Our waterfront is one of those places it’s easy to think you know. But what if instead of going straight to the ferry, or the aquarium, or that place with the crab bibs, you just … walked around?
We asked the (anonymous!) artist behind the popular Instagram account SeattleWalkReport to find out. She doesn’t usually draw walk reports about the more well-traveled paths in our city. But like us, she’s pretty sure even our touristy spots have their hidden charms…
Here’s more from Seattle Walk Report on three easy to miss waterfront gems she found on a stroll there last month:
- “Undercurrents” art piece in Myrtle Edwards Park (3130 Alaskan Way): “This art piece, which was designed to cover the vault for the Denny Way/Lake Union Combined Sewer Overflow Regulator Outfall (say that three times fast!) is tucked away in walker-friendly Myrtle Edwards Park. I was mesmerized by the reflective pipes, which mirror back a distorted view of the beautiful environment surrounding you. Bonus: Maybe while you’re there you’ll see a pet Bengal cat hanging out nearby like I did!”
- Bell Street Pier and Observation Deck (2225 Alaskan Way): “I had no idea that this was here, and apparently neither did anyone else — it was totally empty when I found it! A 20-minute walk north of the more bustling waterfront area around the Seattle Aquarium, this quiet rooftop deck is full of benches to sit and enjoy the scenic views of the Sound. If you go on a clear day, Mt. Rainier will be there to greet you.”
- Pier 54 behind the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop (1001 Alaskan Way): “A small viewpoint at the end of the Pier that is home to Ivar’s and the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. I was struck by how quiet and secluded it felt even in the midst of all the activity on the Waterfront. A great place for ferry-watching and tourist-watching.”
Our waterfront has a big year ahead. A big new waterfront park is coming up after the Alaskan Way Viaduct comes down in early 2019. There are some big plans (check out the virtual tour from Friends of Waterfront Seattle) and some big debates (waterfront property owners are being asked to pay for a big chunk of the work). So stay tuned…