If you are a follower of this site, you already know that I am from Seattle and have absolutely zero desire to go back there ever again (permanently), but short visits are something I can do and this will be the first Christmas that the husband and I will open gifts in the Pacific NW since we moved to the East Coast over 4 years ago.

Living out East for the past four Christmas’ has been awesome! There is no other place in the country (or World??) that can match the holiday spirit that NYC generates! From the windows at Macy’s to the computerized yet realistic snowflakes at Saks to seeing the tree at Rockefeller and shopping the Christmas markets at Union Square and Central Park to ice skating at Bryant Park– and the list goes on.

Ice Rink in Central Park (photo credit: D Ellefson)

Regardless of how horribly depressing the gloomy gray skies of Seattle will be (dare I even wish for snow?), I will make this trip as CHRISTMASY as possible!!! First and foremost, I am excited to see my nephew and niece and wake up super early with them on Christmas morning to see them open THE BEST presents EVER (from Uncle and me of course, even though Uncle will likely sleep in a bit later than me). Also, my grandparents are making the trek over the mountains and through the woods JUST to see hubby and me (I mean, of course they’re coming for us–who cares about those cute great-grandkids…).

While in Seattle, the lack of snow or even sunny, crisp temps won’t bother me too much with family and friends close by AND these totally Christmasy things to do:

The famous Seattle Space Needle

1) The Christmas Carol Improv! I have been to this show in the ghost of Christmas past and it is awesome! Always different, (it is Improv) and based on the original Dickens story but sprinkled with audience suggestions on how the story should be acted out, this performance called “Seattle’s Funniest Christmas Show” is a Pacific NW tradition!

The show is regularly shown at their home smack dab in the middle of Pike Place Market at the Market Theater, but since its currently being renovated, this year I will see it at the equally cool Intiman Theater at Seattle Center.

2) Christmas Lights Shining Bright!
When I was a kid, driving to and walking around neighborhoods decked out Clark W Griswold style was, and still IS, a highlight (and also free). One of the best stops (and longest running) in Seattle is Candy Cane Lane in Ravenna! The neighborhood has been doing this light show since 1941.
Address: Northeast Park Road, off Ravenna Boulevard, Seattle, WA

Ravenna Neighborhood

3) Seeing the Lights & the Sights from the Water
Seattle locals may humbug the Argosy (“Its so touristy”) and even I used to poo-poo it until I went on an Argosy summer cruise a few years back and saw Bill Gates’ mansion. One word: GINORMOUS. Anyway, at Christmastime, all of the touristy labels go out the window because tourists and locals will love the lights seen from the water. In its 62nd year, this parade of Argosy Christmas Ships sails the Puget Sound waterfront communities and if you are lucky enough to get tickets on the lead ship, THE Christmas Ship, onboard choirs will sing carols throughout your journey. This runs through December 23rd. Did I mention the outer decks on the ships are heated. Oh yes! I’ll see you there! ($35 adults $31.50 seniors $19 kids ages 5-12 (4 and under no charge)

The Argosy Ship

4) Molbaks
Annual Festival of Poinsettias

Molbaks is a Christmas tradition for Seattleites and a must stop for anyone that lives in the general vicinity (Molbaks is in the suburb of Woodinville and well worth the short drive from Seattle). Aside from the numerous wonderful ornaments and decorations to shop (I love the Department 56 collections they have), fresh trees to meander through and hot chocolate to sip–they boast one of the most colorful sights in all of Washington State: the Annual Festival of Poinsettias.

With over 25 varieties (25, really? Wow!) and tons of family photo ops (even with Santa!!), this is a MUST STOP to get into or get more into the holiday spirit. They are open all the way through Christmas Eve at 4! I’ll see you there–after the Argosy ride of course, and lets hope for snow, or at least not rain.

