What to do in Seattle?

[vrwl]

My husband and I are taking a trip to Seattle Labor Day weekend/week and wondered if some of the locals could give us an idea of some memorable things to do while we're there. We've got about 3 days during the week (Mon, Tues, Wed) where we have nothing pre-planned, so we'd welcome any ideas.

 

[ztanos]

Depends on what you are into. I personally enjoyed the Science Fiction/Music Experience under that Space Needle. The duck boats are a thrill for tourists. Seeing the troll in Fremont is neat, actually, all of the art in Fremont is neat.

 

[vrwl]

Depends on what you are into....

Good point, we enjoy a lot of nature-type stuff, but he's also a sci-fi kind of guy, and we're both into music so the Science Fiction/Music Experience would be a great choice. I just looked up the duck boats and that looks like fun too.

Keep 'em coming!

 

[ebill3]

Probably ought to plan on visiting the Tutankhamun exhibit, as I understand it is the last time most of the items will be in North America.

http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/King-Tut/king-tut-the-exhibition

 

[cwerdna]

Depends on what you are into....

Good point, we enjoy a lot of nature-type stuff, but he's also a sci-fi kind of guy, and we're both into music so the Science Fiction/Music Experience would be a great choice. I just looked up the duck boats and that looks like fun too.

Keep 'em coming!

On http://www.tivocommunity.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, in the Happy Hour - General Chit-Chat area (you need to have an account there to enter that area, for some reason), there are a bunch of Seattle discussion threads. Get a (free) account and search by title for Seattle. There's also http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=466276&highlight=portland" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (Seattle was typed wrong in the title). Again, you'll need an account to read it.

I lived in the Seattle area for ~9 years over 2 stints (moved back from there most recently last year).

As for EMP/SFM, IMHO, EMP is totally not worth the price of admission. As for the SFM part, I went before and that was worth it, but IIRC, they were doing a revamp and basically closing down/removing most of the sci-fi exhibits. It's sorta confirmed at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMP_Museum" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. You might want to call them to get the details. My last visit was when the BSG exhibit was still there. I think much of the other sci-fi stuff had been removed already.

If you like planes and factory tours, you MUST go to http://www.boeing.com/commercial/tours/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. It's in Everett though. There's also http://www.museumofflight.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

I just discovered http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/west/496713-seattle-visitors-guide.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

 

[vrwl]

Probably ought to plan on visiting the Tutankhamun exhibit, as I understand it is the last time most of the items will be in North America.

http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/King-Tut/king-tut-the-exhibition

Thanks for the Tutankhamun tip. It's a good exhibit, we caught it about a year ago when it came through Dallas.

 

[vrwl]

Depends on what you are into....

Good point, we enjoy a lot of nature-type stuff, but he's also a sci-fi kind of guy, and we're both into music so the Science Fiction/Music Experience would be a great choice. I just looked up the duck boats and that looks like fun too.

Keep 'em coming!

On http://www.tivocommunity.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, in the Happy Hour - General Chit-Chat area (you need to have an account there to enter that area, for some reason), there are a bunch of Seattle discussion threads. Get a (free) account and search by title for Seattle. There's also http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=466276&highlight=portland" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (Seattle was typed wrong in the title). Again, you'll need an account to read it.

I lived in the Seattle area for ~9 years over 2 stints (moved back from there most recently last year).

As for EMP/SFM, IMHO, EMP is totally not worth the price of admission. As for the SFM part, I went before and that was worth it, but IIRC, they were doing a revamp and basically closing down/removing most of the sci-fi exhibits. It's sorta confirmed at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMP_Museum" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. You might want to call them to get the details. My last visit was when the BSG exhibit was still there. I think much of the other sci-fi stuff had been removed already.

If you like planes and factory tours, you MUST go to http://www.boeing.com/commercial/tours/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. It's in Everett though. There's also http://www.museumofflight.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

I just discovered http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/west/496713-seattle-visitors-guide.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

I'd enjoy the Boeing tour but my husband would be bored to tears, so I guess we'll pass on that one. However, your link at the flyertalk website looks very promising, so I'll have to look through that carefully. I'll also check out the tivo forum and see what they have to say there. Thanks for the links!

