Seattle daytrips
Jun 17th, 2017, 01:38 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seattle daytrips
Hi,
I'll be in Seattle again for under 72 hours at the end of July. Two full days, leaving at 5:30 pm the third day (Monday).
I've been before and done most of the major things, including a side trip to Bainbridge.
I'd like to do a couple things again (Pike's Place, this time for happy hour/dinner; Columbia Center Starbucks; Olympic Sculpture Park). But, I'm wondering how to spend my two full days (well, until about 5 each day, then to happy hours/dinner!)
I'm thinking one day in Aiki beach, through water taxi. But what should I do the second? I loved getting out on the water. Maybe Bremerton? Or gardens, including Japanese, near the University of Washington?
I just feel like I should be out on the water, but I'm not sure much about Bremerton. Seems a bit sleepy. Another thought might be Tacoma, as I enjoy fine art museums. Or, maybe just staying closer and walking around Bellevue?
Thank you!
I'll be in Seattle again for under 72 hours at the end of July. Two full days, leaving at 5:30 pm the third day (Monday).
I've been before and done most of the major things, including a side trip to Bainbridge.
I'd like to do a couple things again (Pike's Place, this time for happy hour/dinner; Columbia Center Starbucks; Olympic Sculpture Park). But, I'm wondering how to spend my two full days (well, until about 5 each day, then to happy hours/dinner!)
I'm thinking one day in Aiki beach, through water taxi. But what should I do the second? I loved getting out on the water. Maybe Bremerton? Or gardens, including Japanese, near the University of Washington?
I just feel like I should be out on the water, but I'm not sure much about Bremerton. Seems a bit sleepy. Another thought might be Tacoma, as I enjoy fine art museums. Or, maybe just staying closer and walking around Bellevue?
Thank you!
Jun 17th, 2017, 02:09 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like the Argosy cruise that goes through the locks and into Lake Washington. It gives a good view of the harbor and a variety of neighborhoods.
There is also a day cruise that goes to the San Juan Islands for whale watching and a little time on one of the islands.
Mt. Rainier can be visited as a day trip, but it is a long (and not very interesting) drive there and back.
It is an hour each way on the Bremerton ferry and there isn't anything of great interest to check out unless you're into Viet Nam era war ships (there is one you can tour).
As I recall, the dock at Alki isn't located near anything of particular interest.
There is a bus that will drop you off not far from the Japanese Garden and you could wander around the arboretum I guess. I was in the arboretum--not much is blooming.
You could make your way to Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill for the view of Seattle that is shown most every time a newscaster speaks from here.
You could take the 49 bus to Broadway on Capitol Hill, check out the shops, and then walk downtown via Pike or Pine (centers for nightlife) and over to the Frye Museum.
HTtY
There is also a day cruise that goes to the San Juan Islands for whale watching and a little time on one of the islands.
Mt. Rainier can be visited as a day trip, but it is a long (and not very interesting) drive there and back.
It is an hour each way on the Bremerton ferry and there isn't anything of great interest to check out unless you're into Viet Nam era war ships (there is one you can tour).
As I recall, the dock at Alki isn't located near anything of particular interest.
There is a bus that will drop you off not far from the Japanese Garden and you could wander around the arboretum I guess. I was in the arboretum--not much is blooming.
You could make your way to Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill for the view of Seattle that is shown most every time a newscaster speaks from here.
You could take the 49 bus to Broadway on Capitol Hill, check out the shops, and then walk downtown via Pike or Pine (centers for nightlife) and over to the Frye Museum.
HTtY
Jun 17th, 2017, 02:57 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pine and Pike Streets between Melrose Avenue and 13th Avenue are a hub for nightlife--an interesting place to walk around at night.
I don't know much about gay bars except that a neighbor frequents The Cuff which he says is a friendly place with pool table and reasonably priced beer in the afternoon.
You could take an 11 bus the 13th Avenue and walk back downtown.
Here are links to the cruises I mentioned.
https://www.argosycruises.com/?gclid...FUFsfgodWEUDzQ
http://www.clippervacations.com/pack...hale-watching/
HTtY
I don't know much about gay bars except that a neighbor frequents The Cuff which he says is a friendly place with pool table and reasonably priced beer in the afternoon.
You could take an 11 bus the 13th Avenue and walk back downtown.
Here are links to the cruises I mentioned.
https://www.argosycruises.com/?gclid...FUFsfgodWEUDzQ
http://www.clippervacations.com/pack...hale-watching/
HTtY
Jun 18th, 2017, 09:21 AM
#8
As I recall, the dock at Alki isn't located near anything of particular interest.
On the contrary, on the water taxi dock at Seacrest Park is the very fun Marination Ma Kai with its fun Korean/Hawaiian food and outdoor beer/cocktail garden with killer views of the city. You can walk (around two miles) along the waterfront pedestrian/bike path to Alki Beach (more cafes and bars) with its views of passing ferries, the Olympic Mountains, and our own wee Statue of Liberty. There's also a free shuttle bus that meets the water taxi which will take you to and from Alki Beach.
