Seattle (and maybe Portland) in mid-to-late August

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m planning a trip up to Seattle in mid-August (flying up on the 16th), and leaving on the 25th. I was originally going to plan a short (4-5 day) backpacking trip through Olympic, but the transportation and logistics up to the trailhead seem prohibitive, so I may limit that to just renting a car out of Port Angeles one or two days and doing a few day hikes in Olympic or Rainier. I’m planning to stay in a hostel downtown and bum around the city for a few days, of course, but I’d also like to do plenty of outdoor activities, especially kayaking or hiking; unfortunately, the mass of great stuff to do there in this regard is overwhelming and the transportation issue a little limiting (for several reasons I would like to try to stick with public transportation and walking as much as possible).

So…suggestions, recommendations, highlights, don’t-bothers, must-sees, et cetera are all solicited.

Stranger

2

Bump.

3

Possible Dopefest

I go down to Seattle to work, and I don’t spend any time there afterward; so I won’t be much help. But there are the typical things: Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, Seattle Center…

Pioneer Square had the Seattle Underground tours. Cheesy, but interesting You can get the same information from an episode of a History Channel show (Weird America? Something like that) but it’s cool to actually take the walk. And while you’re in the area you can get a Utilikilt.

Pike Place Fish Market is the place where they toss the fish. I could do without the show (especially since a former employer in SoCal bought the whole ‘Fish Philosophy’ thing – don’t you love big corporations?), but their alder-smoked salmon is really, really good. (Free samples too.) Pike Place Market is usually crowded. Good food choices. Uli’s supplied sausages to many local restaurants. Lots of greengrocers if you want to get some fruit or something to snack on or take back to your hotel. There’s also the Hill Climb. That’s a long series of stairs that go from the waterfront up to the market (or the other way round, of course). I’ll usually take a 20-minute break in the afternoon, and sometimes I’ll go down to the waterfront and do the Hill Climb. About a mile r/t from the office.

The Aquarium is down by the water, near the Hill Climb. I haven’t gone inside, but I want to. There are also some shops in that area. Two of them have mummies in them.

Ohana is a good place for teriyaki and other Japanese/Hawaiian food. It’s on 1st and Lenora. (Or is it Blanchard?) Cutters it closer to Pike Place Market. A little pricey, but a nice view of the water.

It’s probably about a mile and a half from Pioneer Square to Seattle Center (Space Needle, Science Museum), so it’s an easy walk. Also, it’s a Free Ride area so you can take a bus. The Seattle Monorail cost $2 each way and runs one mile from Westlake Center to Seattle Center. Very retro.

Ride The Ducks has WWII-vintage DUKW amphibians. They drive tourists around the city and then go into the water. Very touristy, but I’d like to do it someday.

If you can get up toward Everett I’m told the Museum of Flight is very good.

Again, sorry I can’t be of more help. I’ve got to go down on a day off and spend a day sometime.

4

For the record, the Museum of Flight is south of downtown at Boeing Field. It is very good. Their restoration facility is at Paine Field in Everett. Paul Allen’s new setup, the Flying Heritage Collection is also at Paine Field and is supremely excellent, but small. They fly their aircraft on a rotating basis every other Saturday through October.
Kayaking: the Northwest Outdoor Center on the west side of Lake Union has an excellent fleet of rental kayaks and gear and is easily accessible via bus. From their dock, there are days worth of interesting paddling options. They’ll also rent racks and load your car if you plan to go elsewhere, but may require some kind of evidence that you won’t immediately get yourself killed.

5

In Seattle, try Etta’s for breakfast or go to Le Panier for pastry and coffee (or both; they’re close to each other). Try Serious Pie for pizza and beer. And Wild Ginger for either lunch or dinner; they have the best seven-flavor beef you’ve ever tasted.

6

As I was posting I thought it was at Boeing field, but then I thought ‘Wait. Isn’t it at Paine?’ I stand corrected. :o

7

And speaking of food…

Two Bells on 4th at Bell is said to have the best burgers in Seattle. I’ve been there a couple of times and the burgers are good. Not the best I’ve had, but tasty.

8

Not “possible” – it’s on! The only question is who will come. It might just be me.

I’m also open to other dates, as posted in the thread.

9

It looks like everyone who replied said they were unavailable that date, so I assumed it was going to be rescheduled.

10

The pancakes at Lola are to die for, although the rest of their menu is a little too foo-foo for me. Tom Douglas has really got something going in that city.

11

If you want to stay a few extra days, there’s Bumbershoot..
Metro Transit buses run pretty far east along I90, and there are some good trailheads right off the freeway. My favorite is Tiger Mountain.
Rent a canoe at the UW Waterfront Activities Center and paddle through the Arboretum. Easy to get to by bus.

12

Check this out

http://www.getlostmagazine.com/mcbee/1999/9904wilderness/sno.html

Around the corner from the catwalk is a spectaculr view of the valley between the ridges. Fairly easy up hill trek in and easy downhill out. Bring at least a quart of water. 4-6 hour round trip hike.

I always suggest riding the ferry either to Bainbride Island (half Hour) or Bremerton 1Hour) as a walk on passenger. The city illuminated by the setting sun (About 7:30 PM is really pretty. Nothing to see at either Bremerton or Bainbridge so just take the round trip.

You could take the Victoria Clipper to Victoria BC. Really fast little boats. Look for Sea Lions and salmon jumping in the Sound.

13

Hey now! You could see ME! I’m in Bremerton! :slight_smile: