What to do in Seattle?

[evnow]

Depends on what yo want to do - what your interests are.

If you are into nature - there are a bunch of places to visit nearby with very nice drives. You can do a day trip to Wenatchee or to the Olympic peninsula. Mt Rainier is always a favorite.

In the city you can try out a couple of coffee shops. Then there are the touristy places like Pike Place market, the needle, monorail. the museums etc.

BTW, instead of Vancouver, I'd suggest going to Victoria, BC. You can go by clipper, a fast passenger ferry.

Oh yes, you should see the Boeing. I've not seen a soul who wasn't impressed with the experience.

 

[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.

...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...)...

But remember, I'm the one who bought the LEAF! To a certain degree, technology has to be a bit of a passion, otherwise I wouldn't have gone that route. So yeah, I'll admit it, I'm a female geek-ette.

 

[gmuzhik]

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.

We were very disappointed with this exhibit. We worked our way through it and were expecting to actually see King Tut but they only have a video at the end. There are some ancient artifacts but we felt it was misrepresented.

 

[cwerdna]

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.

We were very disappointed with this exhibit. We worked our way through it and were expecting to actually see King Tut but they only have a video at the end. There are some ancient artifacts but we felt it was misrepresented.

I can't speak to the King Tut exhibit, but I visited the Pacific Science Center many years ago (sometime between 1998-1999) and I felt it's intended more for kids.

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

I can't speak to the King Tut exhibit, but I visited the Pacific Science Center many years ago (sometime between 1998-1999) and I felt it's intended more for kids.

with the music history section and the original Captain's Chair from Star Trek. you are right it is for the "kid" that remains in all of us. then again, is that a separate ticket? it is a tourist area...

besides; to me the Pacific Science Center also means a trip up the Needle

 

[vrwl]

I can't speak to the King Tut exhibit, but I visited the Pacific Science Center many years ago (sometime between 1998-1999) and I felt it's intended more for kids.

with the music history section and the original Captain's Chair from Star Trek. you are right it is for the "kid" that remains in all of us. then again, is that a separate ticket? it is a tourist area...

besides; to me the Pacific Science Center also means a trip up the Needle

I bought a City Pass for each of us (about 50% off admissions plus you don't have to wait in lines) which includes Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Aquarium, Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, EMP Museum, and Woodland Park Zoo. Not sure we'll have time for the Aquarium or the Zoo, but we'll see what we can accomplish along with the other things we want to do.

 

[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.

We were very disappointed with this exhibit. We worked our way through it and were expecting to actually see King Tut but they only have a video at the end. There are some ancient artifacts but we felt it was misrepresented.

I'd agree with the disappointment about not actually seeing King Tut in that exhibit, but despite that, we did enjoy what was available to see, so although a tad misrepresented, it was still good.

 

[SilverLeaf]

We just returned from a trip to see our kids and grandkids.

Our kids took us to see Chihuly Garden and Glass under the Space Needle.

Its a fantastic exhibit, check out the website.

We advise going just before sundown to see the spectacle before the illumination later in the evening.

You will not be disappointed. The exhibit is amazing. It is the total of his life's work.

You can also go to the Music Experience before attending Chihuly. They are walking distance of each other.

 

[cwerdna]

I can't speak to the King Tut exhibit, but I visited the Pacific Science Center many years ago (sometime between 1998-1999) and I felt it's intended more for kids.

with the music history section and the original Captain's Chair from Star Trek. you are right it is for the "kid" that remains in all of us. then again, is that a separate ticket? it is a tourist area...

besides; to me the Pacific Science Center also means a trip up the Needle

Huh? I think you're confusing the Pacific Science Center w/the EMP and former Science Fiction Museum.

http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to me is intended for kids and a search for Kirk on their site reveals no relevant hits.

http://www.empmuseum.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; does show Kirk's chair. Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft) bought it and he's also behind the EMP/SFM (http://www.vulcan.com/TemplateCompany.aspx?contentId=23" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false.

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

I can't speak to the King Tut exhibit, but I visited the Pacific Science Center many years ago (sometime between 1998-1999) and I felt it's intended more for kids.

with the music history section and the original Captain's Chair from Star Trek. you are right it is for the "kid" that remains in all of us. then again, is that a separate ticket? it is a tourist area...

besides; to me the Pacific Science Center also means a trip up the Needle

Huh? I think you're confusing the Pacific Science Center w/the EMP and former Science Fiction Museum.

http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to me is intended for kids and a search for Kirk on their site reveals no relevant hits.

http://www.empmuseum.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; does show Kirk's chair. Paul Allen (co-founder of Microsoft) bought it and he's also behind the EMP/SFM (http://www.vulcan.com/TemplateCompany.aspx?contentId=23" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false.

you are probably right. after all they are all in the same few blocks

 

[gmuzhik]

For the EV enthusiast, there is a Tesla showroom in Bellevue, near Seattle. Last June they had a model S prototype for viewing (not for driving). I'm sorry I missed it then. I wonder if they have a production one yet.

 

[cwerdna]

For the EV enthusiast, there is a Tesla showroom in Bellevue, near Seattle. Last June they had a model S prototype for viewing (not for driving). I'm sorry I missed it then. I wonder if they have a production one yet.

They should have a beta model S until 9/6 per http://www.teslamotors.com/events" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Bellevue (and cities like Redmond and Kirkland) are cities on the Eastside (east of the lake) whereas Seattle is on the west. Be advised that if you cross the 520 bridge, it's an electronically tolled bridge (started after I left). See http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/goodtogo/visitors" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; re: rental cars. One could take I-90 to avoid the toll...

Microsoft's main campus is in Redmond, but there isn't much to see other than lots of buildings unless someone can let you inside/show you around some notable locations. There is https://www.microsoft.com/about/companyinformation/visitorcenter/en/us/default.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.

Assuming MS still occupies the top portions of Lincoln Square, http://redmondlibrary.blogspot.com/2009/06/microsoft-lincoln-square-lunchroom-with.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has a nice view of downtown Bellevue and the surrounding area, but an employee would need to let you in.

If you end up at Bellevue Square Mall (where the Tesla Store is), then a meal at http://www.dintaifungusa.com/en/en_contact01_sea.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (for soup dumplings) in Lincoln Square might be worth it. I've eaten there a few times and the soup dumplings were very good. There could be a long wait, so it might help to take a # there first and then go wander the mall.

Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square are all near each other and connected via sky bridge. See http://www.bellevuecollection.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (Store Directory > Property Map). There's also a Microsoft Store in Bellevue Square.

 

[Venk]

...you can pay you respects to Jimi Hendrix in Renton, WA I think as well as Bruce Lee, who I think is closer downtown.

 

[vrwl]

Thanks all for the help, our dance card is full and we leave in the morning!

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

Hope you have great time.going on 40+ days with no measurable precipitation and none predicted for several days

 

[ztanos]

Hope you have great time.going on 40+ days with no measurable precipitation and none predicted for several days

I have been in Seattle for a total of 23 days in the last 3 years on vacations and I have only had 3 hours of rain on 1 day. It's a myth that you guys get rain to keep people away isn't it? :lol:

 

[WetEV]

I have been in Seattle for a total of 23 days in the last 3 years on vacations and I have only had 3 hours of rain on 1 day. It's a myth that you guys get rain to keep people away isn't it?

No. Come in February some year and find out. Might get 23 days without sun and fairly constant light rain/drizzle.

 

[vrwl]

Got back from Seattle on Saturday evening. Had a great trip and the weather was FANTASTIC! Thanks again for all the suggestions, we stayed super busy and we're ready for another visit soon!