Going to Seattle...

[Dreamer_D]

DH and I are going to visit Seattle for two days in May for our third anniversary!

We will be staying in a fancy pants hotel downtown, near the Pike Street market. Any suggestions of fun things to do, sights to see, or restaurants to visit? We will be child free -- woop woop -- so anything goes I guess!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Pike Place Market is the stereotypical place to go. Gotta do that.

Since you have only a few days, make your time well spent. One place I would avoid is the Seattle Center w/the Space Needle. The place is grungy, old and gross and the needle is very expensive to go up. Not worth it, IMO.

There are some great microbrews served around here, so if you''re into beer, your trip will be the time to indulge!

 

[TooPatient]

I completely agree that Seattle Center & the Space Needle are NOT worth it.

There is the blown glass museum that is supposed to be interesting (I haven''t been yet but I would like to soon). Airplanes & flight are big around here too so you might look into a couple of the flight museums. (There is one down at Boeing Field in Seattle and another at Paine Field in Everett).

Do you want to stick to Seattle or are you renting a car and interested to see other places as well?


I think North Bend has a train museum that people really like.

 

[movie zombie]

cheesy but fun and interesting at the same time: the underground tour!

since you're staying near the market, checkout the side streets/alleys just above it: there's an interesting irish bar. also, across from the market is an interesting russian pastry place....

mz

eta: skip the space needle. if you see it, from afar, you've seen the best of it.

also, take a ferry or two out to the islands.....then after sunset: great night skyline

2nd eta: the museum downtown was interesting with lots of indigenous art. also, when i was there they had a large collection of Chihuly glass work. hangout and drink some coffee in a bookstore. there are lots.

 

[Haven]

Oooh, I''m going to keep a close eye on this thread. I''m going to Seattle in July with a girlfriend to visit my old college roommate who''s touring with Cirque de Soleil. I''ve never been and can''t wait.

It sounds like a wonderful anniversary trip, Dreamer!

 

[lightningbug]

Dreamer, I lived in Seattle for many years. I can''t reply in more detail now, but later tonight I''ll give you some tips on fun things to do and see.

 

[winelover23]

RIDE THE DUCK!

 

[April20]

I lived in Seattle for several years...... I hope you get some nice weather while you are there.

I really like The Pink Door (italian). It''s in the vicinity of the market, on the east side of Pike, towards the north end of the market. There really isn''t much signage, but if you access it from the alley just to the east of Pike (between Pike & 1st), there''s a pale pink door. They have a really great patio outside if it''s nice. It overlooks the sound.

http://www.thepinkdoor.net/

I''d skip the needle too. Overhyped for what it is. If you really want to see the city from some height, take the elevator to the top of Smith Tower (south end of downtown). I think it''s like $6 to the top, vs the needle, which is at least double.

Um.... do you like cupcakes? If so, Cupcake Royale in Ballard or Capital Hill is about my favorite thing ever. Keep me away.

http://www.cupcakeroyale.com/

Oh, not sure how much time you''ll have, but you can go kayaking in Union Bay and Lake Washington. It''s a really fun way to see some of the local spots from a different angle. It''s reasonably priced and when you''re done, there''s a taco bar upstairs.

http://www.aguaverde.com/

 

[April20]

Date: 4/27/2010 1:16:54 PM
Author: movie zombie
cheesy but fun and interesting at the same time: the underground tour!

since you''re staying near the market, checkout the side streets/alleys just above it: there''s an interesting irish bar. also, across from the market is an interesting russian pastry place....

mz

eta: skip the space needle. if you see it, from afar, you''ve seen the best of it.

also, take a ferry or two out to the islands.....then after sunset: great night skyline

2nd eta: the museum downtown was interesting with lots of indigenous art. also, when i was there they had a large collection of Chihuly glass work. hangout and drink some coffee in a bookstore. there are lots.

I love that Russian place! Those rolls with the cheese and onion... heavenly.

 

[jaysonsmom]

I lived in Seattle for several years when I was a child, and I liked:

Green Lake, just to walk around, bike, and feed ducks.
Woodland Park with it''s Zoo...lot so squirrels to feed
Ballard Locks (to watch the boats going from Lake Union to the Pacific Ocean get raised to sea level). There''s also a salmon run there, with a little info center about salmon.

http://www.insiderpages.com/b/15237499339

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Another thing you can do is the Aquarium. It''s not super clean or glamourous, but it''s fun looking at all the sea life and breathing in the salty smell. We go there once a year. We use to eat at Ivar''s after, but now that we have pet fish, we don''t eat any seafood anymore (lol!).

