Good Bye Viaduct!

January 1, 2019 by amyb

This January, Seattle is Undergoing an Epic Renovation!

Perhaps surprisingly, January is a great time to make a trip to the Emerald City. Seattle has great eats and world-class museums. Crowds are small, and lines are short! Weather, while rainy, is rarely freezing so getting around is easy. Downtown Seattle has the flagship Nordstrom as well as many other great little stores as well as an upscale shopping mall. Even in January, the Pike Place Market is still vibrant and active, with lots of vendors active year-round.

With that said, on January 11 traffic and commuting in downtown Seattle is going to get a lot more challenging, at least temporarily. Why? Because the Alaskan Way Viaduct, that large freeway between the tall buildings of downtown and the Seattle waterfront will close forever!!!!

It’s being replaced by a brand-new tunnel that will run under downtown, but there is a three-week gap between when the old viaduct closes and the new tunnel can open. This isn’t a scheduling glitch; there are last minute construction tasks that can’t be completed until the viaduct is closed.

Locals are apprehensive about the upcoming traffic apocalypse, and as a visitor there are a couple things you should be aware of if you are visiting us in the month of January:

Currently, about 90,000 car trips a day go over the Viaduct. Many of those cars will migrate to I-5. That means that the already dreadful I-5 headache will start earlier, end later, and be even slower. Be aware of this if you are driving into Seattle or renting a car at the airport and try to plan your arrival before or after rush hour.

Public transportation will not save you here. Busing or riding light rail WILL help by keeping yet another car off the roadway, but still be aware that buses and trains will be extra full, and in the case of buses, you will be stuck on the same roads as everyone else, so allow extra time.

Metro (Seattle’s bus system) is adding buses during the closure, and a second water taxi (so exploring Alki will be easier than ever, as a surprising benefit).

The great thing about staying with Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals is that once you are here you won’t have to deal with any of these traffic issues! Staying in one of our Belltown locations will guarantee you close access to all of the famous Seattle sights. Leave your car in our free parking spot and walk or bike to shopping, restaurants, the Seattle Center, Pike Place Market and more.

2018 Zoo Tunes Summer Concerts! Don’t Miss Them!

June 21, 2018 by darik

The 2018 Zoo Tunes Summer Concert
Series Lineup Rocks

Zoo Tunes is a Seattle summer tradition that has been celebrating the season for more than 30 years. The Woodland Park Zoo brings music festivities and is presented by BECU. This year’s lineup offers plenty of familiar faces to the outdoor concert scene, including Indigo Girls and Adam Ant!

By purchasing tickets to this event, you are not only seeing amazing artists perform, but also helping support the zoo and their endeavors to help provide for the animals.

2018 Summer Concert Line-Up:
June 13 – Ziggy Marley

June 17 – Violent Femmes with special guest Ava Mendoza

June 24 – Indigo Girls (sold out)

June 27 – Trampled by Turtles with special guest Deer Tick

July 22 – The Roots

July 29 – The Psychedelic Furs with special guest X

August 2 – Adam Ant | The Fixx

August 5 – Amos Lee with special guest Bailen

August 12 – Phillip Phillips & Gavin DeGraw

August 19 – Andrew Bird | Punch Brothers

August 22, 23 – Pink Martini

September 9 – Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue’s Voodoo Threauxdown with Galactic, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, New Breed Brass Band

Tickets are available at zootunes.ticketfly.com

While waiting for the show to start, the Woodland Park Zoo offers plenty to do and see throughout the day.

About Woodland Park Zoo
The zoo sits on 92 acres of land and is just 10 minutes north of downtown Seattle in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood. From mammals to birds to reptiles, Woodland Park Zoo exhibits 1,000 animals that represent almost 300 different animal species. A couple of highlights are Jaguar Cove, the gorilla enclosure with new baby Yola, and the snow leapord cub! While waiting for the shows to start later that night, be sure to check out the animals that are more than happy to play and enjoy their environment day and night.

With a Seattle CityPASS you can save up to 49% and skip lines at Seattle’s 5 top attractions, including the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, Pacific Science Center or Chihuly Garden & Glass, and EMP Museum or Woodland Park Zoo. You can buy it online or at the zoo gates.

Neighborhoods You Can’t Miss in Seattle

May 12, 2018 by darik

Seattle is full of interesting sights, sounds, and tastes, and each neighborhood features its own unique flavor. Downtown and the Pike Place Market are not to be missed, but Seattle is more than that! Sit back while we give you a run down on how to navigate the neighborhoods of the Emerald City.

Belltown

Chances are, if you are staying with us, this is the area you are calling home. This neighborhood continues to grow, with hip restaurants, nightlife and shopping. Highlights are the great music venues, including Jazz Alley, Tula’s, and the world famous Crocodile (it was a big part of the grunge rock scene). Also, check out the coffee scene! Cherry Street Coffee, Moore Coffee, Bedlam and Street Bean are local alternative to the giant Starbucks! Don’t miss Olympic Sculpture Park while in this area.