There are some obvious ones like Banff. Banff was voted #1 for Canada and if you haven’t been to Banff stop everything (after you finish reading this post) and book a trip there. Soon. Winter or summer–it doesn’t matter. There were also some interesting choices… Machu Picchu got #3 on the World list below Cape Town and Sydney? Hmmm, yeah… I’m not sure.

Me and Banff

Of course, I have an opinion on all of the rankings, but thats the point — opinon is what generated this survey. Here I choose to focus on the United States top 25 and rate them based on MY opinion.

Trip Advisor’s #1: New York City
Diana’s #1: New York City

NYC over the Hudson

No argument here. I am biased and if you don’t know of my love of this city please refer to my archives or at seenyc.com, the NYC travel site I write for. I love this city. Anything you want to do, want to see, want to eat, want to BE– NYC is the place. THE place.

Trip Advisor #2: Honolulu, Hawaii
Trip Advisor #3: San Francisco
Trip Advisor #4 Las Vegas
Trip Advisor #5 Lahaina, Hawaii (Maui)

Maui

Spoiler alert: Hawaii appears often in this top 25 list, but personally I would have put Lahaina at #2 behind NYC. Honolulu is nice, but the island of Maui offers less tourism and just as much to do.

I’d also put San Fran above Honolulu. What a fab city SF is and if you catch it on a sunny day as I did this past April, you’d be hard pressed finding another city that can beat the vibe SF gives.

Las Vegas. Well, for me, Vegas would be near the end of the list–if it even made the list. I do think everyone needs to see Vegas once, but there are so many cities in this country that deserve a much more serious look than Vegas.

Trip Advisor #6 Kona, HI
Trip Advisor #7 New Orleans
Trip Advisor # 8 San Diego, CA
Trip Advisor #9 Sedona

Wait — stop right there. I am ok with New Orleans being on the list and even in the top 10, and San Diego–I LOVE the La Jolla neighborhood, but for Sedona to rank lower… I’m not sure about that. Maybe its because I recently spent some time in Sedona and perhaps the beauty still has me hypnotized, but this eccentric town with the captivating scenery is easily in my top 5.

Sedona, AZ

Trip Advisor #10 Seattle
Trip Advisor #11 Anchorage, AK
Trip Advisor #12 Chicago
Trip Advisor #13 Boston

Being a Seattle native I can appreciate the beautiful mountains, the surrounding water and abundant supply of fleece jackets, but I still wonder: “Why do people vacation in Seattle?” The weather is TOO unpredictable and the sights to see can be done in a weekend. IF you have a desire to go to the Seattle area, stay for an afternoon and then head to Vancouver, BC. Trust me.

I am ok with the other 3 being in the top 25. Boston though—should be much higher. The history and walkability of the town is addicting.

Trip Advisor #14 Estes Park, CO
Trip Advisor #15 Washington DC
Trip Advisor #16 Poipu, HI (see—I told you Hawaii was on here a lot)
Trip Advisor #17 Orlando, FL

As we get to the bottom half of the list I think the locations are reaching to be part of the top 25 (I am surprised Portland, Or; Santa Cruz, Ca or Boise, Idaho aren’t on the list).

Colorado is great regardless of the city and I think I would have chosen Boulder for the top 25, but Estes Park is only an hour away and with 345+ sunny days a year how can you NOT want to live visit there? Ski, hike, shop, swim. Colorado is like Seattle, but less natural water and MUCH more sun.

Washington DC is great. History is #1 here but if you escape to the Georgetown area you really get a taste of DC–and in a good way.

Lincoln Memorial in DC

Orlando.
Apparently the top 25 for Trip Advisor was voted on by parents. Yes, Orlando is fun and I say that as a non-parent. But it is all Disney and while Disney is fun, Orlando IS Disney and that only goes so far.

