Questions about Seattle, WA

[NWmom]

King Tut is due at the Pacific Science Center in Spring 2012.

Tutankhamun: The Golden King and The Great Pharaohs
May 24, 2012-January 6, 2013
Step into one of history's most treasured stories in Tutankhamun: The Golden King and The Great Pharaohs, opening at Pacific Science Center on May 24, 2012. The exhibit features more than 100 objects from King Tut's tomb as well as artifacts from ancient sites representing some of the most important rulers throughout 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history.

We are eagerly looking forward to this at our school!

 

[LovesToRun]

If you are a runner and looking for a place to run right from the ship, the Elliott Bay trail is great (it's a paved trail), and it is very scenic and beautiful... and flat, which is unusual to find any place flat to run in Seattle. If you run on the trail through Myrtle Edwards Park, that is really beautiful because it's right on the waterfront, and you can watch the ferries go in and out, etc, while you run. The trail through Mytrle Edwards park is about 1.25 miles one way, but the entire Elliott Bay trail is about 4.5 miles long one way (goes from the start of Myrtle Edwards Park right downtown on the waterfront over to Magnolia, so round trip would be approximately 8ish miles), but terminal 91 is right in the middle of the trail.

There are lots of other great places to run in Seattle, too, but the Elliott Bay trail is the best place to run if you don't want to bother with having to drive from the ship to get to a place to run.

If you do have transportation, another great place to run in Seattle is West Seattle along Alki Beach. It is a beautiful view of downtown Seattle while you run, and it's right along the beach. Then, there is a big park at the end of West Seattle called Lincoln Park that you can run through, too, if you want a longer run.

If there are any hard core runners and you want ideas for long routes, or challenging routes, PM me and I can give you more ideas (but would require you to have transportation).

 

[KAZPRINCESS]

Booked to cruise Alaska out of Seattle next July. I will be travelling with 3 children 10 and under.

Subscribing as great info already.

 

[MillauFr]

There is a waterfront trolley that will take you within a couple blocks of the stadium, and I believe Pier 91 is pretty close. Or, from Pike Place Market, you can walk over to Westlake and take the Light Rail

The trolley hasn't been running for a few years. It has been replaced by the #99 bus. Not as fun as the old trolley though. Pier 66 is close to the old trolley line. Pier 91 is a few miles away.

 

[mellers]

The trolley hasn't been running for a few years. It has been replaced by the #99 bus. Not as fun as the old trolley though. Pier 66 is close to the old trolley line. Pier 91 is a few miles away.

Thanks for the correction--I should have double-checked.

 

[melsherard]

Check out the Seattle CityPass... for $59 you get tickets to 6 different attractions in Seattle! It's a great deal... http://www.citypass.com/seattle

 

[Stinasmom]

We were in Seattle a week or so ago and I snapped this picture just because I thought the fog that had formed over Elliot Bay on an otherwise sunny day was interesting.

But it also shows that Pier 91 is a ways from the core of downtown. I don't think you can walk to or from this area. Will need to arrange transportation from a hotel.

I would pick a hotel in the core of Downtown that allows you to see it all the day before.... We like the Westin -- two really tall round buildings that leave you with pie shaped rooms! Walk to Westlake to catch monorail to Seattle Center, walk to Pike Place.

 

[flexsmom]

Other fun things to do in Seattle (I am from there)

Argosy cruises does a fun harbor cruise during the day (right by the aquarium)- it's pretty informative and you can get great pics on it (they also have a bar on board). They also do more fancy dinner cruises for those in the area for a cpl days.

The Seattle Center does have some interesting things- check out their event calendar here: http://www.seattlecenter.com/events/ - the children's museum in located in the center house there and while best for ages 8 and under I would say, is very fun for little ones.

The Experience Music Project (EMP)/Science Fiction museum is also on site there (at the Center) and fairly entertining (though pricey)

Also at the Center, is the Pacific Science Center. Often there are traveling exhibits here (recently the Harry Potter exhibit, then the Star Wars one). Very fun

The zoo (mentioned in a PP) is really fun, and Greenlake (a 2.8 mile loop) is a nice stroll with lots of restaurants and a playground. The lake is very close to the zoo (so if you are headed there then check it out). Both though are not in the downtown area.

