goblueS2K

Sue and I are planning to visit the Seattle and Vancouver (Canada) area for a week starting Sept. 2nd. (We are flying; going via S2000 would be fun, but would take too much time enroute).

We've never visited Seattle before. We plan to consult at a few travel guides before we leave, but is there anything particularly noteworthy we should see in the area?

Defender

Go on the underground tour, visit the market, consider a trip to Victoria and Vancouver.

paS2K

There is so much to see in the area....one week will only give you an introductory glimpse.

Have breakfast at the top of Space Needle; not much more than the fee to visit the observ deck alone

See the new Art Museum; walk around Pioneer Square; tour the Pikes Place Market (watch fish being thrown across the aisles)

Ask about the Giant Troll....any local will tell you where to find him

If you're willing to take a second week (recommended): Take the early am ferry to Bainbridge Island; then drive to Olympic National Park (Hurricane Ridge, wild beaches, Hoh Rain Forest, Lake Quinault) and return via Olympia (the capital city). It's one of the few places in the US with beach/ rainforest/ high mtns....all within miles of each other.

In a second week, you could also take the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria in British Columbia, Canada- a neat city- worth an overnite or two. Buchart Gardens are famous world-wide....

lig

Come to our weekly S2000 club meeting - Taco Tuesdays.

Every Tuesday - all you can eat tacos for four bucks, a bunch of cool S2000s and some wacky owners.

Details here:

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=97382

You have some great suggestions already. If you have particular areas of interest - post on the PacNW board. Fishing to auto-x to hiking to food to wine and seafood. No end to what you can see, do and experience here.

mikegarrison

The NEW art museum is being built! The one you are probably talking about is a good decade old. But you can see art museums anywhere. What might be more unusual would be to visit some of the Asian art museums in the city.

The troll is under the Aurora Bridge, in Freemont. One of the things that defines Seattle is the many neighborhoods. Freemont is perhaps a little over the top about being the "artsy" neighborhood, but if you like that sort of thing....

The Pike Place Market is both a tourist trap and a working farmer's market. It's definitely a beloved institution, although it was nearly torn down in the 70s in a fit of "renovation".

Actually, the west side of the Olympics is the only rain forest in the continental US, period. It gets more than 200 inches of rain per year.

The Zoo is one of the best in the US.

You can get around in the city on busses, but if you plan to go anywhere else you need to rent a car.

If you have a day for a side trip, I recommend visiting Mount Rainier National Park. If you really like mountains, though, try to also get up into the North Cascades.

The waterfront is more a working port than a tourist destination, but there are tourist shops and an aquarium and the like.

mikegarrison

It's funny, I don't think of wine as a tourist attraction, but of course it is. Most of the Seattle area wineries are located in Woodinville. But the grapes are grown over on the east side of the mountains. Vinyard and winery visits can be a lot of fun. And many of them are either free or (increasingly common) charge only a nominal fee.

Smokee

Get thee down to Northwest Outdoor Center, rent a double kayak, and paddle lazily around Lake Union for a couple hours. Paddle up beside the numerous houseboats and look in their windows to see what the occupants are up to. Race the float planes taking off and landing. See if you can get invited aboard a yacht party. When you're done, visit the Center for Wooden Boats. Then head down to the Howard Chittenden locks. All things that make Seattle, Seattle in my mind.

Mt Rainier is one big mother. Head up to Paradise. Walk about a hundred yards up any incline and wonder why you're out of breath. I've heard the Sunday brunch there is good, I've never been.

Laze around Whidbey Island for a day. You don't have to wait for a ferry if you enter from the north of the island and you get to see Deception Pass. Riding the ferry is fun unless you have to wait through a couple of loadings, which is always possible in the summer.

If it's sunny and you think this is Paradise, it is. However, houses cost too much and you would need to come back around February to experience the other Seattle.

paS2K

We spent a couple days on Whidbey Island a few years ago...an appealing blend of ret'd naval and leftover hippies I'm not sure it's a destination for a 1 week trip, however....Bainbridge Island could give you a little 'island' in a half day visit

The tip about Lake Union is good.....it was one of my dtr's favorite places when she lived there for 5 yrs....

goblueS2K

Thank you for all the neat suggestions! Sounds like one week won't be enough.
Tacos Tuesday sounds like fun. How far is Redmond from Seattle?

Matt_in_VA

Dennis and Sue,

All good suggestions already. If you have not picked a hotel the remodeled Historic Pioneer Square Hotel is a good bet. It is at Pioneer Square and very walkable to most things down town like watching them throw fish at Pikes Market. The Space Needle is cool if you are lucky enough for a clear day. One piece of trivia about the Space Needle. It's center of gravity is only two feet above ground level.

The high speed ferry to Victoria is a good way to get there. Then a bus and ferry to Vancouver if you have the time.

Another interesting tour is the Boeing plant at Everett where 747's, 767's and 777 are made. It is the worlds largest building.

Have a great trip, and remember we expect pictures from YOU!