Trip Advisor # 18 Big Sur, CA
Trip Advisor #19 Bar Harbor, Maine
Trip Advisor #20 Carmel, CA
Trip Advisor #21 Destin, FL

Two in California and Destin is a great getaway. My brother and sister-in-law in Dallas love the driving distance and white sand beaches–so I can see why Destin made the list. And Maine is neat. Just neat. Bar Harbor has been a top vacation spot since the 19th century.

Trip Advisor #22 Savannah, GA
Trip Advisor #23 Gatlinburg, TN
Trip Advisor #24 Miami Beach, FL
Trip Advisor #25 Myrtle Beach, SC

I was happy to see the South represented in the top 25. Savannah and Gatlinburg are NOT to be missed. Here you can get a taste of the real south. Grits anyone?
Miami Beach and Myrtle Beach are known more for their name than the place/experiences, but nonetheless, they do belong in the top 25. You can’t really go wrong with any city that has “beach” in the name.

Whether you agree or not with my comments, below is my ranking of the top 25 (using only cities on Trip Advisor’s top 25).
Let it be known that there are some major cities missing that would be on my Top 25–some I mentioned above but others are Austin, TX, Missoula, MT, Princeton, NJ and Key West.

Diana’s Top 25
1. New York City
2. Lahaina, HI
3. San Francisco
4. Sedona, AZ
5. New Orleans, LA

6. Boston, MA
7. Chicago, IL
8. San Diego, CA
9. Washington DC
10. Honolulu, HI

11. Savannah, GA
12. Estes Park, CO
13. Poipu, HI
14. Kona, HI
15. Big Sur, CA

16. Anchorage, AK
17. Bar Harbor, Maine
18. Destin, FL
19. Carmel, CA
20. Gatlinburg, TN

21. Miami Beach, FL
22. Myrtle Beach, SC
23. Seattle, WA
24. Orlando, FL
25. Las Vegas, NV

Tell me — what are your top cities in the US? Where am I wrong? Where am I right?

New York’s position as the musical center of the United States started in the mid-1800′s and continues to present day. It started with groups singing religious hymns, military bands and family groups (those family groups really stood the test of time didn’t they…) and morphed into Opera with the opening of the Metropolitan Opera House in 1882 and Carnegie Hall in 1891,

In the 60′s, Greenwich Village was arguably the biggest musical neighborhood in the United States and in the 70′s and 80′s things really took off with the clubs like CBGB that offered new artists their first stage. (Side note: my good friend Lisa saw one of the first shows the Police ever did in a small club in Greenwich Village with basically a pallet for their stage. I am so jealous).

Each decade has its list of stars that made NYC their own and of course tons of these musicians are NYC natives including Lou Reed, Neil Diamond, Joan Baez, Sammy Davis Jr. and Billy Joel.

NEIL!!

But perhaps no decade can claim a bigger dent on the global music scene than what New York generated in the ’90′s. I know what you are thinking: “the 90′s? Wait, wasn’t that the grunge decade? Didn’t that happen on the West Coast”?
True, grunge did have a huge impact on music, but it wasn’t the only musical genre born in the 90′s — New York City actually was a very big player in the 90′s music scene and introduced some long term rockers and perhaps more well known— birthed most of the pioneers of hip hop and rap. In fact, New York was the only city with a major hip hop scene for many years. Guys like LL Cool J brought hip-hop to the mainstream for the first time while rap reached near perfection here from artists such as Eric B. & Rakim, Public Enemy Run DMC and Jay Z.

How do I know all of this? Well, aside from the regular research any good writer does and the fact that I am a big ’90′s music fan (yes, there are some exceptions: N’Sync, Backstreet Boys), I recently had the pleasure of leisurely roaming around the newest exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art : Looking at Music 3.0. This exhibit runs through June 6 and displays, through collected art in various forms, the influence NYC artists had on the music we listen to today.

The exhibit focuses mainly hip-hop/raps’ roots, but ample attention is also paid to the NYC Rock scene with videos from Grace Jones and eclectic recordings from David Byrn and Brian Eno.
Other ’90′s topics are also featured with festivals and ad campaigns focusing on the fight against AIDS, the impact of graffiti and MTV’s continuing presence.