A PP mentioned the everett area- if you head that way the childrens museum there is really fun, as is Forest Park (a great park with multiple playgrounds, a petting farm, and a water playground/splash park).

For those wanting to take a day trip out of the downtown area (you would def need a car, its 30 min out of downtown)- I would recommened Snoqualmie..they have an amazing waterfall located at Salish Lodge (which has 2 great restaurants and a spa onsite), as well as a cute strip in town with other dining options, cute quaint shops, a bowling alley, coffee shops, etc. The drive from downtown to Snoqualmie will take you completely out of the city and into a feeling of being in the true northwest (and it's a short drive!).

One thing I would HIGHLY suggest is getting a local entertainment book for here. Every school year we take orders (and you can get them online) and I know they run through the following November (so a little more than a school year, not a calander year, if that makes sense). Nearly every attraction people have mentioned is in there- usually a buy one get one free entrance. Some of those attractions are at least $10-$15 each and an Ent. book is only $25. We get two a year usually and if helps our family of 4 SO much. They have great downtown dining coupons, tourist attractions, etc.

For a good all inclusive site to reference (and it sorts things to do by neighborhood which is helpful) visit http://www.cityofseattle.net/visiting/

Just returned from the 8/30 Alaska cruise, and we took Amtrak across the country to spend a few days in Seattle and Vancouver ahead of time. (That was an experience in and of itself!) Anyhow, my kids LOVED the EMP/Science Fiction museum in Seattle. Currently there are Avatar and Battlestar Galactica exhibits that have many interactive aspects. So, very kid-friendly.

We also had dinner at the Space Needle - pricey, but amazing views during sunset and the food was very good (I had read an article that the restaurant was deliberately trying to lure "locals" as well as just tourists, so maybe I shouldn't have been surprised at the food quality! My parents went the next week for lunch and said the same. When you book a meal, you get to go up something like 15 minutes before your time, to visit the observation deck first.

We loved The Pink Door restaurant - kind of funky little Italian place close to Pike's Place.

Starbuck's - also mentioned here already, but closely note that it is the only Starbuck's with the original logo and original logo merchandise is available. It took my daughter a couple of hard looks to realize the woman was baring skin!

Another vote here for Snoqualmie Falls - it's beautiful. The hiking trails are all closed right now for area renovations and aren't scheduled to reopen until 2013, but you can still view the falls without any problems. The Salish Lodge spa is awesome, too.

In town, we stayed at the Marriott Waterfront - it is <5 minute walk to Pike's Place market.

Enjoy!

 

[newbie2011]

There is also a quaint Irish pub across from the Pink Door... called Kells. Food is very good. It is also the site of the original Seattle Morgue, so if you like ghost stories, this is your place.

The Seattle Aquarium is a favorite of my family (3DD, 9DS, 12DD, 18DD) fun exhibits, and the sea otters and seals provide hours of entertainment.

Its been years, but Teatro Zinzanni is a 3 hr 5 course dinner theater and cirque/variety show that is fun and delicious!

Buca di Beppo is and Italian restaurant that serves all meals "family" style and the interior is fun and irreverent Italian catholic in decor. We often sit at the Pope's table (a round table in its own gazebo that seats 12 with a bust of one of the popes in the center.)

I too am from the Seattle area (More like Tacoma, but my family likes to take day trips to Seattle) so I am available for questions too!

 

[Grumpymom73]

Just curious.....and I thought those that live near Seattle and are big Disney fans might know.....

When you come to WDW what do you consider a good airfare between Seattle and Orlando?
We live in the Orlando area and are sailing to Alaska in June 2012. I've been looking at fares but I'm not sure what I should expect to pay and therefore don't know when to jump on a deal when I find one.
Also, do you have an airline that you prefer?

Thanks for any help!

 

[mello]

We fly Alaska and collect airmiles with them, and with their companion fares, we usually average around $300-$400 rt max. And then we earn free flights every so often. But that is getting harder to do. We just found my sister a 1-way on Southwest for $215, which without airmiles was outstanding. We've seen prices as high as $800 rt, but wouldn't pay that (family of 5 would make that prohibitive really quick!). I think an average decent price would be around $500 or so rt.

