Seattle in early August

Old Jun 8th, 2015, 04:16 PM
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Seattle in early August

We will be spending 6 nights near the U of Washington, in early August. DH has never been to Seattle. Unfortunately, he will be busy with his conference meetings until evening. I will have lots of free daytimes.

What should I do? I have been to Seattle on business a few times, but never with free time. Good places close by, for lunch? Is the University an interesting place to walk? I like to explore campuses.

I'm not a shopper, but do like to window shop @ boutiques. Am not a museum person. If weather permits, I prefer to see architecture, gardens, outdoor art.

I know I want to take DH to the waterfront market, at least once, for dinner. He will like it a lot. Hopefully during the day, also, if he can get away. Can we Über there?

Is there another good waterside place for dinners? We both love fresh fish, and would happily eat it every night. Is there a special seafood available in early August? Favorite, very nice, seafood restaurants?

What weather should I expect? I'll look up the stats, too, but it is more helpful to have a description of what clothes are needed, etc.

Is there a half-day tour I could take on the water? Or a nighttime cruise? Years ago, I took a day-long tour of Puget Sound, which was beautiful. Can we do something like that?

I have loved Settle, and haven't been there for several years. I'm excited to go back.

Thanks for any help.
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Old Jun 8th, 2015, 05:04 PM
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This was an excellent restaurant with spectacular views. August is best time to be in Seattle, weather wise. Sunny, more humidity than we are used to but quite comfortable, temps usually pleasant.

Go on the Underground Tour and if you didn't see Chihuly exhibit when it was in town, go see it!

http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com

http://www.edgewaterhotel.com/seattl...estaurant.aspx

Make reservation, ask for a table by the windows. Time your reservation for just before sunset. We had dinner there for our anniversary.
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Old Jun 8th, 2015, 06:06 PM
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These aren't waterside, but we have had good seafood at Etta's and the Steelhead Diner. We also like Chinook's, which is not downtown, but the setting is "marina-front." And on Capitol Hill, Anchovies and Olives has a seafood-heavy menu that is very good.

Taking the ferry to Bainbridge from downtown and having lunch in Winslow (which is walking distance) is a fun way to see the Seattle skyline from the water and enjoy a quaint island town.

Definitely do the Space Needle...should be a great view in August. And the Experience Music Project museum is fun if you're into pop/rock music.

You might enjoy an excursion to downtown Kirkland, which is on Lake Washington and has little shops and restaurants and is a pleasant low-key place to stroll on a nice August day, good contrast to downtown Seattle. You can get there by bus or Uber. If you are into wine, a tour of Woodinville wine country might be appealing.

If you have a rental car and like hiking, you can find it in the Cascades; there are trails 45 to 60 minutes from Seattle and beyond. And Snoqualmie Falls is another good day trip from Seattle.
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Old Jun 8th, 2015, 06:38 PM
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If you ever wanted to become a geocacher, visit the world headquarters on the south side of S 34th St in between the Fremont and Aurora bridges. The name of the company is Groundspeak.
The CEO is Jeremy Irish. He is a very nice guy.
The block party won't be until August 15 but visitors are welcome anytime.
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Old Jun 8th, 2015, 06:46 PM
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Thank you! Those restaurants and activities are exactly what we'd enjoy, Deb and voyager. Tom, I will have to google "geocacher".

Is it considered "downtown" by the U? Sorry if that's stupid. I have absolutely no sense of direction.
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 07:32 AM
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This is my neighborhood, so my suggestions come with lashings of bias.

But first, where are you staying - hotel, AirBnB...? And second, do you plan to have access to a car?

First, geography. The UW is located around three miles (crow, much farther in traffic) from downtown Seattle, separated by several hills and water bodies. The "University District" or "U District" houses the UW campus, the enormous UW Hospital and medical school complex, numerous office and research buildings, thousands of apartments (and not a few condos) occupied by students, faculty, and just folks, some surprisingly lovely and leafy residential neighborhoods, a very upscale outdoor shopping center (University Village - http://www.uvillage.com/ ) and a couple of streets like University Way (AKA "The Ave") with a typical collection of head shops, cheap restaurants, bars, coffee places, the great University Bookstore, etc., as well as a healthy number of street people and watchful cops. So pretty diverse.

