I last visited Seattle in May 2009 when the city was on the verge of a
major overhaul and it was interesting to see one of the world’s Top
50 most livable cities transform in this short time.
The new light rail was under test along the waterfront ahead of its
official opening last December and I had the chance to test it on my
trip to Hotel Five on Fifth Ave near the Seattle Center. Up until 2005,
historic ex-Melbourne trams ran along the waterfront but plans for
their return are unclear.
The biggest news from the home of Starbucks is the demolition of
the unsightly Alaskan Way, a 60-year-old overpass that rang along
the waterfront much like Sydney’s Cahill Expressway. The heavy
machinery moved in last October and reduced the quake damaged
roadway to rubble to make way for a massive rejuvenation project
along the waterfront from Century Link Stadium, past the aquarium
and Pike Place to the Bell Harbour cruise terminal.
According to the developers, www.waterfrontseattle.org, the
waterfront program will include ‘continuous’ and ‘event-based’
activities. Strolling, jogging, biking, driving, and parking are
supported along the entire length of the waterfront, whereas eventbased
programs will happen in strategic locations to maximize
synergies with existing destinations. Pier 62/63 will be the focus of
much activity including rollerskating, sun bathing, concerts, ice
skating, swimming, events, market and views to the bay. See the
website for comprehensive details of the development.
All this refurbishment will hold the city in good stead as it
continues to win more business from its nearby rival port, Vancouver,
across the border.
Brad Jones, director of tourism development for SCVB, tells me
Seattle now has more sailings than its Canadian rival and has
essentially captured the market for Alaskan cruise departures. This is
due, Jones says, because of the perception that it is easier for US
citizens to use a domestic port and the relative cost of airfares to
Seattle.
This year, the Port of Seattle expects in excess of 200 ship visits
delivering more than 430,000 passengers, a number that seems set
to rise. This year and next, new and returning ships to include Seattle
in their itineraries are Celebrity Cruises’ 2850-passenger Solstice,
Oceania’s 684-passenger Regatta, Norwegian Cruise Line adds a
third vessel while Disney returns to Seattle after two seasons in
Vancouver. The famous Rocky Mountaineer railroad also begins
routes to Seattle in 2013.
Port of Seattle spokesman, Peter McGraw, added that “because
the Port of Seattle also includes Sea-Tac International Airport, we
are able to provide the added convenience of boarding passes for
passengers disembarking from cruise vessels along with handling
their baggage. Furthermore airfares into Sea-Tac (SEA) tend to be
lower than at our competitor’s closest airports.”
Australians wishing to reach Seattle will need to fly into either
Vancouver (eg Air Canada), San Francisco (eg United) or LAX (eg
Virgin, Air NZ or Qantas) then connect with a local airline, probably
Alaskan, which hubs out of Seattle.
Seattle, I’ve found, is an Aussie-friendly city with familiar transport
systems, like-minded and enriching tourism attractions in, or close
to the city centre and excellent quality accommodation at
reasonable prices.
Stay: www.hotelfiveseattle.com More Info: www.VisitSeattle.org.
