Seattle vacation (ATTN: DevilAlumna)

[devildeac]

I hope this post qualifies as "worthy" considering the milestone/event that it honors. (DA "warned" me that this particular # should be a "worthy" post:o;)).

As she already knows, we will be in Seattle (home of DA for those who don't already know) for a couple days late this month before we embark on our very first cruise in celebration of our 30th anniversary. We have visited this fine city before, but not for about 10 years, I guess. We are looking for ideas what to do on a Friday night, all day Saturday and 1/2 day on Sunday prior to boarding the ship. DA has "surprisingly" already suggested Quinn's Pub/Restaurant as a new "gastro-pub" for a nice meal, and of course, a fine selection of beers on tap, especially some trappist ales. She said the wine selection was good (that's for Mrs. DD;)), but she had a nice "buzz" from a Belgian selection or two:D.

How about it? Any other activitiy suggestions?

[CLT Devil]

I went there with my father, who is a big history buff, and I would have rather drank at a bar overlooking the sound, but I'm glad I did this; Take a tour of underground Seattle. It's a walking tour and about an hour long. Most of the tour is actually underground. Apparently the guy who decided to build on the site that is Seattle only saw it at low tide, and when the tides came up it caused all kinds of trouble.

You get to learn about 'skid row' as well as how the first toilets were used (I know, sounds lame compared to boozin') but it was a memorable thing to do.

I would also strongly suggest taking a day to drive to Mt. Rainer and make sure you go through the needles state park and Mt. St. Helens. Not a bad drive and you'll see lots of wildlife.

[devildeac]

I went there with my father, who is a big history buff, and I would have rather drank at a bar overlooking the sound, but I'm glad I did this; Take a tour of underground Seattle. It's a walking tour and about an hour long. Most of the tour is actually underground. Apparently the guy who decided to build on the site that is Seattle only saw it at low tide, and when the tides came up it caused all kinds of trouble.

You get to learn about 'skid row' as well as how the first toilets were used (I know, sounds lame compared to boozin') but it was a memorable thing to do.

I would also strongly suggest taking a day to drive to Mt. Rainer and make sure you go through the needles state park and Mt. St. Helens. Not a bad drive and you'll see lots of wildlife.

The underground idea sounds great. We have driven through Ranier Park before but not Needles. We spent most of a day on the east side of Mt. St. Helens several years ago. Amazing to see the devastation that remains 25+ years after the eruption. Truly astonishing. Good ideas. Thanks.

[bluebutton]

My husband and I are going to drive up in early August from LA.

Any recommendations would be great. We'll probably visit the science museum because I "collect" science museums. Other than that, I don't think we have much planned currently.

[aimo]

There's a fun aquarium on the waterfront. Not very big, but interesting. I also enjoyed taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island and walking aound there.

[pfrduke]

I would recommend against the aquarium - a little too small for the price. Since you'll be here in the summer time, I recommend outdoor activities as much as possible. Take a walk in the new Olympic Sculpture Park. Take the ferry to Bainbridge (if you do this, I recommend doing so in the evening, so that the ferry ride back to Seattle is during sunset. The Cascades and Mount Rainier turn deep pink as the sun goes down - it's stunning). If you and the mrs. like to kayak, I recommend renting from Agua Verde (http://www.aguaverde.com/) - it's right on Lake Union, and the rental shop is connected to a Mexican restaurant, so you can have some post-paddle tacos and margaritas (or Mexican brews) to reward yourself. Take a short hike in Discovery park and walk down to the sound. Head over to Alki, rent some rollerblades or bicycles, and roll along the beachside. Sunday morning, I would walk through the Pike Place Market (tends to be hopping on Sundays) and have brunch at Etta's (http://tomdouglas.com/ettas/index.html) (make a reservation in advance). Make sure you get yourself some local stone fruit to take on the trip - Rainier cherries, plums, etc.

Oh, and devildeac, I'm sure DA gave you the beer low-down, but just in case, try Mac and Jack's and Manny's on draft - both are draft only, both are local, and both are excellent.

As another DBR Seattleite, I'm happy to offer any other advice/suggestions. Feel free to PM with any questions!

[pfrduke]

I hope this post qualifies as "worthy" considering the milestone/event that it honors. (DA "warned" me that this particular # should be a "worthy" post:o;)).

As she already knows, we will be in Seattle (home of DA for those who don't already know) for a couple days late this month before we embark on our very first cruise in celebration of our 30th anniversary. We have visited this fine city before, but not for about 10 years, I guess. We are looking for ideas what to do on a Friday night, all day Saturday and 1/2 day on Sunday prior to boarding the ship. DA has "surprisingly" already suggested Quinn's Pub/Restaurant as a new "gastro-pub" for a nice meal, and of course, a fine selection of beers on tap, especially some trappist ales. She said the wine selection was good (that's for Mrs. DD;)), but she had a nice "buzz" from a Belgian selection or two:D.

How about it? Any other activitiy suggestions?

Oh, and I echo the recommendation of Quinn's and the Underground Tour.

[DevilAlumna]

Let's see -- you're getting in late, you have to deal with SeaTac baggage handlers, so you'll probably only have time to just check in, and find someplace near your hotel before kitchens shut down. I suggest Dahlia Lounge (http://www.tomdouglas.com/dahlia/index.html), a friend of mine says their desserts are heavenly, and the restarauteur (sp?), Tom Douglas, is nearly a Seattle foodie god.

Even better, it's only a block away. Throw back some fine Washington beverages, and stumble home to a good view (ask to be on a higher floor!) and a good night's sleep.

