So, Ms. Savior and I are taking a long weekend over Memorial Day, and staying in Seattle. We picked an independent hotel (Andra), right in the middle of downtown.
We want to visit Pike’s Place Market, the Space Needle, and Chinatown (looks nice), and possibly some waterfall-thing.
Barring those, what to do? Really…WHAT TO DO?
Thanks,
Cem
It’s not China town here, it’s the International District.
You can take a ferry ride to one of the islands. The aquarium is interesting. Go to Fremont and see the troll under the bridge and Lennin. Walk around Green Lake. Take the I-90 floating bridge to Mercer Island and go to Luther Burbank park.
Here is a virtual tour of some of the highlights.
There’s construction in Fremont this summer, so driver beware.
If you’re going as far as Fremont, go a bit further and hit the locks at Ballard. Fun to watch the boats go through.
Check out seattlest.com .
Apply forDo Not Taunt’s job quick like a bunny while he’s out of town!
I’ll throw in the thing I throw in everytime someone asks: Underground Tour. Fun, witty, interesting (although as Interrobang!?, myself, and others discovered, occasionally factually suspect).
Ha - suckers! I don’t have a job! (Hence the search…)
Since you’re here over Memorial Day, drive out the gorge and go to Sasquatch.
Also, make sure you go to Kerry Park at sunset.
When you’re at the Pike Place (not Pike’s Place, please!) Market, be sure to watch those fish-throwin’ guys. I always love that.
I don’t know if Puget Sound is close to where you’ll be, but if you get a chance to see any of Dale Chihuly’s glass art, you won’t be disappointed. It’s big and beautiful.
http://www.chihuly.com/Seasites.html
I’m not from that area, but he is. And I adore his work.
Second the underground tour. Go to Salumi’s and buy some incredible prosciutto.
I third the underground tour. It was the most enjoyable part of our trip, unique to Seattle, and you’ll learn a lot, even if some of it isn’t true. It takes around 1-2 hours, iirc, and cost maybe 15$ each. Hubby and I also enjoyed walking around the library; if you’re into architecture it’s worth a look.
If it’s clear, go to the observation deck near the top of the Bank of America Tower (Columbia Center). It’s a few bucks to get in, but the view is amazing. Far better than the view from the space needle, because it’s 3 or 4 times taller. It’s the tall black building on 4th and Cherry. Tallest building (by floors) west of the Mississippi.
Go to Magnussen Park and listen to the Sound Garden. Picunurse has been there. We discussed it several months ago. She says that it’s fenced off (maybe not now?) but you can still see it and hear the music the sculptures make in the breeze. By the way, that’s how the band got its name.
I second the Ballard Locks. The grounds are beautiful with many, many different trees and flowering plants. If you go at the right time, you can see salmon wall-to-wall, through viewing windows at the fish ladder. Some of those salmon are huge!!!
If you go to Pike Place Market, do so as early in the day as you can. In the summer, its packed with tourists by mid-morning. I second the fish thowing guys. They’re a hoot. You can have them throw a salmon right over your head while one of them takes a picture with you camera.
The ferries are great too. You can take one to Bremerton, a scenic one hour trip one way, and tour a battleship at the naval base or take a small foot ferry across the inlet to Port Orchard and check out the shops. I believe there’s still a foot ferry that goes up to Poulsbo, about 20 minutes north at the dock next door to the Seattle ferry. If you like quaint towns (well, it might be a bit touristy by now) and things Norwegian, you should have a good time there. Or just go for the boat ride and the great scenery.
If you want a shorter ferry trip, go to Bainbridge Island. It’s about a half hour ride one way. The town of Winslow is a short hike from the ferry dock. It’s been a long time since I’ve been there but there were some nice little stores there then.
If you want to do something fun and silly, go ride a Duck. If you’d prefer something a little more toned down, take a Gray Line day trip to Mount Rainier or one of their other destinations.
I’ll probably come up with other things but this should give you enough to think about for now. 
I second Salumi’s for a genuinely treasured bite in Seattle. Weather permitting, I’d recommend getting the nosh to-go and enjoy it at Waterfall Park a few blocks away. And while you’re in the neighborhood, check out Elliott Bay Book Company just across the street from the park. In fact, if you’re really going to hang out downtown, I found this walking tour that seems to cover the area pretty well.
Oh! Don’t forget to check out the houseboats made famous in some movie about a local insomniac. Warning: I would be careful about bringing your children and valuables if you do decide to tour the boathouses because you may suddenly find youself willing to trade them all in for the opportunity to live on one.
And for a terrific breakfast pastry and coffee, go to Le Panier. It’s to die for.
The houseboats reminded me that you see them from the water too. You can rent various crafts at The Center for Wooden Boats on Lake Union (where the houseboats are) or you go on one of their tours on a restored wooden boat. There’s lots to do there and admission is free.
If you’re here July 1-4, definitely check out the Wooden Boat Festival there. All manner of boats will be there from tall ships to dinghys.
If you like walking, go to the Arboretum. It’s a huge park with trees from all around the world and lots of other plants. There is a huge long lawn called Azalea Way that is bordered with many varieties of azaleas and rhododendrons. They should be at their peak of brilliance right about now.
The northern end borders the marshlands of Union Bay (not to be confused with Lake Union) which has boardwalks though the wetter areas. Many birds call this area home including cormorants, red-wing blackbirds, great blue herons and even bald eagles.
The park is free except for the Japanese Gardens, which are gorgeous and well worth the price.
If you’re here just for the weekend, don’t bother going to Salumi–it’s closed on the weekends.
The Folklife Festival will be at the Seattle Center that weekend. It has a tendency to be kinda lame, but there should be a few good acts. You can also check out The Stranger for more listings of stuff that’s going on.
Can I fourth (or is it fifth?) the underground tour? When I was in Seattle for swampfest (and yes, that was the more important reason 
) and work last year, I got the biggest kick out of that. Just way fun, and buy the book. It’s a hoot! Also, eat as much salmon in any way you can get it while you are there. You’ll never have better. Pike Place is great also. Do go see the fish throwing guys.
Meet some Seattle area dopers if you can. They are the greatest. It was just over a year ago I was there and I still have so many wonderful memories of getting together with a bunch of the area dopers.