Seattle followed Vancouver on our 2016 America rail adventure. It’s main attraction for us was the Museum of Flight, also known as ‘the Boeing museum’. We’ll cover that one separately. But it made me think of a theme for this blogpost: past future.

‘Past future’ for me sums up Seattle. I’ll give you a few examples.

Exhibit A: The Space Needle

Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle illustrates the sixties’ belief in conquering Space. Designed as a flying saucer, the Space Needle is how the 1960s saw the future.

It’s a landmark worth visiting. And it’s so photogenic.

Exhibit B: The Monorail

The Seattle Center Monorail is also a futuristic enterprise of the 1960s. The idea is outdated, but it’s now a designated landmark. And rightly so. It’s spectacular. I’ll let the video do the talking.

Exhibit C: Starbucks

Neither Starbucks or coffee culture have disappeared, but the first Starbucks shop did. The photo here is the one closest to the original location.

Past future?

Now, don’t think the ‘past future’ theme of this post means we didn’t enjoy Seattle. We did. The Museum of Flight was very interesting. In the city centre we took a very interesting Seattle Underground Tour telling the city’s sub-urban history. It involves a fire and plumbing issues.

Seattle’s architecture is modern, with an impressive Public Library. We had great (sea)food. There’s a nice vibe in town. 

Will we rush back to Seattle? No. But we were happy to see it.