Clousie

I'd like to plan a special day in Seattle for my husband's birthday.

We'll be driving down from Mt Baker area on a Sunday after 2 weeks of hiking (read: very casual clothes) We'll be staying near the airport for an early Monday morning flight (read: husband will want to check in early Sunday night, return car and get hyper about packing, etc--will not want to be out very late)

I have gotten some restaurant suggestions from you, but am trying to add to or make it special for him. We'll be flying home on his actual birthday, and can't think of much to do that day.

Is there a particularly scenic ferry trip? We are already doing a day trip to San Juan Island from Anacotes.

I know the Space Needle doesn't get good recs, but any comments on that?

Don't want to spend too much time driving around the city. (read: guy hates city driving, and that defeats the "special day" part)

Perhaps there's something else, out of the way or city , that you'd feel is better.

Please help me plan my "party."

happytrailstoyou

The ferry to Bainbridge Island gives good views of the skyline and, on a clear day, the Olympic Mountains, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Hood.

Since you obviously like to walk, how about wandering around the city--retail core (Macy's, Nordstroms, Pacific Place, etc.), our new library, International District (Uwajimaya), Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, waterfront (ferry to Bainbridge Island).

At Pike Place Market you might be able to get discount tickets for the Argosy Cruise that goes through the locks, Lake Union, ship canal.

If you like animals, I suggest a visit to our wonderful Woodland Park Zoo followed by a meal on the deck at Anthony's or Ray's Cafe in Shilshole Bay.

Patrick

Hmm. Can I chime in here with a couple of further questions? We are traveling to Seattle for a couple days with good friends who are total "animal" people. She's a volunteer with our Conservancy and helps care for injured animals, etc. I've never thought about the Seattle Zoo. I'm not sure how into "zoos" they are, as I know some find them too confining for the animals. How is the Seattle one? Tell me more, please.

We're also looking at a Mosquito fleet whale watching expedition all day to Friday Harbor, but a little concerned as one of them is not too "boat" oriented. All of us have done whale watches before and we're wondering if an all day to see a few whales will really be our best use of limited time.

Wednesday

I only did limited activities, but the Space Needle in my opinion was a waste unless it is a clear day. The stroll down Pike's Market was wonderful for the senses, the huge, fresh flower bouquets for $5-$15 and the seafood, etc. And the museums, Experience Music Project was internally and architecturally interesting. If anyone is a Sci-fi buff, next door is now the Sc-Fi museum...have fun ! I was lucky to arrive on a sunny day, but only had one...

Gardyloo

Took me some brain calories on this one, and I have to conclude that, although the food is not the best in town, it's not that bad, and the view is, like, up there with Tour d'Argent (Notre Dame at night) - Salty's on Alki. Easy to get to (I-5 south through downtown to West Seattle fwy, exit on Harbor Avenue, follow your nose five minutes, bang, same in reverse to the airport). Killer view at any hour (best at sunset); plenty of tables with views, okay birthday hoopla if you want it, no parking worries... I think it would work for you.

Pioneer Sq. or downtown in general on Sunday afternoons/evenings in summer can be mobbed, especially if there's a ball game, and if he doesn't like in-city driving, then places like the central waterfront or Seattle Center (Space Needle etc.) will definitely not be to his liking. Those of us who live here don't like it either.

suze

Patrick, the Woodland Park Zoo has a number of natural habitat areas with uncaged animals and is a well respected zoo.

Clousie, i think the Salty's recommendation would work well from your airport location. Or maybe someplace like Herbfarm or Cafe Juanita ? which are very nice restaurants but outside the city (so you'd have to drive a ways but not in city traffic).

Fodorite018

Clousie--Since hiking is on your agenda, both of you would probably really enjoy a trip to the Seattle REI store.

stormygirl

My thoughts....baseball game at Safeco and have them put his name and Happy Birthday on the screen (did this for my husband, he loved it!)......rent a kyak and paddle around Lake Union, houseboats, seaplanes, ect....... take a picnic and hang out at Golden Gardens, Gasworks or Alki Beach........

dsquared

To Clousie: the Seattle to Bainbridge ferry ride is very scenic - I'd recommend it especially if the weather is nice. Seattle is pretty much a "dress casual" place, so don't worry about that. There are much better restaurants than the Space Needle - the Salty's recommendation is a good one - it's in West Seattle if you're looking at a map. Enjoy!

To Patrick: as a former employee of an American Zoological Association accredited zoo, I can whole-heartedly recommend the Woodland Park Zoo - It has many open space habitats for its animals - I like the Northern Trails exhibit best - the animals have so much room that the zoo staff sometimes get complaints because the animals are not right in front of the zoo guests . Check their website: www.zoo.org. Also worth looking at for "animal people" is Northwest Trek with over 600 acres of animals native to the NW. See www.nwtrek.org.

gr8yt

I saw a couple of the "Tall Ships" sailing toward Tacoma today. You might want to check that out this week-end. Have fun, Harry

Clousie

Thanks for the suggestions,everyone. I was in the midst of a reply when a storm here in NJ zapped our power for 12 hours.

