Of course, the major draw of Granville Island, at least for my kids, was the opportunity to take a water taxi from downtown ($3 for adults, kids 1/2 price). For me, the major draw was the opportunity to visit the Public Market.
Taking the Water Taxi to Granville Island
Seattle’s Pike Place Market is one of the city’s most famous sites, and one that is considered a “must” for most visitors. The market, which was built in 1907, is recognized as one of the best farmer’s markets in the US. It’s home to 200 permanent businesses, 120 farmers, and 190 craftspeople, and attracts over 10 million visitors per year. But what makes it so great is that it isn’t only a touristy site, but a real working market. You can come to shop for crafts, antiques, fresh produce, brightly-colored flowers, handmade sauces, souvenirs and fresh-from-the-sea fish, lobster and crab (which can be cold-packed and shipped home for you). Or….you can come to eat.
Pike Place Entrance
By Jody at Have Kid Will Travel
“Our state fair is a great state fair…”
The Iowa State Fair is legendary: with a book, movies and musical written about it millions of visitors descend on Des Moines, Iowa every year in August for the 10 day ag-stravaganza.
Iowa State Fair Butter Cow 2008
Whether you’re coming to see the butter cow- sculpted from 550 pounds of butter- or the largest bull, to ride pulled by a soy diesel powered tractor or glide over the treetops, or to eat food on a stick, the Iowa State Fair has something for everyone.
by Gudrun Enger, Kitchen Gadget Girl
One of our fun adventures in Maui, Hawaii, was a visit to the Surfing Goat Dairy, high up in the Upcountry of the island. In a place where pineapples reign supreme, it seemed incongruous to find a working dairy and cheese making operation. Read More »
Always when we travel, we seek out the best in local food to enhance our vacation, and our trip to Santa Cruz last weekend was no exception. In and around Santa Cruz we discovered three must-visit food purveyors. Try them, we hope you will agree!
Marianne's Ice Cream
Marianne’s Ice Cream in Santa Cruz, on Ocean Street. This place is the bomb! Over 50 different flavors of ice cream, and not your run-of-the-mill flavors, real flavors, like Bittersweet Chocolate, Green Tea, Cantaloupe, Pink Lemonade. Not only can you buy scoops on cones, you can also pick up convenient single-serving quarts (oh, sorry, inside joke!). This is actually our family’s dessert of choice for Thanksgiving!
Gayle’s Bakery and Rosticceria in Capitola, on Bay Avenue in Capitola, has been serving happy customers for over 30 years. Each time we visit Santa Cruz, we make a pilgrimage to Gayle’s and come home with sliced Capitola Sourdough Bread, sinfully delicious Crocodile Bars and iced butter cookies, usually decorated for the whichever holiday is closest. Sometimes we manage to make it in time for lunch and build a tasty picnic of ficelle sandwiches and salads. Dinners are also enticing, with a special-a-day. And kids always have the option of a Junior Blue Plate special with penne pasta, garlic bread, carrots, raisins and a butterstar cookie.
Corralitos Meat & Sausage Co.
Corralitos Market and Sausage Company, Corralitos. This is a new find for us – I had heard about it from
Peter, the deliveryman for our CSA. Located in Corralitos, just north of Watsonville, this unassuming market makes some fine sausage! Last weekend, we loaded up our cooler with Polish Fine and Coarse, Bratwurst, Cheesy Bavarian, Chorizo, and cute little chicken apple sausages. I hear the bacon is also outstanding. Worth the visit and the drive!
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