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 4/27/2010 1:16:54 PM
Author: movie zombie
cheesy but fun and interesting at the same time: the underground tour!

since you''re staying near the market, checkout the side streets/alleys just above it: there''s an interesting irish bar. also, across from the market is an interesting russian pastry place....

mz

eta: skip the space needle. if you see it, from afar, you''ve seen the best of it.

also, take a ferry or two out to the islands.....then after sunset: great night skyline

2nd eta: the museum downtown was interesting with lots of indigenous art. also, when i was there they had a large collection of Chihuly glass work. hangout and drink some coffee in a bookstore. there are lots.

Seattle Art Museum. Just a few blocks away from the market.

Agreed that the underground tour is interesting. The guide we had was super funny so it made for a great afternoon.

 

[Dreamer_D]

All great ideas! We are there a very short time, and we want to stay in the downtown area and do things that don''t cost too much

We are going there on airmiles -- hotel and airfare -- and blew our disposable money on my upgrade that we will pick up when we are there

So we are looking for sighseeing on a budget!

 

[jaysonsmom]

I think all the places I mentioned are free, except for Zoo admission of course. Those are the less touristy, but really beautiful parts of Settle that I remember.

Whoever mentioned Ivar''s......yum. I loved Ivar''s Salmon House. It''s been around a long time, and I still go there everytime I visit.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 4/27/2010 2:25:08 PM
Author: dreamer_d
All great ideas! We are there a very short time, and we want to stay in the downtown area and do things that don''t cost too much

We are going there on airmiles -- hotel and airfare -- and blew our disposable money on my upgrade that we will pick up when we are there

So we are looking for sighseeing on a budget!

Okay, yeah, the aquarium is pricey. $17 per adult. Last time I took my kids, I kind of choked at paying $39. We did save money by bringing our own food! I packed yogurts and sandwiches for the kids.

The zoo is $11 per adult up until the end of April. Then it goes up to $16.50 per adult. Yikes, my husband paid our last summer visit. . .I didn''t realize we spent $55 plus we bought a bunch of snacks and burgers there! Probably over $100!

 

[TooPatient]

The arboretum is really pretty and most of it is free -- everything except the Japanese garden ($2 for that I think).

website

If the weather is nice (or even okay), this is a great place to go. This is where FI and I first kissed (sigh) and we''re considering it for our wedding.

 

[jaysonsmom]

Oh, just thought of another beautiful place. The University of Washington Campus is BEAUTIFUL this time of the year. I think there will still be cherry blossoms in May....not sure, I''m not much of a botanist,. BUt when there ARE cherry blossoms, the entire campus is covered in beautiful soft pink petals.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Just wanted to pop in and give some restaurant advice.

Tom Douglas is a local chef, and a culinary GENIUS in my book. You cannot go wrong with any of his restaurants: http://tomdouglas.com/ But if pressed, my favorite is Palace Kitchen. However, you MUST pop into Dahlia Bakery for a sweet treat- the triple coconut cream pie is delish.

I also like Wild Ginger, which is right in the middle of downtown. I would recommend going for a nice lunch.

Have fun!

 

[April20]

Wild Ginger is good.... so is the Palace Kitchen. You can''t go wrong with either one.

 

[jaysonsmom]

Here is a sneek peak at the U of W campus in Spring:

 

[jaysonsmom]

Another freebie, might be a little morbid: You can visit Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee''s resting place at the Lakeview Cemetary in Seattle.

 

[Lula]

My sister lived in Seattle for a number of years. The parks are gorgeous, many with spectacular views, and free. Take the bus to Ballard (if you don''t have a car) and check out the shops and the locks. If you like to do sporty things and you have a car, and the weather is nice, the Cascade mountains are not far out of town, and you can hike the trails. There are places to rent canoes and kayaks, I believe, too. The ferries are fairly inexpensive and the best way to see the city and nearby environs is from the water (e.g., Bainbridge, Whidbey Islands). And if you''ve got a little money in the budget for a splurge, take a tour of the city via seaplane!

