One Day Seattle Southside Tour - Busy!  (updated 01.12.07)

Start early at The Museum of Flight exploring the history of aviation at the largest aviation museum on the west coast.  To quench your need for speed, drive South on East Marginal Way as it becomes Interurban Avenue and stop by SyKart Indoor Racing Center where you can drive suped-up race carts on an indoor track.  Drive further south on Interurban Avenue (AKA West Valley Highway) and turn right into 196th Street to visit the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum, the only museum in the nation dedicaed to powerboat racing.  See restored classics like the Miss Budweiser. 

Go East on 180th Street and turn right onto East Valley Highway to get to the Great Wall Mall, Seattle Southside's unique asian shopping experience.  A "chinatown" feel in itself, the Great Wall Mall is a Pan-asian experience, combining the heritages of all asian cultures into one place.  For lunch, drive south on East Valley Highway (AKA Central Avenue) to Kent Station.  Enjoy the outdoors of this pedestrian oriented shopping center with shops galore, an outdoor fireplace and fountains, and an all new AMC Movie Theatres.  Eat at one of the northwest's famous restaurants:  The Ram Restaurant and Brewery, Duke's Chowderhouse, or Fondi Pizzeria.  Or, for groups, make arrangements for a private room and great food at Zephyr Grill. After lunch, stroll down the quaint, adjacent streets of Historic Downtown Kent.  Browse in unique shops or enjoy an after lunch coffee at one of the intimate cafes.

Head back West up the hill to Des Moines where you'll tour the beautiful beach front parks of Seattle Southside.  First land at Redondo Beach, Pier and Boardwalk.  Stroll along the boardwalk and take in the views of the Puget Sound.  Walk down to the end of the pier and you can almost always catch someone fishing or crabbing.  Next, drive north to Saltwater State Park and be treated to about 1,500 feet of beachfront, including a swimming beach.  Known for its scuba diving too, visitors may even get a view of sealife and wildlife, so bring the camera!  Ending the beach tour, drive north to the Des Moines Marina and Beach Park.  With awe-inspiring views of the Olympic Mountains across the sound, land lovers will enjoy the beach park and Covenant Beach Histroric District within the park.  Also, enjoy the play areas, trails, or just walk down the pier and watch the boats come in.

Exploring the beautiful outdoors of Seattle Southside would not be complete without a visit to the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden.  On 24th Ave S in SeaTac, about 15 minutes north of the Des Moines Marina, the garden covers about 10.5 acres and include the Seike Japanese Garden, Elda Behm's Paradise Garden and display gardens.  Admission is free until dusk. 

Now that its dinnertime, head down the hill to Tukwila and the Southcenter area.  With restaurants galore, you'll be sure to find something to meet your needs here.  Try the famous Rainforest Cafe at Westfield Southcenter or Gordon's on the Green in the clubhouse at Foster Golf Links.  After dinner take a stroll along the Green-Duwamish River Trail, a paved trail meandering along the river banks through Tukwila, or engage in some childish fun at the Family Fun Center (open until at least 10 pm) in Tukwila.  With bumper boats, mini golf, gokarts, arcades, laser tag and more you'll have a blast before having to return to your hotel for some rest.