I'll be in SEA for a couple of days at the end of this month, and would like to get out and explore a bit.

Options others have mentioned:
- taking a ferry out to the San Juan islands and spending the day there.
- driving to Hurricane Ridge.
- going out to the Olympic Pacific coast.
- taking the Boeing tour.

Which would you recommend? Or something else?

Definitely the Boeing plant. If the weather is nice (and forecasted to stay nice) and the roads clear, you could go to Rainier, Mt. St. Helens or over the North Cascades highway (WA 20?).

All depends on what you like to do.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by terenz:
All depends on what you like to do.</font>
Scubadiving, kayaking, scenic day-hikes, aviation, avoiding crowds.... :-)

The diving and kayaking will have to wait: I'm not taking my dive gear, and the water's probably too cold for a seakayaking novice like myself. I guess I'm limited to day-hiking or idyllic sightseeing.

Any trails you'd recommend (especially with ocean views)? Are the islands worth visiting this time of year?

Thanks!

P.S. I've posted a couple Seattle questions over the Dining section, too.

[This message has been edited by taucher (edited 02-22-2002).]

Getting to the San Juan Islands for one day via ferry is possible, but it takes ~8 hours RT from SEA (drive to Anacortes then wait for the ferry then have to drive back). If you really want to go, then I'd suggest taking a float plane (Kenmore Air) from Lake Union. Yes, the islands are wonderful this time of year and there is plenty to do.

You could also drive to the WA coast if you long for water. BTW, SEA does have some of the best diving in NA. There are outfits that take you out on dives as well and rent all of the eqpt.

The Olympic Peninsula is nice, but this time of year can be iffy with snow possibility.

As far as hiking - depends upon the level of hiker that you are. There are MANY trails available that are only 1/2 hour away from SEA e.g., Tiger Mountain.

If you have any other ?s, feel free to email me. BTW, today the weather was VERY sunny and blue skies!

You could go on a one hour cruise to Tillicum Village, have a traditional Indian style meal (buffet) and see a show of different tribe dances.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Viajera:
You could go on a one hour cruise to Tillicum Village, have a traditional Indian style meal (buffet) and see a show of different tribe dances. </font>

This only goes on during the "tourist" months e.g., summer and, quite frankly, it's not really worth it IMO. You can go to Bainbridge Island via ferry and see a wonderful Native American museum, visit the reservation, and then come back to SEA to have a great salmon dinner.

One of my employees just had to get to Portland, Or. from Seattle to meet me for a training event. She got on Amtrack and did it for $26.00 1 way (4 hours). I think the roundtrip for $52.00 is quite a deal, compared to what some tourist trains charge--take a book for the dull sections, camera for the scenery. If they allow it, pack a picnic lunch. Spend a couple of hours at Powell's Books (within a few blocks of the station), then head back. Could even be a good spur of the moment rainy day option.

JP

The Boeing tour is interesting. It sounds like you are into more outdoorsy things, in which case I would suggest a drive to either Rainier or Mt. St. Helens. It's been several years since I was there, but the Mt. St. Helens drive was interesting to see all of the devestation and recovery.

Does your schedule permit an overnight trip away from Seattle? If so, consider the ferry to Victoria, BC, about a three-hour trip. Prices in the Old Vic are very reasonable if your home currency is US$. Several companies make the run; look for one that's nonstop. If you do it, bring a passport or birth certificate as security has increased somewhat since 9/11.

Other suggestions: Snoqualmie Lodge and Snoqualmie Pass; Mount Rainier; Seattle Center, the monorail, the Space Needle, and Paul Allen's music museum; Pike Street Market; Elliott Bay Bookstore.