Nature and outdoor activity enthusiasts will surely appreciate the amazing parks, gardens, and arboretums dotting the city. These parks offer good hiking, biking, bird-watching, and camping opportunities, and spectacular sceneries and views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountains.

Seattle downtown is another must see destination. Columbia Center, Pike Market, the Aquarium, Art Museum, Central Library and other interesting places can be found in the downtown area. Historical Pike Market is a must see attraction for its fresh seafood market, good eats, and local crafts. The Space Needle and the Seattle Center, iconic landmarks of the city, are located northwest of downtown and accessible via the Seattle Center Monorail.

Ride the Ducks is an interesting 90 minute tour on an amphibious vehicle, which traverses through downtown and into nearby Lake Union. Other local tours focus on Seattle’s historical past like the Underground Tour, which takes visitors below Pioneer Square for a taste of Old Seattle.

The Seattle Aquarium is another place you don’t want to miss. See otters, seals, and a Giant Pacific Octopus up close! Enter the Underwater Dome, a 400,000 gallon fish tank, filled with a colorful array of underwater life. Watch live dives and feedings daily.

Visit graves of the famous Bruce and Brandon Lee, Jimi Hendrix, and many others. If oddities excite you, you won’t want to miss the Fremont Troll. Built under the Aurora bridge, the troll was constructed in 1989 as a kind of halloween decoration. It still remains there today.

Seattle is also home to the original Starbuck’s Cafe. Built in 1971, the original building remains as it was built. Enjoy some history and a cup of coffee while you relax.

Seattle is full of history, tours and attractions that will make your visit fantastic.

Let’s Tour Seattle is one such company that offers to take you throughout the city and explain the history behind some of Seattle’s more famous sights. Take a trip to Seattle’s Pike Place Market to pick up some fresh seafood and enjoy Seattle’s fishing community. Once you’re done there, visit the Space Needle to get a bird’s eye view of Seattle at night time.

The next morning, travel to Seattle’s waterfront and take a scenic cruise along the shore line while hearing about the vast history of Seattle’s fishermen and native peoples. Once finished, travel all over the city visiting Seattle’s Chinatown, Pioneer Square, Aboretum, and the Fremont Troll.

Before you leave, take one last trip to see Seattle’s amazing floating bridges-which are bridges nestled on water. There are also many floating homes that are beautiful to catch at sunset.

Seattle is home to so much that you need a travel guide to help you plan trips around the city.

Ballard Artwalk (Second Saturday every month) let’s you explore some of the best Ballard galleries and businesses as they stay open late for this monthly event to showcase artists. It’s great fun and several establishments offer appetizers and drinks!Belltown Artwalk (Third Thursday every month) is home to many unique galleries and other venues such as food and music all set in a colorful neighborhood. Visit galleries for coupons that can be used at many of the area’s popular restaurants and bars.Fremont Artwalk (First Friday every month) is Seattle’s most free-spirited art community which has long been known as the center of Seattle’s art pulse. Fremont’s galleries, shops and restaurants are crowded with people looking for something new and finding just that via exciting art representing an eclectic mix of styles from artists both local and worldwide.Pioneer Square (First Thursday every month) has provided a haven for gallery owners and artists since the early 1960s and is at the center of Seattle’s art scene today. The Art Walk in Pioneer Square is enhanced by the dozens of public art installations that can be found when walking between galleries. First Thursday started in 1981 and has now evolved into a beloved fixture on the local arts calendar.

There are more, of course; we mention these only to whet your appetite and get you out to start exploring. The bottom line is that Seattle is chock-full of art just keep your eyes open and you’ll happen upon it; that’s one of the beauties of this great city.

• Here Come the Brides (1968 1970)
• The Night Strangler (1973 TV movie)
• A Year in the Life (1986 1987)
• Twin Peaks (1990 1991)
• Davis Rules (1991 1992)
• Almost Home (1993)
• Frasier (1993 2004)
• Under One Roof (1995)
• Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1996)
• Millennium (1996 1999)
• Dark Angel (2002 2002)
• John Doe (2002)
• Rose Red (2002)
• The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer (2003)
• Dead Like Me (2003 2004)
• Traffic (2004)
• Life As We Know It (2004)
• The 4400 (2004 2007)
• Night Stalker (2005)
• Grey’s Anatomy (2005 present)
• Kyle XY (2006 2009)
• iCarly (2007 present)
• Reaper (2007 2009)

And with the new season lineup just around the corner, keep your eyes peeled for some new shows that just might make the list!

1. Ask yourself some serious questions before you even start the evaluation process. Examine what you believe the school should provide, what your goals are for your child, what your child’s goals are for him/herself, what extra-curricular activities are important, and how important it is that your values blend with those that a specific school teaches.
2. When physically visiting the schools, what are your first impressions? Make sure you notice how adults treat the students, and how the students interact with adults. Also keep an eye open to see whether or not disciplinary rules are actually enforced and if so, how?
3. What are some of the school’s special programs? Are there several that you think your child will benefit from and find interesting at the same time?
4. If you can witness an actual classroom setting, pay attention to things like class size, desk arrangement, whether there is a structure (organization) that is clearly evident, and whether the materials are current.
5. Outside of the classroom take notice of things like level of supervision in the halls and outside areas, whether the restrooms are clean and private, and whether or not there are security guards on premises.

On top of these observations you are within your rights to ask specific questions such as: what is the school’s philosophy, or what are the school’s objectives and plans to attain educational excellence?Not to be clich, but information is power. So to power yourself during this transition period, make sure you’re armed with the information you need to make the right decision.