Seattle
The Emerald City
by Jena Peterson

Oceanfront bustle, savvy businesses, and friendly faces warmly greet residents and visitors, solidifying the country’s acclamation of Seattle as one of the most family-friendly cities in the Northwest. Come explore the heartbeat of the Pacific Northwest: start with classic Seattle’s Pioneer Square, tour modern Seattle’s Space Needle, and end up in rustic Mount Rainier National Park. Enjoy the lush green neighborhoods and not-too-hot, not-too-cold climate of a kind people, welcoming you to Seattle.

Frequently ranked as one of the best cities to live in, Seattle had humble beginnings. Nineteenth-century Seattle drew a working class that found themselves a part of the railroads and simple industry that marked its birth.

A handful of members of the Church found their way into Seattle in 1854, looking for work and helping with the railroads. The Church grew slowly in the Northwest; the first stake in Washington wasn’t established until 1938. By 1960 the entire state held only 11,000 members. After that, membership exploded and today there are more than 250,000 members of the Church living in Washington.

Dedicated in 1980, the Seattle Washington Temple was the first to be built in the Pacific Northwest. The opposition was intense and it was apparent the adversary did not want the temple to be built. Protests and lawsuits abounded even before the property was acquired. F. Arthur Kay, the first temple president, said of the conflicts, “I felt of the influence of the adversary so strongly that it caused the very hairs on the back of my neck to stand straight up. But in time, the spirit of the Lord would prevail and assure me that in the end, all would be well.”

The perseverance of the saints exceeded the powers against them. The temple was built and President Spencer W. Kimball said of the dedication’s turnout, “Monday through Friday, November 17 to 21 [1980], thirteen dedicatory sessions were well attended. Over forty-three thousand members from the great Northwest attended the various sessions.” Within six months of the dedication, the temple had seen over 100,000 endowments.

4 Places You Must See in Seattle

The Seattle Washington Temple

The search for the future temple site of the first temple in the Pacific Northwest was a long and frustrating process. Visitors now gaze at the beauty of the surrounding area and appreciate the effort of F. Arthur Kay and the hunt that eventually lead him to the stunning location.

The temple is located in Bellevue and serves stakes all over western Washington and southwest British Columbia.

The Space Needle

You can’t come to Seattle and not visit the most famous landmark in the Pacific Northeast. The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and stands at 605 feet. It was built in only 12 months but has withstood several earthquakes, due in part to the 30 feet deep, 120 feet wide foundation. The elevator ride up last 43 seconds and drops you off at a breathtaking 360° view. The SkyCity restaurant offers dinner with a view—another 360° view—as you dine while revolving around the Space Needle. Visit [spaceneedle.com] for more information.

Pike Place Market

The Pike Place Market is a nine-acre national historic district located west of downtown Seattle and along the waterfront, just east of Pier 59 and the Waterfront Park. The Market opened in 1907 in an effort to allow farmers to sell directly to the public and eliminate the middlemen.

Enjoy restaurants and specialty shops, and be sure to stop by Pike Place Fish. Its fishmongers and flying fish are probably what Pike Place is most famous for. Kids and adults will be delighted watching the energetic fishmongers fling fish across the market.

Pacific Science Center

The Pacific Science Center is devoted to science, technology, and mathematics. In addition to the interactive exhibits, the center houses two IMAX theaters and a planetarium. Experience any of a number of entertaining and educational exhibits. For the future paleontologist, stop off at “Dinosaurs: a Journey Through Time,” featuring life-size and lifelike dinosaurs, real fossils, and dioramas. Walk gently through the Tropical Butterfly House, and see what it’s like to be a bug in Insect Village. Interact with a model of Puget Sound—see and touch the animals and view real tides and currents.And take time to play outside with logic-defying experiments. Check out [pacsci.org] for more information.

Pioneer Square

This is Seattle—“old school.” Pioneer Square was Seattle’s first downtown before it fell into disrepair. Most of the buildings here today are the same buildings built in the late nineteenth century. Restored and maintained, Pioneer Square is now home to quaint yet extensive bookstores, art galleries, and antique shops. You can walk around yourself or take a tour.

Safeco Field

If you love baseball, don’t miss Safeco Field, located just south of Pike Place Market and the waterfront. The field opened in 1999 carrying a price tag of $516 million, one of the most expensive stadiums in the nation. Safeco Field is home to the American League’s Seattle Mariners and seats over 47,000 fans. The field includes a nine-acre retractable roof available in case of inclement weather (a likely possibility considering the city), a children’s play field, and a picnic patio. Even if you can’t get tickets to one of the games, take a regularly scheduled tour (two or three are offered daily). Visit [safeco.com] for more information.

Discovery Park

Seattle’s largest park covers 534 acres and is also home to the Daybreak Star Cultural Center. The educational center is operated by the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation and features a beautiful collection of Indian art. If your trip falls during their summer Pow Wow, schedule it in and enjoy the program of over four hundred dancers, thirty drums groups, sixty vendors, and a salmon bake in addition to the rest of the authentic food available.

The rest of Discovery Park offers over seven miles of hiking and walking trails, the rocky North Beach, the sandy South Beach, and a terrific view of Puget Sound and the Cascade and Olympic mountains. Discovery Park is about a fifteen-minute drive from the Space Needle. Visit [discoverypark.org] for more information and specific dates for the pow wow.

Experience Music Project

The design of the building looks like a twisted heap of junk, but if viewed from the air, music lovers will notice the semblance of a smashed guitar, designed by Frank Gehry. EMP opened in 2000 as a celebration of music. It’s memorabilia, live performances, and exhibits all invite guests to appreciate, explore, and celebrate music’s diversity. Whether your tastes lean toward blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, country, or pop, there is something for everyone at the EMP. The Experience Music Project is just down the street from the Space Needle, making it an accessible visit while you’re downtown. Visit [emplive.com] for more information.

Woodland Park Zoo

As one of the oldest zoos on the west coast, Woodland Park has made itself distinctive in more ways than as just Seattle’s long-standing animal attraction. The park houses nearly three hundred animal species over ninety-two acres, and the majority live in environments strikingly like their native habitats. And unlike most zoo layouts, the animals are grouped by ecosystem instead of species.

Don’t miss the Family Farm, where kids and parents can see domestic animals up close and get a good look at the new Bug World. Let the kids burn off energy at the Habitat Discovery Loop where they can explore a giant spider web, turtle shells, and a beaver burrow. Woodland Park Zoo is about a ten-minute drive from the Space Needle. Visit [zoo.org] for more information.

LDS Living Magazine