The ferry to Bainbridge Island sounds interesting as does Saltys. Is there anything of interest within walking distance of the ferry on the island, or should we just ride over and back? That would probably be the most likely scenerio.

Thanks for expending those extra brain calories, Gardyloo. The Alki Saltys does look easy to drive to. I checked Saltys website and saw that they also have a location in Redondo Beach with transport from airport hotels. They say it has good views, but what are anyone's thoughts on that?

Gr8yt: I did see info about the tall ships. Will have to go back and recheck the website about them.

Has anyone been to the Glass Museum in Tacoma? Unfortunately, we'll be in the area both times on Sunday's unless we can squeeze a quick visit in when we arrive late Saturday afternoon. Dale Chuilly (sp) had an exhibit at a sculpture park here in NJ, and I loved his work.



mms: I had thought I'd like to visit REI sometime. Where is it located and is it open on Sunday?

Clousie

Okay, I just dug out an "old" Seattle map so don't know if much has changed. Anyway, the Alki location does appear as though it would be much more scenic than Redondo.

If we wanted to take the ferry to Bainbridge, what would be the easiest way to get there from I-5 and where to park? Is this the area that Gardyloo said could be crazy on a Sunday? If we did the ferry first, would it make sense to take the Alaskan Way Viaduct to SW Freeway?

Gardyloo

If there's a baseball game at Safeco that afternoon then anything in the general vicinity of the ferry dock will be a mess. If there isn't (like, if they're traveling) then you could park somewhere near the dock and go as a foot passenger to Winslow, then walk to the Harbour Public House in Eagle Harbor, maybe a 10 min. walk from the ferry, for an excellent burger, beers, etc., on their lovely deck overlooking the ferry system's "bone yard" at Eagle Harbor. Quite nice. (Directions easily obtained on the boat, also I think they have a website.)

The Redondo Salty's is okay, but more of a place to drink at sunset than a destination worth a special trip. The view is good, though, but nothing like that from the Alki Salty's.

The MoG in Tacoma is certainly worth a visit, as is the Museum of Flight in Seattle (Boeing Field south of downtown.) There are also some good waterfront restaurants on Ruston Way (along Commencement Bay west of downtown) in Tacoma that might do the job for your par-tay. But I still think Salty's is probably the best compromise idea.

PamSF

With one day and it being his "Seattle" birthday, I might also suggest the trip to Salty's. You can take the boats across(they are small and good in price.) They are small and give you a great view of Elliot Bay. Ask for a table either by the window or outside. I thought the food was pretty good. We all had a filet of wild salmon that was cooked well and washed it down with a very respectable bottle of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

We travel to Seattle once a year and it was my old friend who grew up in West Seattle who suggested this as a rendezvous place to visit with her. (Her rehearsal dinner had been here when it was The Beach Broiler for you locals).

Dress can be "work casual" and therefore not such a shocking transition from you 2 weeks hiking.
SInce you don't want to be out late, you can take the boat in the very early evening and still have the light for each crossing.

PamSF

You can take the boats if you are in the Pioneer Square Area of Seattle.You will need to hold onto the car until you have finally gotten to the hotel for good. The airport is some distance from dowtown Seeattle and/or West Seattle.

Car rental return is a snap at SeaTac. The rental lots are at the airport. You take an elevator, you cross the sky bridge and voila you are in the airport. SeaTac is also a relatively easy airport to negotiate.

suze

REI
222 Yale Ave No
downtown Seattle just of I-5
206-223-1944
open Sundays 10-7

There's also a store listed in Federal Way at Gateway Plaza, 253-941-4994 (I'm not sure which would be closer if you're down at the airport area).

sunbum1944

check out the boat trip to Tillicum Village ( its an Indian Village) on Blake Island - trip includes wonderful salmon dinner baked on a plank and Indian entertainment
There are walking trails on the island so you can spend all day there if you choose - my daughter and I enjoyed our trip there - believe you book through
Argosy Tours down on the waterfront

Clousie

Thanks again for more suggestions.

Suze: Is Yale Ave the exit off of I-5 for REI or does it have another name?

PamSF: What do you mean about "taking the boats over?"

Are reservations necessary at Saltys?

I see there is a home game at Safeco at 1;50 so does that mean folks will park in lots near the waterfront? I'm not sure if they're close to each other.

Fodorite018

Clousie--It is the Stewart/Denny Way exit off I-5. You can see the store from the freeway. It literally sits at the end of the exit ramp. There is a large parking area underground, so drive around and park there if you do not find streetside parking.

PamSF

Clouise~there are small boats that run from the Seattle side to Alki(location of Salty's). They run from the base of Pioneer Square. Foot traffic only. If you are going to keep the car, I think it will be easier to follow the driving directions afforded you in a previous post.