There's plenty of bus service from the U district to downtown; the light rail system's extension to the district won't open for another year or so. The bus is $2.50, so if you're here for a week and don't have a car, look into getting an "Orca" pass - https://www.orcacard.com/ERG-Seattle/p1_001.do - which is good on buses, light rail, ferries...

There's also limited bus service from the U district to other parts of the city besides downtown, but Seattle's transport network is VERY hub-and-spoke, meaning you often need to go downtown to change buses to get to a destination that isn't all that far from where you started, if you get my meaning. Metro's trip planner - http://tripplanner.kingcounty.gov/ - is very useful.

Timing. How early in August? The weekend of July 31 - Aug. 2 is "Seafair weekend" - hydroplane races on Lake Washington, Blue Angels freaking my dogs out, lots of blood alcohol. After that, Seattle resumes its normal midsummer behavior, i.e. wait for the green light before crossing deserted streets, thousands of Amazombies staring at their phones while marching to their cubes.

Weather. Probably sunnier and hotter than we like, but that's a low bar.

Good places close by for lunch? You bet. What's your poison? Example - burrito, killer margarita, kayak - http://aguaverde.com/ Too many options to list.

Walking, shopping, architecture. The UW campus is quite beautiful, with a big fountain, views of Mt. Rainier, marvelous Suzzalo library reading room (Gryffindor or Slytherin? - http://admit.washington.edu/sites/de...confirm/33.jpg ) and walkable (a long walk) to the UW arboretum, with its nature trails, canoe rentals, eagles, otters, and a real sense of being away from a giant city, when you're not. http://depts.washington.edu/uwbg/gardens/wpa.shtml For shopping, U Village has boutiques, or you're a bus ride from quirky shopping districts like N. 45th in the Wallingford district, Broadway on Capitol Hill, the Fremont "center of the universe" district (well, somebody's universe anyway.) As for architecture, Seattle has many one-offs by famous architects - an award-winning downtown library that the librarians aren't very fond of, a Frank Gehry blob (EMP) that's supposed to look like one of Jimi Hendrix's smashed guitars but instead looks to me like the outcome of one of Boeing's less successful test flights, and a downtown art museum built using a second-hand set of blueprints proposed by Robert Venturi for London, but rejected.

Things to do. First, re the Pike Place market. Do NOT visit after 10:30 AM during August. You have been warned. The PPM, and for that matter every tourist target in the city, is inundated with cruise passengers and other tourists during the summer. If you want to visit the market, get up with the birds and head there for breakfast, and watch the fish-flingers and other merchants set up for the day, then scram. The only thing setting the "original" Starbucks apart from all the others is that the lines are down the street and the mermaid has nipples.

Explore the (free) outdoor Sculpture park down by the waterfront. Visit the Space Needle and Chihuly Ego garden if you must, but also check out the Armory on the Seattle Center campus - recently made over with some semi-cool places to eat. Buy something from my nephew who's spending his summer selling tooth decay at Seattle Fudge.

Water. Lots of options, ranging from the corny "Ride the Ducks" excursions to ferry rides to Bainbridge or Bremerton, or (a fave of mine) the West Seattle water taxi from the downtown ferry terminal across Elliott Bay to West Seattle. (On the dock where it lands is a way cool cafe/bar, Marination Ma Kai, with Kalbi tacos, Spam sliders, shave ice, mai tais, Loco Moco... all with a stunning view of the city.) Walk from the water taxi dock (or bike or kayak or free bus shuttle) around Duwamish Head to Alki Beach with its baby Statue of Liberty and views of passing ferries and the Olympic mountains. Fabulous afternoon. http://gardyloo.us/20091226_31a.jpg http://gardyloo.us/20140513_47H2.jpg http://gardyloo.us/20140513_62B%20-%20Copy.jpg

Also check out the many offerings by Argosy cruises - http://www.argosycruises.com/ - of which the Locks and Lake Union cruise is my fave, as it shows off not only Elliott Bay but the Ballard locks, Lake Washington Ship Canal, Fishermen's Terminal (Alaska fishing fleet) and the Lake Union houseboats.

