Three futuristic glass domes stand in South Lake Union: the crown jewels of the e-tail giant’s $4 billion urban campus and a striking, sculptural tribute to Seattle’s role as an innovation hub. The tallest shelters a river and waterfalls hovering over tropical gardens kept lush at 72°F (22°C) and 60 percent humidity—a microclimate like that in Costa Rica’s Central Valley. Over 800 Amazonians can roam the interconnected botanical bubbles at once. Amazon opens the Spheres to the public two Saturdays a month by reservation (available online up to 30 days in advance). Fuel up on coffee and donuts at General Porpoise, a café captained by Renee Erickson, named the James Beard Best Chef Northwest of 2016.
