Christmas is prime time to enjoy the attractions in Seattle

Winter Wonderland – not exactly. However, Seattle is particularly festive during holidays Christmas, and a destination of choice to combine the purchase with a special getaway.

Seattle Center to Westlake Center to the Pike Place Market, becoming the usual attractions a little more specific on a cold winter day. An excited crowd of families grouped and displayed in pairs offers seasonal tours Westlake carousel as Quest or kettle corn and elephant ears in the vicinity. Vendors make balloon animals for children, while the sounds of music Christmas in the above background, taking care not about the lack of winter holiday Seattle.

Make it a trip and overnight is even better. First, be sure to see the Christmas lights along many downtown streets, including the famous Macy's star lights Space Needle and many other special details season. And at night, you can turn a shopping trip in a shelter.

Our base of operations was a landmark in Seattle, the Hotel Edgewater. Perhaps you remember that Edgewater was famous in the sixties when the Beatles stayed and fished the right to your window. In fact, it became the obvious choice for many famous rock groups came to the city during this period, giving a spectacular rock concert Pat O'Dea.

Today, the Edgewater has a classic elegance that combines the best Seattle location with an updated interior design, which contains the Northwest's rich heritage is Native American. The first thing we saw at the entrance to our room online coast of Washington state was a ferry – just out the window and in the waters of Elliott Bay. Our point of view made us feel like we're in a cruise trip nothing but water between us and the ferry. This, of course, is the main attraction of the aptly named Edgewater – a place literally on the water with incredible views Puget Sound and nearby islands.

The room featured in many accents of the North and the West as a header logon in our king-sized bed, seat and shell a wooden panel above the fireplace, Native American designs on the carpet and knotty pine Socket Indian characters and drawings on wood frame entertainment center. In the bathroom, a large bathroom with claw-style atmosphere seemed strangely, while the modern colors and accessories in the room or find something you see in a magazine about interior design. The floors have been amber quartz slate, while the room also includes a European spa shower of glass.

With a room at the Edgewater – which includes a constant parade of boats outside his window – which is the temptation to stay there and enjoy the sights and sounds without end. But our main goal this trip was to check the activities of the town of Christmas, so I went to Pike Place Market, a few blocks away.

The market is one of the most recognizable symbols of Seattle – at the height of the Space Needle. This maybe something to do with how television sports broadcasters always make a point of showing images of the broadcasting market, while the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Huskies sports TV. In general this map is one of fire managers king salmon – so we are pleased to note that when we arrived, the fish were really flying. Like the 50 or so other guests standing looking around we had seen the famous Pike Place Fish Market launch.

Managers fish in their tracksuits, sweatshirts, aprons are not the only reason to go through the Christmas market. The market in its sets and, in fact, Christmas trees available – not that we want to return to the Edgewater Shopping. Walk north of the Fish and enter a hive of activity where it seems that almost everything you want is for sale – fresh fruits and vegetables, honey, herbs, dried flowers, jams and jellies, nuts, fruits, chocolates, shirts, handbags, whatever. In fact, there are several fish markets in the same building as well as restaurants where you can dine on fresh fish before leaving the market ..

Just across the street from the market in front of a band named Starbucks Slimpickens was warming up the crowd in 1930's style live music played in a configuration of four parts: guitar, bass, fiddle and washboard. 30 costumes, the group also seemed to have an answer to depression of their music: lots of smiles and feet tapping, but not to fall in the currencies prominently in the Cup

Also at issue here that we are Piroshky, Piroshky, a small restaurant serving fresh takeout Russian piroshki just under $ 5. These are just a bakery and, if you're wondering, is the piroshky a bit like a flakey turnover filled with meat, cheese or other ingredients. They are delicious and, for us, always a quick lunch and cheap.

Some of our friends took place in the city of Grand Café Von, just blocks from the market in Pine Street, where the food was very good but there were realized it was the first time he had met in a case of Champagne. They called for a division of champagne and box was delivered to his table was a straw attached – that told our friends reminded them boxes of fruit drinks, which are for their children. Of course, this is what the visit of the "Big City" is about – experiencing new things.

Market a few blocks Westlake Center is a modern, commercial multi-storey luxury shops and – due to its location near Macy's and Nordstrom – The epicenter of the retail activity downtown. Here, for only $ 2 per trip, you can get on board the monorail – Originally built for the Exposition 1962 in the world of Seattle – and zip over to Seattle Center Winterfest celebration as a continuous holiday entertainment and one of the best miniature railway and model cities of Christmas to their children than ever will see.

Soon it was time to return in Edgewater, where we saw the race in the fog and wondered how a few boats that went to Winter days have been dodging the Washington state ferries. Fortunately for the fog horns and radar, we suppose. A few minute walk from the Edgewater is Spaghetti Factory, where we enjoyed a delicious dinner, but cheap.

The night was calm and the sun the next day sky was blue and the view from our room was like a postcard. No need to lose that point of view while having breakfast – until we stopped at the Edgewater good food with the best views of the city to award the hotel, winner of the Six Seven restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised reasonable price, excellent location and reputation of the restaurant high quality.

More exploration of the city has been touch for our second day, with no shortage of goods at exceptionally good prices. Soon it was time to go home, but it was like a mall back home when you're exhausted and swore never to go shopping with the crowd again. Yes we did our Christmas shopping all rights – but also felt rejuvenated by a winter break trip to Seattle's Wonderland memorable.

For more information on Seattle, visit or by phone at 206-461-5840 www.visitseattle.org. For more information about the Edgewater hotel, please visit www.edgewaterhotel.com or by phone at 1-800-624-0670.

About the Author

Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, publisher of www.californiaweekend.com, a site focusing on California travel, and www.northwesttraveladvisor.com, which features Pacific Northwest travel

Home For Sale Seattle WA 2500-SqFt 3-Bdrms 2.00-Baths on 5975-SqFt $934000

Corelle Livingware 16-Piece Dinnerware Set with Mug, Service for 4, Country Cottage $24.99 An elegant white background with soft green leaves and blue hearts. The Country Cottage collection epitomizes a time honored, traditional style. A delightful design, painted in sweet, soft hues, gives this collection a wonderfully romantic appeal. This collection is created using a hub lamination process, which creates a break and chip resistant glass. The result is a lightweight, yet incredibly s…

Coaster Bar Stools, Solid Wood Cappuccino with Wheat Back, Set of 2 $87.73 This lovely bar stool will be a great addition to your casual contemporary dining and entertaining ensemble. The stool has a high back with a crossing “X” pattern for a distinctive style, above sleek square tapered legs. A padded seat covered in soft deep mocha colored microfiber adds to the comfort and durability of this chair. Pair with the bar from this collection for a stylish look that fits y…

Stainless Steel Work Table – 49 $139.50 Dimensions: 49″L x 24″W x 35″H. This versatile stainless steel table has an adjustable shelf and curved edges for safety….