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

[Bunless]

The Port of Seattle doesn't advertise the time that the terminal opens to passengers anywhere that I can find. Although if the prior cruise is disembarking around 9:00 I would assume the building is open. It just depends how long you want to stand around waiting. There's really nothing to entertain you while you wait at the terminal.

While the building is open, it's really not a place that you want to sit around. It is nothing like the lovely terminal that Disney has built in Port Canaveral. It's basically a warehouse that you walk and wait in line through. Out front there is a coffee stand, but that's it.

You really don't want to aim to get there until after 10:00, prior to that it's going to feel chaotic because of the passengers who are leaving from the previous cruise. You will be like a salmon swimming upstream. Whenever I disembark in Seattle, I make sure to be in the last group of people since I'm not trying to get to a plane, and the foot traffic is still heavy.

If I may suggest, since you're awake anyway...The Olympic Sculpture park is on Western Ave, about a third of the way from Pike Place to the Pier. it's free, it's art, it's got the best view in Seattle. You'll be able to see the Wonder from it. If you have kids, it's a great place to run around. If you're an adult, it's a great place to take a stroll with a cup of coffee. http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/OSP/default.asp#parking

Or go to Pike Place, some coffee and cafes and vendors open at 7am, with the rest (except for DownUnder) opening at 9am.


I think you're probably going to get the same answer from everyone who's been to this pier... even if you could get in earlier, you wouldn't want to. Even if you were flying in that morning at 7am, I'd recommend staying at the airport rather than heading early to the pier. At least at the airport there is some decent food, art, and stores. And yes, I know how funny that sounds.

 

[Luv_Tink]

While the building is open, it's really not a place that you want to sit around. It is nothing like the lovely terminal that Disney has built in Port Canaveral. It's basically a warehouse that you walk and wait in line through. Out front there is a coffee stand, but that's it.

You really don't want to aim to get there until after 10:00, prior to that it's going to feel chaotic because of the passengers who are leaving from the previous cruise. You will be like a salmon swimming upstream. Whenever I disembark in Seattle, I make sure to be in the last group of people since I'm not trying to get to a plane, and the foot traffic is still heavy.

If I may suggest, since you're awake anyway...The Olympic Sculpture park is on Western Ave, about a third of the way from Pike Place to the Pier. it's free, it's art, it's got the best view in Seattle. You'll be able to see the Wonder from it. If you have kids, it's a great place to run around. If you're an adult, it's a great place to take a stroll with a cup of coffee. http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/OSP/default.asp#parking

Or go to Pike Place, some coffee and cafes and vendors open at 7am, with the rest (except for DownUnder) opening at 9am.


I think you're probably going to get the same answer from everyone who's been to this pier... even if you could get in earlier, you wouldn't want to. Even if you were flying in that morning at 7am, I'd recommend staying at the airport rather than heading early to the pier. At least at the airport there is some decent food, art, and stores. And yes, I know how funny that sounds.

Such great suggestions! I meant to add to my earlier post that instead of waiting around the terminal, why not enjoy a leisurely breakfast or hang out at one of the many coffee shops and people watch until it's time to go to the ship. Really, there's a lot you could do around Seattle to pass the time instead of hanging around the terminal.

 

[rillsung]

DH and I left MIL and FIL with the luggage and kids in the terminal in Seattle while we went to get the rental car. They had a couple of chairs of the portable type and that's it. A few minutes after we left, they were pushed out by security who had to clear the building and said it had to be completely empty to take the sniffer dogs through.

 

[trimix]

Here's a third Washington state voice recommending against sitting around at the port. Bunless from Kirkland suggested the Pike Place Market, and I can second the suggestion. There are enough curiosities there to keep a child's attention, as well as a lot of nice little treats for sale.

Going from Kirkland Tutu to Bunless - I hope that doesn't mean you've given up on dancing!

And remember - just because part of the port building is open for people to collect luggage and clear customs, you cannot assume the check-in portion of the building is open. If you are hoping to upgrade, get there around 10 or 10:30 and plan to wait. Otherwise decide if you want to get on the ship a few minutes early or avoid lines.
If I was not trying for an upgrade next week, I would have a quick cheeseburger at the Dick's Drive-In on Queen Anne Ave then show up at the port around noon or 12:30 so I don't have to deal with lines. If you don't plan to try for an upgrade, find out why Seattle is in love with Dick's! (which I don't have any financial interest in, just an addiction to!)

 

[DisSarahK]

Mmm, Dick's! Yum!!

 

[trimix]

For those who don't know Dick's, here are two important links:
First is why you should eat there.

And you may want to see the Dick's website and online menu.

 

[Doingitagain]

Do we need advance reservations for the Seattle underground tour?

