Favorite things to do in and around Seattle.

[TwingleMomFl]

We are flying into Seattle and taking the train up to Vancouver but we will be there a few days before.

What do you recommend to so with kids ages 9 and 14? We also plan to rent a car so anything that would require that would be great to get ideas on too!

We

 

[TwingleMomFl]

Also any hotel recommendations?

 

[bceagle76]

I dont live in Seattle but work for Seattle company.
There are number of good hotels, I am Marriott guy. So I like courtyard on 2 nd ave and Renissance on 6th which has real popcorn on the room service menu. But the Silver Cloud next to SafeCo is great expecially if going to a Mariner's Game. You just walk across the street.

Things to do.
Mariner's game you can get $10 tickets in left field which is the same view you get from the Monster View at Fenway.
Sounders Game if they are home I amnot soccer guy but it is alot of fun going to game 40k fans who are carzy about their team and game.
Pike Market see the throwing of the Fish
Space Needle
Rock and Roll exhibit at space needle
Duck Tour of the city
If you are there in August Sea Fair
Underground City Tour

I am sure people can come up with other things

8/99 4day Magic
4/02 7 day Magic
8/03 7 day Magic
11/05 4 day wonder pin cruise
8/06 7 day Magic
8/08 15 night Panama Canal
8/09 7 day Magic
8/11 Alaska
12/12 Christmas on the Fantasy

 

[Chilly]

We really enjoyed the Underground Tour, funny and informative.

We stayed at the hotel Monaco which was really nice.

 

[bceagle76]

Monaco is a very nice hotel

 

[antmaril]

We stayed at The Sheraton in June. It was great and the location was nearly perfect. It was an easy walk to the Pike Place Market.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I really enjoyed the Underground Tour (you can catch it at Pioneer Square), the Aquarium and the Chilhuly Garden & Glass exhibit.

We found the CityPass a great way to see the highlights.

 

[Lopear1]

Another vote for the Duck tour. It is located right near the Space Needle. We laughed until we cried! Ask for the Viking driver - he was hilarious! Great tour of the city, and a lovely cruise around Lake Union.

Pike's market is also fun, and the Aquarium is also nearby.

There is so many fun things to do in Seattle!

 

[disneygirl1972]

We spent 2 1/2 days in Seattle last summer before our Alaskan cruise. My kiddos were 10 & 13 @ the time. We stayed at the Red Lion on 5th (great location). The first afternoon we walked towards the waterfront, ate @ Ivar's & had a Starbuck's Frappaccino along the waterfront. Next day, we walked to TopPot doughnuts (saw it on TV), then took the Light Rail (very easy) to Safeco for a midday game. We then took Light Rail to the Space Needle, dinner @ Serious Pie (pizza). Monday morning (Memorial Day) we did Pike Place Market. "Original" Starbucks for breakfast, then ate our way around the market (we are food loving people). Afternoon was spent on a Duck Tour. Tuesday, we boarded our ship.

 

[JimmyJackJunior]

We are flying into Seattle and taking the train up to Vancouver but we will be there a few days before.

What do you recommend to so with kids ages 9 and 14? We also plan to rent a car so anything that would require that would be great to get ideas on too!

We

Pacific Science Center(with the Space Needle, Science Centre and Pop Culture Museum and they have an incredible children's center)

 

[kdeans1010]

The EMP. I really enjoy the EMP, it's the Experience Music Project (there's this rad history, that is really interesting to read, but know it's awesome.). And even if you don't like that new fangled rock music, there's the Science Fiction Center which is my favorite place in Seattle. Love it! My only qualm about it is last time I went, there was an exhibit about horror films. Yeah, not my favorite thing (I had to have a friend hold my hand through it. I'm a 31 year old woman, not a horror movie fan.). I don't think it's there anymore.
http://www.empmuseum.org/


Piroshky Piroshky in Pike's Place---- AMAZEBALLS! I got down to Seattle about once a month (I live 2 hours away.) and despite having an appointment on the other side of town, my dad is always like "bring home a few bags!" So good!
http://www.piroshkybakery.com/

I like going to Pike's Place just to people watch and scenery watch. You could go to Forks, but that's a big journey and a small little town.

 

[justmestace]

We stayed in Seattle for 2 days before our cruise, so we could see the sights.

Our location was PERFECT. We stayed at the Marriott Seattle Waterfront. Just next to the hotel is an elevator that will take you up to the Pike Place Market, which from there you can go to Pioneer Square ...the Underground Tour is a MUST....and to many shops and restaurants.

Just out front of the hotel is, of course, the waterfront. An easy walk to the Aquarium and all the shops and attractions on the waterfront.

