topic Vacation advice for Seattle area in Community Chat

Vacation advice for Seattle area

LovingLife2 — Wed, 04 May 2016 18:42:00 GMT

Hello!

My husband is going to a conference in Seattle the end of June and I am tagging along to spend a few days afterwards to view the sights. First I am curious what to pack-what should we expect for weather at that time? Also, what attractions, restaurants should we be sure to see since it is our first time there? We have 3 and a half days and that is all-but we also have a few evenings available so I want to plan a fun trip.

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

Peaches McPhee — Wed, 04 May 2016 18:48:59 GMT

Definitely do "Seattle Underground Tour" and Pike's Market.

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

traveler — Wed, 04 May 2016 18:57:13 GMT

Find out when events are held. We were there in June 2014 and marathon had streets blocked or detoured. It was a mess.

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

LovingLife2 — Wed, 04 May 2016 19:44:08 GMT

Great advice-thanks! Any geat restaurants or eating places?

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

Andreatoo — Wed, 04 May 2016 19:49:26 GMT

@LovingLife2 wrote:
Great advice-thanks! Any geat restaurants or eating places?

@LovingLife2

There's a great seafood restaurant that my sister took us to when we were there and it's pretty famous. Ivar's Salmon House. Just look at their menu and I promise you'll be drooling!

If you have the time I recommend driving up to Vancouver, BC.

To be honest it was my favorite part of the Seattle trip!

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

catmama — Wed, 04 May 2016 19:51:33 GMT

Words of warning! There is an unbelievable amount of construction going on in this city so getting around can be difficult. And the number of homeless is depressing. If you are staying downtown, a trip to Pike Market is a must see, but go in the am because if the cruise ships are in town, the place is jam packed. Chihuly Glass Museum at Seattle Center is incredible and even though it's expensive, take a ride to the top of the Space Needle - a nice day the view is incredible. Baseball at Safeco Field is fun and the Mariners are winning right now (no guarantee that will keep happening). Seattle is a hard town to walk in because it is hilly but the neighborhoods are fun to explore and the downtown bus system isn't too bad. Weather can be cool in June, rainy too of course, but we've had a beautiful spring so who knows. Have a great time -

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

GingerPeach — Wed, 04 May 2016 20:17:09 GMT

If you have time, @LovingLife2, you may even want to take a ferry to Victoria to see the Butchart Gardens. The ferry ride itself is fun, if you like to be around the water and boats.

Another ferry idea is to go to one of the San Juan Islands or just take a tour around the harbor area.

Be sure to bring your passport if you go to Victoria. I didn't and they let me back in to the US but it was a little awkward and uncomfortable.

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

IMissSuperPoke — Wed, 04 May 2016 21:52:37 GMT

The Crab Pot, it's on one of the piers, has a dish that is often shared where they bring out butchers paper then give you mallets. The waiter comes out with a bowl of shelled crab, lobster, and corn on the cob and dumps it in the center of the table. My husband and brother in law shared one and they enjoyed eating it.

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

hummermom — Thu, 05 May 2016 02:06:05 GMT

I'm from Seattle, so here's my advice: Good suggestions for the Underground Tour in Pioneer Square and the Pike Place Market. I would also go to the observation deck of the Space Needle.

Not sure how much time you have or your interests (and access to a car), but the Snoqualmie Falls (about 50 miles east of Seattle) is pretty cool.

The restaurants can be expensive, but one recommendation is Tom Douglas's restaurants. He has four or five of them in downtown Seattle; some are formal dining spots and some are more casual (bakery and pizza). Lola's has a great breakfast, and his Coconut Cream Pie is to die for!

I would definitely check with your hotel; I'm sure they can assist you with recommendations

The weather in late June is usually 70's with low humidity--sometimes partly cloudy and sometimes sunny. I would pack a lightweight raincoat and a sweater for the evenings.

Enjoy the city!

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

HangingTen — Thu, 05 May 2016 02:55:24 GMT

The Underground Tour is worth your time. I took a food tour at Pikes Market so you may search the internet for one of those - what is the 1st Starbucks really isn't. Both of those gave a bit of local history. If you enjoy shopping, I found Uwajimaya (Asian market) pretty interesting and don't forget a stop at the first Nordstroms. I found the underground metro system very easy to navigate but there was still a bit of walking.

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

poppinfresh — Thu, 05 May 2016 02:58:43 GMT

I don't know where you are coming from, but Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, China Town, The waterfront and there are many top notch restaraunts and brewerys to chose from. The weather is a big "if" so bring a light coat and umbrella just in case...we are known for our rain, but the weather should be great. I hope you enjoy our city!!!!

