Page 168 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

166  SEA T TLE

Getting Around Seattle The 2.6-mile (4-km) South Lake
Union Streetcar connects down-
Seattle may be a hilly city but its main tourist areas – Pioneer town Seattle with the South
Square, downtown, Pike Place Market, the waterfront, Seattle Lake Union neighborhood. It
Center, and Belltown – are relatively flat, close to each other, runs every 15 minutes from 6am
and easy to navigate on foot. The city’s buses serve these until 9pm weekdays (to 11pm
areas and all “Farther Afield” sights and neighborhoods. on Saturdays) and from 10am to
7pm on Sundays and holidays.
A 2-minute ride on the Monorail connects downtown to Tickets can be purchased at the
the Seattle Center. 11 streetcar stops, and metro
transfers are also valid.
Street Layout
Interstate-5 runs north–south
through the middle of Seattle.
In the downtown area, avenues
run north–south, and streets
run east–west. With only a
few exceptions, avenues are
numbered and streets are named
(for example, 3rd Avenue and The metro bus running along Seattle’s waterfront
Spring Street). Many of Seattle’s Bicycling
streets and avenues run one- The 14-mile (23-km) Sound
way. For a good selection of local Cyclists may wish to avoid Transit light rail system
street maps, as well as state and Seattle’s busy streets and head connects downtown
recreational maps, visit Metsker to one of the area’s popular bike Seattle with Sea-Tac airport, a
Maps of Seattle, in trails. The 27-mile journey taking approximately
Pioneer Square. (43-km) paved Burke- 36 minutes. Trains operate
Gilman Trail (see p159) from 5am to 1am Monday to
stretches from Saturday, and 6am to midnight
Walking Fremont to Kenmore. on Sunday. Tickets can be
Seattle is a great city for Bike rental shops, bought at the stations. There
walking. Though it is such as the Bicycle are stops at the Inter national
quite hilly, the down- Center of Seattle, are District/Pioneer Square, the
town area is compact Traffic sign to located near the trail. stadiums and SODO, Beacon
enough to walk in its help pedestrians A 2.8-mile (4.5-km) Hill, Mount Baker, Southeast
entirety, and locals are path that encircles Seattle, and Tukwila. Further
gener ally happy to offer Green Lake (see p159) is ideal extensions are underway.
directions. Keep in mind that for shorter spins. Gregg’s A fare payment system
jaywalking (crossing the street Greenlake Cycle, located that uses smart cards, ORCA
other than at designated beside the lake, rents touring, (One Regional Card for All)
crossings) is illegal in Seattle. mountain, and hybrid bicycles. was launched for light rail,
Tourist offices provide free maps streetcar, and buses in
that will help visitors navigate Public Transit 2009 (www.orcacard.com).
the downtown area. Another convenient and
Traveling by metro offers inexpensive way to travel within
inexpensive transportation the city is the Seattle Center
throughout the city. Buses are Monorail (see p149). Linking
equipped with wheelchair lifts. downtown Seattle to the Seattle
Between 6am and 7pm, bus Center (see pp146–7), it operates
transportation is free in down- Monday through Thursday from
town Seattle. Bus schedules 7:30am to 9pm, Friday 7:30am
are available from the Seattle to 11pm, Saturday 8:30am to
Visitor Center and Concierge 11pm, and Sunday 8:30am to
Services at the Washington 9pm. Check the website for the
State Convention Center (at up-to-date hours of operation,
Seventh Avenue and Pike as timings may vary by season.
Street) and from the Metro The Monorail departs every 10
Transit customer service office minutes from the Seattle Center
at Westlake Station, on the (across from the Space Needle)
mezzanine level. The Metro and from Westlake Center, at
Transit Rider Information 5th Avenue and Pine Street.
The Seattle Center Monorail, linking phone line provides route The 1-mile (1.5-km) trip takes
downtown to the Seattle Center and other information. 2 minutes.

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