King Street Station, Seattle
One of the last remaining old-style big city depots, King Street Station may not be as grand as New York's Grand Central but is nevertheless good looking for U.S. standards and can even give some train stations in Europe a run for their money. Well over a century old now, it was fully restored to its current glory in 2013. Always clean, bright, and mostly efficiently run, it is the departure point for the fabulous 3陆-hour journey to Vancouver, BC, where the train hugs the coastline most of the way.
Architecture enthusiasts and other observant visitors will spot the clock tower's resemblance to Saint Mark's Campanile in Venice, after which it was modeled. This style is sometimes denoted as "Railroad Italianate" due to the definite Italian inspirations, though the structure also shows influences of Beaux-Arts. Inside, at the base of the clock tower, is the entry hall, known as the Compass Room 鈥� so it's pretty much like going to a museum rather than a rail station. The interior mosaic is a work of art!
As for the terrain around the station, much of it is, interestingly enough, reclaimed land from what was once the bay. As much as 60 million cubic feet (1.7 million cubic meters) of earth was used for landfill and to raise the level of the city.
Tip:
To get a much better view of this station, take the time to go up to the second level.
Architecture enthusiasts and other observant visitors will spot the clock tower's resemblance to Saint Mark's Campanile in Venice, after which it was modeled. This style is sometimes denoted as "Railroad Italianate" due to the definite Italian inspirations, though the structure also shows influences of Beaux-Arts. Inside, at the base of the clock tower, is the entry hall, known as the Compass Room 鈥� so it's pretty much like going to a museum rather than a rail station. The interior mosaic is a work of art!
As for the terrain around the station, much of it is, interestingly enough, reclaimed land from what was once the bay. As much as 60 million cubic feet (1.7 million cubic meters) of earth was used for landfill and to raise the level of the city.
Tip:
To get a much better view of this station, take the time to go up to the second level.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Seattle. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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King Street Station on Map
Sight Name: King Street Station
Sight Location: Seattle, USA (See walking tours in Seattle)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Seattle, USA (See walking tours in Seattle)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Seattle, Washington
Create Your Own Walk in Seattle
Creating your own self-guided walk in Seattle is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fremont Neighborhood Walking Tour
Fremont is a vibrant neighborhood in Seattle, renowned for its quirky and artistic character. Among other things, this famous district is home to some of Seattle's most beloved and controversial sculptures.
One of its most iconic landmarks is the Fremont Troll, a massive sculpture of a troll lurking underneath the Aurora Bridge.
At the height of its counterculture days, Fremont renamed... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
One of its most iconic landmarks is the Fremont Troll, a massive sculpture of a troll lurking underneath the Aurora Bridge.
At the height of its counterculture days, Fremont renamed... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Historical Religious Buildings Tour
Seattle, Washington, boasts a wealth of religious sites of various denominations 鈥� together reflecting the city's diverse spiritual heritage. Besides being purely centers of faith, these buildings are an important part of the city's historical heritage, some of them standing as architectural marvels, each with its unique story.
Trinity Parish Church, founded in 1865, is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Trinity Parish Church, founded in 1865, is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Seattle Architecture Walking Tour
In terms of towering skyscrapers abuzz with commerce, upscale shopping & dining, and splendid theaters, Downtown Seattle resembles many American cities. At the same time, it is also unexpectedly pleasant with hills, outdoor sculptures, and peek-a-boo views of Elliot Bay's sparkling water. Still, the diverse architectural landscape of the city is distinctive primarily for its landmark... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Seattle Introduction Walking Tour
Overlooking Puget Sound's Elliott Bay on the West Coast of the United States, the port city of Seattle is renowned for its surrounding waters, mountains, evergreen forests, and thousands of acres of parkland. The largest metropolitan area in today's Washington State had been inhabited by Native Americans for at least 4,000 years prior to the European pioneers. The first European to set... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Seattle Center Walking Tour
Immediately north of Downtown Seattle, you will find the ever-popular Seattle Center. Developed for the 1962 World's Fair, this 30-hectare (74-acre) park and arts & entertainment center contains numerous landmarks. It is also where Seattle's biggest festivals, concerts, film screenings, and theatrical performances are held.
At the heart of this bustling area stands the iconic... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
At the heart of this bustling area stands the iconic... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Pioneer Square District Walking Tour
Pioneer Square, the district where Seattle was founded in the mid-19th century, had gone through its boom and near-bust until a period of preservation managed to save it for a new life. Today, this is the most historic part of Seattle that holds a special place in the city's yesteryear and is home to several noteworthy landmarks and attractions.
One of the most prominent sites in the area... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
One of the most prominent sites in the area... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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