In the center of the exhibit, a massive projector rotated music videos from featured artists and the videos emitted a blue and white flash that induced a prominent “head-nod” reaction by this visitor.

Original lp’s, cassettes (ahhh Nostalgia), interactive displays and smaller tv’s complete with wrap-a-round headphones that let you listen to music or watch videos of these NYC artists that kept MTV in the picture (come back MTV, please… no more reality shows…) such as my favorite-the Beastie Boys and their video Sabotage directed by the brilliant Spike Jonze.

Diana rocking out to the Beastie’s

a picture of the Beastie Boys featured in the exhibit

Nirvana and Pearl Jam will always have a place in my heart; grunge is part of my formative years growing up in Seattle, but these NYC artists really brought it and like the grunge heros from the opposite coast, they are music trailblazers that deserve their claim on the 90′s.

Some of the artists featured in the exhibit but not mentioned in this article include:
KRS-One
Slick Rick
Grandmaster Flash
Fab 5 Freddy
the Wu-Tang Clan
Salt and Peppa
Public Enemy

While I was in Atlanta recently, I had only a short amount of time to roam the city but there were so many things I wanted to see. That got me thinking–when traveling on a time schedule (and/or on a budget), one can’t possibly see all hot spots in one location or even if there is the time, who wants to only see more appetizing the popular fattening crowded sights?

So, I decided to start a semi-regular series here on Travel. Write. Repeat. called “See This, Not That”. Unlike the diet book, both dishes spots I profile in each city are worth eating seeing, but if time or money is a factor, try following my suggestions to see this and not that.

*Please email me or leave your comments and ideas on other See This, Not That spot ideas so I can check them out and feature them here (and of course, give you credit).

For the first entry in this series I have decided to feature my hometown of Seattle, Washington.
Seattle, surrounded by water and mountains, is wonderful city to visit and while it does rain-quite a lot-it is not a rain that ruins plans (unless you are planning on going camping or doing anything outside on the 4th of July… but I digress…)

With so many things to see in the general vicinity, if time is not an issue, I would say to get outside of the city to check out Mt Rainier, take a ferry to the San Juan Islands or walk about any of the quaint neighborhoods within Seattle (i.e., Ballard). But, if time and money are short, you MUST see something Seattle is famous for, so…

See This: EMP
Not That: the Space Needle

The Experience Music Project (“EMP”) (which also features a Science Fiction Museum) is nearly next door to the Space Needle but it definitely holds its own in this much visited neighborhood. The building, that at first was an unwelcome eyesore to the Seattle skyline (from the outside, it looks sortof like a heart–the actual organ in a body), is now a colorful, recognizable symbol of Seattle and with an admission price of just $15, it is one that is not to be missed.

EMP on a cloudy Seattle day with the base of the Space Needle in the background

EMP, as their website states, is “dedicated to the exploration of creativity and innovation in popular music. By blending interpretative, interactive exhibitions with cutting-edge technology, EMP captures and reflects the essence of rock ‘n’ roll, its roots in jazz, soul, gospel, country and the blues, as well as rock’s influence on hip-hop, punk and other recent genres”.

Rare memorabilia (hand written lyrics, instruments and clothing once owned by music legends) and a giant floor to ceiling guitar cyclone that, bragging tidbit here, I, the author helped fabricate while working at a design studio in the ’90′s when EMP was being built.

Part of the guitar cyclone
photo courtesy here

At EMP visitors can view rare artifacts and memorabilia and experience the entire process from beginning to end on what it takes and is to be a musician.

Many exhibits are featured permanently but traveling exhibits come through as well.

