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

[Bunless]

As an FYI, the Seattle Pride Parade will be happening this Sunday at 11am. It will take place on 4th Avenue, from the Westlake area to the Seattle Center area.

This is one of the biggest public events of the year for our area, and the community as a whole as a lot of pride, in Pride. Supporting friends and families are all welcomed!

 

[Mean Queen]

As an FYI, the Seattle Pride Parade will be happening this Sunday at 11am. It will take place on 4th Avenue, from the Westlake area to the Seattle Center area.

This is one of the biggest public events of the year for our area, and the community as a whole as a lot of pride, in Pride. Supporting friends and families are all welcomed!

Luckily we found out about this a while ago so we booked our room accordingly. We really want to see Seattle and don't want to get stuck in parade traffic. How family friendly is your parade? We have a very large parade in our city and some of the groups are a bit too adult for a 6 year old (though much more appropriate than our annual Gasparilla pirate parade .) I'd like to show my support, but wanted to know if it's aimed at an older crowd.

 

[pixie08]

I was one of those getting off on the 11th. We appreciated the fantastic weather.

Yes it was beautiful. Made the sail away perfect! We finally got to see Mt. Rainier in all it's glory.

 

[pixie08]

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Wow! Just beautiful!
Thanks for posting these. We can't wait!!

 

[Grumpymom73]

We were on the Wonder June 11 -18 and then spent a few days in Seattle post cruise. After getting off the ship and checking into the hotel we went out to explore the city. Of course, this included a trip to the Space Needle where we watched the Wonder sail back out. So wanted to be back on it, but it was a really nice view.

 

[Bunless]

Luckily we found out about this a while ago so we booked our room accordingly. We really want to see Seattle and don't want to get stuck in parade traffic. How family friendly is your parade? We have a very large parade in our city and some of the groups are a bit too adult for a 6 year old (though much more appropriate than our annual Gasparilla pirate parade .) I'd like to show my support, but wanted to know if it's aimed at an older crowd.

I think it depends on the family. There are always kids there, but it would just depend on what you feel is appropriate for your family.

There will be be a few people who are nude, but painted with full body paint (similar to a Solstice parade).
There will be several women who are topless, but have tape/stickers over certain areas.

I'm guessing that those would be your main concern?

Feel free to PM me, I'm not sure how I could describe what else there is/is-not without causing the board censors to go wild.

 

[midwestpat]

For anyone getting on or off the Wonder today, count yourself lucky!
It is such a beautiful, beautiful day in Seattle. Hope you enjoy it!

Yes! We were on that ship and it was beautiful! We had such incredible weather our entire trip

 

[Mean Queen]

I think it depends on the family. There are always kids there, but it would just depend on what you feel is appropriate for your family.

There will be be a few people who are nude, but painted with full body paint (similar to a Solstice parade).
There will be several women who are topless, but have tape/stickers over certain areas.

I'm guessing that those would be your main concern?

Feel free to PM me, I'm not sure how I could describe what else there is/is-not without causing the board censors to go wild.

I'm going to guess it's similar to our Pride parade. Probably a ton of fun but too much to explain to a 6 year old. Our pirate parades in Tampa are so bad I wouldn't even take my 12 year old, nor could I explain what goes on there without major ***'s (stars). We'll just check out the other events going on. Loved seeing the rainbow on the stadium when we got in last night.

 

[Nicolepa]

I'm going to guess it's similar to our Pride parade. Probably a ton of fun but too much to explain to a 6 year old. Our pirate parades in Tampa are so bad I wouldn't even take my 12 year old, nor could I explain what goes on there without major ***'s (stars). We'll just check out the other events going on. Loved seeing the rainbow on the stadium when we got in last night.

Let's just say my mom & I got stuck in the parade once. I was middle/high school and I'm still traumatized.

 

[NWDAD]

I too want to thank you for posting the pics.

Kevin

 

[cujochurch]

Staying at Sheraton. Plan on touring Pikes Place Market Saturday afternoon. really want to try some fresh Dungeness crab. Have had it before but since I live on east coast everything I have had has been previously frozen. And I know it is a huge difference between fresh and frozen Maine lobster and Maryland blue crabs. Any recommendations. Something local, not touristy and not overly expensive would be great. thanks in advance. Dont care if its a walk up counter or sit down place. We have reservations to eat at Space Needle restaurant on sunday so dont need anything to fancy just want some good crab!

 

[Bunless]

Staying at Sheraton. Plan on touring Pikes Place Market Saturday afternoon. really want to try some fresh Dungeness crab. Have had it before but since I live on east coast everything I have had has been previously frozen. And I know it is a huge difference between fresh and frozen Maine lobster and Maryland blue crabs. Any recommendations. Something local, not touristy and not overly expensive would be great. thanks in advance. Dont care if its a walk up counter or sit down place. We have reservations to eat at Space Needle restaurant on sunday so dont need anything to fancy just want some good crab!

There are a couple of fish counters at the market that serve fish as well as sell it to take home. Not the place that throws the fish, but I'm thinking of three others. Don't know if they do Dungeness specifically, but they would be the places to check at. If they don't, they could recommend where to go. I'd try City Fish first.