Also, a short walk a few blocks down, and then uphill took us to the Space Needle, which is also where you'll find the Duck Tour ticket sales and loading area.

We also were able to EASILY walk to the ship's terminal, so we had no need for a taxi the entire time....except to and from the airport.

 

[justmestace]

Here's a link to a good map of the areas that you'll be the most interested in. Other than the Safeco baseball field, which could be a long walk, I can't imagine needing a rental car. Finding parking spaces might be a bit of a hassle.


http://www.visitseattle.org/Images/Maps/MapDowntown-(1).jpg

 

[chrisrunty]

I live here. These are some of our favorites:
1. The new Ferris Wheel... so cool and worth the price.
2. Pike's Market... something for everyone. Go hungry!
3. Aquarium
4. Pacific Science center with a ride up to the Space Needle... Bring your camera.
5. Walk along the piers, Take the 2 hour Argosy Cruise to learn about Seattle
6. Ride the Ducks

These are what I think would be most age appropriate for you and your kids.

 

[bceagle76]

another thing if you love chinese food
china town is as good as any
my favorite is the Sea Garden not the prettiest place but great food

For Steaks
metropolian grill is one of best steak places in the country
very pricey

there are great seattle places
the pink door
wild ginger
just some of my favorites

 

[sayhello]

I agree with everyone. The Underground Tour from Pioneer Square is really fun, and a total must do! The Aquarium is really nice, and Pike Place Market is really, really great (and really delicious!) Make sure you catch them throwing fish at the Fish Market!

I'm going to add one more, to do lunch at the restaurant atop the Space Needle. No, the food isn't fabulous (but it's not bad). It's the view that is wonderful! The restaurant rotates 360 degrees and you can just sit there & have a spectacular "show" while you eat! Also, admission to the observation deck is free if you eat there.

Sayhello

 

[chrisrunty]

It's a bit of a trek, but the Museum of Flight in Georgetown/South Seattle is a great place to see aviation, space, science stuff.

If you want a fantastic sandwich, and are near or in Pike Place Market, make sure you get the pork sandwich at "Rub with Love". It's famous Seattle chef Tom Douglass' sandwich and rubs shop kitty corner from the North end of the market. To. Die. For.

[posting: chrisrunty's DH]

Also, a short walk away from King Street Station (assuming that's where you catch the train) is Tat's Deli, about four blocks north of KSS. Great east coast style deli in downtown Seattle. In the same vicinity, you can also go up to the observation deck in the Smith Tower. Less touristy and busy than the Space Needle, could be something to do before boarding the train...

 

[Luv2Diz]

We spent 2 days in Seattle pre-cruise last summer. We always enjoy Pike Place Market and the area around it. The waterfront is fun to walk along and has a variety of restaurants. The area around the Space Needle is enjoyable.

We stayed at the Maxwell Hotel and really enjoyed. It's in a great location just north of the Space Needle in the Queen Anne district. Modern hotel, quiet and free secure parking!

 

[Pixiedusted Mom]

I live north of Seattle and travel down there a few times a year.
Must do the Pikes Place market. We always eat at the Piroshky in Pikes place.
duck tour is great fun
Pacific Science Center with the space needle is a must
For something different you can try the ifly indoor skydiving center. It's located near the airport. It's not cheap but an awesome experience. Both my daughters ages 7 and 16 loved it. I enjoyed it too. You must get reservations.
When we want to splurge we stay at the Marriott on the waterfront.
Have fun! Hope you get good weather!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Ok, maybe we're oddballs but here's what we did. We had 2 days pre cruise last summer. We really aren't 'city people' and before arriving dh kept saying he didn't want to stay downtown & do city touring. Also the hotels downtown were crazy high. So we stayed at the Hilton right next to the airport. It wasn't the greatest hotel but our kids, then 15 & 12, were so happy that they offer rooms with 2 king beds. So nice to not hear them bicker & it was only $134/nt with the prepaid rate. We were spending a ton on Alaskan excursions and just couldn't go crazy in Seattle too.

The day we arrived we visited the Space Needle which did take longer than we anticipated. On a Saturday evening the wait was probably 1 hr. Dh & kids fell in love with the whole city and agreed we should return again someday to see more. After seeing Mt. Rainier from atop the SN, they all agreed we should visit there the next day.
The one thing I wanted to do is visit the Boeing factory so we squeezed that in early the next morning. It's about 1/2 drive north of Seattle but it was neat to see. From there we drove to Mt. Rainier and enjoyed amazing views, wildlife & even some glaciers. It was approximately a 14 hr day to do both so by then we were all exhausted and glad to drop off the car & relax a bit before heading to the port in the am.

Have fun planning.