More. If you have a car, WAY more options - day trips to the islands, waterfalls in the mountains, wineries...
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 10:06 AM
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Wow-- thank you for all the information, Gardyloo!

We love university neighborhoods, so your description is very appealing to us. I will be happy wandering in that area a couple of days.

We will not have a car, since DH really won't have the free time to get away for any day-trips per se.

We are staying at a nice hotel across from the U, as conference organizers describe it. I'll look into the Orca pass. I'd love to take some ferries. We live in landlocked Colorado, so getting on a boat is a real treat.

We will be there after the Aug 2 weekend events. Probably a good thing. We don't care for crowded events.

I really appreciate Fodorites taking the time to help. I was concerned I might get bored with 6 days on my own, but usually that is not the case. I'm having a bout with sciatica now, so unfortunately my walking is limited. Maybe by August I will have found a cure for it. I'm ok walking a few blocks, if I can sit down for 5 minutes I'm good to go again.

Maybe suze has some recommendations?
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 10:43 AM
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We are staying at a nice hotel across from the U, as conference organizers describe it.

There aren't any nice hotels *right* across from the U, so I suspect it's either the Watertown, University Inn, Silver Cloud or Hotel Deca, all of which are actually several blocks from the actual campus.

Of those, all but the Deca have free shuttles that will take you to various destinations probably including Seattle Center or downtown.

The area is great for wandering around. For example, just north of the U District is the Ravenna neighborhood (where I actually live) anchored by Ravenna Park. Ravenna Park is a remarkable little gorge that runs through the middle of the city, with a creek at the bottom and lined with tall deciduous and evergreen trees. You feel like you're a million miles from the city, but it's all around you. Here's a video sombody did of a bike ride through the ravine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7avoThRUPJM . But on the rim of the ravine are many of Seattle's finest craftsman era homes - modest bungalows all built in the city's frenzied post-WWI boom. It's a great neighborhood for strolling before or after descending into the ravine.

The other direction, south from the U district, you cross the Lake Washington Ship Canal and you're on Lake Union, home to houseboats, shipyards, the very cool Gasworks Park, and - at the south end - the Museum of History and Industry, a real local treasure. From, for example, the University Inn (one of the hotels listed above) it's a 10-min walk to Ivar's Salmon House, a local chain with affordable and pretty good food, but also to Ivar's Fish Bar, where you can buy fish and chips, or oysters, whatever, then walk around the side of the restaurant to a big patio with picnic tables and plenty of seagulls to help with your French fries, while you're facing the downtown skyline and passing boats.
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 01:49 PM
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Thanks again, Gardyloo.
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 02:25 PM
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https://www.geocaching.com/
Geocaching is easier with a handheld GPS but some people do it with their smartphone.
HQ is next to the north end of the Fremont bridge over Lake Washington next door to Adobe Systems in the Fremont section of Seattle.
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 02:51 PM
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"U-District" (that's what the area is called) is different from downtown Seattle. They are about 5 miles apart but easy by Metro bus connection.

The campus itself is lovely, the surrounding area, not so much (it's a typical student area, cheap restaurants, shops, etc.).

For getting out on the water:
http://www.argosycruises.com/

In Pioneer Square I recently did the Underground Tour for the first time and surprisingly absolutely loved it (I had out-of-town visitors):
http://www.undergroundtour.com/

The Klondike Museum (technically a "national park") is also nearby, it's free and all about the Gold Rush.
http://www.nps.gov/klse/index.htm

Go to Ivars on Lake Union, it's very near the U-District.
http://www.ivars.com/locations/salmon-house

Also Aqua Verde, a cool unique Mexican restaurant is tucked away nearby there on a little river. You can even rent a boat there.
http://aguaverde.com/

For more elegant seafood in downtown Etta's Seafood, Steelhead Diner, Matts at the Market, Metropolitan Grill, McCormick's are all excellent. Plus the funky Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar in the Market is a hoot.
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 02:55 PM
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Oh... the weather

It will probably be gorgeous. Perhaps even a heat wave. Sometimes we get them in August. Check in closer to your trip and we can let you know how it is nearer to your trip.
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 02:58 PM
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I moved here 25+ years ago to try it out for a year... I'm still here. I'm on my own. I've yet to be bored with this city!!

