Unique in the Seattle area, this museum is a tribute to the cultures of the many immigrants who came here from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Finland. It is aptly located in the Ballard area, Seattle's most Scandinavian neighborhood. Explore the heritage of the Nordic peoples and their contributions to the growth of this region. Visit five different ethnic rooms representing each of the different cultures. The museum also features various traveling international exhibits.

Hours: 10a-4p Tu-Sa, noon-4p Su
On the web: www.nordicmuseum.com

The Pike Place Market has been a unique Seattle institution since it opened in 1907. It is the oldest continuously operating farmer's market in the United States. In addition to meat, fish and produce stalls, it has arts and crafts, flower shops, bakeries, entertainers, small restaurants, a movie theatre, and many shops on the lower floor. An information booth is located on the corner of Pike Place and First Avenue near the clock. They have maps and information about the Market.

Hours: Mon-Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
On the web: www.pikeplacemarket.org

Built for the 1962 World Expo, this distinctive structure, rising 600-plus feet above Seattle Center , has since become Seattle's most famous landmark. Come take in the 360-degree view of mountains, Elliott Bay and Seattle neighborhoods. Stock up on Seattle souvenirs at this gift shop on high. Dine at the refurbished SkyCity rotating restaurant, where every seat has a view.

Hours: Observation Deck: Su-Th 9a-11p; F-Sa 9a-mid;
SkyCity: Lunch: M-F 11a-3p; Dinner: Su-Th 5p-9p, F-Sa 5p-10p; Brunch: Sa-Su 10a-3p
www.spaceneedle.com

Pioneer Square, at the south end of the city, is "old Seattle" where Seattle grew and flourished in the late 1800's. The broad, tree-lined sidewalks make browsing along the shops delightful. Many art galleries, boutiques, antique shops, theatres, bookstores and restaurants are nestled in this area. There are also small parks and sidewalk cafes to enjoy in good weather. Brochures for self-guided walking tours are available at shops in the area.

On the web: www.pioneersquare.org

Pioneer Square is Seattle's oldest neighborhood, and it wasn't always a pleasant place to visit. The area was once filled with Wild West fixtures like brothels and card rooms. This tour takes visitors around Pioneer Square above ground and also to a hidden Seattle that now lies underground. About 25 square blocks of Pioneer Square have hollow spaces under the sidewalks, thanks to peculiarities of the reconstruction after the great Seattle fire of 1889. Tours take about 90 minutes and run hourly 10a-6p in summer, less frequently in other seasons. Admission runs USD11 for adults, with discounts for seniors, students, children 7-12, and with valid AAA, military or ISIC cards. Cash and traveler's checks only are accepted. ATM is on-site.

Open Hours: Jun-Sep: 10a-6p M-Su, Oct-Apr: 11a-40 M-Su, May: 11a-5p M-Su
www.undergroundtour.com

It's supposed to look like a broken guitar but "heart" and "lung" have also been used to describe this 140,000 square foot music museum. Conceived by Paul Allen and designed by Frank Ghery, the museum takes you through music history by immersing you in nearly 80,000 artifacts including photos, sound archives, costumes and musical instruments from notable artists. The Northwest Passage exhibit examines how musicians and groups from the Northwest, such as Jimi Hendrix, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Screaming Trees and the rest, helped to shape rock music. The onsite Turntable restaurant serves basic fare, and the Liquid Lounge has a full bar and hosts concerts.

Museum admission: Adults (18-64) $19.95, Seniors $15.95, Youth (7-17) $14.95,
Children 6 and under are free.
Open Hours: May 23-Sep 1: daily 10a-8p. Sep 2-May 22: Tu-Th 10a-5p; F-Su 10a-6p
www.emplive.org

The Boeing Everett factory tours are conducted to showcase The Boeing Company and the Everett product line, the 747, 767, 777 and soon 787. As part of the tour, visitors walk through part of the largest building in the world by volume (472,000,000 cubic feet). On the Boeing flight line, visitors see airplanes in various stages of assembly, manufacture and flight test for airline customers around the world.A limited quantity of same-day, non-reserved tickets are sold on-site through ticketing kiosks, beginning at 8:30 a.m. each day. Advanced reservations are recommended.

To purchase tickets visit the Boeing Tour web site.
Hours: Opens daily at 8:30 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m.

Tours and Tasting Experiences
Take a tour of the wine cellar and barrel aging room that includes tasting experiences. Tours are available from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. guided by knowledgeable and friendly Guest Services staff. They are eager to share their passion for wine as well as the history of our winery, the grounds and other area attractions to provide you with an informative and enjoyable visit. Please see below for Tour and Tasting Experience options.

The Columbia Valley Wine Tour and Tasting Learn about the Chateau's rich heritage and what makes the Columbia Valley such a premier grape growing region. The tour will conclude with a sampling of our Columbia Valley wines. Approx. 35 minutes, No Cost

Private Tour & Tastings with Columbia Valley Wine Focus (sampling of three wines): $50 minimum; $5 per person after $50. Tax will be added.

Private Tour & Tastings with Single Vineyard/Reserve Wine Focus (sampling of three wines): $50 minimum; $10 per person after $50. Tax will be added.

