Seattle - Visiting

[schuss]

More than likely will be in Seattle this weekend. What should I go see? Only things on my list currently are experience music project and possibly try to make it out to the san juans.
Suggestions on places to stay or things to see?

Also would be great to meet up for drinks as I'm flying solo. If anyone can dig up Mtn Man or Shmerham, that would also be cool.

[Tippster]

You need to get shitfaced, stand in the middle of Pioneer Square, and sing the Monte Python "I'm a Lumberjack" song at the top of your voice.

Srsly. It's funny as hell.

[jesski]

In no particular order...

Things to see- Seattle aquarium is fun, b/c it's right on the water and they have octopi. You can also take a ferry from Pike's place across the water to Alki, go walk on the beach/build a bonfire. Good, cheap Pizza right on the beach.

If you like good/microbrew/international beer, go to Brauer's in freemont. They have a redonkulous number of really good beers on tap, and their wait staff is really knowledgeable. Go to Ballard/Freemont/Wallingford anyway, for the feel of the neighborhood if you like walking around funny neighborhoods. If you are in Ballard, you should go to second ascent, because it's a used gear store that is a ballard landmark with really chill people.

Skip the spaceneedle. Go to EMP. Or, if you want something Seattle-music related, go see a concert at the showbox, which is kinda a very-seattle thing to do and sort of a cool venue.

Ride a ferry somewhere? or rent sea kyaks

Best Italian food- Il Bistro in basement near Pike's place. Little pricey but fun. Only gnocchi I have had in Seattle that actually tastes like Tuscany. Their squash ravioli should be seasonal now, I think, and that's good too, if you like vegetarian fare.

Bars- Post Alley, Belltown are the more yuppy places vs. Cap Hill for a more chill crowd...

Best outdoor pool- Coleman park in West Seattle. Though it might be closed by now for the cold weather?

Oktoberfest should be soon, there's usually a chainsaw pumpkin-carving thing in freemont.

There are probably a fair number of farmers markets still going on besides the pike place one if you wanted to go to a neighborhood farmers market.

I'd do one day d-town & alki, one day freemont/ballard/wallingford etc. if you want to see city areas.

The freemont ghoul is a classic to see.

Burke-Gillman trail and Greenlake are good if you want to take a short ride or run on pavement.

This is also a good time of year to go climb Mt. Si. Along with half of Seattle.

Last year at this time I rode my road bike out to Ocean Shores from Seattle, stayed on the beach for the nite, then rode back. That was fun.

It all depends on what you're into.

Skylark Cafe is a bar that serves amazing brunch on sundays and is not usually too crowded.

Asian Fusion- Wild Ginger is good and locally-owned.

Downtown hotels- don't have a lot of info, but I stayed at the W once and it was nice.

It totally depends on your price range and what you like to do? It's sorta corny, but Seattle Magazine is notorious for its lists of "100 best [resturants/ yoga studios/ dentists/ concert venues/ outdoor adventures/ places to watch the sunset etc etc]" about the city, and I think if you go to their website they've probably got an archive of all the lists of anything seattle-related you could want for a specific interest.

Of course, if you are weirdly into corporate history, there is always the original starbucks, flagship REI store, OR gear development ctr, etc.

If you have kiddlets the Pacific Science Center is fun and has animatronic dinosaurs.

Yeah that was longer than I intended. I miss Seattle

[booner]

My wife is from Lopez Island in the San Juans. It's one of the most amazing places I've ever been..and I've been all over the world. Go there. Watmough Bay is a public beach on the South end (it's on "the map") and it's unreal. Don't forget to wave.

Edit..If you like baseball, Safeco is one of the best stadiums to see a game.

[Toofus]

No matter what, fall is a beautiful time to visit the PNW. Add in the great forecast for next weekend and you can't really go wrong.

[schuss]

Into doing exploratory things, thinking of staying at the belltown inn (http://www.belltown-inn.com/) then walking around, finding fun things to do. Showbox sounds good, looks like mason jennings is playing. No kids, late 20's male and the voices inside his head only.