 

[TLeaf]

There's also the Boeing Museum of Flight just south of Seattle, though this probably isn't much different than other flight museums in the country.

For a natural experience, I'd highly recommend a day trip out to Paradise at Mt. Rainier for some hiking through the mountain fields still bordered by snow. There's also stand-up paddleboarding (or kayaking) on Lake Union (just north of downtown), riding the ferry across and back to Bainbridge Island (some good shops & restaurants over there), Argosy boat tours through the Ballard Locks (also a nice place just to wander around if you drive there), the Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth ~2 hours east of Seattle, and finally the Tillicum Village tour departing from the waterfront if you'd be interested in learning about the native Northwest tribes and enjoy a yummy salmon dinner to boot.

With the arrival of cruise ship business to Seattle a few years back, there's really been an up-surge in the amount of touristy things to do in and around downtown Seattle, but just a drive around the Seattle neighborhoods can be plenty fun in-and-of itself. I took some in-laws for a tour of various Seattle neighborhoods last year (including Ballard, West Seattle, Leschi and Capital Hill) and they said it was the best day they'd spent sightseeing in a long time. I'm sure the yummy food we found in each neighborhood along the way helped with this conclusion.. ;-)

 

[GaslessInSeattle]

you could rent a Leaf at the airport and if you are feeling a little ambitious you can enjoy the QC network here and drive up to deception pass. there are several easy hikes at and around deception pass state park... some incredible views and the tidal currents through the pass are exhilarating. one of my favorites is hiking out to sares head which gives you an amazing view of the San Juan islands http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=438929. A quick charge in Burlington gives you plenty of range to check out the deception pass area and get back to charge up for the drive back. to use the QC's you would ideally have a fob sent to to you in advance but you can call once at the charger and they can activate it for you without the fob, it just takes the extra step of calling.

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

Bumpershoot; an arts/music festival that runs Labor Day weekend.

LeMay Automobile Museum in Tacoma (about 35 miles South) considered one of the greatest car collections in the world.

Boeing Museum of Flight

Pacific Science Center (wait until Bumpershoot is over...Tues/Weds is good)

Duck Tour !@! (this is a MUST!!) when u get to town. just ask anyone they will tell you about it

but the best thing to see is WA, not Seattle. if you are into just driving around

take the Olympic Peninsula drive to the West (about 350 miles will take you to Forks, if you into Vampires and stuff) or Mt. Rainier to the East. the views are something to remember. that is a 4-5 hour trip if you dont stop. take all day and take a camera. you will be overwhelmed by photo ops.

here is a pix i snapped from the front seat of the my car while waiting on road construction

 

[vrwl]

Thanks Dave, you've convinced us with that picture! Looks like we might take a day and go out to Mount Rainier for some short hikes and a drive around the park. Looking forward to that!

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

Thanks Dave, you've convinced us with that picture! Looks like we might take a day and go out to Mount Rainier for some short hikes and a drive around the park. Looking forward to that!

if you go; go to the park (costs like $10-15) . the pix is one driving past the mountain. the park allows to go ON the mountain. the views there are pretty decent as well. Park also has "cant miss" view hikes. hope you dont have vertigo!

take turns driving, its unfair to let passenger have all the fun (which is why this pix was taken while stopped on road!)

 

[BudRaymond]

I highly recommend taking the Boeing Future of Flight tour at their factory in Everett. You can tour the factory floor where they manufacture the 747, 777, and assemble the new 787 Dreamliner. Largest building in the world by volume.
If you like breweries, Hales Ale's in Fremont is a great stop too.

 

[ztanos]

I highly recommend taking the Boeing Future of Flight tour at their factory in Everett. You can tour the factory floor where they manufacture the 747, 777, and assemble the new 787 Dreamliner. Largest building in the world by volume.
If you like breweries, Hales Ale's in Fremont is a great stop too.

Pikes Brewery is a must stop, also. Plus you can cross the street and see the first Starbucks.

