budgeting family trip ??

[dreamin_disney]

UPDATE #2
We bought our plane tickets
We were told to book rental car during the week when rates are cheaper.
Hubby and I have an idea on what hotel we want in Kennewick. We still don't know what hotel in Seattle(2 days). Downtown is to expensive. Trying to figure out must try foods in Seattle for family of three we good food but no fancy places. Not sure what seattle is known for expect starbucks and coffees



UPDATED- made some changes


Planning a trip to Washington State to see family. haven't been there in over 15 years

for flying
1. fly into Kennewick from Lax
2. Rent a car to drive to Seattle. Do some sight seeing , Then Fly home to Lax

I've been looking at Alaska Airlines. Whats the best way to find deals or recommendations for airlines?

We want to spent about 4 days seeing family. We will stay in a hotel $80-$100 a night in the Washington tri-city area. Any hotel recommendations?


Driving from Kennewick to Seattle any must see driving that route?

What are some must see things in Seattle?
only thing on our list is
-pike place
-space needle

We aren't into hiking, boating or biking.

DD17 loves to shop

Any hotel recommendations that will be close to air port, pikes place and space needle?
Looking for a hotel $100-$150 a night.

inexpensive food place in Seattle

Would love any advice, money saving tips and feedback. Thanks Hoping to go in June after the 11th

 

[dreamin_disney]

made some changes

 

[2Gma]

Is flying into Kennewick the cheapest option? How about flying into Portland or Seattle and then renting a car and driving to Kennewick, visit family, and then drive back to Seattle/Portland?

We've visited Pike Place and Space Needle as well. Lots to see and "take in." We also did the Ballard Locks and the flower gardens that we on the grounds there. Between those 3 things it was a full day. How about visiting Mount Rainier? If a clear day, its has breathtaking views.

Seattle traffic can be crazy on the weekends, especially Sunday going back into the city. We come from another major metro area and weren't quite prepared for that level of congestion.

 

[MickeyManiac]

Downtown Seattle hotels are at least double your budget. You can stay near the hotel and take the train downtown, it's really easy. Everything downtown is within an easy walk.

 

[dreamin_disney]

One of the options was flying into Seattle then driving to Kennewick. Flying Lax to Ken is $129 and Lax to Sea is $155 July 1st one way. Prices keep changing from minute to minute. So website its keep track of my searching. Earlier is was $113 Lax to kenn

How late do the trains run? ANy suggestions for hotels away from downtown? We are looing to be in Seattle Tues,July 5th. Figured over 4th July Holiday it would be cheaper to stay in Kennewick than Seattle

 

[dreamin_disney]

?? Should we do the space needle during the day or night??

 

[endy]

I love Seattle. Not sure if I would live there but visiting for a week or so is nice.

Last year if you went to the Space Needle in the daytime you could return the same night for free.
Have you checked out the Seattle Citypass card? It is a great deal if you can use most of the passes and you don't have to wait in line to buy tickets, all places on the pass have a window for prepaid tickets. It includes the aquarium, EMP, Needle, zoo, harbor cruise and a couple others. At least this was for last year. You could easily start at the aquarium, cross the street and up the hill is Pike's, then do both EMP and Needle in a day.
If you have a Costco card it is sometimes available online.

For shopping there is an outlet mall in North Bend (maybe 30 to 60 minutes, we usually stop on the way), another outlet further north. Ourselves, we like the South Center mall just off the I5 a few minutes south of Seattle.
Traffic is bad most of the time.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

Seattle Underground tour is interesting: http://www.undergroundtour.com/

The EMP museum was interesting when we went there, but I can't speak for the quality of the current exhibits as it has been a few years since we have visited: http://www.empmuseum.org/

 

[moniqueand2]

The aquarium is great. I love the harbor cruise. Since you have a car, you could go out to Boeing for a tour.

Like said above, the city pass may be a good option for you all, http://www.citypass.com/seattle

In my experience, food is not cheap in Seattle, you can be on the look out for happy hour sushi places to save a little bit.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I love Seattle. Not sure if I would live there but visiting for a week or so is nice.

Last year if you went to the Space Needle in the daytime you could return the same night for free.
Have you checked out the Seattle Citypass card? It is a great deal if you can use most of the passes and you don't have to wait in line to buy tickets, all places on the pass have a window for prepaid tickets. It includes the aquarium, EMP, Needle, zoo, harbor cruise and a couple others. At least this was for last year. You could easily start at the aquarium, cross the street and up the hill is Pike's, then do both EMP and Needle in a day.
If you have a Costco card it is sometimes available online.

For shopping there is an outlet mall in North Bend (maybe 30 to 60 minutes, we usually stop on the way), another outlet further north. Ourselves, we like the South Center mall just off the I5 a few minutes south of Seattle.
Traffic is bad most of the time.