If you need more suggestions, just ask, we can keep 'em coming.
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 03:41 PM
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We have two Shakespeare companies that do free outdoor performances I the summertime:
http://www.greenstage.org/
http://www.seattleshakespeare.org/woodeno/
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Old Jun 9th, 2015, 03:51 PM
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Thank you very much for the info and the links, suze. I was hoping to hear from you.

Appreciate it, tomfuller.
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Old Jun 10th, 2015, 08:40 AM
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Of course, happy to help. I'm glad I noticed your post. I'll reply again if I can think of anything else that might be interesting and easy to do solo from the U-District location.

Many questions about PNW I'm not able to help with, because I only know the city itself. I've almost zero experience in the surrounding countryside that people want to see when they visit (San Juans, Olympic National Park, etc.)

When I leave the city to travel... it starts at SeaTac international airport (lol)!
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Old Jun 10th, 2015, 08:46 AM
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http://www.uvillage.com/
U Village could be fun if you run out of things to do... for window shopping and lunch. It's a huge upscale outdoor 'mall' and a quick taxi or bus ride from where you are staying (even closer than downtown).

Also there's a Trader Joes on Roosevelt, just north of the NE 45th intersection. And a beautiful Whole Foods market at Roosevelt just south of NE 65th. If you need snacks for your hotel room or a picnic lunch.
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Old Jun 10th, 2015, 09:13 AM
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Thanks, suze.
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Old Jun 11th, 2015, 06:40 AM
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I agree- don't go to Pike Place Market after 10:30. Miserable crowds. I often do, though, because it's the best place to get "walking around" food in Seattle. If you are an ice tea drinker, Crumpet Shop gives all day free refills.

My favorite "nice" seafood place is not a seafood place nor waterfront- but the Metropolitan Grill is very classy indeed and has delicious Dungeness crab pasta. My favorite water view is probably the little Chinese retaurant in Pike Place Market, but that's definitely a solo lunch place more than a nice dinner place.

Queen Anne is probably my favorite walking neighborhood. Capitol Hill isn't as pretty, but it's great for people watching and if you are book person, don't miss Elliott Bay Books. Down towards Cherry St (possibly on Second or first) there are also some great little stores. Actually, Second and First are good for just wandering in and out of shops in both directions. I think of Seattle in terms of the market and waterfront- towards, away, right or left of, if that helps.

I think there's a staircase walk guide book that I've seen for Seattle- you may want to invest in something like that, because a lot of really neat Seattle stuff isn't readily apparent because of the city's geography. I enjoy just wandering around because I always seem to find something new.

International District is good for food. Depending on WHY you are not a museum person, you may or may not like the Wing Luke Museum- the real value there is the tour of the old boarding hotel and store. It's a really nice follow up to the underground tour because it gives you a glimpse into the Chinese workers' everyday lives.

Seattle Center is fun to wander through- I highly recommend the Chihuly, mostly because I love the garden. It has more of a gallery vibe than a museum vibe, and the outside portions are spectacular at night.

Since you'll be in U-District anyway, definitely go walking or biking on the Burke Gilman Trail. There's at least one bike shop right on the trail that rents bikes. Seattle in August is glorious- you won't want to be inside, anyway. I sometimes need to go UW for job related things, but the only "destinations" for me otherwise are UVillage and Gargoyles Statuary (the latter is a great place to window shop).

Clothing: bring some kind of jacket just in case, especially if you ride ferries. Otherwise, the most important thing is to pack really comfortable walking shoes. Seattle is not a good place to be adventurous with shoe choice.

Have fun!
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Old Jun 11th, 2015, 10:35 AM
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You asked about Uber sorry never used them. I use regular taxis either Yellow Cab (metered) or Eastsideforhire/Flatrate for Hire (flatrate).


For walking tours:

Architecture
http://seattlearchitecture.org/tours/

Food
http://www.savorseattletours.com/

The Market
http://www.publicmarkettours.com/



Oh and here's the general Pike Place Market website:
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/
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