Headed to Seattle? Put these must-see sights on your list

(ARA) - The next time you're in the mood for a vacation, how about trying something different? Instead of heading to the beach or the mountains, check out a part of the country you've never been to before.

Seattle, the northernmost major city along the Pacific Northwest coast, is not only beautiful, but rich in history as well. Thanks to the current availability of cheap flights, now is a good time to book your tickets.

There are deals to be had right now at many of the Seattle hotels. But word is getting around so the time to book is now.

Here are a few things you must see during your stay in Seattle:

1. The Space Needle

Seattle Center, 400 Broad St.; (206) 905-2100

www.spaceneedle.com

You wouldn't visit Paris without stopping by the Eiffel Tower, would you? Well, Seattle has its own must-see attraction. The Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair, just underwent a $20 million revitalization that included a complete paint job and construction of the pavilion level.

A 41-second elevator ride takes you up 520 feet to the observation deck. Once there, enjoy a meal at the revolving SkyCity restaurant. On a clear day, you can see the peak of Mount Rainier, 60 miles away.

2. Mount Rainier National Park

http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm

Mount Rainier National Park is a nature lover's paradise. According to the park brochure, it's a place where visitors can "learn about glaciers, study geology, discover life in a rainforest, hike and watch clouds shroud the mountain and disappear." The park is just an hour's drive from the city.

3. Pike Place Market

Between First and Western avenues, from Pike to Virginia streets

www.pikeplacemarket.org

Pike Place Market has been the soul of Seattle since 1907. Considered one of the oldest farmers markets in the United States, it is a major tourist attraction with 200 businesses operating year-round.

One of its most famous attractions is the Pike Place Fish Market, where employees throw fish to each other rather than passing them from hand to hand. The original Starbucks is also located in the market. If you plan to visit, go early. By noon it's elbow-to-elbow in there.

A great thing about the market is that it's close to a lot of the hotels in town so those in need of a coffee fix can walk down the street to get one.

Courtesy of ARAcontent