Famous local boy Jimi Hendrix is a proud feature. Artifacts from his early days in Seattle to his more famous gigs in New York City and beyond as well as vintage films and interviews of Hendrix can be seen up close and give vision to his personal side. An immense guitar wall displays Hendrix’s Woodstock Fender and visitors can witness an interactive sound system demonstration showing how Hendrix used effects pedals to modify the guitar into a more complex instrument.

In April of this year Nirvana, perhaps the most famous band to come out of the grunge age, will be showcased.
Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses will run for 2 years and while many of the pieces are part of the permanent collection, the website hints at these other rare pieces that will also be on display:

-The reel-to-reel tape machine owned by Kurt Cobain’s aunt, on which a young Kurt Cobain recorded material for his early bands
-Cobain’s handwritten lyrics for many Nirvana songs
-Numerous instruments, including pieces of the first guitar Cobain destroyed onstage;
-Dave Grohl’s drum kit; and Krist Novoselic’s bass guitar used during the recording of “MTV Unplugged.”
-Cobain’s often worn yellow cardigan
-Candid snapshots capturing the band’s early years, from their beginnings in Aberdeen, Washington to the media frenzy that erupted after Nevermind and interactives that will allow guests to dive deeper into the history of the band as well as allow guests to make their own mark by including their own personal stories.

Much money (billionaire Paul Allen is the mastermind behind EMP) and time went into creating and re-creating EMP to make it one of the top music museums in the country; it is a must see while in Seattle.

The Space Needle

One of the most recognizable structures in the world, the Space Needle is Seattle’s most well known and visited spot. If you have the time (lines are long in the spring and summer), the money (admission fee to go to the top is $18) and it’s a sunny day, the Needle can be a great experience. On a clear day the views are fabulous: snow capped mountains, evergreens, crystal blue waters and the hip city and beyond are breathtaking. If it isn’t sunny— the view is still there, somewhat, but it isn’t nearly as grand. The rotating restaurant also has the view (ask for a table at the window, not an inside booth) but be prepared to spend a pretty penny to get average to less than average food: it is clear that the view is built into the price.

Regardless of which spot you choose— enjoy your time in Seattle. Try and stop at Pikes Place Market for a coffee at the first ever Starbucks (walking distance from both EMP and the Needle) and buy at fleece or two before climbing the largest indoor rock wall in the US at the flagship REI store.

REI flagship store

Lake Washington near the U of Washington

At a beach in Bellingham, WA looking across to British Columbia, Canada

An old boat at the Semiahmoo Resort just outside Bellingham

Unlike most of my visits back home, not to mention like most days in general in Seattle, the weather was nice this time, yes–nice. It wasn’t the 90+ degrees that I have been used to the past couple weeks here in the NE, but it was in the low 70′s and not a drop of rain fell (I know, pinch me, right?) These “dry spells”–even the short ones– I think apply some sort of magical spell on the locals and expats like myself because during them, one questions why they would ever complain about Seattle. Surrounded by a natural fortress of mountains in every direction with the ocean and lakes populating the city and surrounding suburbs, the air is clean, the people are friendly and the atmosphere feels organic–as though you can’t imagine NOT buying your veggies, fruit and even meats fresh from the local markets while dressing in your Birkenstock’s and fleece (& I am so not making fun-this is a very comfortable attire, one I had to sort of give up when moving back east to save myself from the horrified looks and assumptions that I was some sort of modern day hippie–a label I was quite proud to have while living in Seattle).

view of Mt Rainier over Lake Union. Photo credit: Tim Knight

Of course, these moments of sun are short lived and even the most die-hard Seattlite will tell you that at times, the weather can be a real downer. Many of my friends have been inflicted with severe vitamin D deficiency requiring prescription level meds (and if you are reading this right now and finding yourself getting angry at this statement–don’t blame me, blame the lack of sun and get thee to a doctor for some prescription Vit-D pills) and large vacation bills to take them away from Seattle to seek sun (a Seattle local and friend of mine told me on this recent trip she wished her family could go geo-caching (a very popular hobby/sport in the Pacific NW) for Sun).