The Premium Wine Tasting Enjoy a tasting held at the tasting bar located in the Wine Shop. This is a preselected sampling of our Reserve and Single Vineyard wines from our acclaimed vineyards. The selection consists of four tastes. Approx. 30 minutes, $5 per person

Vintage Reserve Room Tasting This opportunity allows you to select four tastings from our extensive Single Vineyard and Reserve Wine Lists. You will be hosted by a member of our Senior Staff. Reservations are required. Please call 425-415-3633. Approx. 30 minutes, $10 per person

The Ultimate Wine Tasting A wine specialist will present a tasting of select premium Chateau Ste. Michelle wines and pair them with the appropriate delicacies in our unique wine-country setting. This extraordinary experience is available by appointment. For more information and reservations, please call 425-415-3633 (one week advance notice required; some groups may be combined). Approx. 90 minutes, $50 per person

For more information and reservations, please call 425-415-3633 (one week advance notice required on all private tours). Or visit www.ste-michelle.com

Started in 1962 and moved to its current Woodinville location in 1989, this is not the state's oldest winery, but it is the oldest premium winery. About 40 minutes from downtown Seattle, the winery is now a Northwest landmark. Tour the magnificent house and see how wine is pressed and aged, then move on to the wine-tasting bar, the state's largest. Tours leave at 2p and 6p Monday-Friday, hourly Saturday and Sunday. For more info visit www.columbiawinery.com

Located about 40 minutes northeast of downtown Seattle, this lovely Woodinville property is home to several wineries and breweries. Take in the peaceful and refreshing views of thick evergreens as you sample wine in the tasting room. Try reds, whites and a sparkling Brut produced by a traditional French method. Also, taste the popular Spire Mountain hard pear and apple ciders.

Open Hours: Tasting room: noon-5p M-Su
For more info visit www.silverlakewinery.com

Microbrew fans say this is the place that put Seattle on the beer map. The company outgrew its original Seattle brewery, a converted trolley house, and moved to Woodinville in 1994. Brewery tours, only USD1 per person, include samples of three or four ales. Then, have a pint with lunch at The Forecasters Pub. Minors are welcome on the tour and in the pub until live music begins 9:30p Friday and Saturday evenings. Tours run 2p and 4p Monday-Friday, 1p, 3p and 5p Saturday-Sunday.

Open Hours: Pub: 11a-10p M-Th, 11a-midnight F-Sa, 11a-7p Su
For more info visit www.redhook.com

Offering scenery that rivals the remote San Juan islands without the headache of getting there, this island is well worth a visit. Less than an hour from Seattle, Whidbey is also only a short ferry trip from Mukilteo, Washington. The island is 45 miles long but a mere five miles across. With rolling farmlands, protected bays, and stunning views of the Olympic mountains, this area boasts of many recreational opportunities for cyclists, kayakers and hikers. For truly breathtaking vistas, check out Deception Pass State Park on the north end of the Island. Overnight camping is permitted in designated areas.

For more info & an updated schedule visit Washington State Ferries

Just beyond the Seattle harbor you'll find the San Juan Islands, a set of green, jewel-like croppings across the bay. The San Juan Islands are a short ferry ride from the coast, and offer some wonderful romantic inns, hotels, and private lodges to make your trip memorable and unique. Lose yourself in the country inns, venture into the lush pastures, or take a sailboat tour around the cliffs and bluffs for some spectacular views. This is definitely worth the trip. Melinda and I had our "best" date (so far) in the San Juans. We did Orcas Island in one day and barely made it to the ferry terminal in time to catch the last boat. We recommened finding a cozy inn and staying at least one night.

For more info visit www.guidetosanjuans.com

The Washington State Ferry System is the largest in the nation. While riding a ferry is part of the daily commute for many Washingtonians, it is also an excellent way for visitors to get out on the water and see some of Washington's beautiful scenery. To ride a ferry as a walk-on passenger, be at the ferry terminal 10-15 minutes before departure, buy a ticket and walk on when the ferry is ready. Passenger's pay only on the Seattle side. To go with a vehicle, allow more time (loading is first come, first serve).

For more info visit Washington State Ferries

The Argosy Locks Tour at Pier 57 is the most extensive of the water sightseeing tours. The tour begins with a brief cruise around Elliot Bay, then goes out into Puget Sound and heads north, up through the Locks, and docks at Chandlers Cove on Lake Union while Deli-type food and beverages are available on board. These two and a half hour tours leave at 12 noon, six days a week. Argosy also offers several other tours at varying prices. Three cruises daily. Call for more tour information. Cost: Adults $30.00, Children $16.00, Senior $28.00

For more info visit Argosy Cruise Tours

Conceived as soon as the first white settlers came in the 1850s and finished in the 1930s, these two locks go up and down on a regular basis, letting pleasure craft, fishing boats and tour vessels through. Crowds come here to see the boats, to watch the salmon using the fish ladder (and the sea lions that come to eat them) and to stroll through the adjacent gardens. The locks and gardens are open daily, but the visitor center is only open on weekends in the winter.

Hours: Th-M 10a-4p
On the web: Ballard Locks