Seattle recommendations?
- Thread starter russwm
- Start date
Seattle Husker
10,000+ Posts
I have a little experience with Seattle as does Macanudo and a few others on the board. What type of food do you like? Hint: I wouldn't come here for Mexican or BBQ. Seattle is known for Pan Asian and Seafood. Wild Ginger is an excellent choice for Pan Asian.
Places to see? You have to hit Pike Place Market to see the fish market. That's where they are throwing the fish. I'd recommend Experience Music Project too. The rest depends on your interests.
Places to see? You have to hit Pike Place Market to see the fish market. That's where they are throwing the fish. I'd recommend Experience Music Project too. The rest depends on your interests.
Thanks for the help SH. I guess you would know something about Seattle.
Fortunately, we get enough Mexican food in Midland. I am really interested in seafood restaurants. I don't really care about the price range. Living in West Texas it will be a treat to eat some good, fresh seafood.
I have added Wild Ginger and Experience Music Project to the list.
Fortunately, we get enough Mexican food in Midland. I am really interested in seafood restaurants. I don't really care about the price range. Living in West Texas it will be a treat to eat some good, fresh seafood.
I have added Wild Ginger and Experience Music Project to the list.
Where are you going to stay and how old are your kids?
Things I'd do:
1. Museum of Flight. About 20 minutes south of town at Boeing Field. Very cool aircraft and flight displays. Definitely geared toward "older" kids (6-7+.)
2. Ferry ride from the downtown pier over to Bainbridge Island if the weather cooperates. The view of downtown is spectacular. It's about 35 minutes each way. Pack some snacks or get off on the Bainbridge side and browse around Winslow. You don't have to take a car unless you want to explore the island or hop over to the Kitsap Peninsula and head south to Bremerton (there's a museum at the Navy base) or north to Port Townsend and up to Olympic National Park.
3. Pike Place Market. Yeah, it's a tourist trap. But it's fun to wander for a bit, see them toss the fish and then grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants that are within walking distance.
4. Kids might enjoy seeing the Crittenden Locks. This connect the Sound with Lakes Union and Washington.
5. Seattle Center. The big things to do here are go up in the Space Needle and visit the Experience Music Project. I have not been to the EMP and, IMO, the Space Needle is a rip off UNLESS Rainier and/or the Olympics are visible.
If you care to share where are you going to stay (vicinity) and how old are your kids, there are some other things that can be recommended.
Things I'd do:
1. Museum of Flight. About 20 minutes south of town at Boeing Field. Very cool aircraft and flight displays. Definitely geared toward "older" kids (6-7+.)
2. Ferry ride from the downtown pier over to Bainbridge Island if the weather cooperates. The view of downtown is spectacular. It's about 35 minutes each way. Pack some snacks or get off on the Bainbridge side and browse around Winslow. You don't have to take a car unless you want to explore the island or hop over to the Kitsap Peninsula and head south to Bremerton (there's a museum at the Navy base) or north to Port Townsend and up to Olympic National Park.
3. Pike Place Market. Yeah, it's a tourist trap. But it's fun to wander for a bit, see them toss the fish and then grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants that are within walking distance.
4. Kids might enjoy seeing the Crittenden Locks. This connect the Sound with Lakes Union and Washington.
5. Seattle Center. The big things to do here are go up in the Space Needle and visit the Experience Music Project. I have not been to the EMP and, IMO, the Space Needle is a rip off UNLESS Rainier and/or the Olympics are visible.
If you care to share where are you going to stay (vicinity) and how old are your kids, there are some other things that can be recommended.
Seattle Husker
10,000+ Posts
I'd agree with Macanudo that the Space Needle is a ripoff. You have to pay $$$ just to take an elevator to the observation deck. Definately do not eat there either.
I second the locks suggestion by Mac. That was one thing that I enjoyed when I came here in '89. With any luck the fish will be running up the fish ladders or you'll catch a seal in the harbor.
Seafood restaurants: If you're at the Pike Place Market eat at Etta's. It's owned by Tom Douglas and is pretty good lighter fare. Dougles is Seattle's most famous chef. If you really want to try his great stuff get some reservations at the Dalia Lounge. Palisades in Magnolia is another darn good seafood restaurant.
