A much-awaited visit to Chihuly Gardens and Glass – Dale Chihuly studied art in Florence, then weaving and sculpture in Washington; travelling to Venice to work at the Venini factory on the island of Murano, where he first saw the team approach to blowing glass. He was involved in a head-on car accident during which he flew through the windshield.  His face was severely cut by glass and he was blinded in his left eye. After recovering, he continued to blow glass until he dislocated his right shoulder in a 1979 bodysurfing accident. No longer able to hold the glass blowing pipe, he hired others to do the work. Chihuly explained the change in a 2006 interview, saying “Once I stepped back, I liked the view”. Chihuly describes his role as “more choreographer than dancer, more supervisor than participant, more director than actor.

Nothing really prepares you for the beauty of Dale Chihuly’s glass masterpieces! 

Sublime twirly, twisty, bulby roundly glass shapes in the garden in virtually every primary colour in the palette 🎨! 

And the internal exhibits – the wows continue – beautiful chandeliers, fluted bowls, Navajo inspired glass……JUST. WONDERFUL.

An Atlas Obscura recommended visit to the The Arctic Club doesn’t disappoint! It was formed in 1908 by successful veterans of the Klondike Gold Rush. The 128 ft. Arctic Club building is in the Beaux-Arts style; it is known for its terra-cotta walrus heads, indicative of the club’s name, which adorn the third floor facade; its Polar Bar (hahaha) and delightful Northern Lights ballroom/convention room. A gentleman’s club until the early 1970’s, its been renovated as a hotel and is now part of the Hilton chain.