Seattle for 7 days with a 7-month old
May 21st, 2009, 09:18 AM
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Seattle for 7 days with a 7-month old
Hi fellow travelers,
My husband and I are trying to plan a trip in June out to Seattle for a family vacation. We'll be bringing along our 7-month old son. It's our first trip to the Pacific NW so we're looking for suggestions in terms of activities. We're open to anything outdoors (keep in mind we've got a baby in tow), would of course want to explore downtown Seattle area, and are also considering a drive to Portland.
We're not the type of people who do well with sitting around on vacation so definitely want to have lots of activities in mind. We love good food (I'm thinking seafood in particular), wine, music, local culture, and would especially love recommendations on local favorites and/or non-tourist trap things to do. Also looking for some recommendations on places to stay. I'd prefer boutique hotels and B&B's or any other hidden gems. We don't plan on spending a ton of time at our hotel, though, so I'm more interested in a reasonable deal with some charm then a high-end hotel with spa experience.
In terms of a drive to Portland, my husband is concerned we're going to wind up spending way too much time in the car. Would 7 days in Seattle be overkil? If so, are there any other places to go nearby that wouldn't require endless hours of driving?
Thanks in advance for all your suggestions!
My husband and I are trying to plan a trip in June out to Seattle for a family vacation. We'll be bringing along our 7-month old son. It's our first trip to the Pacific NW so we're looking for suggestions in terms of activities. We're open to anything outdoors (keep in mind we've got a baby in tow), would of course want to explore downtown Seattle area, and are also considering a drive to Portland.
We're not the type of people who do well with sitting around on vacation so definitely want to have lots of activities in mind. We love good food (I'm thinking seafood in particular), wine, music, local culture, and would especially love recommendations on local favorites and/or non-tourist trap things to do. Also looking for some recommendations on places to stay. I'd prefer boutique hotels and B&B's or any other hidden gems. We don't plan on spending a ton of time at our hotel, though, so I'm more interested in a reasonable deal with some charm then a high-end hotel with spa experience.
In terms of a drive to Portland, my husband is concerned we're going to wind up spending way too much time in the car. Would 7 days in Seattle be overkil? If so, are there any other places to go nearby that wouldn't require endless hours of driving?
Thanks in advance for all your suggestions!
May 21st, 2009, 09:27 AM
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Okay, here's some ideas...take the Vicoria Clipper to Victoria, walk around the town there, eat in China town, watch the street performers in the harbor, and come back in the evening (taking your stroller, of cours). Lots of babies in Victoria....forget Portland...it's a three hour drive from Seattle....kills the entire day.
Go to Seattle Center and walk about, do the water front, waterfront parks, space needle for a view...catch a boat to one of the islands, learn about our indian's way of life, have a wonderful salmon dinner.
The Seattle Art Museum....worth an afternoon, at least.
Drive up to La Conner or anywhere near the Skagit flats to see eagles, Camano Island State Park, etc. Drive up to Snoqualmie Falls for a view spectacular of fallinb water.
Take one day and drive to Mt. Rainer...stopping along the way. Maybe hit a caseno or two. Take a 'walk on ' Ferry to Bainbridge Island....wonderful little shops and walks to take.
By all means, do the Pike Street Market...sort of unique in these parts and a fun day for everyone.
Walk up to the Capitol Hill district....on Broadway, and see all the funny people...that's where the excentrics hang out, and lots of fun shops.
more ane more...and ask suze where to stay at night....she lives downtown. Hope you have a wonderful trip.
Go to Seattle Center and walk about, do the water front, waterfront parks, space needle for a view...catch a boat to one of the islands, learn about our indian's way of life, have a wonderful salmon dinner.
The Seattle Art Museum....worth an afternoon, at least.
Drive up to La Conner or anywhere near the Skagit flats to see eagles, Camano Island State Park, etc. Drive up to Snoqualmie Falls for a view spectacular of fallinb water.
Take one day and drive to Mt. Rainer...stopping along the way. Maybe hit a caseno or two. Take a 'walk on ' Ferry to Bainbridge Island....wonderful little shops and walks to take.
By all means, do the Pike Street Market...sort of unique in these parts and a fun day for everyone.
Walk up to the Capitol Hill district....on Broadway, and see all the funny people...that's where the excentrics hang out, and lots of fun shops.
more ane more...and ask suze where to stay at night....she lives downtown. Hope you have a wonderful trip.
May 21st, 2009, 11:20 AM
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When in June? If you're here on June 20, you can't much more "local culture" than a visit to Fremont during the Summer Solstice parade. The parade is preceded by naked bicyclists (for the most part) wearing elaborate body paint. It's a pretty fun time.
http://www.fremontfair.org/
If you really want to do Portland, consider booking an open jaw ticket...flying into Portland and out of Seattle (or vice versa) and then driving between cities.
