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 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 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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