# Seattle Trip- Where to Stay, What to See? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 1, 2008, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seattle-trip-where-to-stay-what-to-see/451406 "2008-06-01T23:46:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Furious\_Marmot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2008, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seattle-trip-where-to-stay-what-to-see/451406/1 "2008-06-01T23:46:45Z")
I’m going to Seattle in September. Everything I know about it I learned from movies and music in the early 90’s, ie. next to nothing. So I have a few questions. What are good parts of town to stay in? I’m mostly interested in proximity to things to eat, see, and do. Not outrageously expensive would be nice as well. The view is not a priority. As long as I don’t have to run a hooker gauntlet to get to my car, or get awakened by gunfire, I’m happy. I will have a car, so access to public transit is nice but not a must. What is there to eat, see, and do? Obviously seafood, museums, and maritime pursuits; but some specifics would be helpful. Are there any good day trips, within, ~150 miles? What’s the weather like around Labor Day? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seattle-trip-where-to-stay-what-to-see/451406/2 "2008-06-02T01:11:52Z")
I stayed at both of these… #16 and 29…[http://www.airweb.org/images/Downtown%20Seattle%20Map.pdf](http://www.airweb.org/images/Downtown%20Seattle%20Map.pdf) They were far enough away to be a bit less expensive than the downtown hotels but close enough for me to walk (We walk a lot and my 7 and 9 year olds tolerated it well. It may be too far for others) and/or catch the free buses in the downtown area and to the downtown attractions. Certainly a visit to Seattle wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Pike Place Market, and I very much enjoyed the Aquarium on one of the piers on the waterfront. We also took the tour of underground Seattle and the Gold Museum in Pioneer Square- all in about the same area. I very much enjoyed and “Old Fashioned” dog from “The Frankfurter” hot dog stand below the market. We drove to the top of Hurricane Ridge which was very cool for us flat-landers. I can’t recall how far it was now and am not sure if it is a day-trip as we drove around the Olympic Peninsula, also. ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seattle-trip-where-to-stay-what-to-see/451406/3 "2008-06-02T12:27:57Z")
I went there last summer and stayed at the Westin downtown (for just one night), but wouldn’t recommend it if you’re not looking to spend a lot. We also went to Hurricane Ridge (a few hours away, at least), [Sauk Mt](http://www.localhikes.com/HikeData.ASP?DispType=5&ActiveHike=0&GetHikesStateID=&ID=4940), Whidbey Island, Port Townsend, and saw most of downtown Seattle. I wish I could say one thing was highly recommended compared to the rest, but really, it was all great. We were there for 5 days and I was hoping to squeeze in Mt Rainier or Mt St Helens, but we just didn’t have enough time. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll have fun. ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seattle-trip-where-to-stay-what-to-see/451406/4 "2008-06-02T14:32:28Z")
Oh yeah–a couple of threads which may help you a bit. > **[Seattle Dopers- Should I see St Helens or Olympics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=432195)** > > I have about 5 days in the area with my family, and we’ll be staying up on Whidbey Island for most of the time, doing all the touristy stuff I can think of. I’d love to show them the Rainforest (and the scenic overlook of the Park south of Port... > **[Seattle Area Dopers - Help me plan a vacation!](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=412148)** > > After living in downtown Portland, Maine for a couple of years (we now live in boring northern Virginia), my wife has retrospectively fallen in love with the place and conveniently forgotten about the horrible winters we suffered through. We live in... > **[I'm going to Seattle (via Calgary)!](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=444541)** > > My husband travels a lot for his job, and in December he has to go to Seattle for a project, and he invited me to come along. His trip falls during the 10 days I have off leading up to my last final exam, so the timing is perfect. On top of that, he... > **[visiting Seattle](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=416551)** > > Hello. I’ve been a lurker here for many years and have found excellent advice for nearly everything. Is there anyone who could recommend either resaurants or hotels in Seattle. I am taking my family to Washington for a vacation ths summer and I’d...