 

[NWgoofyfamily]

For our August trip 2011, I scouted fairs for months - starting last November. Around January I found a one way ticket flying Seattle to MCO for $89+ taxes on Orbitz flying Delta. Then a few weeks later I found another one way on Southwest flying MCO to Seattle for $99 + taxes. That is about as low as I can hope for - and for summer it is great, because fares tend to be higher. I try to find under $300 roundtrip for summer and fares will climb to about $500 RT if you wait til the last minute. Often during the school year I can find fares closer to $200 (but NOT around holidays). We prefer summer as we can take a longer vacation. Also, we usually fly with a connecting flight because it is cheaper.

As soon as you find a fare that you are happy with - grab it! Good luck and hope you enjoy Seattle - and Alaska!

 

[Grumpymom73]

Thanks everyone!
I found a RT with one stop for $375 total per person. Making the total for our family of 4 $1500. It sounded pretty good to me but since June is still so far out and some airlines haven't even opened up booking I wasn't sure.
What would you do? Book or wait?

 

[Grumpymom73]

We will be flying in the day before our cruise in the late afternoon. We would like a nice hotel within walking distance to some restaurants and maybe something to do in the evening. We will not have a rental car and will be depending on shuttles or taxi to get to/from airport and port. Not looking to break the bank with a fancy hotel, but would like something clean in a central location. Any suggestions?

 

[krispykreme97]

I was hoping to get there a day early and have a full day of sight seeing. Where is the American girl store in relation to the airport, port, and space needle?

 

[NWmom]

The American Girl store is in Lynwood at Alderwood Mall. Alderwood Mall is the largest mall on the west side of the mountains in Washington State.
At approximately exit 179-180 on I-5.

I-5 exit numbers are related to miles.

Downtown Space Needle is about exit 165.

It's about 30 minutes max drive.

I suggest a car rental where the ladies get dropped off at the mall while those not interested in shopping head for the Boeing Factory Tour (exit 189) to see the big airplanes up close.

Boeing Factory Tour is in Everett (north of downtown Seattle)
This is different from Museum of Flight (south of downtown Seattle)

 

[mellers]

The American Girl store is quite a ways away from downtown Seattle, the Space Needle, and the airport. However, you can take the 511 to Ash Way Park and Ride via Lynnwood (get off at the Lynnwood transit center) from Olive Way and 6th in downtown Seattle, and then transfer to the 535 Bellevue and get off at the Alderwood Mall--that's where the store is. The trip will take you about 50 minutes.

Please be aware that you will need the fare for both busses (no unpaid transfers on Sound Transit), and that Sound Transit is different from Metro Transit if you have a pass.

 

[NWmom]

Since calling thngs a "Seattle" store is not necessarily where it is really located I want to point out another place called "Seattle Premium Outlets" located on the Tulalip Indian Reservation. Not located in Seattle. It sits between exits 200 and 202, visible from I-5. The exit will read Marysville or Tulalip (two-lay-lip)

Favorite shopping place for high end brands at discount prices.

For those wanting to shop they are building a Cabela's near that location so the menfolk could have a destination they might like while the shoping commences. (Will let you know when it opens)

Also in that section is a Walmart, Home Depot, Tulalip Casino.

 

[newbydisney]

Thanks everyone!
I found a RT with one stop for $375 total per person. Making the total for our family of 4 $1500. It sounded pretty good to me but since June is still so far out and some airlines haven't even opened up booking I wasn't sure.
What would you do? Book or wait?

We fly all the time between Seattle and Orlando and have not yet paid that much (375). However fares are increasing and it looks like now the loweste fare on Alasks is 222 ea way for 2012. Southwest right now has some flights for as low as 99 ea way. You do have a plane change tho. We always fly Alaska non-stop. In case no one has mentioned it if you apply for and receive an Alaska Air Credit Card you will get a companion fare for 99 each year and 25K miles upon approval..good usually for one way. The card is 99 per year as well. We have several You can have, and few people know this, up to 5 cards per person. So a married couple could have 10. You do have the annual fee but if you fly alot the companion fares usually are good except in a case where Southwest is better. We fly Alaska regardless as the service and non-stop are worth the extra money for us. Sometimes up can upgrade to first class very reasonably as well.

 

[NWmom]

bump.