If you're coming to Seattle for a visit, don't bother paying the money to go up the Space Needle. Instead, climb the water tower at Volunteer Park. It's free and the view is actually better than the needle because it's on the top of the hill and gives a 360 degree view from the Cascades to the Olympics.
While you're there, check out the Noguchi (donut) sculpture, the Asian Art Museum, the botanical gardens, and the giant evergreens that can give you a glimpse of what this place used to look like before we moved on in.
Nearby attractions: Bruce Lee is buried in the cemetery next door to the park. Also, just north of the park and cemetery there's a killer viewpoint at the top of Louisa's Park. This offers the best view in town of the University of Washington and surrounding area.
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