Official Seattle information thread Updated 5/28/2014-Oso update

[Keurigirl]

We use http://www.eastsideforhire.com/ all the time to take us to/from the airport. They're really great.

As far as liquor goes, the law did just change. Right now you can buy beer & wine in grocery stores and gas stations, etc, even on Sunday. It's just hard alcohol that is really being affected by the law change. The new law says that all the same places that sell beer and wine can now sell hard alcohol too.

 

[trimix]

Allergy sufferers - I hadn't thought of this before, but today I started noticing the 'snow' of cottonwood pollen. It will get worse for the next few weeks, but should be dissipating by the end of June.

If you have pollen allergies, be prepared!

 

[Keurigirl]

Allergy sufferers - I hadn't thought of this before, but today I started noticing the 'snow' of cottonwood pollen. It will get worse for the next few weeks, but should be dissipating by the end of June.

If you have pollen allergies, be prepared!

I will say though, I've never seen it in downtown Seattle - more on the Eastside (bellevue, redmond) and up north where you are....

 

[Caropooh]

I will say though, I've never seen it in downtown Seattle - more on the Eastside (bellevue, redmond) and up north where you are....

It's starting to show up down south (Auburn, Federal Way) also. The rest of my family will attest to that!

 

[Stinasmom]

As far as liquor goes, the law did just change. Right now you can buy beer & wine in grocery stores and gas stations, etc, even on Sunday. It's just hard alcohol that is really being affected by the law change. The new law says that all the same places that sell beer and wine can now sell hard alcohol too.

Actually, gas stations and mini marts less than 10,000 sq feet in size will NOT sell the hard stuff. But yes, once the law changes June 1st, all alcohol is for sale 7 days per week just not from 2am to 6am.
I don't know the port area well enough to direct you to an actual grocery store as it is the heart of the city and not suburbia, maybe someone else knows the closest actual store?

 

[m1ckeym0use1]

Can anyone comment on directions from the light rail station to the Mayflower Park hotel? I read it's right nearby, but not sure which direction to head when getting off light rail.

 

[NWmom]

Heard on the news-- the new Chihuly Glass is now open.

With cruises already happening-- are there any glaring things I need to update to the first page?

And a second huge thank you to all the locals who have helped to make this thread so fantastic. Really, all I did was set up the frammework and get it going.

Seattle Rocks!!!!

NW

 

[mellers]

Can anyone comment on directions from the light rail station to the Mayflower Park hotel? I read it's right nearby, but not sure which direction to head when getting off light rail.

Get off the light rail at Westlake Center. It's a mall with a direct entrance to the Mayflower Park. There's a fair number of transit officers in the tunnel--ask, and I'm sure they'll know the best way to go. If that doesn't work, there's maps in lots of places in the mall, and they should direct you to the best place.

 

[m1ckeym0use1]

Get off the light rail at Westlake Center. It's a mall with a direct entrance to the Mayflower Park. There's a fair number of transit officers in the tunnel--ask, and I'm sure they'll know the best way to go. If that doesn't work, there's maps in lots of places in the mall, and they should direct you to the best place.

Thankyou!

 

[Bunless]

When I flew in to Seatac yesterday, there was a great view of the newly erected ferris wheel. That thing is BIG.

I will say though, I've never seen it in downtown Seattle - more on the Eastside (bellevue, redmond) and up north where you are....

Interestingly enough, I always thought I had a cottonwood allergy, but apparently that isn't what people are allergic to. There's another pollen in the air that happens at the same time that the cottonwoods get going--grass I think?

Actually, gas stations and mini marts less than 10,000 sq feet in size will NOT sell the hard stuff. But yes, once the law changes June 1st, all alcohol is for sale 7 days per week just not from 2am to 6am.
I don't know the port area well enough to direct you to an actual grocery store as it is the heart of the city and not suburbia, maybe someone else knows the closest actual store?

Whole Foods is across the bridge from the port, not sure if they are going to sell liquor.

 

[eandesmom]

When I flew in to Seatac yesterday, there was a great view of the newly erected ferris wheel. That thing is BIG.



Interestingly enough, I always thought I had a cottonwood allergy, but apparently that isn't what people are allergic to. There's another pollen in the air that happens at the same time that the cottonwoods get going--grass I think?

Alder!

It's BRUTAL.

 

[DisSarahK]

Heard on the news-- the new Chihuly Glass is now open.

Yes, it is open--and I keep hearing that it is *not* worth the extremely high entrance fee. I believe it is $18 per person if you do not live within King County.

 

[KsSteve]

We are planning to stay at the Maxwell for 3 days before our cruise in July. Highly rated on Trip Advisor, but was wondering if anyone on DIS has stayed there before and their impressions?

 

[AquaDame]

Does anyone know what time sail away will be with an all aboard of 4pm...? My husband and I are planning on driving up Monday to see her off! We'd see her come in but Im sure that would be eeeeearly!

 

[Keurigirl]

Does anyone know what time sail away will be with an all aboard of 4pm...? My husband and I are planning on driving up Monday to see her off! We'd see her come in but Im sure that would be eeeeearly!

I was thinking of taking my kids over to see it sail away as well! It will be a fun thing to get them excited for our cruise!

 

[Momma2Jax]

We are taking our ds down there a few Mondays this summer to watch the sail away to get him ready! I drove down there a couple weeks ago, and it looks like we will get a really good view from the park next door!

 

[Nicolepa]

Does anyone know what time sail away will be with an all aboard of 4pm...? My husband and I are planning on driving up Monday to see her off! We'd see her come in but Im sure that would be eeeeearly!

We are taking the kids down on Monday to see the ship in port. I'd love to either see is come in or depart, but I'm not sure I can get dh to do that. I can't wait for them to see how big it really is.

 

[geoffrey]

We are taking the kids down on Monday to see the ship in port. I'd love to either see is come in or depart, but I'm not sure I can get dh to do that. I can't wait for them to see how big it really is.

I was thinking of heading up to Ft. Casey on Whidbey Island. I have seen other cruise ships go by from there and it is really cool.

I just wish I could get a better handle on what time she will be going by

 

[MillauFr]

Does anyone know what time sail away will be with an all aboard of 4pm...? My husband and I are planning on driving up Monday to see her off! We'd see her come in but Im sure that would be eeeeearly!

Most of all the other ships leave at 4:00p. I thought the all aboard was 2:00p and it left at 4:00p.

 

[DisSarahK]

While getting input from others on things to do with my children in Ketchikan, I thought of something for visitors to Seattle to do *here*! If you are interested in the history of the Native people of *this* area, then the Burke Museum is an excellent resource and a fascinating place to visit. It is located on the outside edge of the campus of the University of Washington (you do not have to enter the campus to access the museum and is a GREAT museum.

The entire lower level of the museum has a permanent exhibit of Native peoples from around the Pacific--including up into Alaska. There also are rotating exhibits throughout the museum.

Here is the link to the website:
Burke Museum Although there is lots of great info about the museum (including how to get there and hours of operation) there aren't any great pictures of the exhibits)--all I can say is that if museums are your thing and my description intrigues you, this is a good one and a good introduction to what you will see in Alaska.