It appears we may be visiting the area around April 14-18 to visit our son. I’ve never been there, and my wife only on business.
What would you recommend for things to do/see while there? We will be renting a car, I think, and any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Shodan
Do you have any particular interests or types of things you’d want to see or do?
If you’re in Seattle “proper”, then there’s Pike Place Market, Seattle Center, Experience Music Project, the Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Underground Tour. Those are the “touristy” things I can think of.
If you get a chance, drive out to Mr. Rainier. It’s beautiful.
There’s the Boeing Museum of Flight, just slightly south of downtown Seattle.
There are of course numerous museums and shopping centers to check out. Over on the Olympic Penninsula, there are the Olympic mountains, the Hood Canal, and even a winery or two.
**Taters ** hit the highlights. Pike Place Market is a must see if you have never been here. It really depends though on what your interests are. If you get out to the Kitsap Penisula you could hit a couple of great little towns. Poulsbo and Port Townsend are both very nice (but I am partial to Port Townsend). Or take a trip up to Hurricane Ridge and that is nice if it is a nice clear day–April probably not likely though.
I visited Seattle a few years ago and I can second the Seattle underground tour. It’s pretty cool to be outside a building and yet be underground. I can’t remember which organization I took my tour with, but my guide was humorous and informative and I’m told that’s common for all the tours.
Get out to Everett and take a tour of the Boeing Assembly plant.
Go up the Space Needle. Yes, it’s typical-touristy, it’s also iconic of Seattle and gives a great view of the city and of Mount Ranier. Also, the Pacific Science Center is right next to it, and that’s a fun science museum. They have a whole giant water-squirt park in the back.
I’ll second the Museum of Flight.
I haven’t been there in 10 years, so things might have changed/opened/closed, but those are things I remember being fun.
Visit the International District and the Panama Hotel (www.panamahotelseattle.com). It’s got a great, poignant history, plus a wonderful coffee spot & a downstairs sit-n-read area. Gorgeous bathroom! Eat at Ichiban, on the corner. Wander around / lots of Chinese & Japanese restaurants, great shopping at the international grocery/gift store whose name I don’t recollect. Interesting shopping anywhere in the area!
Really nice parks & gardens nearby, including a working Chinese vegetable garden.
This area is within walking distance of Pioneer Square; worth checking out as well.
I second the Music Experience museum, particularly if you are a music junkie (as I am).
Pike’s Market is crowded & slightly overrated, IMHO. The fish-tossing is fun to watch, though.
Let us all know what-all you did … I’ve only had three days in Seattle & know I missed A LOT.
Museum of Flight, Seattle Center, and Pike’s Market are all fantastic. The Underground tour is also a must.
I disagree with the Experience Music Project, unless you are a rabid Seattle memorabilia fan. I found it short and way overpriced.
Experience Music Project has gotten less expensive than when it opened. I went within a few weeks of opening, and thought it was horribly overpriced. I went back a month or so ago and it was $15, which seems reasonable to me for the amount of stuff they have. Even more so if you’re interested in the Science Fiction Museum portion (I skipped that, as I can’t stand Science Fiction). There’s a lot of stuff that’s not related to Seattle (definitely more stuff that’s not related to Seattle than is). Don’t get me wrong – EMP isn’t #1 on my list of favorite places in the city, but I wouldn’t say it’s short, only about Seattle or way overpriced…
My favorite thing, which hasn’t yet been mentioned, was riding the ferries. Take the ferry over to Bainbridge Island and walk around Winslow. You don’t even have to take your car.
This is true. I forget since I commute via the ferry 5 days a week for the last 10 years that out of town people LOVE it, whereas for me it is like the bus (with nice views!)
Bainbridge is a good run, not too long and Winslow is a nice town. You also will get some nice views of the city from the water. There is a nice chocolate shop in Winslow if you go there. You can take the longer ferry to Bremerton, but I don’t think of Bremerton as a nice destination place.
Another touristy thing to do - Ride the Ducks!
And a +1 to the Boeing tour.
Visit the Woodland Zoo. It’s April or I’d suggest the rose garden which is on the other side of the zoo. Tons of species to view and sniff when they’ve got going.
Or the Ballard locks – I’ve lived here for several years and still get a thrill out of heading down on a summer day to sit watching the boats go in and out. There’s also a fish ladder that you can go round to peek at, although I have no idea what’s running this time of year.
Taters and others list many good suggestions. I would add perhaps taking in a baseball game if you are a fan of Major League Baseball. The Seattle Mariners are at home versus the LA Angels the 14th, 15th and 16th and play the Detroit Tigers the 17th and 18th.
Safeco Field is a beautiful venue to see a game. The park features great views of Elliot Bay and the Seattle skyline. I think the 14th is the home opener so tickets may be tough to get but the other dates should be easy to just walk up and get tickets.
http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=sea&m=4&y=2009
I hope you enjoy your stay here in the Emerald City.
Regards (I’ve always wanted to type that),
Sherm
Thanks to all for the suggestions. The Sci Fi museum and Mount Rainier especially sound good. So also the ferries.
Regards,
Shodan
Couple of more obscure ones that people haven’t mentioned:
The Freemont Troll - Really cool troll carving under a bridge in the Freemont section of town. Unique experience.
The Jimi Hendrix Commemorative Statue - Not all that exciting, but if you’re a Hendrix fan you can find the statue on Capitol Hill.
Ezell’s Chicken - Some really good fried chicken, made famous when Oprah said she has it flown into Chicago when she gets a craving. There are numerous photos of her on the wall proclaiming the same.
Lake View Cemetery - The place where Bruce and Brandon Lee are buried.
If you have the time and would like a nice day trip/hike, about the same distance away as Mt Rainier is Sauk Mt, which you can drive up and hike the last couple miles. It’s got some great views of Skagit Valley and the Cascades–different mountains than those you’ll see on Hurricane Ridge, which I also highly recommend.
Isn’t there also some kind of botanical garden or nature preserve on Bainbridge? That is definitely worth the trip.
As far as Seattle goes, last time I was there (about five years ago) I fell in love with a delightful little bakery called “Piroshky Piroshky” across the street from the Pike Place market. Not really a “touristy” thing to do but if you’re in the area and you’re hungry – and they’re still in business – I would say check it out.
You might also want to take your passports; the Canadian city of Victoria is a short ferry ride away on the Victoria Clipper. It’s a cute town, and Butchart Gardens (located just outside of the twon proper) ought to be gorgeous by then.
You are probably thinking of Bloedel Reserve?
A couple of good food choices—now I don’t these out to just anyone! This first one–get there by 11 or you will be waiting for a long time. I forewarned you!
This second one is a little further up north and you get tons of great food for a great price:
