# What's there to do in Seattle? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 24, 2004, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644 "2004-07-24T03:55:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/21 "2004-07-26T07:13:40Z")
You beat me to it. The Underground tour was one of the best “touristy” things I ever did! **msmith** : Pretty much anything you find “cool” is going to be sadly lacking in Seattle. Perhaps you might want to consider expanding you horizons a bit. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/22 "2004-07-26T07:43:57Z")
> [@Hunter Hawk](#): > > Well, I think it’s godawful boring myself, but different strokes etc. That’s your business I suppose. I mean I can see if you are hanging out with a bunch of friends and you just want a quiet place to drink and socialize, that’s one thing. But if you are by yourself in a strange city over the weekend, I think it would be a perfect mix of girls, music, dancing, drinking and other stuff which most people consider “fun”. I’m just curious as to what you consider to be interesting stuff to do. In any event, It seems like a nice city and all but I think I’ll either fly home every weekend or go visit friends in other cities. ---
**Author:** ![pilzner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pilzner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pilzner)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/23 "2004-07-26T08:11:18Z")
To myself, and about 85% of the folk I know, Capitol Hill _is_ Seattle, with some occasional sidetrips into downtown/Belltown. Loads of bars, cheap beer, drunk people, and rock stars. People are friendly enough but I can definetly see it as being very tight-knit and neighborhoody, not easy when your an out of towner by yourself. But once your in, your in. Pioneer Square hardly even registers as a place on my mental map of the city. The last time we went there, a friend spoke up something to the likes of “Just think. All the tourists come here, go to the Space Needle, head to Pioneer Square at night and they think that’s what Seattle is. What a shame!” Nothing wrong with the area, I suppose. I just can’t think of anyone I know in this city that ever hangs out there, regularly. A short list of tacky stuff to do in Seattle ( most of this is probably just a supreme waste of time, mind you) See the troll under the Fremont Bridge Fried Chicken thats good enough for Oprah, at Ezells. Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. Hurray for Mummies! CoffeeShops - Vivace is ~amazingly~ good. Those barista’s are coffee snobs. But Bauhaus and Victrola have better atmosphere. And Coffee Messiah has a wonderful bathroom. See the new library that everyone in Seattle just won’t shut up about. Visit The Seattle version of the Statue of Liberty at Alki beach. Play “the volkswagon slug bug game” but with Starbucks, instead. ---
**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2004, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/24 "2004-07-26T19:22:12Z")
I’ve been to Seattle several times and I’ve enjoyed visiting several of the places already mentioned. Another thing worth checking out is the Seattle Aquarium. It’s near the Pike Street Market. If you have the time you might be interested in making a side trip to either Mt. Rainer or Mt. St. Helens. Each is within a couple hours drive time to Seattle. I’ve been to both (though on separate trips). ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/25 "2004-07-27T04:54:50Z")
> [@dwc1970](#): > > If you have the time you might be interested in making a side trip to either Mt. Rainer or Mt. St. Helens. Each is within a couple hours drive time to Seattle. I’ve been to both (though on separate trips). \ It’s spelled Mount St. Helens. \ ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/26 "2004-07-27T05:15:58Z")
and there’s a distinct lack of strobe lights, music, and alcohol there, too. ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/27 "2004-07-27T05:23:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Apparently being from New York and not dressing like a freakin reject from a Pearl Jam concert goes a long way to meeting girls here. I guess it depends on the girl. In general, being from New York impresses people in Seattle about as much as it does people in most other West Coast cities (with the possible exception of L.A.), which is to say not much. But hey – we’ve got a Polyesters’ on lower Queen Anne, across from the Seattle Center. It’s just like every other Polyesters’ in the whole world, but it sounds like it would be right up your alley. ---
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/28 "2004-07-27T13:15:13Z")
One of the highlights of my visit to Seattle was visiting [the final resting place of Jimi Hendrix](http://www.relache.com/rae/travel/seattle0901/hendrix_grave.html) . What? ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/29 "2004-07-27T13:36:28Z")
If you’re interested in airplanes outside of work (you mentioned counting airplane parts) there’s the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field - excellent aircraft museum. My wife let me blow almost an entire day of our honeymoon there. She loves me. There’s more excellent seafood than you can shake a stick at. Go down to the docks and eat at the Crab Pot at least once. It’s pretty good and mildly touristy. There’s excellent food at all budget levels. The Aquarium is cool. The view from the Space Needle on a relatively clear day is incredible. If you like Irish food, beer and/or music, check out the Owl and Thistle Pub. I don’t remember the exact address - I think it’s on Fourth street - locals, help me out. They have an excellent Guinness steak and live music several nights of the week. It’s right by what was another excellent pub called Tir NaNog, which was apparently bought by a chain called Fado. Can’t vouch for the quality of Fado. Ride the ferry over to Bainbridge Island and take in the scenery. Go to Canada and take in the scenery. Go find Chief Seattle’s grave and take in the scenery. Go to the Olympic Rainforest and take in the scenery. Go sasquatch spotting. Another recommendation for the Underground Tour - it starts at Pioneer Square. ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/30 "2004-07-27T20:37:11Z")
> [@Kilt-wearin' man](#): > > If you like Irish food, beer and/or music, check out the Owl and Thistle Pub. I don’t remember the exact address - I think it’s on Fourth street - locals, help me out… It’s actually on Post Alley, which is between First Ave and Western Ave. I believe the cross-street is Columbia. Just go down First to Columbia (a little north of Pioneer Square) and go half a block toward the bay. You’ll hear the place from the corner, if the music’s started up. By the way, thanks, **Kilt guy** –I was just about to pop back in to suggest the Owl and Thistle. It’s always packed with young people, the music is lots of fun, and the food is quite good on the pub scale. > [@Kilt-wearin' man](#): > > Another recommendation for the Underground Tour - it starts at Pioneer Square. Doc Maynard’s, to be specific (see my first post on this thread). ---
**Author:** ![Kilt-wearin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/82dd89/32.png) [@Kilt-wearin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilt-wearin_man)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/31 "2004-07-27T21:04:31Z")
> [@Saltire](#): > > It’s actually on Post Alley, which is between First Ave and Western Ave. I believe the cross-street is Columbia. Just go down First to Columbia (a little north of Pioneer Square) and go half a block toward the bay. You’ll hear the place from the corner, if the music’s started up. > > By the way, thanks, **Kilt guy** –I was just about to pop back in to suggest the Owl and Thistle. It’s always packed with young people, the music is lots of fun, and the food is quite good on the pub scale. > Doc Maynard’s, to be specific (see my first post on this thread). Thanks, **Saltire** - and excellent username, BTW… I ate my only non-seafood meal in Seattle at the Owl and Thistle and it was excellent. I recommend them to anyone visiting up there. I also recommend McCormick and Schmick if they can be afforded…but man, they’re pricy. Excellent, but pricy. And then there’s the Crab Pot (very enjoyable), the Fisherman, and a bunch of others I just can’t remember…man, I miss that fresh seafood every evening… OK, I’m hungry now. ---
**Author:** ![jessicala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/eb9ed0/32.png) [@jessicala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jessicala)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2004, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/32 "2004-07-27T23:09:57Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > My point is that I’m sure I’ve made enough offensive comments here that I’m sure SOMEONE would be willing to punch me in the head should they meet me in real life. I’m not surprised, considering how you’re presenting yourself in this thread. There’s plenty of unique experiences you could get around here if you wanted to be adventurous … but have fun racking up those frequent-flier miles. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2004, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644/33 "2004-07-28T05:28:17Z")
Okay, here are a few more thoughts on Seattle stuff…some of this will already have been mentioned. I’m frankly too lazy at the moment to insert links, but you should be able to do your own searches easily enough. For recommendations on singles-type bars and clubs, you might want to look on Citysearch. I don’t do that scene myself, so I can’t speak to any of their recommendations. For indie music, I tend to end up at one of the following clubs: The Tractor Tavern The Showbox The Crocodile Cafe Graceland Neumo’s Chop Suey There are a host of other clubs, of course; check the Stranger for listings. If you’re trying to pick a show to go to, the picks in the Stranger are generally pretty good. Food–upscale: Rover’s Mistral Lark Le Pichet Lampreia Metropolitan Grill The Palace Kitchen Harvest Vine Cafe Flora Nell’s Oceanaire Campagne Dahlia Lounge Matt’s in the Market Ray’s (decent food; great view) Food–downscale: Jack’s Fish Spot (fish & chips; in the Pike Place Market) Salumi (faaabulous Italian; near Pioneer Square; only open for lunch T-F) Totem Seafood (fish & chips; across from the Ballard Locks) The Attic (tavern in Madison Park; good sandwiches; Thurs is frat boy night) Ezell’s (fried chicken) Pochi Tea Station (bubble tea) Beth’s Cafe (where you go if you want a 12-egg omelet at 3 in the morning; great slacker/punk atmosphere) Ivar’s Salmon House (food is mediocre, but decor is pure Northwest kitsch) Hattie’s Hat (in Ballard; food isn’t great but slacker/indie atmosphere is good) Belgian Frites (next to Neumo’s; good for soaking up alcohol) Dick’s Drive-In (cheap, crappy burgers; good for soaking up alcohol) Also check out the reviews in the food section of the Stranger and the P-I. Tourism–in-city: The Underground Tour One of those Argosy Cruises tours The Ballard Locks (aka the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks) Fremont (the troll; the rocket; the statue of Lenin; shops) Capitol Hill (as previously described earlier in the thread) The Japanese garden at the bottom of the Arboretum The Pike Place Market (see also neighborhood farmers’ markets) Also see The Stranger Guide to Seattle. Tourism–day trips: Mount Rainier Mount St. Helens Whidbey Island (drive up I-5, then west on 20 to Deception Pass, then down to Langley, then take the ferry back) Snoqualmie Falls The San Juan Islands (can make a weekend out of this) Whale watching tours The Cascades (can make a weekend out of this) Tourism–weekend trips: Drive up to Vancouver BC Take the Victoria Clipper to Victoria (optional: continue to the Sooke Harbour House) Drive down the coast to Cannon Beach, Oregon. Stop in the maritime museum in Astoria; visit the Lewis & Clark sites; go to the aquarium in Seaside to feed the seals Drive down to Bend and Crater Lake (this’d be a lot of driving for a weekend, though) Circumnavigate the Olympic Peninsula. See the rain forest. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-there-to-do-in-seattle/256644.md?page=1)