Seattle Visit

[RDave]

Hi guys,

I'm visiting Seattle from the UK for the first time and getting to see the Seahawks having followed them since my school days in the mid to late 80's. I've got a ticket for the Week 12 game against the Steelers and will be running the Seattle Marathon on the morning before the game. So does anyone have any suggestions about things to do and see pre/post game and also anything worth doing for the week after the game in the local area?

I'm looking for anything really that isn't on the obvious trip advisor type websites and anything that might have a Seahawks bias to it although my wife and young son might not agree.

Would appreciate anything that you can suggest.

Dave

[savvyman]

Seattle Center - to Weslake Plaza to Pike Place Market (see the fish being thrown) day Adventure.

Get to Seattle Center - Many things to see and do there - Holiday season, they will have one of the largest model trains demonstrations in the food area - Science center is great with a planetarium and other cool stuff - Catch an Imax movie of some type there in a state of the art 3d - One of the largest movie screens in the world -- Catch a 45 minute laser show also - Head to the space needle - must visit on any agenda - except don't pay to go to the top - which is over $20 each - instead go to the restaurant for Lunch or dinner (lunch cheaper price) - TIP ride up to the top is free if you are going to the restaurant - that savings pays for half of your food bill - - Your seat on the restaurant will rotate around the top completely every 60 minutes - never had an out of town guest not love the experience of eating there.

All the above is at Seattle center - When done at Seattle center - hop on the monorail (at Seattle Center) for a 3 minute ride to Westlake center - this is the heart of downtown Seattle and will be all decorated for the Holidays and it is done quite well - Pike Place market (with the famous fish throwing seen on every televised Seattle sporting event) is only a five block walk away. Also you can continue walking from there to the waterfront in only 5 minutes if you like. When done there go back to Westlake Center and catch then monorail back to Seattle Center where you started then day and most likely your rental car will be parked.

http://www.spaceneedle.com/home/

http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/IMAX-Theaters/Shows/imax


http://www.yelp.com/biz/seattle-center-monorail-seattle

http://www.yelp.com/biz/seattle-center-seattle


Here is something else that is off the beaten path (Trip Advisor) but is sure to please both you and you kid - Your wife? I am not sure.....

http://www.yelp.com/biz/seattle-pinball-museum-seattle

[RDave]

Thanks Savvy. Will give all of that a go. I love pinball as well and never knew this was in Seattle

[RiverDog]

Seattle Center and the Pacific Science Center is a great place to go if you have a kid. There's lots of hands on stuff there that kids love, especially given that you're coming up here late in late November when the weather could put a damper on outdoor activities.

Another good place is the waterfront area. They have a truly first class aquarium, some really good places to eat (my favorite is Ivar's, try to get a table by a window), and an arcade for the kids. If the weather is tolerable, I would suggest hopping a ferry and going across to Bremerton. It's a good, cheap way to get out on the water and get some nice photo ops of the skyline.

My favorite museum is the Museum of Flight down at Boeing Field, about a 10 minute drive from downtown, but I'm not sure how much interest that would be to your child. It's definitely not as much fun as the Pacific Science Center.

[ShackMod]

RDave,

Welcome to the Shack and I'm sure you are going to have a blast while you are here! The admins here are Yoder and myself (i'm also Makena). Please do not hesitate to ask any of us for advise or help. All of the members here are amazing as you've already notice with River and Savvy...

Do you have a car and do you want to get out of town? If so, you can head to the old growth temperate rainforest on the Olympic mountains, hot springs, check out the Washington Coast, Volcano's (Mt St Helen's/Rainer/Baker) Deception pass, San Juan Islands, and since you are from the UK, you can easily go to Canada for the day (2.5 hours away). Your passport should have the common wealth advantage for getting across the border but I would double check. Snoqualmie falls is fun but it would be cold that time of year and it is a tourist hub.

When I have people from out of town visit, I drive them around to some of the more idiosyncratic spots to check out views of the city, the food, and other off the beating path; depending on what they like. Feel free to use us as a sounding board and we will be more than happy to assist.