Water Taxi dock - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload.../P1000136s.jpg
Alki Beach view - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload.../P1000154s.jpg
Alki view No. 2 - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload.../P1000142s.jpg
If you like gardens, even though you've already taken the ferry to Bainbridge, you might consider taking the bus from the Winslow ferry terminal to the Bloedel Reserve - a world class garden complex on the north end of Bainbridge Island - http://bloedelreserve.org/
Or, closer, if you want to hang out around Capitol Hill, spend some time walking around Volunteer Park, past its excellent art deco Asian arts branch of the Seattle Art Museum (unfortunately closed for renovations) to the nearby conservatory - https://volunteerparkconservatory.org/
Another easy-to-reach destination is the Museum of Flight with its remarkable collection of old planes including the last Concorde to fly commercially, the original 707, 747 and 787s, etc. http://museumofflight.org/
Yet another option, a surprising waterside in-city nature break can be had at the Union Bay wetlands adjacent to the UW Arboretum near the University of Washington. You can even rent a canoe at the UW boathouse for paddling around the channels - lots of birds and aquatic mammals, a real sense of getting away from things right in the city. https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/center...-natural-area/
Finally, and walkable from the Union Bay area, a walk around Lake Union's north and east shore is a fun no-cost way to spend a few hours.
On Portage Bay, just west of the UW campus, Agua Verde is a fun waterfront Mexican place with great burritos and even better Margaritas, or you can rent a kayak and paddle off the carbs. Farther along, on the north side of the lake is the terrific Gasworks Park, with its views of the city skyline, old coal gas plant bits and pieces, now urban archeology, and lots of places to hang out. Nearby is the fun Ivar's Salmon House restaurant with an attached fish and chips bar where you can get a take-away meal, then walk around to the water side of the restaurant where there are picnic tables; you can watch the passing boats and have seagulls competing with you for your French fries. Very fun. Nearby (and uphill) is the Fremont Troll and the Fremont district, self-proclaimed center of the universe.
Or you can cross the University Bridge and walk down the east shore of Lake Union past all the houseboats. If you're like my friends and family members, you'll be planning which bank to rob so you could buy one.
http://aguaverde.com/
http://www.ivars.com/item/260-salmon-house-fish-bar
http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/gas-works-park
https://fremont.com/about/fremonttroll-html/
http://www.mystepstoday.com/wp-conte.../IMG_36951.jpg (houseboats)
On the contrary, on the water taxi dock at Seacrest Park is the very fun Marination Ma Kai with its fun Korean/Hawaiian food and outdoor beer/cocktail garden with killer views of the city. You can walk (around two miles) along the waterfront pedestrian/bike path to Alki Beach (more cafes and bars) with its views of passing ferries, the Olympic Mountains, and our own wee Statue of Liberty. There's also a free shuttle bus that meets the water taxi which will take you to and from Alki Beach.
Water Taxi dock - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload.../P1000136s.jpg
Alki Beach view - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload.../P1000154s.jpg
Alki view No. 2 - http://gardyloo.us/wp-content/upload.../P1000142s.jpg
If you like gardens, even though you've already taken the ferry to Bainbridge, you might consider taking the bus from the Winslow ferry terminal to the Bloedel Reserve - a world class garden complex on the north end of Bainbridge Island - http://bloedelreserve.org/
Or, closer, if you want to hang out around Capitol Hill, spend some time walking around Volunteer Park, past its excellent art deco Asian arts branch of the Seattle Art Museum (unfortunately closed for renovations) to the nearby conservatory - https://volunteerparkconservatory.org/
Another easy-to-reach destination is the Museum of Flight with its remarkable collection of old planes including the last Concorde to fly commercially, the original 707, 747 and 787s, etc. http://museumofflight.org/
Yet another option, a surprising waterside in-city nature break can be had at the Union Bay wetlands adjacent to the UW Arboretum near the University of Washington. You can even rent a canoe at the UW boathouse for paddling around the channels - lots of birds and aquatic mammals, a real sense of getting away from things right in the city. https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/center...-natural-area/
Finally, and walkable from the Union Bay area, a walk around Lake Union's north and east shore is a fun no-cost way to spend a few hours.
On Portage Bay, just west of the UW campus, Agua Verde is a fun waterfront Mexican place with great burritos and even better Margaritas, or you can rent a kayak and paddle off the carbs. Farther along, on the north side of the lake is the terrific Gasworks Park, with its views of the city skyline, old coal gas plant bits and pieces, now urban archeology, and lots of places to hang out. Nearby is the fun Ivar's Salmon House restaurant with an attached fish and chips bar where you can get a take-away meal, then walk around to the water side of the restaurant where there are picnic tables; you can watch the passing boats and have seagulls competing with you for your French fries. Very fun. Nearby (and uphill) is the Fremont Troll and the Fremont district, self-proclaimed center of the universe.
Or you can cross the University Bridge and walk down the east shore of Lake Union past all the houseboats. If you're like my friends and family members, you'll be planning which bank to rob so you could buy one.
http://aguaverde.com/
http://www.ivars.com/item/260-salmon-house-fish-bar
http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/gas-works-park
https://fremont.com/about/fremonttroll-html/
http://www.mystepstoday.com/wp-conte.../IMG_36951.jpg (houseboats)
Jun 18th, 2017, 09:50 AM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oops. It's true. From the water taxi dock in West Seattle you can take a 2.2-mile walk all by yourself to Alki Point Park and a 2.2-mile walk back to the dock. It didn't come into my mind when I considered ways you might want to spend the few hours you have. Sorry.
There is enough to do in Seattle that it has kept me busy for many decades.
HTtY
There is enough to do in Seattle that it has kept me busy for many decades.
HTtY