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

granddi — Thu, 05 May 2016 03:04:09 GMT

@GingerPeach wrote:
If you have time, @LovingLife2, you may even want to take a ferry to Victoria to see the Butchart Gardens. The ferry ride itself is fun, if you like to be around the water and boats.
Another ferry idea is to go to one of the San Juan Islands or just take a tour around the harbor area.
Be sure to bring your passport if you go to Victoria. I didn't and they let me back in to the US but it was a little awkward and uncomfortable.

Or take a sea plane..........loved it

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

islandgrrl — Thu, 05 May 2016 03:08:28 GMT

@hummermom wrote:
I'm from Seattle, so here's my advice: Good suggestions for the Underground Tour in Pioneer Square and the Pike Place Market. I would also go to the observation deck of the Space Needle.

Not sure how much time you have or your interests (and access to a car), but the Snoqualmie Falls (about 50 miles east of Seattle) is pretty cool.

The restaurants can be expensive, but one recommendation is Tom Douglas's restaurants. He has four or five of them in downtown Seattle; some are formal dining spots and some are more casual (bakery and pizza). Lola's has a great breakfast, and his Coconut Cream Pie is to die for!

I would definitely check with your hotel; I'm sure they can assist you with recommendations

The weather in late June is usually 70's with low humidity--sometimes partly cloudy and sometimes sunny. I would pack a lightweight raincoat and a sweater for the evenings.

Enjoy the city!

I am frequently in Seattle -- one of my favorite cities on the planet. hummermom has great suggestions here. Lola is a wonderful restaurant as is another Tom Douglas spot called Dahlia Lounge. They are not cheap but worth it. If you are staying downtown, I would walk on a ferry to Bainbridge Island so you can have the experience of crossing the Sound. If you are a walker, you can easily walk to the little shops on Bainbridge and pick up fun things.

Enjoy it. I agree that homelessness has exploded in an odd way, though the City seems to be making it a high priority. Despite that situation, I never feel 'unsafe' in Seattle. Such nice people. (can you tell I like it there?)

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

DiAnne — Thu, 05 May 2016 05:38:06 GMT

@LovingLife2

Where are you visiting from? That would help me make suggestions.

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

LovingLife2 — Thu, 05 May 2016 15:18:47 GMT

We are coming from Wisconsin. These have been great ideas! Thanks to everyone!

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

CatsyCline — Thu, 05 May 2016 16:36:30 GMT

i went to the Seattle area a few years ago. beautiful country and the mountain ranges! just breathtaking! it was August and i froze in my lightweight summer clothes. went to Butchart Gardens . so cold i had to buy a fleece hoodie! we traveled to Victoria via Vancouver BC ferries at Tsewassen . you take the i-5 and go through customs into Canada which cantake a while. in WA state, Anacortes has a ferry system too . at the time the car ferries were all booked. Have a wonderful time, you will fall in love with the beauty of the Seattle area!

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

DiAnne — Thu, 05 May 2016 17:22:17 GMT

@LovingLife2 wrote:
We are coming from Wisconsin. These have been great ideas! Thanks to everyone!

The Pike Place Market is a must but be prepared it will be crowded. If it is a nice day have lunch on top of the Space Needle. They charge you just to go up elevator but with lunch it is free. The Dale Chihuly exhibit is also at the Seattle Center. Especially beautiful in the evening. Dinner on Alki beach at Salty's is on my tourist agenda. Beautiful night view back to Seattle. Wild Ginger is one of my favorite restaurants (Pan Asian). Another really good restaurant is Ponti's Seafood Grill (on the ship canal). Hiriam Chittenden Locks are also interesting. It is where the boats go from fresh water to salt water. There is a fish ladder there also. Crab Pot on the waterfront it a fun place for lunch. There is so much more to see but it looks like you have had plenty of suggestions. Have fun!

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

nyc1 — Thu, 05 May 2016 17:36:09 GMT

The first Starbucks is right across the street from Pike's Market. We also did the wineries just outside of Seattle. As others have said, the Underground is facinating.

Have fun.

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

LovingLife2 — Thu, 05 May 2016 23:58:16 GMT

Great Ideas! Thank-you!

Re: Vacation advice for Seattle area

jaxs mom — Fri, 06 May 2016 00:14:07 GMT

The Seattle Aquarium is nice and it's close to the Pike market. Oh and if you need to pick up any snacks, the PCC is my favorite market in Seattle.