So–to celebrate the nice weather while I was there I felt it only necessary to broadcast that fact to help offset the common belief that the sun doesn’t come out much in my home town.
In fact– here is the weather forecast for the next few days. Is that partly sunny, or partly cloudy? I never did learn the difference of this common Seattle forecast.

1. Start your day with sleeping in– to hopefully beat the early morning rain showers (common during the Spring in Seattle) and then head to the U District (University of Washington area) for some wandering on the gorgeous campus. See the noted architecture of the buildings and the blooming quad, get in some shopping on the ‘Ave (excellent thrift store The Red Light ) plus a coffee must stop at the Ugly Mug Cafe on 43rd (you thought I’d send you to a Starbucks, didn’t you?).

2. After getting your caffeine buzz on and working up an appetite shopping, hoof it up to 45th for an unforgettable lunch at a Seattle landmark: Dick’s Drive-In. (Order recommendation: Deluxe, Fry, two tarters, a ketchup and a chocolate shake). Man, I am hungry just thinking about it.

the quad on the UW Campus

Dick’s

3. After the U Dist, head south just a bit to experience a legendary Seattle store: Archie McPhee’s. Archie’s was originally located in Ballard (more on that in a second) and has recently moved to the nearby Wallingford area to bump elbows with other sweet stores like my favorite travel store Wide World Books.
At Archie’s you’ll find all of the ’80′s candy you miss (candy cigarettes, ring pops and pop rocks) as well as the necessary household items such as bacon bandages, backwards clocks, pickle soap and my personal favorite, nunzilla wind-up toys, that shoot adorable sparks from the mouth.

4. To curb the candy buzz and giddy feeling from buying things you don’t need but can’t resist, take a leisurely stroll to peaceful Ballard–just down the way from Archie’s. Ballard, once its own city, a few decades ago was enveloped into Seattle proper. Ballard has kept its individuality though boasting the largest Norwegian population in the US (outside of Minnesota that is) and a bustling main street with sweet mom and pop shops, a movie theatre and and the nearby Ballard Locks where you can easily become hypnotized by the methodological process of water rising and falling as boats pass from Lake Washington/Lake Union into the Puget Sound and vice versa. The fish ladder at the locks, where the world famous Washington Salmon swim their hearts out, is very calming and entertaining–and FREE.

5. After the tranquil visit to the locks and surrounding gardens, press on past the lure of fish and chips at nearby stands (way too pricy) and head to the Tractor Tavern just a few short blocks away. Let the Tractor serve you up a locally brewed beer while you scan the upcoming live band list. Not only does the Tractor host big name bands, but also up and coming acts in their intimate venue. My claim to fame, or not, with the Tractor is that some friends from work were heading there for a happy hour cocktail years back and I passed on the invite just to find out the next morning that the unheard of band playing that night was Pearl Jam under a cover name. (Dammit– it still hurts like it was yesterday.)

6. After a few beers at the Tractor you’re probably feeling nice and loose so grab a cab and head straight to the Virginia Inn– another Seattle Landmark.
You may recognize this bar as the one from the movie Singles, where Matt Dillon’s character brainstormed with his “band mates” (real life Pearl Jam members). Sit in “their” booth and order another local beer or something a bit more crazy ’cause now you are in the Belltown area of Seattle, officially the newest “hip” place to be. Sit here a while and take in the scene.

7. Hungry? Probably. Close out your evening by dining on a Seattle staple: Sushi.
The Wasabi Bistro is just a block away from the Virginia Inn and is famous for its fresh Japanese fusion menu. They have a long happy hour (until 6 every night) and live music Sunday through Thursday. Order some sake, feast on some of their sushi roll specials (so fresh you may have seen these fish at the locks earlier) and enjoy the fact that you are in Seattle– a very friendly, walkable, green city that will always welcome you back.