Resting on the shore of Elliot Bay near Lake Washington with Mt. Rainier off in the distance, the Emerald City has a truly gorgeous setting. Its emphatically modern skyline of new skyscrapers is reflected in the bay, the result of thirty years of energetic urban renewal.

The Space Needle and Seattle Center

Rising more than 600 feet above Seattle Center, the Space Needle is the city’s best-known landmark, and you can get a 360-degree view of the scenery, even while dining at SkyCity, a rotating restaurant. On the observation deck, you can experience the high-tech Sky Q, which is equipped with high-definition screens and cameras. The Woodland Park Zoo, an award winner, successfully reproduces an elephant habitat from Asia, a tropical rain forest, and an African-style savanna, along with other special exhibits, and you can also visit the nearby Rose Garden while you are there.

The Seattle Art Museum

The Seattle Art Museum has received worldwide recognition for its outstanding collection of African, Asian, and Native American works, along with Modern Art produced by artists in the Pacific Northwest and many impressive visiting exhibits. The Pacific Science Center offers laser shows, IMAX movies and ever-changing exhibits that focus on insects, butterflies, dinosaurs, robots, and whales ù to name just a few subjects that both children and their parents will learn about and enjoy.

Washington Park Arboretum

The 200-acre Washington Park Arboretum features a spectacular Japanese Garden, lush green areas and a vast array of rare plants, trees and flowers, and visitors can journey through the park by following a path that has the fanciful name of Azalea Way. Alki Beach, which is a popular spot, is a Mecca for families, swimmers and sunbathers in the warm weather. Sports lovers can also play volley ball, hike, jog or skate here, and there are several restaurants and cafes nearby.

As a step toward improving the environment, Seattle took an old gas-processing plant that was no longer needed and transformed it into Gas Works Park. This 21st century facility provides excellent views of Lake Union and the city skyline, and it is often the venue for concerts, family picnics, and viewing the annual Fourth of July fireworks display.

At Seattle Center, the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum & Hall of Fame is one of the most interesting facilities in the city. The music museum immerses visitors in thousands of artifacts that include sound archives, photographs, musical instruments and costumes that belonged to famous performers. To honor the experts in the field, the science fiction museum provides visitors with an opportunity to participate in its many educational and interactive exhibits.

The Washington State Ferry, the largest system of this type in America, carries about 18 million passengers annually, and riders have an opportunity to view the magnificent scenery of Puget Sound as they travel across the water. Among the city’s top restaurants and located at the top of Pike Place Market, 94 Stewart is a stylish bistro that features natural, organic and free-range cuisine along with an extensive wine list, various fresh cheeses and several options for junior diners.

If you crave a weekend full of excitement, Los Angeles, California is the place to be. Discover the city’s rich history by checking out an art museum, visiting a star-studded cemetery, and trekking through the Santa Monica Mountains. Whether you are new to the city or are a native Angelino, unique weekend activities await.

Enjoy a Free Concert in Los Angeles

On Friday evening, just before sunset, make your way to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the Western United States, for a sample of the Los Angeles jazz scene. From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. you can catch a performance while sitting near the stage under an awning or on a well-manicured lawn whilst drinking wine and eating cheese.  A full bar, an eclectic crowd, good music, and modern architecture are just a few of the reasons this should be on your weekend to-do list. Best of all, admission is free and reservations are not needed. So grab your Charles Shaw wine from Trader Joe’s (aka Two-buck Chuck), a blanket, and get ready for a sophisticated yet cheap evening in Los Angeles. For an added bonus, arrive a little early and take a stroll to the backside of LACMA. Once there, you will see the pools of bubbling tar at the La Brea Tar Pits, one of the world’s most renowned fossil excavation sites.  LACMA is located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd. at the corner of Fairfax.

Take a Hike in Los Angeles

On Saturday afternoon, acquaint yourself with the natural wonders surrounding Los Angeles and roam freely around Will Rogers Historic State Park. Once home to the Hollywood star, the 186-acre ranch overlooks the Pacific Ocean and offers some of the best hiking in Los Angeles. An easy to moderate 3-mile hike takes you to Inspiration Point where panoramic views of the Santa Monica Mountains, the sprawling city, and a beautiful stretch of beach can be seen. For the advanced hiker, try the rugged Backbone trail, which winds through the Santa Monica Mountains up to Point Mugu, 67.5 miles away. However, you don’t have to be a hiker to enjoy the grounds of Will Rogers State Park. Impeccably kept, the ranch is still an active equestrian site that has trail riding, horse-riding lessons, and polo matches on summer weekends. Or, you can always sit back and watch the deer graze in the late afternoon, as they frequently do at Will Rogers State Park.  The park is located in the Pacific Palisades just off Sunset Boulevard at 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road.

Catch a Flick… At the Cemetery in Los Angeles

If peculiar at heart, use your Saturday evening to view a classic film in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery while lying under and over the stars with 3,500 other movie enthusiasts. The cemetery, a historic site, is the final resting place of hundreds of Hollywood stars such as Johnny Ramone, Cecil B. DeMille, Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, and Jayne Mansfield.  The gates open at 7:30 p.m., giving you time to set up camp, drink your beverage of choice, and dance to the DJ’s spinning tunes. Once the film begins at 8:30 p.m., you may have already forgotten you’re sitting on top of a burial ground, especially if it weren’t for Hitchcock’s tombstone looming in the background. Yes, it seems eerie, but in actuality there is a collective appreciation for film and film stars that fills the air, making for a beautiful experience.

Sundays in Santa Monica, Los Angeles

Where better to spend your Sunday morning than at the Santa Monica Main Street Farmer’s Market? The ocean breeze, music, and laughing children make this farmer’s market more than just about the food. Arrive between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and explore the market’s many stalls of fruit, vegetables, and tasty dishes from the city’s best restaurants. Tap your foot and wiggle your body to the sounds of the live band while the kiddos ride ponies and play in the petting zoo.

The Last Stop in Los Angeles

End the day with a scenic drive up the Pacific Coast Highway and stop off at Duke’s for a bite to eat.  Sit at the Barefoot Bar and nibble on some of California’s best fried calamari while you watch the waves crash against the glass windows. Duke’s is located at the edge of Malibu at 21150 Pacific Coast Hwy.

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