I’ll be in Seattle next week. I’m leaving tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it. Never been there.
Anyway, is the Space Needle worth the trouble and the $11 dollar admission? Is parking a problem on Sundays?
I know, short notice. But I’m wired about the trip, and can’t get to sleep.
How 'bout the Marketplace?
Thanks. 
Peace,
mangeorge
One Washingtonian’s viewpoint on Seattle highlights:
• Space Needle’s got a nice view, but don’t bother eating at either of the restaurants.
• The Pike Place Market’s a great place to people watch, but how many times can you watch guys throw around salmon.
But here are some other things to check out:
• Definitely do the EMP (right next to the Space Needle). God bless Paul Allen for doing something fun and funky with his money.
• The Seattle Art Museum, a couple blocks from the market, is world class and worth an afternoon, itself.
• Capitol Hill’s another great place to people watch.
• If you’re a baseball fan, Safeco Field is probably one of the better new parks in the country. And the Mariners are off to their best start ever. Banzai, Ichiro.
There are others, and if this sounds like a wide-eyed tourist’s view of Seattle, so be it. But I love visiting Seattle, almost as much as Vancouver, B.C.
Thanks. Jon.
Lunch and a quick stroll at the Market.
Museum 'till closing.
Needle (No eating). 
Then a late dinner at a seafood place.
Sounds good to me. Thanks again.
Peace,
mangeorge
When walking around downtown, be on the lookout for a street person who likes to sing. He’s a black man, kind of short. I talk about him here.
Off to the airport!
Maybe I’ll read about what I missed when I return.
Thanks
mangeorge
Looks like I missed my chance to reply to mangeorge, but FWIW, I basically concur with JonScribe, particularly about not bothering to eat at the Needle. I think he undersells the Market, though; there’s a lot more to see and do than just the flying fish people. Go down to the second level, where all the funky shops are.
Oh, and there’s another reason to go up the Needle: When you get back home, and you tell people you went to Seattle, they’ll ask you how the Needle was. If you say you didn’t do it, they’ll look at you like you’re some kind of alien. It’s like going to New York for a week and not checking out at least one of the following: the Empire State Building, Central Park, or the Statue of Liberty.
'Course, that said, I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for 26 years (moved here when I was a little kid), and the last time I went up the Needle was, oh, hmmm, 11 years ago. It’s something to have done, but the novelty wears off pretty quick.
As others have said, it’s got a great view, but the biggest reason to do it is that it’s the symbol of Seattle, and to visit Seattle and not do it would feel wrong.
I did it when I was there last March, and I certainly don’t regret it. And the Pacific Science Center, right nearby, is very much worth a visit…especially if you’re travelling with kids.
Washington was one of my favorite states to visit.
And I didn’t even make it to Seattle. Dang, I really wanted to. But I was staying in Bothell, and every time I headed there, I got stuck in traffic. Even one night, when I left at about 7pm. Boy, It was worse than here in the SF bay area. Of course being unfamiliar with the area doesn’t help.
Next time I’m going to stay for the weekend. (Damn cat.)
Thanks for all the helpful hints, tho. Sounds like my kind of place.
Peace,
mangeorge
This belongs in IMHO, so there it goes…
For the impenetrable traffic all last week, you may thank the aforementioned “best ballpark in the country”, or in my parlance “It would be the biggest scam if not for the bigger scam next door”.
Mariner’s baseball may be great for the guys who own restaurants around Pioneer Square, but it’s a royal pain in the ass for those of us who have to drive, pay taxes, and (in my case) repair automated giant mobile ballpark roofs.
When you’re back, yes, pay the $$ for the Needle view. If you should happen to eat in the restaurant, make sure you get your money’s worth by pushing the red emergency stop button located on the west side of the inner wall.
Then get down from there and go to the waterfront. Enjoy Ivar’s fish&chips. Pay a walk-on fare and ride the ferry out to Vashon and back.
Walk up the hillclimb in the Market and drink at the Zig-Zag. Keep walking and go buy presents at Rubber Rainbow (can’t have too many!). Keep walking and go to the Art Museum. Stop walking. Await further instructions.