I'm not sure about clara's idea of visiting Victoria being an easier daytrip than Portland. Both are almost the same distance from Seattle, so either would "kill" the entire day (it's just that on the Clipper, someone else is doing the "driving").
If you're here on a Sunday morning, check out the Ballard Farmers Market...but go hungry - lots of great things to eat while you're perusing the various stands!
http://www.fremontmarket.com/ballard/
Another fun outdoorsy activity would be to rent kayaks from Agua Verde, then return to Agua Verde for some yummy margaritas and Mexican food afterwords. Of course, this assumes that you're comfortable taking the baby on a kayak.
http://www.aguaverde.com/
I also think the Locks in Ballard are fascinating. And for great seafood with a killer view, it's hard to beat Rays. I would recommend dining upstairs with your child (slightly more casual scene) than downstairs (a little more upscale).
www.rays.com
http://www.fremontfair.org/
If you really want to do Portland, consider booking an open jaw ticket...flying into Portland and out of Seattle (or vice versa) and then driving between cities.
I'm not sure about clara's idea of visiting Victoria being an easier daytrip than Portland. Both are almost the same distance from Seattle, so either would "kill" the entire day (it's just that on the Clipper, someone else is doing the "driving").
If you're here on a Sunday morning, check out the Ballard Farmers Market...but go hungry - lots of great things to eat while you're perusing the various stands!
http://www.fremontmarket.com/ballard/
Another fun outdoorsy activity would be to rent kayaks from Agua Verde, then return to Agua Verde for some yummy margaritas and Mexican food afterwords. Of course, this assumes that you're comfortable taking the baby on a kayak.
http://www.aguaverde.com/
I also think the Locks in Ballard are fascinating. And for great seafood with a killer view, it's hard to beat Rays. I would recommend dining upstairs with your child (slightly more casual scene) than downstairs (a little more upscale).
www.rays.com
May 21st, 2009, 11:26 AM
#4
Actually I live on Capitol Hill, clarasong, with all the other "excentrics" (haha) and work in Belltown/downtown.
AKN~~ If you want a B&B there's lots of nice ones on Capitol Hill. How about www.sbmansion.com? It's right near Volunteer Park, which would be a great place to hang out with your little one. It's only 2 miles from downtown. If you have a rental car, there's plenty of free street parking (which is NOT true staying downtown). Plus there are many nice restaurants on "the Hill" without having to go back downtown. Monsoon (Vietnamese) on 19th does a great job with ethnic seafood.
AKN~~ If you want a B&B there's lots of nice ones on Capitol Hill. How about www.sbmansion.com? It's right near Volunteer Park, which would be a great place to hang out with your little one. It's only 2 miles from downtown. If you have a rental car, there's plenty of free street parking (which is NOT true staying downtown). Plus there are many nice restaurants on "the Hill" without having to go back downtown. Monsoon (Vietnamese) on 19th does a great job with ethnic seafood.
May 21st, 2009, 11:31 AM
#5
A few more B&B's on Capitol Hill:
www.gaslight-inn.com
www.baconmansion.com
www.salisburyhouse.com
www.foxgloveguesthouse.com
www.gaslight-inn.com
www.baconmansion.com
www.salisburyhouse.com
www.foxgloveguesthouse.com
May 21st, 2009, 08:36 PM
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suze: I didn't know that!! I thought you lived in Belltown. Got kids living on Capitol hill (and yeah, I'm a terrible speller)....or would that be "spellor"? I don't the heck know....
Just came from Philly, Chicago, and Boston, and I gotta say, the older I get, the less I like cities of size....I'm a country girl.
Anyway, lots to see and do here...today was spectacular and hope you get some of our famous weather when you come. Welcome.
Just came from Philly, Chicago, and Boston, and I gotta say, the older I get, the less I like cities of size....I'm a country girl.
Anyway, lots to see and do here...today was spectacular and hope you get some of our famous weather when you come. Welcome.
May 21st, 2009, 10:49 PM
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Hi, we did this trip with kids two summers ago and easily found enough to do around Seattle to fill our week and we did not get to some of the things mentioned here like the Ballard Locks. I would add we really enjoyed Snoqualmie Falls. There was also a little train museum in the town there. I believe one of those duck-boat tours is in Seattle.
Mount Rainier or the Olympic Peninsula would be all that I consider as a daytrip.
We did do the tour to Blake Island and the salmon dinner clarasong mentions, and enjoyed it. Your little one would probably enjoy a ride on a public ferry as much or more though (to Bainbridge Island??), and might be fussy sitting through the Native American show, which is not cheap.
Mount Rainier or the Olympic Peninsula would be all that I consider as a daytrip.
We did do the tour to Blake Island and the salmon dinner clarasong mentions, and enjoyed it. Your little one would probably enjoy a ride on a public ferry as much or more though (to Bainbridge Island??), and might be fussy sitting through the Native American show, which is not cheap.