I agree with the others to avoid the Space Needle -- it''s expensive, and you can get a view of the city that''s just as nice from some of the parks.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Can anyone recommend a good Mexican restaurant? Or places with good vegetarian foods?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 4/27/2010 4:22:15 PM
Author: sarap333
My sister lived in Seattle for a number of years. The parks are gorgeous, many with spectacular views, and free. Take the bus to Ballard (if you don''t have a car) and check out the shops and the locks. If you like to do sporty things and you have a car, and the weather is nice, the Cascade mountains are not far out of town, and you can hike the trails. There are places to rent canoes and kayaks, I believe, too. The ferries are fairly inexpensive and the best way to see the city and nearby environs is from the water (e.g., Bainbridge, Whidbey Islands). And if you''ve got a little money in the budget for a splurge, take a tour of the city via seaplane!

I agree with the others to avoid the Space Needle -- it''s expensive, and you can get a view of the city that''s just as nice from some of the parks.

The ferrys are fun, however be sure to read up and make sure if you do take one that a) it''s not incredibly long b) you''re not going at a peak time or you may end up in a long ferry line and c) that there is something to do on the other side. Some of the ferries lead to towns that do not have anything to do. . .you have to drive off the ferry to get to any of the fun activities.

 

[blackberry16]

OHHH! I am from Seattle (currently stuck in Utah). You must go to Lola for dinner. Upscale greek, so yummy!
2000 4th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121-2415
(206) 441-1430

 

[LGK]

Just walking around downtown is fun. Uwajimaya is easily walkable distance from downtown- immense asian food supermarket, has a food court with really good food- all sorts of little restaurants packed in there- ambiance is cafeteria style, so if it's a nice day I get my food to go and eat outside somewhere.

Mexican food. Hmm. I've found most of the Mexican food around here forgettable; there's one little restaurant in Centralia that is really actually authentic and good, but that's nearly 100 miles away, lol. Maybe a Tacos Guaymas, there's one on Capitol Hill... they're a bit more authentic than most, not a morass of cheese over everything, and they have some of the more, er, authentic varieties of tacos like cabeza and stuff. I'm not a huge fan of Mexican food so perhaps someone else would have a better idea.

Dragonfish downtown, across from the Paramount, has a really excellent happy hour. Cheap and delicious sushi, and their lemongrass lime rickeys are yummy. And their calamari. It's definitely one of the best happy hours in Seattle.

Capitol Hill is fun for people watching in general, which is always a cheap and entertaining passtime. I lived there for years, went to college there, and it's still one of my favorite Seattle neighborhoods. Very close to downtown. Lots of little cafes. You can bus up to Capitol Hil from downtown easily if you arent' renting a car. Or walk if you don't mind a longish one, I did it all the time when I lived there.

 

[lightningbug]

Ok, here's EXACTLY what I do when I go back. (ETA: Sorry these links aren't "live" ~ I'm too lazy!)

Free/inexpensive entertainment:
+Seattle Are Museum (SAM): http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/
+Olympic Sculpture Park: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/osp/
+Seattle Public Library (designed by famous architect Rem Koolhaas): http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Seattle_Public_Library.html
+A movie at one of the last Cinerama theaters in the USA: http://www.cinerama.com/TemplateHome.aspx?contentId=1
+Pike Place Market: http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/frameset.asp?flash=false
+Live music at the Tractor Tavern, in the Ballard neighborhood: http://www.tractortavern.com/
+A light hike and picnic with amazing views at Discovery Park: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discovery_Park_(Seattle)
+Kayak on Lake Union at the Aqua Verde Paddle club (near the UW), stay for delicious Mexican food: http://www.aguaverde.com/
+Gasworks Park, also near the UW and along the Burke-Gilman trail: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_Works_Park
+The Ballard Locks: http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/PublicMenu/Menu.cfm?sitename=lwsc&pagename=mainpage
+A symphony at Benaroya Hall (pricer!): http://www.seattlesymphony.org/symphony/
+Ferry to San Juan Island or Orcas Island (*if you have the time*): http://www.sanjuansafaris.com/gettinghere.html
+If you go to Orcas Island, I would stay at Turtleback Farm Inn: http://www.turtlebackinn.com/