 

[Randy3]

We've been through Seattle a few times. Along with the Space Needle and things below it, we really enjoyed the Seattle Underground Tour. Info is at: http://www.undergroundtour.com/

 

[vrwl]

Well, now it looks like we're getting our 3 days pretty well filled up with things to do. Can anyone tell me if the Duck boats/cars and the Argosy 1 hour Harbor cruises are too similar to do both? Or is it worth it to do both?

I really wish we had more time up there, it looks like we might have to make another trip up that way again just to be able to go see some of the things we'll miss this first time around. Hoping for dry weather! :lol:

 

[cwerdna]

Heh.... notice the multiple recommendations for the Boeing factory tour in Everett?

If you have a day or so, maybe you can also drive up to Vancouver BC? It's a beautiful city, but be careful not to leave anything visible in your car. I had my car broken into w/car stereo stolen + a CD wallet of 20+ (mostly store bought CDs) stolen many years ago when I went up there. Apparently, the thieves target out of the area (state/province) plates. My car had WA plates.

If you're into sci-fi, you can check out some former BSG and V filming locations. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/canada/1095370-bidding-vancouver-bc-hotels-priceline-zone-suggestions.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and the post after it. Simon Fraser University was also used as a filing location for Stargate SG-1 (http://stargate-sg1-solutions.com/wiki/Simon_Fraser_University" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://students.sfu.ca/filming/stargate.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false.

There's also the Boeing Museum of Flight just south of Seattle, though this probably isn't much different than other flight museums in the country.

I believe it's just Museum of Flight and I'm pretty sure it's not run by Boeing is it appears to be a non-profit. It is next to Boeing Field though...

I haven't been to that many flight museums but it's a far cry from the Smithsonian's two facilities in the DC area but (IIRC) it has a lot more than http://www.hiller.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

 

[ztanos]

We've been through Seattle a few times. Along with the Space Needle and things below it, we really enjoyed the Seattle Underground Tour. Info is at: http://www.undergroundtour.com/

+1 This was good as well. I agree with Vancouver being fun, but don't know if you can squeeze that in 3 days.

 

[vrwl]

We spent about 1/2 a day in Vancouver BC while we waited to go on an Alaskan cruise. That was back in the fall of 2001. From the short time we were there, what we saw of it was beautiful, but the streets were very narrow in their downtown area and it sort of freaked me out while we were driving around up there.

Yeah, I'd love to do the Boeing thing, but nope, I was overruled. :roll: I was fascinated at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, but my better half REALLY doesn't want to do the aeronautical thing again, so since I dragged him along on that one, I'll give in on this one. Instead, we're going to go ahead and do the Underground Tour of Seattle, which should be pretty fun. The breweries were excellent ideas too and we may throw in one of those if we've got some extra time to kill.

Thanks to all who have helped come up with ideas, I believe we've now got our extra days filled up. Now, I've just got to pack, ugh!

 

[cwerdna]

We spent about 1/2 a day in Vancouver BC while we waited to go on an Alaskan cruise. That was back in the fall of 2001. From the short time we were there, what we saw of it was beautiful, but the streets were very narrow in their downtown area and it sort of freaked me out while we were driving around up there.

Yeah, I'd love to do the Boeing thing, but nope, I was overruled. :roll: I was fascinated at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, but my better half REALLY doesn't want to do the aeronautical thing again, so since I dragged him along on that one, I'll give in on this one. Instead, we're going to go ahead and do the Underground Tour of Seattle, which should be pretty fun. The breweries were excellent ideas too and we may throw in one of those if we've got some extra time to kill.

Hmmm.... yeah, IIRC, roads in Canada are a bit narrow. As for DT Vancouver BC... the biggest problem is that the parking rates mostly are insane.

That's surprising re: Boeing. Usually, I'd figure it's the male that'd want to go and the female that wouldn't, unless the female's an engineer or scientist. (A female friend of mine who visited and works for an airline had no interest in going. Another female friend who is a software engineer and went to MIT loved the Boeing tour...)

Yeah, Seattle Underground Tour isn't bad. I've gone on it before. I can't speak to breweries as I almost never drink. I'd have no interest in that.