If you take a road trip to the Emerald City, you’re surely gonna visit the Space Needle. Right? Missing it would be like ignoring the Eiffel Tower while touring Paris, snubbing the Golden Gate Bridge while on your first Frisco visit, not seeing the Statue of Liberty while in NYC…you get the idea.
Just make sure you review your auto insurance policy before you visit the Space Needle and see and experience everything else that’s cool in and around Seattle.
Here are a few of our must-see tour stops with some useful Seattle tips.
You’d have to try pretty hard to literally miss the sight of the Space Needle. This towering landmark defines the city as much as its coffeehouses. (More on that later.)
The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, hosted by Seattle. At a height of 605 feet, it was the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River for many years. After an elevator ride of just 41 seconds, you’ll hit its observation deck, over 500 feet above ground level.
From the deck, viewers can virtually see the entire city, in addition to four mountain ranges and several islands in Puget Sound, on a clear day. There’s also a restaurant up there with a heck of a view.
Does the day’s blustery weather make you concerned about riding the elevator to the tip-top? Don’t let it. The Space Needle was designed to withstand winds of 200 miles an hour and even a magnitude 9 earthquake. Now and then, Seattle can get some “ugh” weather.
Admittedly, that sounds a little vague. What game? Depending on the season and your personal preferences, we could be talking about the Mariners (Major League Baseball), the Seahawks (NFL football), the Storm (WNBA basketball), the Sounders (men’s soccer), the Reign (women’s soccer), or the Kraken (NHL hockey).
Add the men’s and women’s offerings from the University of Washington, Seattle University, and a couple dozen more schools, and you’re sure to find a heart-pounding athletic event on your visit to the Emerald City.
Even if you don’t care to eat fish, you’ll find the ultimate enjoyment in walking around this historic venue. But if you enjoy the bounties of the sea, Pike Place Market truly has something for everyone.
Pike Place Market is the 33rd most visited tourist destination in the world! That translates to some 10 million visitors annually.
Started in 1907, Pike Place Market is one of the oldest continually operated farmers markets in the nation. But it’s a whole lot more than that. Farmers, fishmongers, restaurateurs, small shop owners, long-term merchants, and collectible marketers share this space in a downtown neighborhood that faces the Elliot Bay waterfront in Puget Sound.
Come to the Market for a meal, a drink or two if you have a designated driver, and a truly unique shopping experience.
It’s virtually impossible to overlook the sight of a coffee shop in Seattle. That’s like not spotting the Space Needle. It’s possible but not likely! By one count, you’ve got 337 shops from which to choose. And that’s just in the city. Don’t get us started on the ‘burbs.
After all, the Pike Place Market is where the first Starbucks opened its doors. That was in 1971. The chain has added a lot of local locations since. But it’s not just about Starbucks. You’ll find name brands and anonymous mom-and-pop java stops all over the landscape.
No wonder this city is generally recognized as the coffee capital of America. We don’t know who took the time to come up with that 337 coffee shop tally, but let’s assume they were pretty jacked up on caffeine at the time.
Fun fact: if you want to visit the largest Starbucks shop in the world, you’ll find it right here in … no, sorry, it’s not in Seattle. It’s the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago. Save it for your next road trip.
Sure, with a metro population of about four million people, Seattle is a city. And it looks very much like a city with concrete, traffic, and skyscrapers everywhere. But check out the scene beyond the city skyline (and the Space Needle). On a good, clear day, you’ll see mountains in the distance. A scenic route will take you to them.
Your shortest ride will be to Mount Rainier National Park, just 60 miles or so from the city. Mount Rainier has the highest peak of any mountain in the lower 48 states. It’s an awesome sight from Seattle and even more wondrous the closer you get.
Make it a two-hour one-way trip from Seattle, and you can take in the splendor of the Cascade Range and North Cascades National Park.
The truth is, that Seattle is surrounded by vast and breathtaking natural vistas. Head out of the city in a rideshare or your vehicle and explore what’s out there.
Whether you’ll drive congested and unfamiliar local highways or seeking adventure on winding mountain roads, you’ll first want to review your auto insurance policy. Do you have collision and comprehensive coverage in case of accidents, whether you’re at fault or not?
How about roadside assistance coverage? That 24/7 emergency dispatcher might be a highly comforting voice if you’re left stranded on the side of a strange road with mechanical failure, a flat tire, an empty gas tank, or any of the endless reasons you can find yourself in trouble at the worst possible times.
With roadside assistance, an automotive technician shows up wherever you are with a container of fuel, tire-changing tools and know-how, or a tow to the nearest garage. Whatever you need.
The remarkable Emerald City awaits. Visit the Space Needle and enjoy an unforgettable Seattle road trip.
But before the adventures begin, give us a call. Your independent Vern Fonk Insurance agent can review your existing policy or help you find better (and more affordable) coverage. Simply call us at (800) 455-8276 or get a quick quote online. We also encourage you to find a Washington office and agent near you.
Happy travels!
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