The traditional tourist place for seafood is Salty's on Alki beach in West Seattle. The food is OK, service is good but the view is why you eat there. West Seattle looks across the bay at downtown. You can watch the ferries go by as you eat. Try the clam chowder with the Sherry.
I second the locks suggestion by Mac. That was one thing that I enjoyed when I came here in '89. With any luck the fish will be running up the fish ladders or you'll catch a seal in the harbor.
Seafood restaurants: If you're at the Pike Place Market eat at Etta's. It's owned by Tom Douglas and is pretty good lighter fare. Dougles is Seattle's most famous chef. If you really want to try his great stuff get some reservations at the Dalia Lounge. Palisades in Magnolia is another darn good seafood restaurant.
The traditional tourist place for seafood is Salty's on Alki beach in West Seattle. The food is OK, service is good but the view is why you eat there. West Seattle looks across the bay at downtown. You can watch the ferries go by as you eat. Try the clam chowder with the Sherry.
Thanks for the great suggestions.
My son is 15. I don't have a hotel yet, but the plan is to stay somewhere in or near the downtown area. I haven't chosen one yet, but fortunately there is still a lot available. I am looking for something in the $150 or below range. Any suggestions would be welcome.
A couple of the hotels I have been looking at are the Hotel Andra, the Silver Cloud Inn and the Mediterranean Inn.
With regard to restaurants, what are your thoughts on Ray's Boathouse?
My son is 15. I don't have a hotel yet, but the plan is to stay somewhere in or near the downtown area. I haven't chosen one yet, but fortunately there is still a lot available. I am looking for something in the $150 or below range. Any suggestions would be welcome.
A couple of the hotels I have been looking at are the Hotel Andra, the Silver Cloud Inn and the Mediterranean Inn.
With regard to restaurants, what are your thoughts on Ray's Boathouse?
Basketball Jones
500+ Posts
I actually kind of liked the Space Needle, even if it is expensive just to go up.
Go over to the bridge at Deception Pas (Google it). The views are amazing.
If you have time, drive out to Mt. Rainier
Go over to the bridge at Deception Pas (Google it). The views are amazing.
If you have time, drive out to Mt. Rainier
steve perry
100+ Posts
Wife and i are flying out to Seattle and staying at the Red Lion Bellvue. Priceline hotel rooms for 57.00 per night which i thought was a great deal. Also got a heck of deal on rental car and we will be driving to Vancouver at least for a day. We are just going there for fun so any suggestions on what to do are extremely appreciated.
Russ always do priceline when booking hotels. Its the cheapest way to get awesome hotel rates. if you don't know what to bid check out sites like biddingfortravel.com. People posted winning bids and where they were accepted on that site. I got a hotel room for 57.00 and a Standard size Ford focus rental car for $20.00 per day. Deals are just awesome.
Russ, the Andra is an exceptional hotel. It's a few blocks north of the main downtown attractions but not too far from Key Center (the Space Needle and Experience Music.) If it fits your price range, I highly recommend it. It was recently renovated and is great shape. There's a decent restaurant on site and a nice bakery right across the street. Don't know about the Silver Cloud downtown but my wife has stayed at two other local locations and it is a decent area chain.
UW has some home baseball games during Spring Break (not sure exactly when that is for y'all.) Their baseball stadium isn't fantastic but the UW campus is in a nice area and if you guys feels like seeing a college game check it out.
No personal trips to Rays but I've heard it's good. Other downtown places to eat:
Fox Sports Gril (1522 6th Avenue)l: Touristy but if you just want a burger while watching some sports, this is the place.
Taphouse Grill (1506 6th Avenue): Awesome selection of beer, pretty good food.
Dahlia Lounge (2001 4th Avenue): Seattle Husker covered Tom Douglass. The man knows what he's doing.
Etta's Seafood (2020 Western Avenue): See Dahlia Lounge.
Don't get me wrong on the Space Needle. If it's a clear day, it IS worth it. But if Russ is up here during a crappy, socked in, rainy week, the view could suck.
okusooner... Bellevue's not bad but it's a good 15-30 minutes from downtown Seattle.
UW has some home baseball games during Spring Break (not sure exactly when that is for y'all.) Their baseball stadium isn't fantastic but the UW campus is in a nice area and if you guys feels like seeing a college game check it out.
