What to do in Seattle?
 

Any advice? Must sees?

We'll be heading into the area on Friday, probably departing on Monday morn. Have an event on Saturday night, but otherwise open. On the list so far are:

Ballard Locks

Space Needle

Pike Place Market

Pioneer Square, including Klondike Museum and underground tour

Perhaps strolling to the train stations

What else would be good? For that matter, we'll be coming from central CA via I-5, anything good to see on the way? Or another route back?

Feel free to add some ideas.

MV

Starbucks!

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that one. It's big on the girlfriends list. Luckily it's pretty much in the heart of the area we'll be walking about in. There's a somewhat famous bookstore also, but you can't really let the two of us loose in a bookstore...

MV

Take the ferry to the islands and Bremerton. Start early in the morning prepared for a whole day and bring your camera. Some of the most beautiful land and seascapes I've ever seen.

B

Is that Powell's Bookstore you're talking about?

Starbuck's? Why?All you have to do is walk out your front door in the morning and throw a rock in any direction and you'll most likely hit one of those.

I don't have my notes here in front of me, but I think it was something with an "E". Maybe Elliots? Elicotts? Something with an "E"... I'm pretty sure.

Yeah, the original Starbucks isn't a big draw to me, but since it's there...

The train stations are for me, I doubt anyone else will pay them much mind.

Has anyone done the underground tour? It looks neat. You can read about it here:

http://www.undergroundtour.com/

MV

You could always visit the "Evil Empire." Isn't Microsoft's HQ near there?

The aquarium is cool. The salmon also run through the building to get to a creek. There is also a corvette war ship on something island any way it is the first stop on the ferry going north.

Ok, it was The Elliott Bay Book Company that I was thinking of. I knew it started with an "E".

The locks we were going to visit have a fish stairway, but we'll be there well after the salmon run, but maybe we'll get to see one or two.

I've heard good things about ferrys, but I'm used to the idea of a ferry as a commuter-type vessel, not something for recreation. It seems there are many ferry routes, any ideas which are best for seeing the sights?

I think the original R.E.I. store is on our list, but that one will be primarily for my girlfriend, no need to drag my parents along.

We're also looking at alternate routes back home, maybe over and through Salt Lake, but we're not sure why, just for the road trip. Crater Lake could be arrange on the way home, but I'm not sure what else is around it.

Maybe we'll just book it to Sacramento, we love that town!

Feel free to add any ideas, anyone know any good places to eat?

MV

Elliot Bay Book Co. is pretty nice.

At Pike's, get some smoked salmon bellies at Seattle Flying Fish, then get a baguette about a block away at Le Panier for a very nice snack.

Steak at the Metropolitan Grill is great, but so is their "signature" martini, which replaces the vermouth with 18yr scotch. Very smoky flavor.

The Ikon Grill is usually very good for upscale comfort food.

There is "real" bar-b-que" in Bellvue at "Dixies" It looks like a dump, being a former auto repair shop, but it's the real deal. For a challenge, ask to meet "The Man." I took two hits from the toothpick and said aloha to my taste buds for about 40 minutes. :D

Boeing Tour in Everett, north of Seattle
Museum of Flight, south of Seattle
Experience Music Museum in Seattle
I've not been to the Sci-Fi Museum, so can't say if it's worth it.

How is the Boeing tour? My mom seems to be quite interested, and my parents have more limited time than my girlfriend and I, they're flying, we're driving.

MV

You will hit 2, one on the ricochet.

I have heard it is good but you have to make a reservaion by phone. Do that ahead of time or you might not get in

Other than a rather nice lake and countryside, Everett is just a working class town along I-5

http://www.futureofflight.org/planavisit.html#BoeingTourInformation