Great, fun, inexpensive food:
+The donut stand at Pike Place Market (Get the cinnamon/sugar and powdered sugar donut holes in a paper bag to go, eat while warm): http://maps.google.com/maps/place?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=pike+place+market+donut+stand&fb=1&gl=us&hq=market+donut+stand&hnear=pike+place&cid=18158844816301322743
+The ORIGINAL Starbucks, right across the street from the market (get your coffee with the donuts, above): http://www.seattle.gov/html/visitor/starbucks.htm
+Serious Pie (Tom Douglas pizza, low-key and fabulous): http://tomdouglas.com/index.php?page=serious-pie
+La Carta de Oaxaca, in the Ballard neighborhood (AMAZING Mexican, small plates, my second favorite restaurant in the city. Long lines, totally worth it): http://www.lacartadeoaxaca.com/
+A beer at the cool dive bar Hattie's Hat, also in Ballard: http://www.hattieshat.com/
+Espresso at Vivace (Capitol Hill neighborhood): http://www.espressovivace.com/
+A sandwich at the deli Salumi (owned by Mario Batali's brother, I believe): http://www.salumicuredmeats.com/

Fancier food (A bit higher-end. These are in order of my favorite.)
+Harvest Vine (Basque tapas; sit at the counter and watch the chefs work; this is my favorite restaurant in the city): http://www.harvestvine.com/
+Kingfish cafe (southern food, in the North Capitol Hill neighborhood): http://www.thekingfishcafe.com/
+Place Pigalle (French Seafood, located within Pike Place Market): http://www.placepigalle-seattle.com/
+Cafe Campagne (located near Pike Place Market):http://www.campagnerestaurant.com/cafe_home.html
+A late-night burger at the Palace Kitchen (upscale but low-key): http://tomdouglas.com/index.php/restaurants/palace-kitchen
+Wild Ginger (Asian Fusion; I would go for dinner, not lunch, and I would sit in the main room - not one of the rooms off to the side. This is where I would go if I were also going to a show at Benaroya, since it's next door.)

Ok, that's a good start.

You can combine several of these things by location.

For example, if you want to hang out downtown, I would go to the Pike Place Market, the SAM, the Sculpture Park, then at night EITHER eat at Place Pigalle or Cafe Campagne for dinner, OR see a show at Benaroya and eat a very late dinner at Wild Ginger, OR catch a movie at the Cinerama and eat at Palace Kitchen.

If you want to go to the Ballard neighborhood, I would go to the Locks during the day, then drive down the road a bit to Shilshole Bay or Golden Gardens Park, then head back into the main part of Ballard and eat at La Carte de Oaxaca, then catch some live music at the Tractor Tavern, grab a beer at Hattie's Hat, and go home.

If you want to go over to the UW, I would combine that with a kayak paddle on Lake Union and lunch at Aqua Verde, followed by some time at Gasworks Park (and if you want to get chowder or fish and chips at Ivar's which many people like, it's right in this area).

I would absolutely NOT go to the Space Needle, the Seattle Center, or the Experience Music Project. Seriously expensive and overrated. I Greenlake Park is wonderful for locals, but if you're wanting to be around the water, spend time on the Sound or at Discovery Park or at Gasworks, not at Greenlake (better views!). The zoo is definitely a very nice zoo...but it's a zoo. (Although, if you do want to go to the zoo, you'd might as well go to Greenlake, b/c they're neighbors. Walk around the lake ~ it's a pleasant 3 mile loop. If you do that, I'd probably eat outside or near a window at Blu Water and maybe get coffee up the hill at Zoka).

 

[TooPatient]

Vegetarian places?

I know there must be some really good ones -- especially around the market area. I''m not very familiar with the options in Seattle so can''t be much help with this part.

Look for Indian and Mediterranean places. They usually have some great vegetarian options.

 

[lightningbug]

Cafe Flora is a great vegetarian spot, and it has a really nice atmosphere that is perfect for brunch:

2901 East Madison Street
Seattle, WA 98112-4213
(206) 325-9100

 

[April20]

Date: 4/27/2010 4:30:44 PM
Author: dreamer_d
Can anyone recommend a good Mexican restaurant? Or places with good vegetarian foods?

Dreamer, I thought most Mexican food SUCKED in Seattle with ONE exception. Vuelve a la Vida. One catch. It''s in Tacoma. They don''t have a website. It''s very family run, gramma is in the back making tortillas and it''s not the place where you get chips and salsa. It is the place that will have more hispanic customers than other customers.

Here''s the address:

5312 Pacific Avenue
Tacoma, WA 98408-76

It''s probably 35 mins south of Seattle if there''s no traffic.