Space needle and pike's place is on our list for sure. Hubby thought the glass museum looked cool. I'll look up the harbor cruise and see if it would interest us. . Thanks for the mall info. I looked up South Center Mall and WOW! I think my Daughter will love it! I'll look up the other malls tomorrow. Thanks for your help

Seattle Underground tour is interesting: http://www.undergroundtour.com/

The EMP museum was interesting when we went there, but I can't speak for the quality of the current exhibits as it has been a few years since we have visited: http://www.empmuseum.org/

Thank you. I'll check it out

The aquarium is great. I love the harbor cruise. Since you have a car, you could go out to Boeing for a tour.

Like said above, the city pass may be a good option for you all, http://www.citypass.com/seattle

In my experience, food is not cheap in Seattle, you can be on the look out for happy hour sushi places to save a little bit.

We were thinking about simple places to eat . Not looking for restaurants .Hopefully we can find something good. I seen some burger places on those Food TV shows.


We've been looking at Hotels near downtown by Pike's Place and space needle and $200+ a night. Will staying in Tukwila, WA be to far? Tukwila, WA is that near the air port and South center Mall?

 

[endy]

Tukwila - I wouldn't consider it too far. We usually stay in Kent which is a bit further south. Lots of shopping and restaurants right around the mall.

The glass museum is amazing. It's part of the Citypass. Tho maybe not interesting for your dd. My DS and friend went to the science center and I went to the glass place. Beautiful, some very expensive pieces you can buy in the gift shop, I didn't buy anything. Doesn't take too long to go through maybe an hour or could be longer depending on your interest. Last year they had a glass maker demo going on that could take another 20 or so minutes.

I found Boeing air museum interesting too and again not more than an hour if you semi rushed through.

Sounds like most things you'll do are part of citypass. I haven't done the harbour cruise but always wanted to. We did a Duck tour a few years ago and it was fun. The harbour tour I would expect to be interesting as well. Especially if it goes past the houseboats.

All this discussion is making me want to go to Seattle again.

If you're a baseball fan check if the Mariners are in town, you can buy tickets at the Mariner store at South Center mall. Also if you've never been to a soccer game the Sounders games are so much fun. The fans are way more intense than any hockey or baseball games I've ever watched.

 

[btgandar]

We just spent spring break in Seattle. We bought the City Pass. It was well worth the money. We didn't do everything in it, and still saved a significant amount. The space needle ticket is good for a daytime and nighttime visit within 24 hours. EMP museum and glass museum (and I think the science center) are all in the same area. We went to the EMP and glass museum. Both really cool (17 year old son enjoyed them both). The Harbor cruise and aquarium were also fun.

Traffic in and around the city is crazy! We are from NJ, so no stranger to traffic...geesh!

The city has tons of food trucks. Our favorite was "On the Rez". You can actually follow them on twitter to see where they will be. For lunch most days we would find a food truck pod and just eat away! Lots of times there was a bit of live music, so that was really fun too. Tons of shopping downtown - both the chain stores and some neat local places.

We also went to the flagship REI store. Worth a visit if you have a little time. It's like a little oasis with a waterfall and stream. Pretty good shopping there, too.

University of Washington is stunning. Great bookstore, great campus.

Boeing tour was really cool.

We stayed in the city, so I can't comment on hotels outside of the city.

We LOVED our visit and are already plotting ways to return. Have fun!!

 

[dreamin_disney]

Tukwila - I wouldn't consider it too far. We usually stay in Kent which is a bit further south. Lots of shopping and restaurants right around the mall.

The glass museum is amazing. It's part of the Citypass. Tho maybe not interesting for your dd. My DS and friend went to the science center and I went to the glass place. Beautiful, some very expensive pieces you can buy in the gift shop, I didn't buy anything. Doesn't take too long to go through maybe an hour or could be longer depending on your interest. Last year they had a glass maker demo going on that could take another 20 or so minutes.

I found Boeing air museum interesting too and again not more than an hour if you semi rushed through.

Sounds like most things you'll do are part of citypass. I haven't done the harbour cruise but always wanted to. We did a Duck tour a few years ago and it was fun. The harbour tour I would expect to be interesting as well. Especially if it goes past the houseboats.

All this discussion is making me want to go to Seattle again.

If you're a baseball fan check if the Mariners are in town, you can buy tickets at the Mariner store at South Center mall. Also if you've never been to a soccer game the Sounders games are so much fun. The fans are way more intense than any hockey or baseball games I've ever watched.