Also, if you want to meet up for a pint before the game, just let us know and we can try to arrange something!

Mak.

[RDave]

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. It looks like we'll have a very busy week ahead of us.

Not decided on a car yet and sort of felt that with just a week over there we can find plenty to entertain us in the city. I think we'll put together something more detailed nearer our visit and will have a car for a couple of days to visit some of the more local suggestions.

I'd really appreciate meeting for a beer before the game Mak. I'm a total stranger in Seattle and it would be good to meet up with Hawks fans and soak up the atmosphere. I still can't believe I'm actually going to a game!!!!

I'll get in touch nearer the time to try and arrange something.

Dave

[ShackMod]

Sounds great! Just let us know and we will try and set something up!

Mak

[RDave]

Thanks Old but slow. Just had a look on-line and that looks quite cool so we'll give that a go.

Unfortunately we'll miss the Star Wars exhibition that ends in October and I would have loved to have seen that.

[RDave]

Does anyone have any recommendations on places to stay? Hotels, Apartments or people with places on things like 'Air BnB'

I don't know the city at all so somewhere with good transport links for getting around as I think we'll only have a car for a couple of days at the most.

[HawkDawg]

A pretty affordable place to stay is the Ace Hotel in Belltown, just north of downtown. Yes, you'll be in hipsterville but the rooms are clean and it's only $100 or so a night....at least it was a few years ago.

You're only a few miles from the stadium and it's a straight shot South. I've walked it several times, just make sure you hit a bar or two along the way. Going North, you're a mile or so away from the Space Center/EMP/Science Center/etc. The bus line goes right down the road if you don't want to hoof it. I'd book your room asap though.

[RiverDog]

Does anyone have any recommendations on places to stay? Hotels, Apartments or people with places on things like 'Air BnB'

I don't know the city at all so somewhere with good transport links for getting around as I think we'll only have a car for a couple of days at the most.

You stay downtown and you'd better be prepared to pay $250+/night minimum. If you're on a budget or think like I do and consider a hotel as simply a place to sleep, I would recommend staying at a cheap, clean hotel like Super 8 or something similar near the SeaTac airport. You can take light rail to/from the stadium district, save yourself a car rental and the hassle of traffic and parking and still be able to access things like the downtown area, waterfront, Seattle Center, etc.

[savvyman]

Coming all the way from England you will want to stay in Downtown Seattle - Preferably as close to Weslake Center as Possible:

http://www.westlakecenter.com/


Westlake Center is the Heart of Downtown Seattle and is within blocks (or 5-10 minute walk) of Seattle Center - Pike Place Market, The Waterfront, The Business District and the Retail District. It is also the Center of Seattle during the Holiday Season where the city tree is located. Finally it is also the on ramp to the Monorail and the entrance to the Bus Tunnel where you can catch a bus anywhere including Century Link Field. Stay there and you won't have to spend so much time in your car while in Seattle.

Here is a resource to start your search for Hotels in Downtown Seattle - When you find a hotel that looks interesting, Go directly to the Hotel Website and look for their Specials - Booking this far in advance and at that time of year you should be able to get a good deal on a nice hotel right in the most desirable place and location to stay in Seattle.

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Hotels&find_loc=Seattle%2C+WA&ns=1#start=0&l=p:WA:Seattle::Downtown

[burrrton]

I think all the recs are solid, but if you're coming from England, is a few hundred bucks an issue to stay in the heart of the city?

Go drop a few hundred to stay at the Hotel 1000 or something and enjoy yourself- there's nothing like the city on a game night.

[edit- Heck, we stayed at the Sorrento one night and it was very nice and just up the hill a bit. It's booking for less than $250/night right now- treat yourself.]

[savvyman]

Does anyone have any recommendations on places to stay? Hotels, Apartments or people with places on things like 'Air BnB'

I don't know the city at all so somewhere with good transport links for getting around as I think we'll only have a car for a couple of days at the most.

Here is some help:

http://metro.kingcounty.gov/maps/seattle/


http://www.downtownseattle.com/maps/

[RDave]

Thanks all - some good info here. Will get something booked today