No personal trips to Rays but I've heard it's good. Other downtown places to eat:
Fox Sports Gril (1522 6th Avenue)l: Touristy but if you just want a burger while watching some sports, this is the place.
Taphouse Grill (1506 6th Avenue): Awesome selection of beer, pretty good food.
Dahlia Lounge (2001 4th Avenue): Seattle Husker covered Tom Douglass. The man knows what he's doing.
Etta's Seafood (2020 Western Avenue): See Dahlia Lounge.
Don't get me wrong on the Space Needle. If it's a clear day, it IS worth it. But if Russ is up here during a crappy, socked in, rainy week, the view could suck.
okusooner... Bellevue's not bad but it's a good 15-30 minutes from downtown Seattle.
Seattle Husker
10,000+ Posts
I'd go with Hotel Andra over Silver Cloud if it's in your budget. Andra is closer to the action. The Silver Cloud is right next to Safeco Field and Qwest Field but neither is near the heart of downtown.
I'd forgotten about Ray's Boathouse. It was a Seafood icon here in Seattle until it burned down in the mid-90's. I'm sure it would be good and is near the locks that Mac mentioned earlier.
If you have an extra day or two I'd take the Victoria Clipper up to Victoria, CAN. You can stay the night there in the Empress Hotel and take the Clipper back the next day.
I'd forgotten about Ray's Boathouse. It was a Seafood icon here in Seattle until it burned down in the mid-90's. I'm sure it would be good and is near the locks that Mac mentioned earlier.
If you have an extra day or two I'd take the Victoria Clipper up to Victoria, CAN. You can stay the night there in the Empress Hotel and take the Clipper back the next day.
Damn good suggestion on the trip to Victoria. Vancouver Island is gorgeous.
With a 15 year old son, the Museum of Flight should be a big hit. They have an early version of the SR-71 Blackbird, a Concorde, an older version of Air Force One, a P-38 Lightning, a Spitfire....
Also, there's the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett that has a fine collection of (mainly) WWII aircraft. Double this up with a tour of the Boeing plant in Everett and you can fill a good chunk of a day with these two.
If you guys make the trip to the Kitsap Peninsula and find yourselves in Bremerton, there are three mothballed aircraft carriers at the south end of the bay. You can't get on board but it's kind of cool to see. The Stennis is also in port so you might be able to catch sight of an active carrier. I mentioned the museum there at the Bremerton Shipyard. There is also a museum at Keyport (north of Bremerton) that deals with naval underwater stuff (submarines, torpedoes, diving.)
Be forewarned on something though. Obviously, with a 15 year old, you're not going to be doing a lot of boozing. But minors are not allowed in bars at all. That INCLUDES the bar area of a restaurant. That can mean sitting and waiting for a table in the regular part of the restaurant while tables in the bar go unused. But that's the law up here.
If you head up toward UW or the Locks, other good places to eat:
Hale's (4301 Leary Way NW): West of I-5 by about 10 minutes and UW by maybe 15. Good food, better beer.
The Ram (2650 University Village ): Right across 45th (kind of) from the UW campus. The Ram is a local chain. But the food is consistent. This location is located in an outdoor mall area with some decent shopping. No big department stores but stuff like an Apple Store, The Gap, Barnes and Noble, etc.
EDIT: Plan on getting stuck in traffic while you're here. There is only ONE way to get north and south in the Sound region and that's I-5. We live about 30 miles south of downtown. That trip can take 40 minutes or it can take 2+ hours. Avoid the rush hour times if at all possible. If you head out of the downtown, try and make the return trip after 7:00.
With a 15 year old son, the Museum of Flight should be a big hit. They have an early version of the SR-71 Blackbird, a Concorde, an older version of Air Force One, a P-38 Lightning, a Spitfire....
Also, there's the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett that has a fine collection of (mainly) WWII aircraft. Double this up with a tour of the Boeing plant in Everett and you can fill a good chunk of a day with these two.
If you guys make the trip to the Kitsap Peninsula and find yourselves in Bremerton, there are three mothballed aircraft carriers at the south end of the bay. You can't get on board but it's kind of cool to see. The Stennis is also in port so you might be able to catch sight of an active carrier. I mentioned the museum there at the Bremerton Shipyard. There is also a museum at Keyport (north of Bremerton) that deals with naval underwater stuff (submarines, torpedoes, diving.)