[DevilAlumna]

DD mentioned that he and his better half would likely be sans car, but fortunately, Seattle's downtown area mass transit (http://transit.metrokc.gov/)is pretty decent, including "Free" for a large swath of the central area. Cabs are also readily available, and now there's the new South Lake Union Streetcar (http://www.seattlestreetcar.org/map/)(not Trolley, though we all love that lost acronym) for exploring.

I checked first for major events -- you're in luck, the Mariners are out of town. You won't feel torn between the pain of missing out on Ichiroll sushi vs. having to sit through some of the worst baseball in the MLB today.

On Saturday, it's Seattle's PrideFest at the Seattle Center, so think rainbows! The Seattle Center is home to the Space Needle, the Experience Music Project/SciFi Museum, Key Arena (future non-home of the Sonics), and a terminus of the Seattle Monorail. If good views, Gehry architecture and/or cheesy 1964-based modes of transportation appeal to you, then by all means, head to the Seattle Center, otherwise I'd suggest it's skippable.

Sunday will be the Pride Parade (http://www.seattlepride.org)down 4th Avenue, so if your cruise departure is very time sensitive, be aware that this may possibly impact your travel route. If not, stick around and watch the fun!

On Sunday, besides the pride parade, it's also the Seafair Marathon, though that's leaving from UW stadium and heading to the Eastside, so shouldn't affect you too much.

But wait, there's more...

[DevilAlumna]

First, I'm going to assume you've seen Pike Street Market. Safe assumption? B/c if you haven't, you have to go. The Seattle Tourist police will round you up and drag you there. Maybe even force a latte into you from the Original Starbucks. While you're there, you may as well get a picture with the monkfish, and buy some excellent fresh fruit to take with you on the cruise.

With that out of the way, I have no breakfast reco's -- I'm a strictly-coffee breakfast gal. There's either a Starbucks or a Tully's on every corner of downtown, so if that's your thing, you're set. :D

For the rest of the morning, I'd send you to the Pioneer Square area of downtown -- hit up the aforementioned Underground Tour (http://www.undergroundtour.com/); check out the Elliot Bay Book Co. (http://www.elliottbaybook.com/)(my favorite book store after Powell's and the used-book store on 9th street); and a haven of rest and calm - the Waterfall Garden (http://www.yelp.com/biz/waterfall-garden-seattle).

From here, you have three good options -- go East/Up to the International District; West/Down to the waterfront; or North/flat back to downtown. What I haven't come up with is a perfect lunch spot, so perhaps pfrduke can chime in with thoughts.

Here is a map with all the places (http://maps.live.com/?v=2&encType=1&sp=yp.YN926x17900000~yp.YN926x15776600~yp.YN926x32 992086~yp.YN926x40088750~yp.YN926x15796932)mention ed so far. Sat. afternoon/evening to come.

[hurleyfor3]

I hear they have a really big Calder. It's so big you can drive under it!

http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/osp/

[hurleyfor3]

What I haven't come up with is a perfect lunch spot

http://www.ddir.com/

[pfrduke]

First, I'm going to assume you've seen Pike Street Market. Safe assumption? B/c if you haven't, you have to go. The Seattle Tourist police will round you up and drag you there. Maybe even force a latte into you from the Original Starbucks. While you're there, you may as well get a picture with the monkfish, and buy some excellent fresh fruit to take with you on the cruise.

With that out of the way, I have no breakfast reco's -- I'm a strictly-coffee breakfast gal. There's either a Starbucks or a Tully's on every corner of downtown, so if that's your thing, you're set. :D

For the rest of the morning, I'd send you to the Pioneer Square area of downtown -- hit up the aforementioned Underground Tour (http://www.undergroundtour.com/); check out the Elliot Bay Book Co. (http://www.elliottbaybook.com/)(my favorite book store after Powell's and the used-book store on 9th street); and a haven of rest and calm - the Waterfall Garden (http://www.yelp.com/biz/waterfall-garden-seattle).

From here, you have three good options -- go East/Up to the International District; West/Down to the waterfront; or North/flat back to downtown. What I haven't come up with is a perfect lunch spot, so perhaps pfrduke can chime in with thoughts.

Here is a map with all the places (http://maps.live.com/?v=2&encType=1&sp=yp.YN926x17900000~yp.YN926x15776600~yp.YN926x32 992086~yp.YN926x40088750~yp.YN926x15796932)mention ed so far. Sat. afternoon/evening to come.

If you head to the Pioneer Square area, a good lunch option for a beer lover would be the Pyramid Alehouse (http://www.pyramidbrew.com/alehouses/seattle.php), which is just South of Pioneer Square and across the street from Safeco field.

[pfrduke]

http://www.ddir.com/

Dick's is convenient to the Seattle Center if you go in that direction. It's about two blocks west of Key Arena, at Queen Anne Ave. and Republican.

[devildeac]

All sound like wonderful suggestions so far. We will compile all the ideas over the next several days and report back after the cruise. Don't stop now with the ideas though! (Mariners OOT-excellent:o). Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts!

[Lavabe]

If you head up to Anchorage, you MUST stop at the Glacier Brewhouse. If you don't stop there in Anchorage, your license to comment on the Ymm Beer thread will be revoked. Fantastic restaurant that goes with it.

Any of the Jim Beam specialty brews will be nice.:)

[devildeac]

If you head up to Anchorage, you MUST stop at the Glacier Brewhouse. If you don't stop there in Anchorage, your license to comment on the Ymm Beer thread will be revoked. Fantastic restaurant that goes with it.

Any of the Jim Beam specialty brews will be nice.:)

Don't think Anchorage is on the itinerary but I can certainly search for the Alaska Brewery products in other stops/excursions:D. They brew a wide selection of quality ales, especially their legendary Smoked Porter, which, alas, is out of season:(.