December 2007
Going Places: Go Downtown!
Seattle
As we stand on the balcony at Westlake Center, the trees at eye level and below us are spangled in silver and gold. The Bon star shoots rays of white light from the indigo sky almost to the ground. The red and white canopy of the carousel spins slowly below us, as throngs of people move in and out of the vortex. Street musicians with steel drums are playing a jazzed up version of a Christmas carol.
It’s Christmas in downtown Seattle.
In the bustle of holiday preparations, our family tries to find a day – usually the Saturday before Christmas – to go downtown and see everything.
The brilliantly lit Westlake Center and Park are at the center of it all. It’s been years since my kids were young enough to ride the Qwest Carousel, now in its 20th year, but it’s still fun to watch. The historic ponies and fantastical creatures spin daily through Dec. 29 (except Dec. 25) for a suggested donation of $2. Walk across the street to the Fourth Avenue and Stewart Street corner of Macy’s to see the Holiday Train and to operate it by remote control.
Fifth Avenue is a beautiful corridor of gold and silver lights, and you can walk along it to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel at University Street. This year, the chef has prepared a gingerbread replica of the Pike Place Market, on display in the lobby, and you can go upstairs to see the lovely Teddy Bear Suite, adorned with dozens of bears in all kinds of costumes. Take your holiday photos or read a bear-themed book.
Walk back toward Westlake Center on Sixth Avenue to take in one of Seattle’s best holiday displays, the Gingerbread Village at the Seattle Sheraton Hotel, 1400 Sixth Ave. Architectural companies build incredibly elaborate buildings and street scenes with 1,200 pounds of dough and 800 pounds of icing. This year’s theme is “Holidays around the World.” Be aware that with 300,000 visitors a year, the lines can be a bit long for little ones.
Back at Sixth Avenue and Pine Street, you’ll pass Pacific Place, the site of free nightly snow shows at 6 p.m. through Dec. 24.
While the most spectacular lights are at the north end of downtown, Pioneer Square is beautiful, too, with its brick buildings, pergola and interesting store displays. This year, Pioneer Square Historic Holidays will be held Dec. 13-14, 4 - 9 p.m.; Dec. 15, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.; and Dec. 16, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at First Avenue and Yesler Way. See live ice sculpting demonstrations, carolers, interactive arts and crafts and food vendors selling chestnuts and hot chocolate.
Wherever you walk in downtown Seattle, make it a scavenger hunt for the kids by looking for 60 decorated nutcrackers on display. The Nutcracker March is in its third and final year, so don’t miss it.
For updated information on downtown Seattle events, visit www.downtownseattle.com/content/programs/OurEvents.cfm.
Bellevue
Lights play in patterns over the buildings opposite to us. Trees sparkle with lights. Sixty drummer boys and girls in red stand stock still on giant drum pedestals. At 7 p.m., the drummers dismount and march down the street playing, as throngs of us on the sidewalk join the carolers accompanying them. Lights move in dizzying snow patterns and confetti falls and hundreds of hands clap. It’s Mardi Gras with mittens and woolen hats.
Snowflake Lane, on the sidewalks of Bellevue Way and N.E. 8th Street in Bellevue, is part of downtown Bellevue “Magic Season” – and it truly is magical. You can take part in the free live performance nightly at 7 p.m. through Dec. 24.
Besides the lights and store displays of an increasing lively downtown, you’ll find illuminated pavements and lighted designs by local architecture and engineering firms at Sound Transit Design in Light on the N.E. 6th Street pedestrian corridor.
Speaking of lights, the Garden d’Lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden south of downtown is worth a trip up or down 405 or across the bridge. With 450,000 twinkling bulbs, it is more spectacular and imaginative each year. (See details in “Favorite Holiday Outings – Holiday Lights Dazzle”.)
Finally, escape the bustle of Bellevue Square for the tranquility of Downtown Park and the coolness of the partially open-air Group Health Ice Arena (see details in “Favorite Holiday Outings – Ice Rinks Open for Spinning.”)
For more information on Bellevue Magic Season, visit www.magicseason.com.
Wenda Reed is managing editor
for Seattle’s Child.
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