 

[Purdue Mouse]

While the building is open, it's really not a place that you want to sit around. It is nothing like the lovely terminal that Disney has built in Port Canaveral. It's basically a warehouse that you walk and wait in line through. Out front there is a coffee stand, but that's it.

You really don't want to aim to get there until after 10:00, prior to that it's going to feel chaotic because of the passengers who are leaving from the previous cruise. You will be like a salmon swimming upstream. Whenever I disembark in Seattle, I make sure to be in the last group of people since I'm not trying to get to a plane, and the foot traffic is still heavy.

If I may suggest, since you're awake anyway...The Olympic Sculpture park is on Western Ave, about a third of the way from Pike Place to the Pier. it's free, it's art, it's got the best view in Seattle. You'll be able to see the Wonder from it. If you have kids, it's a great place to run around. If you're an adult, it's a great place to take a stroll with a cup of coffee. http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/OSP/default.asp#parking

Or go to Pike Place, some coffee and cafes and vendors open at 7am, with the rest (except for DownUnder) opening at 9am.


I think you're probably going to get the same answer from everyone who's been to this pier... even if you could get in earlier, you wouldn't want to. Even if you were flying in that morning at 7am, I'd recommend staying at the airport rather than heading early to the pier. At least at the airport there is some decent food, art, and stores. And yes, I know how funny that sounds.

Thanks for the info! I'm changing my plan to get there at 10 instead of 9. We can enjoy a leisurely breakfast.

 

[Keurigirl]

I am perhaps the only Seattle native who seriously does not get the big fuss over Dick's....

Do we need advance reservations for the Seattle underground tour?

No, although you can pre-purchase. Tours are given on the hour, every hour, so I suspect you can just show up.

 

[Bunless]

Going from Kirkland Tutu to Bunless - I hope that doesn't mean you've given up on dancing! I still teach, but mainly I changed when I couldn't access my old account anymore after many, many tries and troubleshooting.

I am perhaps the only Seattle native who seriously does not get the big fuss over Dick's....
No, you're not. I can only think of Dick's if it's 2am and I've been on a bender.

.

 

[steves100]

Going on the July 2nd cruise.

Will be landing in Seattle Friday night. Debating on what to do Sat. (Sunday is booked Marniners vs RedSox & dinner at Space Needle).

Should we go Whale watching or drive to Mount Ranier? I guess the weather could determine exactly what we do.

If the weather report is bad and ideas?


Thanks

Steve

 

[Chilly]

Do we need advance reservations for the Seattle underground tour?

We just turned up and had no problem getting a tour.

 

[Chilly]

Going on the July 2nd cruise.

Will be landing in Seattle Friday night. Debating on what to do Sat. (Sunday is booked Marniners vs RedSox & dinner at Space Needle).

Should we go Whale watching or drive to Mount Ranier? I guess the weather could determine exactly what we do.

If the weather report is bad and ideas?


Thanks

Steve

Whale watching would probably be better in Alaska.

 

[mellers]

Going on the July 2nd cruise.

Will be landing in Seattle Friday night. Debating on what to do Sat. (Sunday is booked Marniners vs RedSox & dinner at Space Needle).

Should we go Whale watching or drive to Mount Ranier? I guess the weather could determine exactly what we do.

If the weather report is bad and ideas?


Thanks

Steve

Things to do in bad weather:

Go to the aquarium
Go to the SAM (Seattle Art Museum)
Go to the Pacific Science Center and see the King Tut exhibit
Go to the EMP/Sci-Fi Museum
Go to the Chihuly Gardens and Glass
If you have a litttle girl--go to the Alderwood Mall and go to the American Girl store and the Disney Store
If you have a little boy--go to the Bellevue Square Mall and go to the Lego Store and the Disney Store
If your party is all adults, go to Teatro Zinzanni
If you have a high school or college-aged child, go on a college tour: Seattle University and UW.
If one of you is a "power shopper", go across to Bellevue to the upscale shops.
Take a walk on the waterfront in the rain.

 

[Bunless]

Going on the July 2nd cruise.

Will be landing in Seattle Friday night. Debating on what to do Sat. (Sunday is booked Marniners vs RedSox & dinner at Space Needle).

Should we go Whale watching or drive to Mount Ranier? I guess the weather could determine exactly what we do.

If the weather report is bad and ideas?


Thanks

Steve

If it's a lovely day, and if you're able to, drive to Mount Rainier. Go to Paradise. Go to Sunrise. I am not a person who seeks out a view, if it's there its cool, but I'm not moved by it...usually. Mount Rainier, however, and those two locations in particular... it's just being dumbfounded over and over and over again.

 

[eandesmom]

I am perhaps the only Seattle native who seriously does not get the big fuss over Dick's....