Co-worker mentioned SeaTac or fife what are thoughts on those places for hotel? I'll look up hotels in Kent too.
I feel we will be rushing. After I bought the tickets hubby told me rental car needs to be turned in by 1pm on June 22nd if I had know I wouldn't have got a departing flight out of Seattle at 5:45 pm . So not much on the last day like I planned. We will drive into Seattle on MOnday but I'm sure with all the stops we will get in at mid/late afternoon. So one fullday in seattle for sure.
Monday- glass museum and pikes place
Tuesday- harbor tour , space needle day(for sure) and evening(maybe) , hopefully some shopping

Downtown is way to expensive for hotel especially since its only to sleep-lol! Trying to figure out what area

We just spent spring break in Seattle. We bought the City Pass. It was well worth the money. We didn't do everything in it, and still saved a significant amount. The space needle ticket is good for a daytime and nighttime visit within 24 hours. EMP museum and glass museum (and I think the science center) are all in the same area. We went to the EMP and glass museum. Both really cool (17 year old son enjoyed them both). The Harbor cruise and aquarium were also fun.

Traffic in and around the city is crazy! We are from NJ, so no stranger to traffic...geesh!

The city has tons of food trucks. Our favorite was "On the Rez". You can actually follow them on twitter to see where they will be. For lunch most days we would find a food truck pod and just eat away! Lots of times there was a bit of live music, so that was really fun too. Tons of shopping downtown - both the chain stores and some neat local places.

We also went to the flagship REI store. Worth a visit if you have a little time. It's like a little oasis with a waterfall and stream. Pretty good shopping there, too.

University of Washington is stunning. Great bookstore, great campus.

Boeing tour was really cool.

We stayed in the city, so I can't comment on hotels outside of the city.

We LOVED our visit and are already plotting ways to return. Have fun!!

 

[dreamin_disney]

Would like imput on this. I've been thinking about my plans
Monday Day 1 - Stay near the hotel
-Harbor tour
-space needle day (maybe during the evening too)
-emp museum
-chichuly glass and garden
-would love to do the big ferris wheel but hubby isn't thrilled about it

*is the above to much to do in one day?? Should I save the harbor tour for day 2?

Tuesday Day 2 -Debating staying in same hotel by the space needle or getting one by the airport so we can wake up Wednesday morning without having to drive from downtown to airport. not sure what traffic is like going that way
-harbor tour (depending on advice I get read above)
-pike's place
-shopping I was thinking Westfield Southcenter Mall

Is southcenter Mall the best out of northgate and Alderwood Mall?

Our rental car has to be turned in by 1:00 to the airport Wednesday. My thought was after night one we would spend time in downtown all day then go shopping in the evening at southcenter mall. Dinner then to hotel by aiport. Wake up and eat breakfast. Turn in car and I read theres free shuttles from hotel to shopping to seattle southside. Is there a place we can leave our bags at the airport and get a free shuttle fro airport to shopping? I didn't realize our car had to be turned in at 1:00 and I scheduled our flights at 5:45pm

or is it best just to stay both nights by space needle, 2nd night drive to westfield south center(or a good shopping area) then Wednesday morning just drive to airport from space needle area?

any recommendation by space needle or airport(incase we stay one night there) Thanks in advance

BTW- seattle citypass is $74 a person is that the lowest prices these go for?

 

[endy]

Sometimes Costco has the Citypass available online for a couple dollars less.

Day 1 I think you could accplomish it all. Needle, EMP and the glass place are all only a minute apart. Depending on harbour tour times, I would try to do it first rather than trying to get from Needle to harbour and back to Neddle.
Day 2 I would try to squeeze in the aquarium while at Pikes, especially if you buy the Citypass as it's included. You can likely get thru it in an hour, same for Pikes. Myself I don't really get Pike's, it's a bunch of the same stuff in very tiny spaces and lots of flowers.

I don't know where you get the harbour tour but that would factor in when to go.

Staying nearer the airport your second night will also put you closers to South center mall. This is the only mall I have been at so can't comment on the others.

You're really wanting me to go back to Seattle soon.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Thank you for responding. I'll keep the aquarium in mind if we have extra time. Not sure what Pikes is about too but I keep reading it a must do-lol! I talked to hubby and he likes the idea of staying by the airport on night 2. It will save on the drive. I was able to search a few hotels by the airport but will have to keep looking on one we agree on. I've also been looking for food places. Day 1 will probably be by the space needle and Day 2 lunch in downtown and dinner by airport hotel. Can anyone chime in on weather and what we should pack? We are from SoCal so use to hot weather but I keep hearing Seattle is rainy and evenings are cold. I read on the harbor tour it might be chilly if we sit on top

 

[dreamin_disney]

We got everything booked 1st night staying by space needle. 2nd night at sleep inn by SEA TAC. Anything to do near Sleep Inn? We will be there the last day for a couple of hours too until 2-3pm . Anything to do to kill time in the airport (I think we will be there 2 hours)?

recommendation for place to eat near Sleep Inn or airport?