marty_mo

Hello ~ I will be traveling to Seattle next year. Any suggestions on places to stay in the downtown area?? Any places that is a must see or do? I hear that Snoqualmie Falls is a must see. I will spend 4 days in Seattle before leaving on a cruise. Super excited, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

willferg

Well, the Space Needle, of course! And Pike's Market, plus walking along the waterfront by the ferry terminals. I believe there's a quilt shop downtown as well...

sassey

They have tours that takes you to their old underground city very interesting if you are up to walking and can do a few stairs

barking-rabbit

Will you be renting a car? Snoqualmie Falls is about a half hour drive with a near by casino.

coopah

You might want to check out the bus system. We were shocked at car rental for 10 days and around $500 and the TAX was ANOTHER $250. So be careful with that. There's lots to do. Snoqualmie is terrific, but usually more than 1/2 hour to get there. Unless you go late at night. LOL Seriously, there's lots to do in downtown Seattle, as others have said. There's an art museum, spend 1/2 day at Pike's Place (be sure to see the guys at the fish market there), and YES! do the underground tour. You might want to take a Greyline Bus Tour of the city. There's a Duck Tour, too, or Argosy Tours of the bay. Check out Ballard Locks where the salmon go up the fish ladder. If you go to the Needle, you can eat there (takes an hour, but you get to see all 360 degrees as you eat). Check the price of just going up in the elevator...versus going up and eating and then decide. you'll need reservations to eat there. The Pacific Science Center (where the Needle is) has different displays. Then there's Pioneer Square. If you can afford anything that's at Benaroya Hall (oh, my! The sound there is incredible). There's a bubble gum alley that tourists seem to like, and the waterfront has some kitschy shops. For good fish, try Chinook's at Fisherman's Pier/Wharf. No matter where you eat in Seattle area...you won't be disappointed. Take your passport and take an express ferry to Victoria, BC and have high tea at the Empress Hotel. Some very nice quilt shops in the area and quilt book publishers. Oh, so many choices. The problem is how to choose! Enjoy your trip.

ladydukes

A must-do is go wine tasting! WA State has fantastic wines!! In our area, there's probably 150

manygifts

When you go to the Space Needle (truly a must - try for a clear day but go no matter what!) also visit the Chihuly exhibit right at the bottom of the Space Needle. A feast for the eyes and spirit - really beautiful! If you buy both of those tickets together, it is 5 dollars less than buying them separately. The quilt shop mentioned in an earlier post is in the same block as Pike Street market, small but interesting. Start with the Space Needle for an overview of the two mountain ranges - Cascades with Mt. Rainier to the south, Mt. Baker to the north, Olympics to the west, with the sunsets. The Seattle Art Museum is only a block from the Pike Street Market, check to see what shows are going on at the time. There is great theater at the Paramount, and other places. Seattle Center for the Pacific Science Center, Experience Music Project, and both right under the Needle. Google all of these to organize your itinerary so you don't waste time when you are here! See it all! Lots of great restaurants on the waterfront, and around town too! Enjoy!

Carol Wilson

We traveled all the way from Australia to see the Boeing Factory in Seattle (after a tour of your magnificent National Parks and Canyons), well worth the visit especially as it was the day after 9/11.

ladyinpurple135

Our son lives in Kirkland (birthplace of Costco) and he and I have done quite a few of the things on your list. The duck tour is a hoot (or should it say a quack!!) - land and lake - the houseboats are really neat to see. We did the underground tour when he first moved up there - absolutely fascinating - I bought a couple of books on Seattle history - what an amazing history. The EMP museum is one of my favorite places - been there several times. Went up the Needle but too cheap,to,eat there! You can see everything. Did the museums in that area - even my son had a good time in the butterfly garden area - butterflies seems to really like him. Personally I am fascinated with downtown Seattle - people shop there like they did years ago in any downtown. And I have seen the "flying fish" at Pike Place - made my son wait a bit while I finally got a good view. The market itself is great! You can purchase just about anything there. And we went to the original Starbucks just across the street from the market - say hello to the 1970s again - and a really busy place. Lots of really good places to eat downtown and within a budget - we are not fancy-eating people. We always take the bus from Kirkland - it's easy, inexpensive and you don't have to find and then spring for a parking space. He always uses it and the light rail when going to and from the airport. Can you tell how much I like the area??? And there is a quilt shop right downtown plus others in surrounding towns. I'm not a drinker but I hear the wine is very good so you might like to give that a try, too. We're going up for Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks - hope I don't bring snow like I did a few years ago!!

Sandy in Mooresville, NC

madamekelly

I just have a few small ideas to add.....The Seattle public bus system can even help you plan a tour by bus of Seattle. This is a nice idea when the best things to see are on very steep hills. Carry a complimentary bus map with you as you move around, then you can grab a bus for the worst hills.
1. Set up a place online to send your photos to before you go, so too many pictures can't happen.
2. Remember, this is Seattle, coffee or espresso is everywhere! Enjoy!
3. Seattle is great for people watching, sit somewhere and just be amused by the sights.
Have a great time!