| Visiting Seattle this week
Posted: 1/6/2008 8:42:54 PM | Later on this week I will be attending a weeklong conference in Seattle (11 – 17th) and wanted to get some recommendations from the natives as to best bets for:
· Museums/galleries
· Live music (jazz / blues)
· Mall shopping recommendations & unique shopping areas
· Fabulous food (meals/snacks/whatever…)
· Panoramic drives
· Anything else that you think is a ‘must see—must do’ in your city.
Some of what I’m looking for is available on your city’s tourism site, but I’m looking for your take on it. Btw, I’ll be staying at a downtown hotel and will be renting a car. My conference program is full, so suggestions should be central to the city core. Thanks in advance! | |
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| Visiting Seattle this week
Posted: 1/7/2008 4:49:45 PM | | Hi Sweetest...there is so much to do in Seattle and the surrounding towns that you definitely won't be at a loss for things to do. Peter White (one of my all time faves) is playing at Jazz Alley the week you're here. I'd highly recommend that concert, I've seen him a few times and he puts on a great show in an intimate setting like Jazz Alley. The Seattle Art Museum is new & improved after having gone a large expansion and renovation. It's conveniently located downtown and I hear they've done a great job with it. There are so many restaurants to choose from but a couple of my faves are Black Bottle, which has great tapas and wine. It can get lively, loud, and busy in there though. Another is Zoe, dinner is spendy but I've had dessert there and it was to die for. Both of those are in Belltown which is basically an extension of downtown Seattle. Another highly recommended place for sushi in Belltown is Umi Sake House. If you want to drive to West Seattle, it's a short one from downtown, about 10 minutes. Alki Beach is beautiful and there's a restaurant called Cactus that has excellent Mexican food. If the weather is nice you can go for a pretty long walk along Alki after you eat. Anyway, I could go on and on. If you have any specific interests I'd be happy to help if I can. You'll have a great time whatever you choose to do! | |
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| Visiting Seattle this week
Posted: 1/8/2008 12:49:48 AM | If you are into Seafood, Ivar's on Alaska Way is good. It's a little pricey, but the food is excellent. Another place to visit is the Pike Place Market and watch them toss Salmon. This is an open air market place with all kinds of shops. If you cant find what you need there...you don't need it! 
Alaska Way is an interesting street. Lots of different shops and restaurants. Be sure to visit The Olde Curiosity Shoppe. That's been there almost since day one and is full of interesting items both for sale and to look at. | |
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| Visiting Seattle this week
Posted: 1/10/2008 8:09:09 PM | | Thank you both for taking the time to respond and for your suggestions --- I am very much looking forward to my visit! | |
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| Visiting Seattle this week
Posted: 1/12/2008 4:16:56 AM | Take the ferry to Bremerton. Bremerton sucks, but the ride takes you across the sound and up an inlet, the views are great. You can walk on and just stay on the boat and come right back, or you could drive and come back by way of Tacoma (call it 3 hours, time it so you are not in commute traffic 4-7).
Also, Seattle has the best Salmon in the world. Try Elliot's down on the waterfront.
There are lots of clubs in Pioneer Square (downtown), all kinds of live music.
Downtown is relatively small and all walkable. From Pioneer Square you can walk north along the waterfront, up the hill climb to the Market, then take Pike east to fifth Ave. for shopping at the large department stores and a couple of indoor malls.
If you get some free time when the weather doesn't suck, head east on I-90. You get a scenic drive across lake washington and in 20 minutes you are in the mountains. Turn around at North Bend (above that and you probably need chains) and come back by way of Snoqualmie Falls.
One more thing, Seattle's pretty safe. Anywhere you can walk from your hotel should be fine.
Have fun | |
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| Visiting Seattle this week
Posted: 1/12/2008 11:28:41 AM | Well, you are probably here and enjoying our liquid sunshine! But since it's the weekend, you may still check in here to find things to do. I live downtown and I second the gentleman that said Seattle is pretty safe - I've lived here for 9 years and had a few problems, but not many considering how many nights I'm out and about. Just ignore the panhandlers - they won't continue to bother you, they ask once and that's it.
There's a blues club down on the waterfront - I'd recommend taking a cab from your hotel rather than driving because parking is a bear - but it's the Highway 99 Blues Club and it's across from the Aquarium. Great music, great venue - you can look it up online and see who's playing. - the cab will be less than $10. I've never eaten there, but they serve cajun style food.
Right near the Convention Center - on about 7th and Pine ST - is a place called "Von's Manhattan and Martini Memorial" - it has great food and both the food and the drinks are reasonably priced. Obviously, they specialize in Manhattans and Martini's. Their pork roast is absolutely one of the best dishes I've had and their prime rib can be cut with a fork! My relatives from Ireland ate there every day when they were here because they had never had a burger like Von's - it's one of those "get messy to your elbows" kind of burger.
Have a good time! Watch out for the Seahawk fans if we win against Green Bay! | |
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| Visiting Seattle this week
Posted: 1/12/2008 7:57:07 PM | I agree with above...you are already here enjoying our liquid sunshine.
There is a cute little store in downtown Seattle (610 2nd Ave - one block north of the Smith Tower) called Green Garden. Check it out and take home some great little goodies.
Some ideas of places to visit / see:
Space Needle / Seattle Center
Water front (take a ferry ride)
Pioneer Square (lots of shopping) - Underground tour (never taken it myself)
Pike Place Market
Downtown Seattle
Take a drive to Lake Washington (drive across one or both floating bridges (I-90 & 520)
Ballard Locks (more fun in the spring / summer), watching the boats go through
China town (south of downtown - never been there myself)
There is so much to see and do...these are what come to mind at the moment. Have fun and enjoy our beautiful city!!
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| Visiting Seattle this week
Posted: 1/18/2008 3:07:03 PM | I loooved Seattle! It has a similar feel to Ottawa (where I live) in that it has a walkable downtown core with a wide variety of attractions. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to get out much--This conference had a very tight shedule and we were programmed literally from 7 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. most days. On the flip side, the conference organizers did a fantastic job showcasing your city on every level possible from design to gastronomy.
Anyway, here are some highlights away from the major conference building:
Etta's for dinner --very good but the coconut cream pie sent me over the moon---in a word, phenomenal!
Shucker's Restaurant -- wilted spinach salad, delicious.
Bell Harbour
Pike's Market
Nordstroms, just to look.
The Triple Door
Purple Wine Bar, great ambience.
Last Sunday's weather (Jan 13th) was a gift and so unexpected, so I was glad that I was able to get out that day.
The drive from Vancouver BC to Seattle - a great way to see the city (ies) that make up the area.
I want to come back!! | |
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Mulva
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Joined: 12/28/2007
Msg: 11 | |
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