As a Seattle resident, I can definitely confirm that, on the surface, it seems like there isn’t a lot to do. But in reality, once you’ve been here a while, the activity list is endless.
For example, not a lot of people know about Sorry Charlie, a restaurant/bar on Lower Queen Anne (close to the Seattle Center). The hook here is the piano player; he knows literally every song ever. There’s a microphone next to his piano; people go in, request a song, and he accompanies you while you sing. Yes, folks, it’s Live Lounge Karaoke. Great cheesy fun, even if you just want to sit and listen. I haven’t been there in a year, so I can’t vouch for it right now, but the drinks at the time were strong and cheap.
Also, while you’re in town, it’s definitely worth the time to make a day trip into the San Juans. If you like galleries and artisan handiwork, I’d suggest the Mukilteo ferry up to Whidbey Island, and then a quick drive to Langley – a charming little artists’ community. Or drive up to Anacortes and take the Friday Harbor ferry. Or if you want just a quick ride to see what it’s like, cruise over to Bremerton from the downtown Seattle terminal.
Another fun trip is to go northeast, up to Chateau Ste. Michelle’s winery. Sure they’re the local Big Boy, and there are better winemakers, but the trip is still enjoyable.
If you like clubbing, definitely drop in at the Crocodile. Or, better yet, look for the free alternative weekly, The Stranger, and check out their nightlife/music listings – you can’t go wrong, whether you’re looking for mosh, ska, disco, or whatever.
A good afternoon could also be spent wandering around the International District. (It’s sort of our Chinatown, except for all the Koreans, Vietnamese, Cambodians, etc., so “International” is what we call it.) Tons of restaurants, hole-in-the-wall shops, and so on. Don’t worry about crime – as long as there are two or three of you, and you’re not trying to score heroin in front of the old Newmark, Seattle is really, really safe.
Things not to do:
Skip the Space Needle. The food is overpriced and not very good, and it’s not worth the fee to just go up the thing. It’s much cooler to look at from the ground, anyway.
Blow off the waterfront restaurants – Cutter’s and the like. You pay for the view, not the food, and you might as well just drive over to Alki (in West Seattle) for a much cooler, and FREE, view of the city.
Don’t bother shopping downtown. Our recent “core revitalization” has brought in a bunch of generic chains: Planet Hollywood, Niketown, Old Navy, and so on, places you can find in any large city. Rather, shop-hop in the funky neighborhoods – Fremont, Broadway, and such.
And to wrap up: I have to put in a plug for my favorite restaurant in Seattle, the Two Dagos from Texas. It’s in Belltown, on the corner of First and Vine. It doesn’t look like much, but the chef is a genius – he’s an Italian who grew up in Texas and studied in San Francisco, New Orleans (under a Thai chef), and Paris. Huge portions, and everything is delicious. Service is slow, and the ambience is weird, but the food makes it worthwhile. Great margaritas, and fabulous steaks. For dessert, have the Two Mousse Sampler: it’s an orgasm on a plate.
P.S. If you’re going to be here in March, you might get to see the Kingdome blow up!