[FJ62]

jesski has some great advice. Get a car if you can... it'll open up your potential for exploring in a big way. If you've never seen it, I'd add a trip to Rainier to your agenda. Lot of fun to just get out there and do a hike or two up the mountain.

Lodging wise, I just tell folks visiting to try to Priceline bid on a downtown 5-star hotel. Usually can get a nice, clean room for under 100 bucks. Seattle's downtown area is pretty small, too.. you can walk or hop on a bus wherever you want once you're settled.

EMP is sort of cool... worth visiting once if you're into music or sci-fi (there's now a sci-fi museum, too). Skip the Space Needle, you can get an equally good view for free just by driving up Queen Anne hill.

Aquarium is great. Seattle Art Museum is good, too. Def. hit Pike Market (it'll be a shitshow but you have to do it... good people watching). Check the Stranger on Wednesday night (when they update the site) and you'll see all the concert/club listings for Seattle... the Mason Jennings show should be pretty good, though. The Showbox is big but a nice venue.

Bar-hopping in Fremont or Ballard should be on your list. In Ballard, you can see a lot of great music as well as get shitfaced (check out the sites for the Tractor Tavern and the Sunset to see who is playing).

There's a good sea kayak rental place on Westlake towards Fremont (on Lake Union). Would be a fun way to kill an hour or two ... exploring all the house boats and watching the sea planes go by.

A trip to the San Juans will pretty much consume most of your weekend. It's a couple of hours to the ferry plus the actual ferry ride itself. The San Juans are best when you can totally relax... I'd skip it if you're going to be rushing it. There are places you can visit that are almost as nice (or nicer) and closer. Take a drive along Chuckanut Drive, between Mt Vernon and Bellingham if you want to explore the coastline a bit.

[The AD]

Best outdoor pool- Coleman park in West Seattle. Though it might be closed by now for the cold weather?

Yes, closed now.

Oktoberfest should be soon, there's usually a chainsaw pumpkin-carving thing in freemont.

It was this past weekend.

This is also a good time of year to go climb Mt. Si. Along with half of Seattle.

If hiking is a possibility there are much better hikes than Mt Si. This is a great time of year for hiking with the fall color starting to show.

[PNWbrit]

Asian Fusion- Wild Ginger is good and locally-owned.

One of the most over rated, over priced, tourist traps in the city.

[Platinum Pete]

- Stay at the Ace Hotel
- Drink lots of local beer and just hang mellow
- Drink beer on the ferries and enjoy the views
- Make plans to visit the Sn Juans another time when you can stay and relax for a couple days at least

[KQ]

Pike's place.

[hot button issue for Seattle native]

IT'S PIKE PLACE MARKET.

There is no "'s"

Thank you.

[/end hot button issue]

[Yonder_River]

If hiking is a possibility there are much better hikes than Mt Si. This is a great time of year for hiking with the fall color starting to show.

I'd recommend either Lake Serene up Hwy 2 or Kendall Katwalk up I90, both about an hour away. Check out Snoqualmie or Franklin Falls if you head up I-90, kind of tourist but worth the extra ten minutes.

Well, lots of good stuff has been covered already.

Check out the new Paseo shack near Shilshoe in Ballard and bring the grub to eat on the beach just down the road at Golden Gardens. Best cuban-style sandwiches EVER. If it's toward the evening, bring some wood for a fire.

I'd recommend renting your sea kayaks out of Agua Verde in the U-district. Closer to the arboretum and Lake Washington where you'll see more fall colors. Great margs and mexican on their patio afterwards as well.

If you're into architecture, check out the downtown library. It's uh, interesting.

You should have some nice classic fall weather (72 and sunny) when your up here so enjoy.

[Tippster]

[hot button issue for Seattle native]

IT'S PIKE PLACE MARKET.

There is no "'s"

Thank you.

[/end hot button issue]

You can wear your spiked heels to buy Pikes at Pike Place Market, however.

[Blinkyjoe]

Hot button X2

"The freemont ghoul is a classic to see. "

Its Fremont, and it's a troll. :-)

[The AD]

And, yeah, Pike Place Market is a must see, IMO. Packed with tourists but genuinely interesting.

