With 230 acres of foliage unique to the Northwest, Washington Park Arboretum is one of Seattle’s great sanctuaries. Jointly managed by the University of Washington and the City of Seattle, the arboretum houses 2,000 species of plants and also offers a separate Japanese flower garden. Season to season the look changes dramatically, so multiple visits are a must! The Japanese garden offers beautifully sculpted bonzai trees and gorgeous Japanese maples. While entry to the arboretum itself is free, entry into the Japanese garden is $6. Check the arboretum website for trail maps and more information on specific plant species.
Washington Park Arboretum
2300 Arboretum Dr E
Seattle, WA 98112
Neighborhood: Madison Park
(206) 543-8800
http://depts.washington.edu/uwbg/gardens/wpa.shtml
As one of Tacoma's anchor restaurants, locals line up for the hearty breakfast and lunch portions at the Old Milwaukee Café. Located on 6th Avenue, the cafe serves up home-style comfort food in hefty portions to satisfy hungry appetites. Thick cut bacon, huckleberry pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and fabulous homemade desserts are just some of the dishes that have captured the hearts and taste buds of locals who keep coming back for more. The café’s owners also sell their fabulous baked goods at the local Farmer’s Market, so you can bring their tasty treats home. Don’t go if you’re in a hurry — the service is relaxed and the small quarters might make for a wait. Instead, go for a leisurely meal in cozy, down-home atmosphere. Old Milwaukee Cafe is open Tuesday through Sunday, 6 a.m. through 2 p.m.
Old Milwaukee Café
3102 6th Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 761-2602
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Milwaukee-Cafe-Dessert-Company/115891955096790
The Grand Illusion Cinema opened in 1968, and is Seattle’s longest running cinema. The theater has a wide variety of offerings – including independent, arthouse, foreign, to revival films. Despite threats to be swallowed up by big chains or bankruptcy, the theater is important enough to the film community to be continuously saved and preserved as a Seattle treasure. Audience members can take in the current feature in the comfortable and classic plush, red interior, with one film running per week. The selection features an array of movies you literally can’t see on the big screen any where else in the country. Their schedule showcases recently released and critically acclaimed foreign films, cult classics, and current independent gems. To sweeten the pot, ticket prices run a reasonable $8-10 and the films usually have one or two evening showtimes per week. The Grand Illusion Cinema's unique offerings and wallet-friendly prices makes it a great place to cozy up during a date night. For further information about the theater and their offerings, visit their website for more information.
The Grand Illusion Cinema
1403 NE 50th Street
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 523-3935
