I was able to do this by chance. My friend was on his way to pick me up and he told me to check it out since I was right there.
I went in and paid $22 (cheaper than the Space Needle). I then go up and started to take in the views. This location was also higher than the Space Needle… and less busy might I add!
Website: Sky View Observatory
It used to be a Sears Roebucks when I was a kid. But it has been Starbuck’s headquarters for the longest!
It was interesting to visit this location and see this upscale cafe. Many of the employees were from different stores throughout the US.
There were some really interesting and great tasting foods. There was also a bar.
This was an impromptu trip to the Pacific Northwest/Seattle. I had decided to visit my parents for Thanksgiving a couple days before.
We were busy all day and by the time we hit the Market, it was pretty much closing. But it is always great to explore. It has been quite some time since I was there, so to visit with a different perspective and with kids, it was more about exploring.
It’s true. Seattle has a Monorail, but it isn’t super fast or anything. It is historic and only goes to a few minutes away.
There are 2 stations, Seattle Center and Westlake shopping center.
Since I want to share my train experiences, here are the photos.
I believe this the monorail’s mascot, Monorail Man!
It has been a long time since I have been to the Space Needle, but also with my family.
While I forgot the price, it was $100+ for 4 of us!!!
Anyways, we get up there the kids love it. Go down to the glass floor (newer I believe) and Lucas gets scared! LOL. It is kinda insane.
Eventually it was all fun and a great experience!
Website: Space Needle
I remember doing some research of Kumamoto and there was a suggestion to use the Streetcars/trams. Official website: Getting Around Kumamoto
Part of my trips to Japan is to experience their transport system as it is one of the best in the world.
After getting out of Kumamoto station, the East exit will bring you to a location to jump on the streetcar (as they are called there). 
There was a flat fee, I think 170 yen, each way (for an adult). I had Suica, so I just tapped when entering and exiting. I didn’t realize that there was an all day pass for 500 Yen.
I would have grabbed that.
From what I gather, you want to enter the back and exit the front (but that depends on which type of street car).
There are 2 lines, A and B, and go to different locations.
I was still trying to figure out how to get to Hanabatacho station (shopping streets). There are a few different trams. I rode a few to get a feel for them going one way and the other (I also jumped on the wrong line on the way back to Kumamoto station).
This one was kinda interesting and was also the one I took. It was really a luxury tram!
This thing was like a diner tram!
A couple of the trams had wood flooring.
Some of the platforms/stops cater to both lines, make sure you get on the right one!
Pretty convenient to use! Either an IC or 1 day pass is good, with the pass being worth it if you are gonna use it for a few stops.
Tilden park is located in the hills near Oakland, Emeryville and Berkeley. Like any big park, there are things to see throughout.
We have typically taken the kids there for both the park, little farm and Tilden natural area for some short hikes.
But we’ve mainly come to experience the steam train.
The location is actually further south. Take Central Park Dr until you hit the Tilden Merry Go Around.
Facebook is currently one of the biggest companies and most used social media outlets. It is also based here in the bay area.
In front of Facebook, there is the infamous like sign where you can take pictures in front of.
I’ve gone here many times and even have it on my list of things to show people when they come here.
Not to far from each other. I made this video because I heard about Wave Organ. Which he waves supply the energy to pipes to make sounds.
After parking, you’ll start to walk towards the Yacht club and their boats. It is almost hidden.
Right behind Cliffhouse near Pacific Beach is Camera Obscura.
It costs $3 to get in and you see some holograms and get to use the camera that rotates. Nothing wrong with a big of experiencing!