Love Dicks but would I pay for a cab ride to it or figure out bus? No way. If it happens to be near where you are, by all means check it out.

No, although you can pre-purchase. Tours are given on the hour, every hour, so I suspect you can just show up.

We ran into a sold out situation for my son's 8th or 9th birthday party. It was a weekend evening, had to buy tickets, go eat and come back and do a later tour, as the one we wanted was sold out. Daytime should be vastly better but be aware that it can fill up.

Whale watching would probably be better in Alaska.

Far better, would never suggest it to anyone out of Seattle. Lived here most of my life. Never seen a native whale.

Going on the July 2nd cruise.

Will be landing in Seattle Friday night. Debating on what to do Sat. (Sunday is booked Marniners vs RedSox & dinner at Space Needle).

Should we go Whale watching or drive to Mount Ranier? I guess the weather could determine exactly what we do.

If the weather report is bad and ideas?


Thanks

Steve

Mt. Rainer! Or for a shorter trip, drive up to Snoqualmie Falls. Short hike down and up, not bad in drizzle and fun to see the falls. Amazing food in the main dining room, though not inexpensive.

As for rain ideas, depends on where you are from as to what would appeal. For me, the whole going to a mall thing really doesn't show the city at all but if you don't have malls or have a little girl who is really into AG then I can totally see it. Both Bellevue and Alderwood are not remotely close to downtown and unless you have a car, a pain in my opinion. Bellevue will have a few things downtown doesn't but a number of the boutique shops out there, are also downtown. But that's me!

Pike Place Market is still fun in the rain, you've also got SAM, EMP, Aquarium and the Seattle Children's Museum (one in Everett is much better but really out of the way) all close by. In the evening I'd look to see what's playing at any of the theaters for shows or Jazz Alley for live music if you like Jazz. Diane Schur is there that weekend, so that'd be my pick, followed by dinner at Icon Grill. Jazz Alley is kid friendly for older ones depending on your party and it's very reasonable. Les Miz is at the 5th which could be a nice option as well.

 

[lucky1]

Mt. Rainer! Or for a shorter trip, drive up to Snoqualmie Falls. Short hike down and up, not bad in drizzle and fun to see the falls. Amazing food in the main dining room, though not inexpensive.

Isn't Snoqualmie Falls walk way under construction? I thought it would not be done until 2013 or 2014.

We drove out there last Summer and were disappointment that we could not walk down.

 

[Luv_Tink]

Isn't Snoqualmie Falls walk way under construction? I thought it would not be done until 2013 or 2014.

We drove out there last Summer and were disappointment that we could not walk down.

You're correct, the trail is closed until 2013. But the upper viewing platforms are open and offer spectacular views of the falls.

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Things to do in bad weather:

Go to the aquarium
Go to the SAM (Seattle Art Museum)
Go to the Pacific Science Center and see the King Tut exhibit
Go to the EMP/Sci-Fi Museum
Go to the Chihuly Gardens and Glass
If you have a litttle girl--go to the Alderwood Mall and go to the American Girl store and the Disney Store
If you have a little boy--go to the Bellevue Square Mall and go to the Lego Store and the Disney StoreIf your party is all adults, go to Teatro Zinzanni
If you have a high school or college-aged child, go on a college tour: Seattle University and UW.
If one of you is a "power shopper", go across to Bellevue to the upscale shops.
Take a walk on the waterfront in the rain.

Not sure if you know but Alderwood mall is opening up a lego store next weekend So if anyone wanted to check out both the AG store and Lego store you could do it in one stop. We got a postcard in the mail this week about it. Very excited since my DD is a huge AG fan (we do the store then Coldstone Creamery across the way each time we go there) and now my DS will have something to look forward to when us girls drag him to the mall !

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Pike Place Market is still fun in the rain, you've also got SAM, EMP, Aquarium and the Seattle Children's Museum (one in Everett is much better but really out of the way) all close by. In the evening I'd look to see what's playing at any of the theaters for shows or Jazz Alley for live music if you like Jazz. Diane Schur is there that weekend, so that'd be my pick, followed by dinner at Icon Grill. Jazz Alley is kid friendly for older ones depending on your party and it's very reasonable. Les Miz is at the 5th which could be a nice option as well.

If anyone happens to see a show at the 5th Avenue theater, you HAVE to eat at Tulio's in the Vintage Park hotel (or stay there for that matter). It is still within walking distance to things (less than 10 minutes to the market area and westlake and then about that to Pioneer square area).

Tulio's has the best food- get the sweet potato gnocchi- it is wonderful! The restaurant isn't terribly overpriced and is very warm and welcoming inside.
It is about a block and a half from 5th Ave theater (on 5th ave, heading south).