tour at Pioneer Square.
In this district you can stroll through the area and see the historic
buildings, or better yet, take an elegant horse and carriage ride. Emerald
Country Carriages allows well-behaved dogs and offers both open and
closed carriages which seat up to six. Their standard tour includes
the waterfront and Pioneer Square. You can catch one of the white and
burgundy carriages on the waterfront, between Piers 55 and 56. The cost
is about $35 for a standard 30 minute tour and an extra $10 if you make
a reservation in advance.
Seattle is also famous for boating and its waterways.
There are several dog-friendly boats you can ride with your best friend.
First is the Washington State Ferries, the nation's largest ferry system
and the state's number one tourist attraction. It is important to note
that there are different pet rules for different ferry routes. If you
take the Seattle to Bainbridge Island, Seattle to Bremerton, or the
Edmonds to Kingston routes, your leashed dog is welcome to accompany
you on the outdoor decks (dogs are not allowed inside), or in your car.
If you take the Anacortes to Friday Harbor (San Juan Islands) route,
dogs must stay in the car and are not allowed to walk around on the
ferry. While you can venture to the above decks to get food at the snack
bars, the ferry system recommends that you stay with your pooch in the
car. For any of the ferries, dogs are not allowed inside the ferry terminals.
In Seattle, you can board the ferries at Pier 52. The Edmonds and Anacortes
ferries leave from their respective cities. Ferry prices for people
and autos are determined by the route and peak times, but in general
tickets for people are under $10 round trip, and more for autos. Dogs
ride free!
If you want more of a sightseeing cruise, Argoys Cruises
allow well-behaved, leashed dogs on three of their sightseeing cruises.
They offer one to two hour narrated cruises. The Harbor Cruise is one
hour and departs from Seattle's historic waterfront at Pier 55. You
and your pooch will learn about Seattle's history, view the city skyline,
see one of the world's largest shipping terminals and more. Prices are
$15.25 per person or less, depending on the season. Children's rates
are about half of an adult's ticket price. Dogs ride at no extra charge.
The Seattle Lake Cruise is about two hours and departs from the AGC
Marina Dock E on South Lake Union, rain or shine. The tour will show
the historic houseboat community, including the houseboat filmed in
the movie "Sleepless in Seattle." You will also view Mt. Rainer
from a distance and see homes of Seattle's rich and famous. Prices are
$24 or less per person (children for about half price and dogs ride
free). Snacks and beverages are available for sale on the cruises. Reservations
are recommended, but not necessary.
By now your dog might be craving a visit to a park. One
park of interest is Discovery Park, located northwest of Seattle. It
has over 500 acres and is the city's largest park. It offers views of
both the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. Dogs on leash are allowed
on about 7 miles of trails except for beaches, ponds, wetlands and the
Wolf Tree Nature Trail.
Another park worth driving to is Sand Point Magnuson Park.
The park is northeast of Seattle and is located across the lake from
the city of Kirkland. This park has about 350 acres and is Seattle's
second largest park. You will find over four miles of walking trails
along Lake Washington, through grassy fields, trees and brush. Dogs
are not allowed in the water at Lake Washington, except at the off-leash
area. The leash free dog park covers about 9 acres and is the biggest
fully fenced off-leash park in Seattle. It also offers an access point
to the lake where your pooch is welcome to take a dip in the fresh lake
water. To find the dog park, take Sand Point Way Northeast and enter
the park at Northeast 74th Street. Go straight and park near the playground
and sports fields. The main gate to the off-leash area is located at
the southeast corner of the main parking lot. Your dog must be leashed
until you enter the off-leash area.
After all this exercise, you and your pooch might have
worked up an appetite. Stop by the Madison Park Cafe located south of
Magnuson Park and south of 520/Floating Bridge. Well-behaved, leashed
dogs can accompany you to the outdoor tables at this French bistro.
The restaurant is open on the weekends for brunch and Tuesday through
Saturday for dinner. The dinner menu includes entrees like Lemon Parsley
Raviolis, Lavender Honey Marinated Rack of Lamb, duck, and steak. Prices
start at about $15 per entree.
Whether you come for a day, a weekend or a week, you and
your best friend will find plenty of places to go and sights to see
in Seattle. And at the end of the day, after a full itinerary of activities,
it is unlikely that you or your pooch will be "Sleepless in Seattle."
For more information:
Lodging:
Alexis Hotel, 1007 First Avenue,
Seattle, WA, 866-356-8894
Pensione Nichols Bed
and Breakfast Inn, 1923 First Avenue, Seattle, WA, 206-441-7125
For more dog-friendly lodging in Seattle, look
here
For more dog-friendly lodging in the Seattle area, look
here
Restaurants:
Il Bistro, 93A Pike Street, Seattle,
WA, 206-682-3040
Madison Park
Cafe, 1807 42nd Ave East, Seattle, WA, 206-324-2626
Sister's Cafe, Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA, 206-623-6723
Attractions:
Argoys Cruises, 1101 Alaskan
Way, Pier 55, Seattle, WA, 206-623-4252
Emerald Country Carriages,
Piers 55-56, Seattle, WA, 425-868-0621
Pike Place Market, First
and Pike, Seattle, WA, 206-682-7453
Pioneer Square,
First Street and Yesler Way, Seattle, WA
Seattle Center, Mercer Street
and Broad St., Seattle, WA, 206-684-7200
Washington State Ferries,
Pier 52, Seattle, WA, 206-464-6400
Parks:
Discovery
Park, 3801 W Government Way, Seattle, WA, 206-386-4236
Sand
Point Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 206-684-4075
Sand
Point Magnuson Park Dog Off-Leash Area, 7400 Sand Point Way NE,
Seattle, WA, 206-684-4075
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