The Emerald City Shines – Close to What Counts at McCormick!

Posted December 20, 2018

The Emerald City Shines – Close to What Counts at McCormick!
Living at McCormick is relaxing, and calm. You’ll enjoy the tranquility of life in the “woods”, bordering a manicured golf course, several community parks, and miles of sidewalks and trails to enjoy. It’s your place to “escape”.

McCormick to Seattle by 30-minute Fast Ferry

But we all love to enjoy a trip to the “big city” – for some of us we do it daily for work!  McCormick is located minutes from the Bremerton AND Southworth ferry terminals with Bremerton offering direct boat service to downtown Seattle.

From Bremerton, you can reach downtown Seattle in 30 minutes by the passenger Fast Ferry, or 60 minutes by car ferry. An additional Fast Ferry from Bremerton to downtown Seattle will be added in 2019 to address the high demand in ridership. From Southworth, you can reach West Seattle in under 30 minutes by car ferry. But it gets better – starting in 2020, a new fast ferry will carry riders from Southworth to downtown Seattle in 30 minutes.

The Calmer Commute. 

A ferry ride to work or play in the big city is a welcome change for those used to sitting in highway gridlock on I-5, I-405, SR169, SR167, or SR520 (just to name a few of our favorite clogged roads!). Let someone else do the driving.  Relax, enjoy your coffee, read the news, catch up with friends and family by phone or social media, get some work done, or just stop to breath in the fresh salty air.

This time of year, the Emerald City (Seattle) really shines. Since McCormick is just a 30-minute ferry ride away, check out…

Our 4 Favorite Downtown Seattle Activities

1. Sports fans, you are in luck

Calling all 12s! – If you live in Seattle and pay attention to football, there is a good possibility you are a Seahawks fan. The Seahawks play at Century Link Field in downtown Seattle, just a 14-minute walk from the ferry terminal. If you happen to follow another NFL team, we won’t give you a hard time, as long as you aren’t playing the Hawks.  Click here for schedule, tickets, and more.

Soccer more your speed? The Seattle Sounders FC offers a fantastic experience for families of all ages to enjoy a fast-paced and fun major league soccer game. Ticket prices are very reasonable. The season kicks off in March and continues through our summer months into late fall. The Sounders also play at Century Link Field, just a 14-minute walk from the ferry terminal.

Play Ball! – This spring, our Mariners Major League Baseball team will hit the field again, at the newly named T-Mobile Park.  The park is so perfect for baseball, with a cover that can be open in the glorious sunshine, and closed in the event of rain. The game will always go on!  Enjoy the 7th inning stretch games and cheers with your family, and ticket prices are very reasonable.    Will this be the year we reach the World Series?  T-Mobile Park is just a 15-minute walk from the ferry terminal. For schedules and tickets, https://www.mlb.com/mariners.

Not only does Seattle have a fantastic suite of professional sports teams, you can reach their stadiums by ferry from McCormick! Seattle is also thrilled to announce an NHL Hockey team will beginning playing in the city in 2021!

2. Waterfront Delights

Not many cities in the world can offer the waterfront experience we have in Seattle. Just a 5-minute walk from the ferry terminal, you will find fun galore for all ages, especially great for families and Grandparents looking for a neat way to explore the city with children.

Wings Over Washington is a state-of-the-art “flying theater” that will transport you on an aerial adventure above the state of Washington.

Seattle’s Great Wheel, located next to the Wings Over Washington ride, is fun for everyone and offers a unique viewpoint to see the city, Puget Sound, even McCormick across the water!  London has their “Eye”, Seattle has our Great Wheel. For tickets and hours click here.

Just a 9-minute walk from the ferry terminal you’ll find the Seattle Aquarium.  We love our sea life in the Puget Sound, and the aquarium offers an exciting glimpse into the underwater world.  Check out starfish and octopus up close, you may even see a shark (in the tank, never fear!).  For tickets and hours, visit https://www.seattleaquarium.org/

3. Where else?  Pike Place Market.

No trip to Seattle is complete without spending some time in our charming market, Pike Place Market.    The market’s first day was in 1907, so lots of history to enjoy.  Make sure to take your picture in front of the legendary sign and buy a fish from the “fish throwers” – just watch and you’ll see something uniquely Seattle and truly fun.  While at the market, look for the piggy bank statue, it’s right beneath the Public Market Clock and Sign at the corner of Pike Place.   It’s the mascot of the Pike Place Market, and legend has it if you rub her snout and donate, you’ll have good luck.   While we think it’s just a super cool place, it is a market after all. You can buy food, flowers, and gifts from local artisans at the market.

Hungry? When you’re hungry, enjoy the wonderful restaurants at Pike Place Market including:

1. Café Campagne (www.cafecampagne.com), transporting you to “Paris” for brunch or dinner
2. Il Bistro for intimate Italian dining (www.ilbistro.net)
3. Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub for music and cheer www.kellsirish.com
4. Matt’s in the Market for world-class cuisine (www.mattsinthemarket.com)
5. Pink Door (www.thepinkdoor.net) for restaurant-cabaret Italian food
6. Athenian Seafood Restaurant (www.athenianinn.com) – grab a seat at the counter and pretend you are Tom Hanks eating breakfast in the hit movie “Sleepless in Seattle.”  You may find others doing the same!

Pike Place Market can be reached by elevator from Western Avenue or stairs via the Pike Street Hill Climb, about 15 minutes-walk from the ferry terminal.

4.     Shoppers Delight! Nordstrom’s Flagship Store.

Seattle’s nostalgic history in the clothing industry can be experienced in its legendary downtown department store, Nordstrom. John W. Nordstrom started the downtown Seattle store with Carl F. Wallin, a Seattle shoemaker, in 1901.  Located at 500 Pine Street, the recently rejuvenated store has 383,000 square feet of shopping (that is a lot!), and offers something special for everyone to buy – from a $30 pair of shoes, to a $3,000 pair of shoes.  This isn’t just an average shopping experience, you’ll relish their incredible commitment to customer service and “Nordstrom Way”.

The flagship store is just a 17-minute walk from the ferry terminal, and you can hop a bus when your hands are filled with packages! For hours and directions, https://shop.nordstrom.com/store-details/nordstrom-downtown-seattle.

May this season be filled with joy and be Close to What Counts in your life. Thank you for reading our blog, and enjoy the Emerald City!

Visit McCormick today

Sign up for more information on McCormick

For Directions to McCormick