Be forewarned on something though. Obviously, with a 15 year old, you're not going to be doing a lot of boozing. But minors are not allowed in bars at all. That INCLUDES the bar area of a restaurant. That can mean sitting and waiting for a table in the regular part of the restaurant while tables in the bar go unused. But that's the law up here.
If you head up toward UW or the Locks, other good places to eat:
Hale's (4301 Leary Way NW): West of I-5 by about 10 minutes and UW by maybe 15. Good food, better beer.
The Ram (2650 University Village ): Right across 45th (kind of) from the UW campus. The Ram is a local chain. But the food is consistent. This location is located in an outdoor mall area with some decent shopping. No big department stores but stuff like an Apple Store, The Gap, Barnes and Noble, etc.
EDIT: Plan on getting stuck in traffic while you're here. There is only ONE way to get north and south in the Sound region and that's I-5. We live about 30 miles south of downtown. That trip can take 40 minutes or it can take 2+ hours. Avoid the rush hour times if at all possible. If you head out of the downtown, try and make the return trip after 7:00.
Basketball Jones
500+ Posts
I agree on the Museum of Flight suggestions -- cool place
lostman
500+ Posts
Did not see the UW baseball fields while we were there, but the softball field has an awesome view of Lake Washington from the stands. A player or two has also hit the ball out of the park into the lake! When Neuheisel was coach there he took his boat across the lake from his home to work. Nice gig - too bad he blew it! Softball is more fun than baseball - catch a game if they are there!
Russ just got back from Seattle with the wife and had a great time. We visited Pikes Market, Mueseum of Flight, Space Needle and all of them were great. We also took the 2 hour cruise by a company called Argosy and it was really nice,informative, and inexpensive. i think your kids will love the cruise.
I don't know if you want to do this with kids but we took the 2.5 hr drive up to Vancouver and spent a night there as well. Seattle was nice but we both thought Vancouver was absolutely gorgeous. Its so close to Seattle and why not visit one of the most beautiful places in North America.
Whether you make it Vancouver or not i'm sure you'll have a great time.
I had rented a car so had a vehicle the whole time. I would recommend this. Seattle traffic in my opinion was not that bad at all. If you can handle driving in Houston or Dallas it makes Seattle seem so easy. Take your navigation system or rent one from the car rental place. We stayed in Bellvue but made it to Seattle in less then 15 minutes and never had trouble getting around anywhere.
I don't know if you want to do this with kids but we took the 2.5 hr drive up to Vancouver and spent a night there as well. Seattle was nice but we both thought Vancouver was absolutely gorgeous. Its so close to Seattle and why not visit one of the most beautiful places in North America.
Whether you make it Vancouver or not i'm sure you'll have a great time.
I had rented a car so had a vehicle the whole time. I would recommend this. Seattle traffic in my opinion was not that bad at all. If you can handle driving in Houston or Dallas it makes Seattle seem so easy. Take your navigation system or rent one from the car rental place. We stayed in Bellvue but made it to Seattle in less then 15 minutes and never had trouble getting around anywhere.
I was just in Seattle for work for a week and hit the following joints, some of which may be touristy (but I'm a tourist, so I don't care):
Umi Sake House - pretty dang good sushi
Flying Fish - excellent seafood; nice three course menu
Steelhead Diner - had the "rich boy" sandwich and house-cured carpacio app
Red Mill Burgers (Phinney Ridge location) - absolutely awesome burger and rings
Noodle Ranch - took some Pad Thai back to the hotel; pretty good
Spitfire - watched ball there and had some good fish and shrimp tacos from happy hour menu
I was working through lunch every day so I couldn't go to Salumi.
Umi Sake House - pretty dang good sushi
Flying Fish - excellent seafood; nice three course menu
Steelhead Diner - had the "rich boy" sandwich and house-cured carpacio app
Red Mill Burgers (Phinney Ridge location) - absolutely awesome burger and rings
Noodle Ranch - took some Pad Thai back to the hotel; pretty good
Spitfire - watched ball there and had some good fish and shrimp tacos from happy hour menu
I was working through lunch every day so I couldn't go to Salumi.
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