The Ride the Ducks tours are popular, but I've never done one so can't really comment. Taking the Bainbridge ferry as a foot passenger is a good, cheap way to get on the water and would be well worth it on a nice day.

[grrrr]

For out of towners, I'd suggest one day of Pike place/downtown and one day either in the mountains or on the water. But then again, one day every 6 months in seattle is enough for me.

The problem with the bainbridge ferry is...it goes to bainbridge. i'd way rather put the time in to get up butt-crack early and drive to anacortes for a day in the islands.

Ferry to FH or Orcas. Orcas needs a car, FH you can walk on or take a car. Both more scenic and more to do than Lopez. Orcas has Moran/Mt. Constitution. FH has American Camp/West side. FH has a town right at the ferry dock, so you can walk on/walk around/rent a bike/rent a moped. Plus you can go to the Duck Soup Inn for dinner. Time it right to get over to Lime Kiln Park for sunset.

If you go hiking, stay the heck away from Mt. Si or Mt. Pilchuck. Rainier or NoCa are both long day trips, but both blow away anything closer in.

[KQ]

One of my favorite Seattle tourist moments:

In perfect Chevy Chase "Vacation" style this man calls his kids to come join him on the edge of the Harbor Steps....gazing out to the west he puts his arms around them and says...."well kids, there it is...the PACIFIC OCEAN". LOL!!!

I wonder if he thought that island out there in "the ocean" was Japan.

[PNWbrit]

The Ride the Ducks tours are popular, but I've never done one so can't really comment.

On the subject of corny Seattle tourist traps The Underground Tour is always enjoyed by the never fucking ending stream of visiitors we get from the olde country.

[KQ]

You can wear your spiked heels to buy Pikes at Pike Place Market, however.

Kilt Lifter!

[grrrr]

Kilt Lifter rocks! But it's best enjoyed on tap at the Tap Room...

[pbourdon]

Pike Brewing and Pike Place Market for sure. Go to the Wasabi Bistro for incredible and (semi)reasonably priced (well for great sushi anyway) sushi. http://www.wasabibistro.biz/ You won't be disappointed. How come the Seattle mags aren't showing any love for Redhook? Sure its in Woodenville, but if you're in Seattle you're not THAT far from Woodenville. Say hello to the Emerald city for me. I miss it.

[Yonder_River]

Pike Brewing and Pike Place Market for sure. Go to the Wasabi Bistro for incredible and (semi)reasonably priced (well for great sushi anyway) sushi. http://www.wasabibistro.biz/ You won't be disappointed. .

Or Umi for sushi..also in Belltown. Very creative rolls like Wasabi. I haven't been there for their late happy hour (starts at 11pm), but evidentally you can have your fill for not much $$.

Breakfast at Pesos' in lower Queen Anne is also worth it if you're in the area.

[schuss]

Pike Brewing and Pike Place Market for sure. Go to the Wasabi Bistro for incredible and (semi)reasonably priced (well for great sushi anyway) sushi. http://www.wasabibistro.biz/ You won't be disappointed. How come the Seattle mags aren't showing any love for Redhook? Sure its in Woodenville, but if you're in Seattle you're not THAT far from Woodenville. Say hello to the Emerald city for me. I miss it.

I have the other redhook brewery 10 minutes from my house in NH, so no excitement there. It's also a carbon copy of that one.

[FJ62]

If you're a beer drinker, check out Brouwers Cafe down in Fremont (mentioned before) or better yet Uber up on Aurora. Uber is great... ton of beers from around the world. I'm there quite a bit. There's also an unfortunately named place (but good) called the Kiss Cafe in Ballard that has 100 different bottles available at any one time. And the Maritime Brewery is in Ballard, too... I'm not crazy about their beers but they have a good food menu.

One of the advantages of heading north (to see Bellingham, Baker, the coast, etc) would be getting to stop at the Skagit River Brewpub or Boundary Bay. Both make beers I like a bit better than the ones made locally.

[KQ]

How come the Seattle mags aren't showing any love for Redhook?

Because Red Hook was bought out by the big evil commercial brewery and now their beer isn't worth pissing (IMHO)

If you're going to be heading out to the east side and you want some REAL beer stop at Mac & Jacks and pick up a growler.