 

[Travelbee]

Is there a place we can check in our bags after the cruise? Jetblue canceled our flight and put us on a flight that doesn't leave until 2:45. DH does not want to do the postcruise bus tour because we would have already done the Duck tour and the underground tour. I think we just want to go to a nice place for lunch without dragging our bags around. Any suggestions?

 

[midwestpat]

Is there a place we can check in our bags after the cruise? Jetblue canceled our flight and put us on a flight that doesn't leave until 2:45. DH does not want to do the postcruise bus tour because we would have already done the Duck tour and the underground tour. I think we just want to go to a nice place for lunch without dragging our bags around. Any suggestions?

The cruise terminal offers concierge services, including luggage storage before and after cruises. (http://www.portseattle.org/Cruise/Documents/2012_Cruise_Facilities.pdf)

 

[Travelbee]

The cruise terminal offers concierge services, including luggage storage before and after cruises. (http://www.portseattle.org/Cruise/Documents/2012_Cruise_Facilities.pdf)

Thank you!! This is just the information I was looking for!

 

[Clotho]

Staying at Sheraton. Plan on touring Pikes Place Market Saturday afternoon. really want to try some fresh Dungeness crab. Have had it before but since I live on east coast everything I have had has been previously frozen. And I know it is a huge difference between fresh and frozen Maine lobster and Maryland blue crabs. Any recommendations. Something local, not touristy and not overly expensive would be great. thanks in advance. Dont care if its a walk up counter or sit down place. We have reservations to eat at Space Needle restaurant on sunday so dont need anything to fancy just want some good crab!

Honestly, almost ALL seafood these days is now flash-frozen on the boats. Of course, longer term freezing effects the textures and flavors, so getting it closer to the source you will have better opportunities to get fresher seafood. Most of us around here consume frozen dungeness as a result.

That said, what you want is a restaurant which has live dungeness crab in tanks, which you can then have them cook up for you (you can even do the whole pointing at one and choosing it). Chandler's Crabhouse on South Lake Union (about a 5 minute or less cab ride from anyplace downtown) is one of those places and they do an excellent job with it. It is right on Lake Union, with a view of the lake and the boats and gasworks park. I worked there for many years, and can vouch for a what a lovely spot it is to dine--I still go there often myself to enjoy their cuisine. They also have awesome oysters, salmon, and anything else your seafood-lovin' heart desires. I recommend it heartily! It is high-end dining, though, so is a bit spendier.

If you are willing to go for flash-frozen and a lower price tag, but an equally lovely view and a fun experience, try The Crab Pot on the waterfront. View of Puget Sound, and the Seafeast is a blast to eat. Pouring out crab, corn, potatoes, mussels all onto a butcher paper covered table and you just dig in. http://www.pier57seattle.com/crab_pot_seattle.html

Those are just two of my off-the-top-of-my-head recommendations. If neither appeal, feel free to ping this local foodie for more ideas.

 

[Deb in IA]

We were there before our Alaska cruise.

We sure picked an interesting weekend to visit - June 23 - 24, 2012.

While I was aware that Sunday, June 24 was the Seattle Pride Parade (I think I have to thank mellers for that), what I didn't know was that the day before, Saturday, June 23 was the Rock and Roll Marathon, with start and finish at Seattle Center.

We planned to see the King Tut exhibit on Saturday, avoiding the Pride crowds on Sunday. I was somewhat disappointed in the exhibit, because they do not actually have the famous golden mask and sarcophgus. I remember seeing a previous King Tut tour years ago, and I know I actually saw this:

and

and they were amazing. I was hoping my kids could see it too, but they were not in the display.

We enjoyed the EMP. DH is a big Jimi Hendrix fan, so he was in heaven. We also saw an exhibit on scary movies there that the kids enjoyed. Didn't get to the the AC/DC or Nirvana sections, and only walked through the Avatar exhibit, as we were running out of steam and the kids were getting surly.

We stayed at the Warwick - great hotel, easy walking distance to Pike Place Market, Seattle Center, Dahlia Lounge/Bakery, Top Pot Doughnuts, right across the street from Cinerama, which we never had time to check out. I would definitely recommend this hotel. Reasonable price as well, and only a $10 cab ride to the pier. And right across the street from Ralph's grocery, a Whole Foods-type store.

On Sunday, we planned to go to Pike Place Market. Unfortunately, I could not get the family up before the parade started, and it went up 4th Avenue, which runs right by the hotel! We had to cross 4th to get to the Market. The police told us we could cross anytime there was a gap in the parade.

Unfortunately, the gap we used was right before the naked guys on bikes rode by. Completely naked. Not a stitch.

DS and DH were not fazed at all, having been in sports and plenty of male locker rooms, but DD, age 21, was stopped dead in her tracks.

She says that she doesn't want to see hairy butts and teeny weenies ever again in her life.

After that, we hardly remember the market . . .
We did eat at Etta's - I highly recommend it! We liked it better than the Dahlia!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

She says that she doesn't want to see hairy butts and teeny weenies ever again in her life.

 

[eandesmom]

We were there before our Alaska cruise.

After that, we hardly remember the market . . .
We did eat at Etta's - I highly recommend it! We liked it better than the Dahlia!

I love Etta's! Breakfast or dinner, lunch isn't my fav. Hope she's not scarred for life!