Free Seattle Christmas Fun

Looking for some free things to do in Seattle in December?   There are an amazing number of freebies to help get everyone into the holiday spirit.  Here are some of my favorites:

1. Stroll around the streets near Westlake Center and enjoy the Christmas tree and all of the lights on the street trees

2.  Check out the fabulous train and village in the window at Macy's on the corner of 4th and Stewart Street

3.  Go see the fantastic gingerbread houses at the Seattle Sheraton.  If you'd like to see more photos, visit  The Seattle Gingerbread Village

4.  Don't miss the Seattle Christmas Parade!  Check the schedule for where the ships can be seen each night at: The Seattle Christmas Ship Festival

 5.  Take a  walk throught the Pike Place Market - lots of decorations, street musicians and a festive atmosphere.

6.  Visit the Seattle Center - lights and decorations and lots of  free activites.  Here is a link to the schedule: Seattle Center Winterfest 

6.  Not quite free, but visit Westlake Park and take a ride on the Carousel.  A small donation is requested.

7.  A new thing to do at Westlake Park this year, is to get your photo taken in the Snow globe.  Of course if you want a professional photo taken, there is a charge, but if you bring along a friend to take your own photo it is free!

Of course there are lots of other things to do, although some are not free.  For more ideas, visit my page: Christmas in Seattle on Hubpages.

If you are planning a holiday season visit to Seattle and need information to choose a hotel, I recommend reading the ratings and reviews on Trip Advisor and check out the deals on

Hotels.com: 4 Star Hotels in Seattle from $86! Check out these last minute deals today!

Merry Christmas!

Take a Trip Back to the Future - Celebrating the 1962 Seattle World's Fair

From April through October 2012 Seattle is celebrating the 50 year anniversary of the 1962 World's Fair.  With its futuristic theme, it was officially called the Century 21 Exposition.  The expo brought together ideas of what the future might hold from industry and governments. In 1962 Seattle was a virtually unknown outpost to people in the rest of the US and the world.  Those of us who lived in Seattle at that time were treated to a steady flow of sightings of famous people visiting the fair each day.

The highlight for many women and girls was having Elvis in town to film "It Happened at the World's Fair". 


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One of my personal favorite parts of the fair was the Bubbleator elevator located in the Washington State Pavilion.

(Photo credit: DCC on Flickr - Creative Commons License)

The fair inspired and encouraged a generation of young people to think about the possibilities in science and technology - especially some local young men named William Gates and Paul Allen. 

As its planners intended, Seattle was left with the legacy of the Seattle Center and the Space Needle, the latter of which became the symbol of the city.  To take a longer trip back to that exciting time in 1962, visit my page about The 1962 Seattle World's Fair on Squidoo. Suggested Reading:

Win a Trip Into Space and It's Seafair Week!

(Photo credit: Alan Mitchell)

This week is Seafair week in Seattle and the celebration this weekend will again feature a performance by the Blue Angels!  This stunning photo of the Blue Angels flying over the Space Needle was taken by my friend, Alan Mitchell who generously and kindly gave me his permission to use it.

Speaking of the Space Needle - In celebration of the Space Needle's upcoming 50th Birthday, someone will be sent on a flight into space!  For more information about the Space Needle and to enter the contest to be the lucky person to take a flight into space, click here to visit my page about the Space Needle on Squidoo. >