SISer

I will be in US in late Janurary and I have some annnual leave to use up, I plan on extending my stay and travelling to either Seattle or Pheonix. Ar present I am unable to drive and won't be hiring a car when I visit the US. I have been to Seattle but am keen on visiting Boeing and that is the reason I am considering a return visit and will keep my fingers crossed I can actually get to Boeing. On my last two visits to Seatlle I was out of luck. As for Pheonix, that appeals because I haven't been there and haven't seen many Native American sights. I have been to the Grand Canyon from Vegas and seeing the Grand Canyon again is of no interest. I get teh impression I need a car in Pheonix and I will not be renting a car so I really don't know if Pheonix is feasible.

Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks.

joannay

Without a car it might be next to impossible to visit Native American sites, excluding the Heard Museum http://www.heard.org/ unless you could find a bus tour that appeals to you.

Why not first inquire about the Boeing visit and failing that, which seems to be the point of Seattle this trip, go to Phoenix. I live in Arizona but my trips to Phoenix have not been for pleasure or sightseeing. I know others here will tell you about the glories of their city.

Bill_H

Weather will be far superior in Phoenix, usually clear sunny skies and day time temperatures in the 60-70F range. Seattle will likely have a lot of rain and lower temps.

Biggest problem for you is that you can't rent a car. You can stay in Phoenix and use the new light rail system to get so some good places but it's new and fairly limited in how far it goes. http://raillife.com/light-rail-info/...ight-rail-map/

... haven't seen many Native American sights.

The Heard Museum is world-famous for its native peoples' exhibits and can be accessed via light rail. There are several Indian reservations on the periphery of the Phoenix area that you can access via taxi but for the most part the interface is via resort hotel or gambling casino, not exactly "authentic". For that you'd want to visit Navajo or Hopi country 6 hours north and you'd need a car.

tomfuller

Where will you be traveling from to either Seattle or Phoenix?
If you fly to Seattle, the Boeing plant and the Museum of Flight is between the Sea-Tac airport and the city of Seattle.
Seattle center city is a lot easier without a car than Phoenix is IMO.
It is also easy to get to Seattle or Tukwilla on an Amtrak train.

SISer

Thank you for the replies. I will be in Southern California, I have relatives there and have visited many times so I have seen the sights in Califorinia in depth (even those in Northern California). I think I will go back to drawing board and try to figure out which US city I shall visit.

suze

Phoenix makes a lot more sense. It's closer to California and the weather will be 100% nicer. I'm not sure if you can do it without a car though.

I live in Seattle and February is a horrible month here weather-wise typically.

azzure

The Boeing plant is in Everett, north of Seattle. The Museum of Flight is south of Seattle. They are two different places, though Seattle makes a good base to visit both.

Agree that Seattle is not the best weather-wise in February. I live nearby.

boom_boom

For likely good (sunny) weather go to AZ. But, the Boeing Tour and Museum pf Flight are excellent tours if you get there. I agree that the Herd Museum in Phoenix is a world-class facility, but it isn't technology you'll get in Seattle.

Orcas

Portland OR is a nice city without a car. The weather is similar to Seattle. February sees some nice days, believe it or not.

Tomsd

Even with the rain (which I like to experience when I visit places - I/we much prefer Seattle over Phoenix. Sorry - but that's just our preference - and maybe we get such beautiful weather here in SD that we like more divesity. The grater Pugent Sound area is just beautiful/amazing - and if you want to do something really different - take a ferry over to Vancouver Island - and see Victoria - almost like going to England in places.

Tomsd

Portland is also very nice - and gets more sun than Seattle. The Rose Garden and the Japanese Gardens are top notch - and they also have a good zoo nearby. If you want something else - take a tour of the 7 waterfalls along the Columbia - east of Portland - or even if you can find a way - get up to historic Timerline Lodge at Mt. Hood. Just incredible. see: http://www.timberlinelodge.com/

Tomsd

BTW - if you want to see Native Exhibits - the Royal Museum in Victoria is just amazing. see: http://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/MainSite/default.aspx

Placename

Phoenix

JJ5

Tons of people as I type are leaving the Midwest for Phoenix and surrounds of AZ. There is a reason in January and Feb.

I'm a cold weather person and I would take Seattle hands down. Love their foodie tour and the Pike Place Market area under any skies.