Chihuly Garden and Glass

My first trip to the Chihuly Garden and Glass happened in February of 2013 as part of a Valentine weekend celebration. I've just returned from my second time with my in-laws visiting town, but both times have been a great treat.

The works you'll find there are just stunning from glass-filled boats to hanging chandeliers; growing-stretching gardens both indoors and outdoors.

The tour begins with this tentacle-esque and iridescent series of sculptures. Perhaps to put you in the mood for some additional glass works. Each section of the hall, however, is special on its own to say the least.

Things progress through a quick look at some aboriginal-inspired art before opening into a beautiful sea-themed room filled with crabs, squid, and a writhing blue mass of seaweed or tentacles, surrounded by sea life.

After the underwater sea show you are treated to a ceiling full of multi-coloured pieces. You can stare up in wonder and take a photo with your family under the psychedelic glow.

Next you enter through a growing garden draped in darkness. The only source of light comes from the life-like structures coming up from the centre of the room with a plethora of different "flora" to explore!

From there you enter a world of floating ornaments. At first you find a dark lake with two boats simply filled to the brim with spheres of glass and other shapes as they spill out and hang across the bows. Afterwards, the tour of floating glass takes to the ceiling with intricate glass structures reaching down - some like tentacles trying to grasp you from above.

In the last section of indoor pieces, you enter a hall of autumn-coloured glass flowers suspended from the ceiling with a looming view of the Seattle Space Needle high above. During Valentines you can reserve a nice dinner here in this haul - if you can afford it!

Finally in the outside garden you are treated to more growing glass as it stretches upwards with stunning beauty - like looking at a garden in summer, except you can enjoy it nearly year-round. At night you can even return to enjoy these structures under a different glow.

If you are in the Seattle area, I suggest you not miss a chance to visit this exhibition hall. Perhaps it will even inspire you to make your own glass artwork!