Seattle

The new MarketFront, which will convert a parking lot on Western Ave. into a public plaza and space for even more farmers, craftspeople and artists. — Where

The two locks here link Puget Sound with the Lake Washington Ship Canal, which connects to both Lake Union and Lake Washington. — Frommer's

Walk among more than 20 outdoor sculptures by acclaimed artists in this nine-acre waterfront park. — Where

Jellyfish and stuff. — Not For Tourists

Dale Chihuly is one of the Northwest's best-known artists, with his otherworldly glass sculptures gracing public buildings and private collections. — Travel + Leisure

This iconic Seattle structure was built for the 1962 World's Fair. At the time, it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi. — Concierge

This multicolored blobular building, a 140,000-square-foot rock-and-roll museum designed by Frank Gehry, is home to the world's largest collection of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia. — Concierge

This wild and lovely park offers a wide variety of gardens, a wetlands nature trail and 200 acres of mature forest threaded by paths. — Lonely Planet

The rust-red towers on this 19-acre park on Lake Union look like leftovers from a Mad Max movie, or a relic from a civilization past. — Condé Nast Traveler

The Henry is perhaps the best reason to take a side trip to the U-District. — Fodor's

This gorgeous museum provides a sophisticated and often somber look at how immigrants and their descendants have transformed (and been transformed by) American culture. — Fodor's

It isn't often that the library is considered one of the coolest joints in town, but Seattle's downtown library is such an architectural wonder that it is one of the city's highlights. — Frommer's

More like an overgrown gallery space than a museum, it's free and you can comfortably ponder all of its works in an hour. — Concierge

This interactive museum of science and industry once housed the science pavilion of the World’s Fair. — Lonely Planet

Ninety-two acres are divided into bioclimatic zones here, allowing many animals to roam freely in habitat areas. — Fodor's

This unique organization is the only museum in the United States dedicated to honoring the legacy and culture of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. — Where

Housed in architect Carl F. Gould’s art deco building in Volunteer Park. — Where

The Seattle community is one of the world's most creative and collaborative. — Afar Magazine

The Northwest's foremost museum of paleontology, archaeology, and ethnology. — Frommer's

A respected Japanese landscape architect... created more than 1,000 such gardens before being commissioned for this one. — Michelin Guide