Ballard

This charming section is historically Scandinavian, and ideal for a pleasant stroll, shopping, and enjoying a little local nightlife. Check out the brand new Nordic Museum and Ballard’s Brew district, with scores of small and local breweries. Golden Gardens and the adjacent marina make for an excellent summertime walk. Start or end the stroll at the Ray’s Boathouse deck with some adult beverages or excellent seafood. The farmer’s market on Sunday is not to be missed.

West Seattle

West Seattle is where Seattle began, and is today is almost like a city within a city. I recommend starting your West Seattle explorations with a ride on Seattle’s Water Taxi from Pier 52. A 10 minute boat ride will get you to Alki. Right at the West Seattle dock is a fantastic restaurant (Marination Ma Kai) as well as bike, kayak, skate and paddleboard rentals. A stroll, or ride, along Alki’s concrete boardwalk is a lovely way to spend an afternoon, with views back towards Seattle’s skyline and plenty of places to grab a bite or just pull over and enjoy the day.

Seattle Center

moPOP Seattle You may know Seattle Center as home of the world-famous Space Needle, but it was originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair. The grounds are home to festivals of all kind, and boast a variety of great
attractions you won’t want to miss.

The International Fountain is a summertime favorite (picture a giant backyard sprinkler), while the Pacific Science Center, MoPOP, Garden and Glass, and the Children’s Museum are definitely some of the best Seattle has to offer.

International District

If you’re looking for some of the most delectable food around, you have to hit up the I.D. Looking for the best dumplings you’ve ever tasted or some killer duck? This is the place. You’ll know you’re there when you see the colorful fiberglass dragons on the lampposts or the bi-lingual Chinese/English street signs. Pan-Asian cuisine abounds, and you won’t walk away hungry. Check out the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience to learn about the rich cultural heritage, and don’t miss Uwajimaya!

5 Nightlife Hot Spots Not to Miss in Belltown!

May 9, 2018 by darik

While the Capitol Hill neighborhood has become arguably the most popular Seattle destination, Belltown still offers plenty of options with no need for driving or an Uber. Dive bars, live music venues, craft cocktails, speakeasies, and and EDM night club are all within walking distance.

The Upstairs is a stone’s throw from our Belltown Court property on 2nd Avenue between Bell and Blanchard. From the horse’s mouth, “Perched quaintly atop a flight of stairs in a century-old building, The Upstairs is a bar with a laid back, speak-easy type atmosphere (hidden) in the middle of Belltown. With an eclectic mix of seating, The Upstairs is a bar that is meant for chill imbibing.” Couple the laidback vibes with an awesome happy hour and you’ve got the perfect location for kickstarting your night on the town, or enjoying a more relaxed night out. Fair warning, there are Spanish tapas provided from Bar Abajo, but a very minimal food menu more suited for snacking. Personal favorites are the Bee’s Knees or the Diablo’s Revenge if you want try try something spicier.

The Crocodile has been a staple on the Seattle music scene for over 25 years. Since 1991 The Crocodile has hosted an eclectic range of artists including Nirvana, The Beastie Boys, Pearl Jam, R.E.M, Tom Morello, Yoko Ono, The Melvins, Talib Kweli, The Head and The Heart, Toro Y Moi, and the list goes on and on. Seattle has a wealth of venues to see live music, but The Crocodile is a great place to see national and international touring musicans in an intimate setting. Get in not too long before doors open, head upstairs, and you can snag the perfect spot between the bar and the railing thats directly above the stage. The Crocodile also has the Back Bar area serving food and drinks 7 days a week.

Showbox at the Market is another spot in Belltown that is perfect for catching a show while in Seattle without catching a cab. The original “Show Box” opened all the way back in 1939, and has been going strong for almost a decade. Duke Ellington, Pearl Jam, The Ramones, Prince, The Roots, Frank Ocean, Muddy Waters, and The Foo Fighters are just a few names who have graced the stage of The Showbox. As long as everyone in your group is at least 21 years old, you can skip the long line before a show. Kern’s Music Shop directly next to The Showbox opens 2 hours before doors open, and gains you priority access into the venue. If you don’t want to deal with the crowd the bar area has tables and chairs that are slightly elevated offering a perfect view of all the action.

Shorty’s is your destination if you are looking for no frills food, strong drinks, arcade games, a juke box, and the quintessential dive bar setting. When I say no frills I’m talking hot dogs and nachos, and drinks that are a bit more clear rather colorful. Located smack dab in the middle of a stretch of new and old Belltown bars on 2nd Ave, Shorty’s is always sure to provide some interesting memories to your Belltown and Seattle adventures.

Bathtub Gin and Co is basically the complete opposite of Shorty’s. If you are looking for something a bit classier than a dive bar, and drinks that take a little longer to be made, Bathtub Gin may be more suitable for you. Bathtub Gin and Co is a speakeasy style bar so you will have to do some searching, but it isn’t to hard to find. Located in the alley between 1st and 2nd Ave, between Blanchard and Bell is a door with a small plaque. Seating is very limited so its better for small groups, and the door man will turn you away if there isn’t space, so getting there early is best. Bathtub Gin has amazing craft cocktails, but remember they will take a little longer than your average drink. You can let the bartender know what types of flavors and booze you like, and they are pretty damn good at turning those flavor profiles into a drink.

Post banner photo credit The Crocodile.