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April 2006 Travel Update ENewsletter April 06Seattle Southside Travel Update SSVS Newsletter April 2006 With Summer fast approaching the Seattle Southside Visitor Center staff wants to help make your travel plans go as smoothly as possible. With such close proximity to downtown, the mountains, the puget sound, great daytrips, and tons of shopping, hotel rooms here book FAST! Check out our new online reservations system (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=58mlhubab.0.0.7n4hpun6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seattlesouthside.com%2Fstay%2F)to see what's available for your travel dates! If your travel plans happen to bring you on a cruise out of Seattle, our staff can also assist you with your pre and post cruise travel plans. Call us toll free at 1-877-885-9452 for help with itineraries, transportation to cruise terminals, or hotel accomodations! Be sure to check out our What's the Big Deal section at the very bottom to see the latest in specials from discounts to tour downtown Seattle's Chinatown, River Rafting Excursions, Fishing Trips, Hotel Specials, and Easter Brunch Discounts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ in this issue * Calendar of Events * GOT NEWS? What's happening? * GOT NEWS? Hotel Updates... * Spotlight On: The Great Wall Mall * Welcome Spring! * WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GOT NEWS? What's happening? There is so much going on in the Southside, this is your link to staying updated! The Seattle Southside Visitor Center has some great travel planning items that are now available just by emailing us or giving us a call on our toll free line 1-877-885-9452. We now have King County Bike Maps, Southside Restaurant Coupon Books, our full-color 52-page Vacation Planners, and the new Seattle's Favorite Attractions Coupon Guides. The Family Fun Center and Bullwinkle's Restaurant Launches New Ride The Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle’s Restaurant offers a new ride, The Screamin' Swing. A state of the art air launch system propels riders over 70 feet into the air at a 120 degree angle at speeds of up to 60 mph. During the 60 second ride passengers feel a mixture of weightlessness from the force of negative four g’s. Riders must be at least 48-inches tall to experience the thrill of the Swing. The pendulum style ride is inspired by childhood swing sets. This ride is a chance to relive those days when try as one might you just couldn’t go high enough or fast enough, but now you can. Says The Family Fun Center employee Meilee Anderson “I like high adrenaline rides and the Swing does not disappoint, it’s a unique rush! I laughed and screamed. It’s also a great addition to the other rides and attractions; now we truly have something to offer all ages.” Click here for entire article. (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=58mlhubab.0.0.7n4hpun6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seattlesouthside.com%2Fpr%2Fdetail.php%3Fid%3D195) Crystal Mountain Shares Big Summer News After ten years, Crystal Mountain is once again offering their unique Sunset Dinners. With a scenic summer chairlift ride to the summit, guests can enjoy a Sunset Dinner at the Summit House, Washington's highest restaurant. Opening on July 1st and operating on Saturdays and Sundays only through September 4th, reservations for the Sunset Dinners are recommended and expected to go quickly. BBQ lunches and chairlift rides will be available during the day. Crystal's summit offers an un-paralleled view of Mount Rainier. Views of Mt. Saint Helens, Adams, and Baker can also be seen from the 6872' summit. Crystal Mountain is located on the northeast corner of the Mount Rainier National Park, about one hours from Seattle Southside. For more information call 360-663-3003 or click here (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=58mlhubab.0.0.7n4hpun6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skicrystal.com%2F1690.html). Ride The Ducks of Seattle This Summer The Ride The Ducks of Seattle will now be open seven days a week starting in April and during June, July, and August will have daily tours available every half hour from 10am to at least 5pm. Ride The Ducks is a great way for tourists to get oriented to Seattle and have a rockin' good time doing it! And its an awesome way for locas to explore the city in their own backyard. Tickets are available through www.ri detheducksofseattle.com (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=58mlhubab.0.0.7n4hpun6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ridetheducksofseattle.com). Ride The Ducks has also just launched a group packages portion of their website at www.ridetheducksofseattle.com/group.htm (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=58mlhubab.0.0.7n4hpun6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ridetheducksofseattle.com%2Fgroup.htm). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GOT NEWS? Hotel Updates... The Seattle Marriott at SeaTac The Seattle Marriott SeaTac just completed an $11 million total guest room and hospitality suite renovation. All of the guestrooms now feature Marriott's new, more luxurious Revive brand bedding with plusher mattresses, softer sheets and more pillows. New down comforters inside sheeted duvets that will be laundered for each new guest replace the traditional hotel bedspreads. The stylized bedding features 300- thread-count, cotton-rich, white top and fitted bottom sheets and is accented with euro shams and bolster. Other in-room amenities include a workspace with ergonomic desk and chair, high- speed wireless internet access, telephone with data port and speaker phone, coffee maker, iron with ironing board, and cable TV with premium channels. For more hotel information visit www.s eattlemarriottseatac.com (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=58mlhubab.0.0.7n4hpun6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seattlemarriottseatac.com) TownePlace Suites by Marriott - Seattle/Southcenter The TownePlace Suites Seattle/Southcenter has undergone a Bedding Renovation! They invite you to experience their new bed with cotton-rich linens and plush upgraded sheets and extra pillows that are "flufflier than the sheep you won't be counting". Whether you stay with them for a week or a month, their new fresh bedding will make you feel right at home. They also are introducing their new Market. Open 24 hours, guests can enjoy the convenienve of picking up a quick bite to eat, replacing forgotten amenities, or quenching their thirst. The Market is located in the fromt lobby and charges can be billed to a guest's room if needed. Check out the new season's special weekend rates! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Spotlight On: The Great Wall Mall Experience Asia in Three Hours or Less The hand carved lions crafted by commissioned Chinese artists and the three authentic Chinese lanterns hanging above the entrance say it all: You are entering the most unique place in all of South King County! Developed and owned by Omar and Christine Lee, this mall is heads and shoulders above the rest. It’s no joke. My visit to the Great Wall Mall in Kent, Wash. was an experience I’ll never forget. Even if you’ve been to the “Chinatowns” in San Francisco or Seattle, you won’t believe what this place has to offer. Welcome to China As you enter the doors you see something that is never found at any other mall. A stand that makes fresh roasted peanuts and chestnuts every day! Once you’re inside you’d swear you just walked into downtown China. People are smiling, laughing, having a great time and actually enjoy spending their money. Families are abundant. The uniqueness of this Southside hidden treasure is evident in its set up. Everything is on one floor, so that the elderly and families can get around easily and quickly. “It’s not uncommon to find grandparents down to the children eating together at one table," according to owner Mr. Omar Lee. Each scent from the restaurants, shops and stores were filled with mystery, curiosity and excitement! There are so many things to see and do, I couldn’t decide what to do next. They Come From All Over Oregon, Canada, Marysville, or Westport, it doesn’t matter. The Great Mall Wall has a loyal following of customers who find it’s incredible value, fresh food and authentic gifts irresistible. Since it’s open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., you won’t have to worry about missing any fun! I always look at what makes a travel destination stand out. This place has too many to list here, but one characteristic immediately caught my eye. DIVERSITY. If you think the only American/Pan- Asian Mall in the Pacific Northwest is just for Asian cultures, you’re in for a surprise! As Mr. Lee pointed out when he gave me a tour of his immaculate restaurant (The Imperial Garden), everybody at the tables were of different races and cultures. Yet, they all had one thing in common: THEY KEPT SMILING! Food to Die For When making travel plans we all want to know one thing: What’s the food like? When you put The Great Wall Mall on your list of travel destinations, you won’t be disappointed. Here’s a short array of what you’ll find. 1. CHAMPION GOURMET CO. They are the undisputed masters of the “Bubble Tea”! Take your