Trip to Seattle

[farrijc]

DH and I are planning a long weekend away. We are looking at Seattle, and I would love any and all suggestions... What to do, where to stay, good restaurants, etc. Neither of us has been. We are thinking April or May, but leaning towards May so we can go whale watching. Thanks for any advice!

[Nettio]

I haven't been so I'm sure others will have awesome advice for you but there's a great post here with a ton of suggestions: https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/forum/showpost.php?p=780207&postcount=3

[julia]

Oh, how fun! I would looove to go to Seattle! :) No tips or advice or anything though, sorry, never been closer to Seattle than Oregon!

[pewtertm]

We absolutely loved whale watching. We rented a car and drove to Anacortes and hopped on one of the Washington State Ferries (left the car and walked on). We got off the ferry at Friday Harbor and used the island's buses to get around. We sat on the rocks near the lighthouse at Lime Kiln State Park and watched a pod of orca (ranger said there were about 80 out there) for at least an hour...they were so close to the shore...it was an amazing experience!

We've also driven over to the Olympic Peninsula...we stayed in Port Angeles and took the ferry over to Victoria, BC. VERY choppy ride, but the Victoria and Vancouver Island are absolutely beautiful...would LOVE to go back some day!

[DawnMarch]

We were there briefly last summer and had a great time. We stayed at the Marriott right on the Waterfront. It's across the street from a bunch of really good (mostly seafood) restaurants and the Seattle Aquarium, and you can catch a free bus right outside that will take you to some of the tourist spots. It's also only about 3 blocks from Pike Street Market (a must see). We also went to Pioneer Square and went on the tour of underground Seattle, which is really fun and interesting (a lot of Seattle is built on top of the original city).

[xboxmom]

heheh you are gonna love our city!!! :D May is probably better than April rain wise. And there is so much to do here! I have a huge list so be prepared...

DOWNTOWN SEATTLE: Theo Epstein's Chocolate Factory, Gas works Park, Seattle Public Library, Seattle Underground (super fun tour), Smith Tower, Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market (don't forget to see them toss a fish), Seattle's Children Museum, EMP, Pacific Science Center, Sci Fi Museum, Woodland Park Zoo, West Seattle Ferry, Ballard Locks (awesome during salmon spawning), Museum of Flight, The Space Needle (about $16 a person to go up a must do a least once in your life), Sporting events Mariners, Sounder and Sea Hawks.

EASTERN WASH.: Deception Falls, Lake Wenatche, Leavenworth (little german village quite fun during the winter months especially when we dont see snow in Seattle), Snoqualmie Falls and the Reptile Zoo.

Whidbey Island: Deception Pass, Fort Case, Fort Ebey, Double Bluff Beach and the Ferry ride back.

CANADA: Vancouver, Queen Elizabeth Park, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Grouse Mt., Victoria, Butchart Gardens and Parliament.

South of Seattle: Mount St. Helens, and Puyallup Fair.

North of Seattle: Tulalip Casino, Seattle Outlet Mall, Olympic national Park, Port Townsend, Forks

Also some things I have not done yet: Riding the Ducks, Bank of America Tower, Mt. Rainer, Washington Park Arboretum and Discovery Park. Orca Island to see the whales, actually we haven't really done any of the San Juan Islands.

[ryliesmom]

No advice since I haven't been since I was 14 and that was a long time ago but you will love it! I still have such fond memories even though I was young. I really want to go back some day.

[dgreenshield]

Dont forget the gum wall under the market...its gross but you can say you have been there! Ghost tours gives a great historical walk of the market. Ballard is a fun area to explore, check out the fremont market. You can also drive out to Snoqualmie Falls, east of Seattle, for a nice hike if the trail is open. The inn at the falls is amazing!

If you go in April, you may be able to check out the tulip festival in Skagit Valley...I grew up there and just seeing the fields and fields of tulips and daffodils makes me smile!

[nun69]

The tulip festival is beautiful and last year they were still in bloom in May...it is literally about 5 miles from my house where the festival is :)
http://www.tulipfestival.org/

I also 2nd the Museum of Fligth, the Space Needle and Pikes Place Market {and yes don't miss them "throwing" the fish}

[xboxmom]

Oh yeah and I forgot the Troll under the bridge in Fremont! :D Check him out he is wicked cool!

https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/data/567/Cal2012-web.jpg
(https://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=206110&title=front-cover&cat=500)