Downtown Seattle
Jun 4th, 2003, 01:43 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Downtown Seattle
How safe is it to walk around downtown Seattle at night? Would it be ok with kids? Right now I am looking at the Best Western Loyal Inn on 8th Avenue (walking distance to almost everything) or the Ramada Inn Northgate (shuttle to almost everthing).
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Jun 4th, 2003, 01:54 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seattle is very safe day or night. You and your kids will be fine. There are some areas (Pioneer Square and the corner of Pike and 2nd) that I would avoid- not nessarily due to danger but because unfortunately we have a bit of a homeless/drug scene in these areas.
I would really suggest you not stay in Northgate. DT is so easy and compact that to shuttle daily from Northgate is a waste of time! Also you may want to check out www.biddingfortravel.com and then bid a hotel on Priceline. You can usually get a 4 * room for the same price as a Best Western.
Finally you don't say how old your kids are or when you are coming but there is a lot happening in the summer that your kids will love!
Wendy
I would really suggest you not stay in Northgate. DT is so easy and compact that to shuttle daily from Northgate is a waste of time! Also you may want to check out www.biddingfortravel.com and then bid a hotel on Priceline. You can usually get a 4 * room for the same price as a Best Western.
Finally you don't say how old your kids are or when you are coming but there is a lot happening in the summer that your kids will love!
Wendy
Jun 4th, 2003, 02:04 PM
#3
Actually the Loyal Inn is in a rather trafficky part of downtown.
I'll strongly second Wendy's recommendation re Priceline. Also, check out the Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriott on Lake Union. Not really walkable from downtown, but in a more interesting area, plus at the Residence Inn you'll get a separate bedroom and a hot breakfast in the deal.
It's safe enough to walk around downtown at night, but it is a big city and it's wise to take typical precautions, e.g., what part of downtown, what time of night.
I'll strongly second Wendy's recommendation re Priceline. Also, check out the Residence Inn and Courtyard by Marriott on Lake Union. Not really walkable from downtown, but in a more interesting area, plus at the Residence Inn you'll get a separate bedroom and a hot breakfast in the deal.
It's safe enough to walk around downtown at night, but it is a big city and it's wise to take typical precautions, e.g., what part of downtown, what time of night.
Jun 4th, 2003, 02:04 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our kids are younger 4 and 6. Also we have allergies to smoke. So I am a little leary of using priceline or hotwire b/c I cant guarantee how many beds or non-smoking...We will be there July 6-10th and are looking forward to our stay there. We have never been before.
Thanks for the insight!
Debi
Thanks for the insight!
Debi
Jun 4th, 2003, 02:41 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Debi, although PL can't gaurantee a n/s room I have never had a problem getting one. I always call the hotel after I have my PL confirmation and put in a request. Just an fyi.
In July the weather should be great! Just so you know our zoo has new baby tigers, my fiancee and I went and saw them a month ago and they are soooo cute! big babies! your kids might enjoy that. We also have a 1 yr elephant who is still a baby compared to the adults with her. The zoo is nice!
Also there is always a ton of stuff going on at Seattle Center, Science Center and down on the waterfront/piers. I'm sure you will have a great time!
In July the weather should be great! Just so you know our zoo has new baby tigers, my fiancee and I went and saw them a month ago and they are soooo cute! big babies! your kids might enjoy that. We also have a 1 yr elephant who is still a baby compared to the adults with her. The zoo is nice!
Also there is always a ton of stuff going on at Seattle Center, Science Center and down on the waterfront/piers. I'm sure you will have a great time!
Jun 5th, 2003, 05:15 AM
#7
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My husband and I spent two days in Seattle last month before embarking on a cruise to Alaska. Although that certainly does not make me an expert on Seattle, let me share a couple of observations that you probably do not have.
First, the central city area is built on a hill. When looking for hotels within walking distance of "almost everything", you need to know that 8th Avenue is eight blocks straight uphill from Alaskan Way and the pier area. While that might not be an issue in the morning, it will certainly become an issue walking back with small children at the end of your day.
Second, Seattle has many wonderful transportation options including a monorail, a trolley system, and a free bus zone area within the central city area. You can access more information on these options at: http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/bus/...n_seattle.html
Third, the Seattle Center area around the Space Needle seemed to have quite a collection of hotel facilities that might meet with your needs, although they are probably not walkable to the downtown pier area with young children.
First, the central city area is built on a hill. When looking for hotels within walking distance of "almost everything", you need to know that 8th Avenue is eight blocks straight uphill from Alaskan Way and the pier area. While that might not be an issue in the morning, it will certainly become an issue walking back with small children at the end of your day.
Second, Seattle has many wonderful transportation options including a monorail, a trolley system, and a free bus zone area within the central city area. You can access more information on these options at: http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/bus/...n_seattle.html
Third, the Seattle Center area around the Space Needle seemed to have quite a collection of hotel facilities that might meet with your needs, although they are probably not walkable to the downtown pier area with young children.
Jun 5th, 2003, 08:13 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Debi I think you are asking about a shuttle from Northgate. It's about 20 mins. but my thought is that Northgate is so NOT Seattle. I don't know how to explain but there is only a mall up there. With prices relatively similar and so much to do in the city it's a shame to stay elsewhere.
The info retired teacher gives is good too!
This is another site I use for hotels, not a bidding site just a good deal site.
http://quikbook.com/main.asp
The info retired teacher gives is good too!
This is another site I use for hotels, not a bidding site just a good deal site.
http://quikbook.com/main.asp
Jun 5th, 2003, 02:51 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
THank you Wendy and Retired teacher. I appreciate you taking so much time with my questions...The up hill thing after a long day sightseeing with kids could be a problem. I will check out that other hotel website.
Debi
Debi
Jun 9th, 2003, 11:20 AM
#10
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll second (or third?) the Priceline idea. My wife and I just got back from a couple days in Seattle and we used Priceline - got a room just like we wanted at the Sheraton (good location, seems to be one of the hotels with big inventory on PL) for $75/night. We booked fairly far in advance, so you might be able to do even better. And we got the n/s, single bed room we wanted.
We walked just about everywhere - the hills are a bit tough, but plenty manageable, especially if you plan your route correctly. Most of the downtown area seemed pretty safe, though there is something of a homeless presence (just like any big city, I suppose).
We walked just about everywhere - the hills are a bit tough, but plenty manageable, especially if you plan your route correctly. Most of the downtown area seemed pretty safe, though there is something of a homeless presence (just like any big city, I suppose).