pick of the amazing choice of flavors. Whether it be Star Fruit Tea, Mint Milk Tea, or Passion Fruit Tea, these drinks beat anything Starbucks or Tulley’s can make! Price Range: $2.25-$3.00 2. FILIPINO GENERAL STORE Don’t let the name fool you. There’s nothing general about a store this special. One look at the dinuguan (pork/jalapeno) and bopis (meat on a stick), you’ll be reaching for your wallet! They also have an assortment of snacks and flavored drinks, behind the eating area. Take time to buy one of the “Filipino Pride” t-shirts displayed on the wall. The service is friendly, festive, and affordable! Price Range: $3.00-$7.00 (does not include t- shirts) 3. EDOKO RESTAURANT Step back into old world Japan, as you take a seat at an authentic Japanese Restaurant. Japanese décor brings the place to life, and the menu is tempting in more ways than one. Order the Saba Shioyaki for $7.25 or one of the beef and teriyaki dishes. Trust me. Denny’s can’t compete! Price Range: $4.00-$8.00 4. IMPERIAL GARDEN Walk into the front door of this establishment and you’ll see why it’s the crown jewel of the owners Omar and Christine Lee. Order an Alaskan King Crab, Boston Lobster, or Dungeness Crab right from one of the live tanks! The best part? Each dish is under $20.00! Like the rest of the great places to eat here, everything is prepared fresh each day. The staff rolls out the red carpet in service, quality of food, and price. You can even rent part of the restaurant for your own party. Ask about the Karyoki Machine! Price Range: $13.00-$20.00 A Day At The Ranch The most unique and curious grocery store in the Pacific Northwest, sits in the middle of the mall. It’s called the Ranch Market. Other grocery store heavy weights like Safeway, QFC, and Albertson’s, don’t carry these amazing and tasty items. Thirsty? Then try their Hawaiin Sun Drinks. Dive into guava orange, tropical iced tea, papaya nectar, and strawberry lilikoi, just to name a few. You can pick up the six pack ranging from $3.29- $3.69 The seafood looks as if it was just caught out of the ocean, filleted, and sold fresh for your convenience. Traveling on a hot day? Buy a quart of the Magnolia Tropical Ice Cream! The flavors include, green tea, cashew-langka, and Nestle chunky macapuno for only $5.39 Convenience and More Located just a few miles from Sea-Tac Airport, The Great Wall Mall is perfect for short or long layovers. You’ll enjoy all it has to offer above and more. -satisfy your “sweet tooth” with dried fruit at Ichiban Try the “Rose Bayberry” on your vanilla ice cream! -buy authentic Chinese gifts at “Forbidden City” -get a free 40 minute massage at Ceragem -eat at “House of Noodle Soup”, while watching color t.v. -get medical and dental treatment all under one roof -attend one of five cultural fairs held each year -sample ginseng herbs at “Pacific Herbs” The Great Wall Mall is the number one tourist destination for any traveler looking for a taste and experience of Asian culture. Bring your friends, children, and other relatives to EXPERIENCE ASIA IN THREE HOURS OR LESS! The Great Wall Mall is located in Kent, Wash. at 18230 West Valley Highway. Clyde McDade is a Freelance Travel Copywriter in Auburn, Washington. You can reach him at redeemedmc@hotmail.com. Learn More About The Great Wall Mall... - http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=58mlhubab.0.0.7n4hpun6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.greatwallmall.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Welcome Spring! Enjoy Seattle Southside's Outdoors, Wildlife and Gardens Spring is here and its time for the weather to shape up in Seattle Southside. What better way to celebrate the warmer, longer and sunnier days by enjoying what the outdoors have to offer? When it comes to planning some time in the outdoors in the Southside, its like striking gold! With gardens abounding, festivals to celebrate the wonderous wildlife in the area, and walking and hiking trails just a shout away, there is no wonder the locals love to live here! Here are just some samples of what Seattle Southside Visitor Center Staff can introduce you to if you are interested in some outdoor fun... Backyard Wildlife Festival - Saturday May 13th With innercities and urbanscapes abounding – the wildlife habitats we can appreciate and recognize in the Puget Sound take on very valuable roles in our communities. To celebrate community wildlife habitats, Saturday, May 13th, marks the sixth annual Backyard Wildlife Festival in Tukwila featuring special presentations by the Woodland Park Zoo’s SOAR and Wildwise Programs and a self-guided garden tour of local certified gardens. The Highline Botanical Garden Located at the North SeaTac Park Community Center, the Highline Botanical Garden is a 3 acre park that has many ammenities including: it is a beautiful new neighborhood and civic amenity, a new tourism destination in the Highline/SeaTac area and has strong pedestrian links along North SeaTac Park Ridge Trail. Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection The Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection displays more than 50 miniature trees collected from Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the United States. This priceless collection is displayed for the public by the Weyerhaeuser Company and has become a well- visited cultural attraction. Explore the delicate and exotic art of bonsai growing without ever leaving the State. Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden Between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma is the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, which has one of the largest and finest collections of Rhododendron species in the world. Over 10,000 rhododendrons grow in a beautiful woodland setting covering 22 acres. The flowering season in western Washington begins in early January and continues through late July with the majority of species in bloom from March to May. As the sun warms the earth, rhododendron flowers burst forth in shades of pure white to soft pink, clear yellow, brilliant red, and deep violet. Search for Seattle Southside Gardens... - http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=58mlhubab.0.0.7n4hpun6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seattlesouthside.com%2Fplay%2F%3FPHPSESSID%3Dff79e1f8a33530df7b861f848b4a5aa2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL? Once again, everyone loves a great deal! Check out our specials available just for you, our newsletter readers. From discounts to Seattle's Chinatown Discovery Tour to Hotel Stays and River Rafting Trips, we have all of your travel bases covered. Follow this link to our What's The Big Deal special page... (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=58mlhubab.0.0.7n4hpun6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seattlesouthside.com%2Fimg%2Faprildeals.pdf) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Calendar of Events April Honus and Me March 31st - May 13th Seattle Children's Theatre Toi Maori: The Eternal Thread Through May 29th The Burke Museum Northwest Coast Robes Through May 29th The Burke Museum Yuri's Night April 12th - 7pm Museum of Flight Junie B Jones and A Little Monkey Business April 14th - June 18th Seattle Children's Theatre An Evening of Elegance with Preston Bailey April 19th - 6pm Spirit of Washington Events Center Easter Brunch at Northwest Landing April 16th - 10am-3pm Double Tree Guest Suites May Backyard Wildlife Festival May 13th - 10am Tukwila Community Center Tukwila International Farmers Market May 17th - September 3-7pm TIB & 144th Street Symphony Pops! - Rainier Symphony May 20, 21 - 7:30pm IKEA Performing Arts Center Collector's Swap Meet May 27th - 12-4pm Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum June Kent Farmer's Market June 3rd - October 14th 9am-2pm Kent City Center Des Moines Farmer's Market June 17th - October 28th 10am-2pm Des Moines Marina SlugFest June 24,25 9:30am-4pm Northwest Trek Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum 1st Friday of the Month Enjoy old movies and refreshments 3rd Friday of the Month Lecture Series $5 Admission Now Available Order your free copy of the Washington State Visitor's Guide Online! Click Here (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=58mlhubab.0.0.7n4hpun6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fexperiencewashington.com%2Ftravelplanner.html). Airport Update Real-time flight information is available online. Checking flights before you head to the airport is always recommended and doing that is now available on the Port of Seattle's Web site (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=58mlhubab.0.0.7n4hpun6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.portseattle.org). Airport customers can search for flight information by entering a city, airline, flight number or arrival or departure time. See our complete calendar of events... - http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=58mlhubab.0.0.7n4hpun6.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.seattlesouthside.com%2Fevents%2Fcalendar.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ email: karla@seattlesouthside.com phone: (206) 575-2489 web: http://www.seattlesouthside.com SSVI | 14200 Interurban Ave S, Suite 130 | Seattle | WA | 98168 |
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