Tacoma, WA

Since 1977 the Seattle Aquarium has given way to the understanding, and learning of many people on the many different things that are in our local waters. From listening to the sounds of orca whales to the touching of sea urchins it has been an educational hot spot for many of Washington’s people. From learning about the different dangers that are effecting our wildlife of the sea to learning the different colors that star fish can be, this underwater wonderland is a great place for the whole family to enjoy and learn together.

The Space Needle was built back in 1962, and was built as a symbol in honor of the World’s Fair. At that time it was the tallest structure west of the Mississippi. The Space Needle was first known as the Space Cage. Since then the Space Needle has become the main symbol that represents Seattle, and it is widely know throughout the world as a whole. In total the Space Needle stands at 605 feet tall, and was built to withstand wind speeds up to 105 miles per hour. At it’s top it hold a observation deck as well as a restraunt known as the Sky City.

The Sky City Restraunt at the top rotates at full 360 degrees. Lunch is served Monday thru Friday from 11:30am to 2pm. Dinner is served Sunday thur Thursday from 5pm to 8:45pm, and Friday & Saturday from 5pm to 9:45pm. Also On Saturday & Sunday brunch is served from 10am to 2:45pm. Sky City does however have a dress code which is casual attire, meaning that such things like tank tops and muscle shirt are not allowed.

We were actually headed to spend the weekend in Discovery Bay with family. But while we were there I couldn’t resist taking Baby to the Olympic Game Farm in Sequim, it was just convenient. But after this remarkable and memorable visit, we will without hesitation make the hour trip out of Tacoma just to visit this sanctuary again. Baby and I love animals, there’s something very tender and heartfelt about animals. Driving through this game farm we were able to get up close and personal with many animals and feed them. Buffalo, zebras, llamas, reindeer, bears, lions, and a rare white rhinoceros just to name a few, lace this drive-thru trek. Feeding these typically wild animals in peace was so endearing; you just feel it’s supposed to be this way and you’ll never want to leave.

When we first moved to Proctor, we felt so privileged to be a part of a district that holds such esteem. But we soon realized that it was more; it was a quaint little community full of charisma and comfort. Proctor isn’t very big, the vicinity I consider the ‘main’ part is just a canvas of 6 blocks. But I can easily squander hours of enjoyment here. Proctor is really one of those districts that aren’t boring. You can walk the streets and be curious enough to walk into over half the stores. Proctor’s got it all: Restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, library, wine tasting, recreation, novelties, clothing boutiques, and more.

Tucked into an upscale neighborhood just south of Tacoma, Lakewood’s Lakewold Gardens is a 10 acre estate with amazing gardens and an interesting history. If you are looking for a fragrant, visually stunning stroll, these gardens should definitely be your destination.

The Ocean Institute celebrated it’s 24th year hosting the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival, the largest annual gathering of tall ships on the West Coast. The festival featured a spectacular array of family-fun activities including live music, art, craft shows, exciting living-history demonstrations and a variety of tasty food. The chance to enjoy maritime displays and presentations, Polynesian dancers, sea-chantey concerts, an interactive pirate encampment and dramatic sunset cannon battles. Additionally, we explored the historic tall ships and listened to the crew share tales of adventure and life at sea. Last but not least, we got to explore the Ocean Institute and explore our local ocean life, participate in live parrot shows, play pirate games and joined in on special interactive presentations.

Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, Emerald Downs provides the most interactive sporting experience in the Pacific Northwest. Emerald Downs offers exciting live Thoroughbred racing from April through September.

The sport of Thoroughbred racing is like no other. The pounding hooves and pounding hearts give the sport its own rhythm, its own intensity, even its own language. Emerald Downs opened in 1996 to large crowds. The track replaced Longacres, which closed in September 1992 after sixty seasons of racing. The Emerald Downs track consists of a one mile dirt oval. There is no turf course. The bid board is in the center of the oval track.

But the roses remain the main attraction. Rows and rows of colorful roses! My ritual is to smell as many species and find out of them the best and strongest smelling roses. Usually I find that you can’t go wrong with the purple and lavender ones. They always smell so good, whereas, sometimes I’d find a most vibrant colored blossom but it was scentless. With so many species, I wanted to see if I could find non-purpley ones that were equally aromatic. I did! I overheard a family visiting from Arizona thrilling over the smell of a certain species, so I had to sneak over to them. It’s called the Royal Sunset, and it’s a bush bursting with coral colored roses.

The new home for America’s Car Museum will be an inspirational icon for the the City of Tacoma, WA. A gleaming beacon above this growing city, it will be a technologically-advanced, interactive automotive museum and educational center that will showcase the cultural impact of cars, motorcycle and trucks on our uniquely American way of life. The Museum is based on the LeMay Collection, currently consisting of over 2000 cars. The new Museum will ultimately house over 1000 diverse vehicles, spanning not only a century of automotive history, but the future of our transportation system as well. This much anticipated $100 million project will be built in two stages. Upon completion of stage one, it will be the largest auto museum in the world!

ACM is being built in the heart of the technology-rich Pacific Northwest. Located just thirty miles south of Seattle, the Museum will be situated on nine prime, highly-visible acres adjacent to Interstate 5. Stage one groundbreaking is planned for summer 2008 with completion of construction and opening slated for spring 2010. The new Museum is being built on the premise that there is an important and unique story to tell and it involves not only the past, but the present and future as well. As a result, we are creating a place that will attract young and old alike, insure and delight everyone who enters…and help shape the drivers of the future.

The Old Town Park is also home to a historic piece called the Job Carr Cabin Museum. The cabin is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 1- 4 pm. For some reason, I have never made it within the public hours, but that’s probably best since Baby will probably run around and cause a ruckus. After this family day centered around baby, I look forward to coming back. But next time, I’ll get a babysitter, arrive around 8 pm-ish in my heels with my husband and head straight to the wine bar in Cafe Divino. Or maybe, you just might see us in The Spar at the billiards table!