9 a.m.
5) SIGHING IN THE CHAPEL
You can do 1 or 2 of those activities in the 3 hours alloted.
Noon
6) SIP, NIBBLE, PADDLE
Great Idea
4 p.m.
7) OF FUCHSIAS AND SALMON
Definitely a fun thing. But 4 hours isn't needed.
8 p.m.
8) RUSTIC FRENCH
Yep
10:30 p.m.
9) FUNERAL PARLOR CHIC
Fun place, but a younger crowd and the description of the crowd is pretty spot-on.
Sunday
10 a.m.
10) PENANCE AND HASH
W/o a doubt- Portage Bay Cafe, IMO, is the best breakfast in Seattle!
11 a.m.
11) GOODBYE, WITH ALTITUDE
IN SHORT, I think it gives some great ideas of things to do. Obviously, depending on your age/tastes the bars and restaurants cans be substituted for. As a local I could give this a seal of approval, with the caveat that it is an ambitious itinerary and could be tiring. But if that's what you're up for...
Thanks chexfan for the local perspective. I'll probably try at least some of the suggestions, as well as keep tuned to your excellent thread. BTW do you know of a very good dining experience fairly close to Seattle at a winery? I read about it somewhere but can't track it down. Seems to be everbody's pick of a place to go for a special meal.
__________________ Not the idea of the thing, but the thing itself.
BTW do you know of a very good dining experience fairly close to Seattle at a winery? I read about it somewhere but can't track it down. Seems to be everbody's pick of a place to go for a special meal.
99% Match:
The Herbfarm
It's in Woodinville near Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia (and Red Hook).
9 a.m.
5) SIGHING IN THE CHAPEL
You can do 1 or 2 of those activities in the 3 hours alloted.
Noon
6) SIP, NIBBLE, PADDLE
Great Idea
4 p.m.
7) OF FUCHSIAS AND SALMON
Definitely a fun thing. But 4 hours isn't needed.
8 p.m.
8) RUSTIC FRENCH
Yep
10:30 p.m.
9) FUNERAL PARLOR CHIC
Fun place, but a younger crowd and the description of the crowd is pretty spot-on.
Sunday
10 a.m.
10) PENANCE AND HASH
W/o a doubt- Portage Bay Cafe, IMO, is the best breakfast in Seattle!
11 a.m.
11) GOODBYE, WITH ALTITUDE
IN SHORT, I think it gives some great ideas of things to do. Obviously, depending on your age/tastes the bars and restaurants cans be substituted for. As a local I could give this a seal of approval, with the caveat that it is an ambitious itinerary and could be tiring. But if that's what you're up for...
To be honest, I got bored with the NYT article half way though. Waaaaay too much to see/do in the time allowed. I am going to have to agree with Chex on the suggestions, especially #9.
__________________
And I think that this is the physics building...
Well that explains the gravity
What a fantastic thread! I never cease to be amazed at the resources available here at FT
I have a lodging question I'd like to get some feedback on:
We (2 adults + a 1yr old) are in thinking about visiting Seattle for a 4-day weekend mini-vacation in September. F.ex. arrive Fri am, depart Mon pm. We've never been to Seattle, or WA, before
Reading some of the suggestions in this thread and the highlights in the Seattle Times and NY Times articles it sounds like staying somewhere downtown, close'ish to the Pike Place Market would be ideal. (And it sounds like the itinerary in those two articles should be enough for about 3.5 days worth of sightseeing )
If possible I would like to avoid a rental car for the weekend and instead rely on making our way around on foot with the occasional bus or taxi ride. How does this strategy sound? How pedestrian friendly is downtown Seattle?
Searching in the usual-suspect on-line travel sites, there are only so many hotels in this area, and they are all pretty expensive (big surprise ), as in $250/night and upwards....
Is there any way to get away with a little less on the hotel budget and still stay somewhat downtown? Any hotel suggestions? Is it still walkable to the "main attractions"?
Alternatively, would we be better off staying at a cheaper hotel in a different area (which one?) and either getting a rental or relaying more on cabs? How hard/expensive is it to park close to downtown attractions?
Thanks for any hints, help and links to other sites/threads
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Thats a tough call. There is so much to see in the area besides just downtown that I think a car for one or two days would be a great idea..especially if the weather is nice. A drive out to Snoqualmie Falls, the woodinville wineries, Ballard locks are all worthy side trips.
There is good bus service from the airport and Bellevue, where you'll find less expensive hotels and sometimes free parking if you do decide on a car.
I totally agree with Missydarling. A car is nice to have, BUT, remember that you're going to be paying out the nose for parking at a hotel if you stay downtown. Seattle is like any other large city in that aspect.
__________________
And I think that this is the physics building...
Well that explains the gravity
My 2 cents would be to try to get a room downtown on Priceline, you should be able to snag a 4* around $125. With regards to the car, you could rent a car from one of the downtown car rentals agencies for a day, and that way avoid the very high parking fees. I know Hertz has a place in the same building as the Grand Hyatt, and I’m sure there are several others. As far a downtown being pedestrian friendly goes, Seattle is hilly, but the buses are free in the downtown ‘free ride’ area
MissyD, Venice, and IK have given very true advice above.
First of all, I just heard someone saying that hotels are crazy packed the 1st 3 weekends in September and I don't know why. Some other possible hotels downtown that I can think of besides the main ones and boutiques are the Best Western in Pioneer Square and the Ramada Inn on 5th and Lenora (or Blanchard?). The room rates there will easily be 1/2 of what else you're seeing.
If those fail, there is also a Hampton and Homewood Suites (if you're looking for a chain), in Lower Queen Anne which provide easy access to Seattle Center (Space Needle, EMP, etc).
Quote:
Originally Posted by IK in Seattle
My 2 cents would be to try to get a room downtown on Priceline, you should be able to snag a 4* around $125. With regards to the car, you could rent a car from one of the downtown car rentals agencies for a day, and that way avoid the very high parking fees. I know Hertz has a place in the same building as the Grand Hyatt, and I’m sure there are several others. As far a downtown being pedestrian friendly goes, Seattle is hilly, but the buses are free in the downtown ‘free ride’ area
After doing quite a bit of searching for hotels and rates, I'll echo what chexfan said: "hotels are crazy packed the 1st 3 weekends in September"
I guess September is still "summer" and tourist season so the rates are high to begin with and several hotels were simply sold out. So the ones with available rooms have the few rooms that are left at a premium price.
As a check I searched the last weekend in Sept. (9/29-10/1) and I found much more availability and prices $100-150 less! I don't know what the weather is llike this late in summer though, I'm sure there's a reason the hotel prices drop off.
), as in $250/night and upwards.... 
