Visiting Seattle and the Free Shuttle Service

Here's a great way to visit downtown Seattle.  When you have an opportunity, try the free hop on free shuttle.  Jesse Tam, the waterfront shuttle runs from Pioneer Square to the Seattle Center along the waterfront on Alaskan Way S.  Buses will run seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through October 1.  It's a great way to get around town without the hassle of finding parking.  The shuttle runs approximately every 20 minutes.

The North and South Loop connects Seattle Center at the Space Needle to Chinatown/International District. Enjoy the waterfront and views of Seattle!
  https://downtownseattle.org/parking/#!/shuttle

NORTH & SOUTH LOOP STOPS

A	-	Seattle Center/Space Needle Connect to Monorail
B/C	-	Victoria Clipper/Sculpture Park
D/E	-	Pier 66
F/F2	-	Historic Piers/Seattle Aquarium/Pike Place Market Transfer to East Route
G/G2	-	Ferries/Water Taxis
H	-	Pioneer Square Connect to Light Rail
I	-	Stadiums/King Street Station Connect to Sounder/Amtrak/Light Rail (Northbound Only)
L	-	Seattle Aquarium/Pike Place Market
M	-	Chinatown/International District

Ballard Locks Historic Site

The Ballard Locks are celebrating their 100th birthday this July 4th. Come join the event and celebrate. Jesse Tam, it's a great place to bring visitors and view the locks and fish ladder. The Seattle icon is a historic site and tourist site with over 1.3 million visitors a year. During the Centennial Year celebration, numerous events are schedule with events and activities to help raise funds for the Fish Ladder Renovation. Don't miss the concerts opened to the public from the months of May thru October.  

The free concert series continues with the Seattle Civic Band, performing Friday, July 7th at 6:00-7:00 pm and on Sunday August 6th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm is the Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band. The Ballard Locks (Hiram M. Chittenden) are the busiest in the nation with over 40,000 boats traveling thru 24 hours/day.  Bring the family and enjoy the locks with a picnic and summer events and activities with music and weekend tour during the summer months.

Don't miss the Visitor Center Gift Shop and the Fish Ladder migration of the salmons while your are there. Add your name to the Salmon Wall Legacy by helping with the renovation of the Fish Ladder viewing room.  Enjoy the garden and locks with a walking tour during the summer months from the Visitor Center.  The public tour lasts about an hour. 

Have fun viewing the boats traveling through the lock. It's a favor place for tourists and locals, Jesse. https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/

Best Airports in the World

Business or leisure travelers will peak in Seattle with the beginning of summer and conventions throughout the year.  Jesse Tam shares an interesting article for the 10 Best Airports in the World.  Seattle International will filled with first time visitors heading to the cruise ships to Alaska.  We'll see foreign visitors from Asia enjoying the fantastic weather and fresh seafood during our summer months.

There are long lines at airport terminals awaiting flights, but some of these transfer places are quite interesting and relaxing layovers. The following are the features making them unique and on the top 10 best list.  I have actually been to 9 out of the 10 airports on the list.

1)  Singapore Change' International,  placed 1st  three years in a row, filled with movie theaters, spas and corkscrew slide.

2)  Incheon International,  2nd best is just outside of South Korea with a Korean culture museum.

3)  Munich, 3rd display of historic aircraft

4)  Hong Kong, 4th is one of the busiest airports in Asia.  Play a round of nine hole golf near Terminal 2.

5)  Tokyo Haneda, 5th is a popular port of entry for business travelers and tourists.

6)  Zurich Airport, 6th is 8 miles from Zurich.

7)  Central Japan International, 7th rank

8)  London Heathrow Airport, 8th is the world's 3rd busiest airport and largest serving primary airport London.

9)  Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, 9th is one of the busiest airports in Europe.

10)  Beijing Capital International Airport, 10th rank is the 2nd busiest airport in the world and has played a major role in the Chinese capitals growth.