Seattle is situated on the shores of two large lakes and Puget Sound. It is flanked by two major mountain ranges (Olympics and Cascades), with Mount Rainier in full view. Some of the major attractions will be described and you may choose from them for your reunion activities.

If you have only one experience in Seattle, make it Tillicum Village. During the harbor cruise that takes you to the village, you will cross Puget Sound and view the magnificent scenery and perhaps encounter a sea lion, dolphin, or soaring eagle. Tillicum Village’s “longhouse” is styled in the fashion of the ancient dwellings of the North Coast Indians. There you will savor delicious fresh Pacific salmon prepared on cedar stakes over alder fires, the traditional method. The entire island is part of Blake Island State Park and is accessible only by boat.  www.tillicumvillage.com

The USS TURNER JOY, a Forrest Sherman class destroyer, is now on display at the Bremerton Historic Ships Association. Most of the ship is open to the public, including the aft engine room and the fire room (boiler room). One of the compartments has been turned into a POW Memorial, an authentic prison cell replica from the infamous Hoa Lo Prison (nicknamed Hanoi Hilton) in Vietnam.

The Naval Undersea Museum represents the history of human enterprise under the sea. Among the most important undersea activities are the adventures of the U. S. Navy’s undersea forces, which helped to bring victory in war and to maintain America strong in peace. The Navy’s saga in the undersea is told through its exciting collection and interpretation of vintage objects.

The Space Needle stood as the centerpiece of the 1962 World’s Fair. Since then it has become one of the top attractions in Seattle. It’s a 43-second view-filled ride in a 10-mph elevator to reach the observation deck. There, maps describe what you’re seeing in each direction, and telescopes offer close-up views of Elliot Bay or of Mount Rainier 90 miles away. Just below the observation deck is the famous Space Needle Restaurant that makes a complete revolution every 55 minutes.

 The Pike Place Market is known around the world. It has been featured in such movies as Sleepless in Seattle and is often seen on television for those airborne salmon hurled through the air by employees at the Pike Place Market Inc. There you will find florists, artisans, and craftsmen of jewelry and clothing, as well as the original Starbucks Coffee shop across the street. See fish from around the world, smell flowers from local farmers, hear street performers strumming guitars, sample honey, nuts and other foods from local vendors. With produce from over 100 farmers and wares from over 200 artists, there’s plenty to take in.

     The International District is known for its ethnic and cultural diversity, and is home to a concentration of Seattle’s Asian shops, restaurants, businesses, and residences. Hing Hay Park is located here with its authentic Chinese pagoda. Although primarily Asian, the district is also home to many other nationalities, including Greeks, Italians, and Russians.

Ballard Locks are operated  by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks provide a link for boats traveling between  the salt water of Puget Sound and the Ship Canal, which connects to the fresh water of both Lake Washington and Lake Union. Here you will find two navigational locks, a fish ladder, a botanical garden, a regional visitor center and bookstore, and a spillway dam.

Mount Rainier is a 14,411 foot high dormant volcano, capped with glaciers and can be seen for hundreds of miles on a clear day. See alpine meadows, cascading waterfalls, clear mountain lakes and spectacular canyons.

Mount St. Helens erupted violently on May 18, 1980, with the force of 20,000 atomic bombs. In the earthquake triggered landslide that followed, over 1,300 feet of the mountain’s top flooded into the valley below. For 150,000 square miles from the impact zone, every living thing above ground was destroyed. In twenty years life has slowly returned to the area, but the devastation remaining will impact everyone who views this landscape.

Seattle’s Museum of Flight tracks the history of aviation. Become a fighter pilot for a moment when you jump into the cockpit of an F/A-18, or pay your respects to space exploration at the Apollo exhibit and Rendezvous In Space. Visit Boeing’s original plane, the B&W, in the awe-inspiring six-story steel and glass Great Gallery. Then, wrap up your tour with a lesson on the early days of aviation in the Red Barn, Boeing’s original plant, and a walk through presidential history aboard the first Air Force One.

Aviation Center and Boeing Tour

The 73,000-square-foot Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour is one of Western Washington's major attractions you won't want to miss. It features the only public tour of a commercial jet assembly plant in North America.

Here you can explore a 28,000-square-foot Aviation Gallery with interactive exhibits and displays - and digitally design your own airplane.

Take the expanded Boeing Tour at the nearby assembly plant where 747, 767, 777 and 787 airplanes are assembled - you won't believe how fast these jets go together!