Seattle Aquarium

 

The Seattle Aquarium is a public aquarium on Seattle's waterfront, consisting of three buildings: Piers 59 and 60, and the Ocean Pavilion. It's known for its exhibits showcasing the Salish Sea and other global ocean ecosystems. 

The aquarium features a wide array of exhibits, ranging from the lush kelp forests of the Pacific Northwest to the vibrant, colorful coral reefs of tropical oceans.

Each display is thoughtfully curated and meticulously maintained, offering an educational experience for visitors.

Despite its modest size, standout attractions include the playful sea otters, charming puffins, and sleek seals that captivate visitors of all ages.

Elliott Bay Cruise

 

Later in the afternoon, we set out on an Argosy scenic cruise around Elliott Bay.

In the late afternoon, we hopped aboard an Argosy scenic cruise around Elliott Bay.

The circuit includes the Seattle downtown waterfront.... 

The cruise ship terminal....

Olympic Sculpture Park.

The container port...

The Shipyards....

Where the sea lions laze around....

Lumen Field. Home to the Seattle Seahawks NFL team.

As a bonus, caught a glimpse of the Boeing 777X lining up final approach overhead.

Fremont

 

We caught a convenient bus just a short walk from the National Nordic Museum, which dropped us right in the center of Fremont—perfect for starting our neighborhood adventure.

The first point of interest in Fremont was at Troll Avenue N, where the iconic Fremont Troll looms beneath the Aurora bridge, famously clutching a real VW Beetle in its massive hand.

Troll Avenue isn’t just home to the famous Fremont Troll—it also features playful nods to folklore, including a tribute to the Three Billy Goats Gruff along the steep path.

As we made our way back down the hill, we stumbled across Just Burgers. Perfect timing, since it was right around lunchtime. Conveniently located and surprisingly tasty, the burgers definitely hit the spot.

We spent some time exploring Fremont’s eclectic mix of shops and local businesses, taking in the vibrant murals and quirky sculptures that give the neighborhood its unique charm.

We also took a leisurely stroll along the canal, where modern business campuses, like Google's corporate office, line one side, while the serene waterway on the other offered a calming scene of boats gliding by.

We were even lucky enough to catch the Fremont Bridge lifting to let a yacht pass.

Fremont didn’t have a ton to offer during our visit, but for those with the time to explore its quirky novelty shops—or if you happen to visit in the evening when the area comes alive, you’ll likely get a much different, more vibrant experience.

After wrapping up our time in Fremont, we made our way toward Gas Works Park, skirting around behind an industrial dockyard.

Gas Works Park, set on the grounds of the last coal gasification plant in the United States. Since its public opening in 1975, it’s become a favorite destination for both locals and tourists seeking panoramic views and open green space.

The lakeshore offers a stunning vantage point across Lake Union, with sweeping views of downtown Seattle. It’s an ideal spot to unwind and take in the peaceful scene as boats and seaplanes drift across the water.

One cheeky DHC-3 Turbo Otter pilot added a some drama to their final approach, decending early and buzzing a few passing boats.

Ballard Locks

 

With the weather once again on our side this morning, we set out to explore Ballard Locks and Fremont, both located along the narrow man-made waterway that connects the salty expanse of Puget Sound with the freshwater lakes of Union and Washington.

The Ballard Locks, a key connection between Puget Sound's saltwater and Salmon Bay's freshwater, stand as an essential piece of Seattle's maritime infrastructure. Impressively, much of the original construction and accompanying service buildings still operate as initially intended. What’s truly noteworthy is that the early 20th-century engineering behind the locks remains mostly intact and operational, showcasing the remarkable foresight and craftsmanship of its creators.

The facility includes two side-by-side locks, one designed for sizable cargo vessels (above) and the other tailored for smaller boats (below).

Unfortunately, we missed the chance to watch a large vessel navigate through the main lock, but we did get to see several smaller boats make their way through the narrower channel, which was still a fascinating sight.

A standout feature of this complex is its one-of-a-kind salmon ladder, uniquely positioned at the confluence of salt and freshwater. Visitors can also enjoy a designated viewing area where they can watch salmon pausing and gathering strength before ascending the ladder.

We turned it into a fun little challenge—trying to snap a photo of one of the many salmon leaping out of the water in the smaller lock channel. Catching the moment is no easy feat, though; these lively fish are notoriously unpredictable, making it almost impossible to guess when or where they'll breach the surface.

Just downstream from the Ballard Locks stands a rail bridge that sees frequent use by BNSF freight trains, serving as a crucial link between Seattle and its bustling port.

And don't ask me what this art is supposed the represent.

To catch our bus to Fremont, we took a short walk around an industrial area—and along the way, we stumbled upon an unexpectedly familiar sight at the National Nordic Museum. Standing tall was “Freddie Feetsplinter,” a whimsical timber giant crafted by artist Thomas Dambo. The sight instantly struck a chord, as we’ve seen similar larger-than-life wooden sculptures scattered around Mandurah, just an hour’s drive from home.