mrace

We'll be landing at Seatac on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend at around 12:45. Could we reasonably expect to arrive at our downtown hotel by 2:00pm? There's a city tour which would pick us up shortly after 3:00pm, but this timetable sounds kind of tight. We thought it would be good to do the city tour on our first day, but we probably would be better off doing it on Tuesday, so as not to be rushed (Monday is already booked with the Tillicum Village cruise).

DebitNM

How do you plan to get from SEA TAC to downtown hotel?

We were just there and it took quite a while to get our checked bags. We then took the light rail, which can be from 35 -40 minute ride, depending where you exit. It was also a bit of walk from luggage area to train - maybe 10 mins. Then there is the walk from where you exit train to hotel. IF there is any delay in your flight, you most likely won't make you 2 pm time frame.

Not sure how much a taxi cuts down on time; it may work.

Personally, I would hate to feel that pressured upon arrival to be somewhere with that slim a margin for issues.

Gardyloo

I think it's doable, but I'd use a cab or towncar rather than the light rail (but with luggage I would anyway.) Which hotel are you staying at?

Assuming 1/2 hour for bag claim (typical) and ten minutes to get to the taxi/towncar stand (on the third floor of the parking garage) that would have you on the road by around 1:30. Taxis can use the HOV lanes, so 20-30 min. downtown would be typical, so that would have you at the hotel by 2. Leave the bags at the front desk if you want and you ought to be able to make the 3 PM tour.

Doable, not relaxing, but doable.

suze

I agree, if you use a taxi/towncar that you probably could make the 3pm tour. But for me personally I wouldn't want to feel pressured and rushed on that arrival day, so would wait until Tues.

mrace

Thanks all, for the tips...........think I'll just relax that day, and I'll book it for Tuesday!

Gardyloo

Probably just as well. Labor Day weekend is when the big Bumbershoot music/arts festival occurs at Seattle Center (Space Needle, Chihuly etc.) and the whole area is quite congested day and night. It probably wouldn't cancel the tour, but it would almost certainly result in some degree of re-routing.

OTOH, if you're music fans, Bumbershoot is fantastic. www.bumbershoot.org

mrace

Music fans yes, but strictly "old school"...anything ranging from Van Halen, Journey, Billy Idol, Hall & Oates, to Kool & the Gang.

mrace

If we pass on Bumbershoot, any other good suggestions for Sunday afternoon and evening (assuming we'd have to stear clear of any attractions/restaurants near Seattle Center.

Gardyloo

If the weather's okay, take the ferry to Bainbridge Island and have an early dinner or drinks at Doc's or the Harbour Pub (both overlooking Eagle Harbor, 15 min. walk from the Bainbridge ferry dock.) If you're on the ferry coming back around sunset, so much the better - Olympic Mts. in silhouette, sun reflecting off the downtown highrises. http://gardyloo.us/20091226_71c2.JPG

http://www.docsgrill.com/
http://harbourpub.com/
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/

mrace

Gardyloo: sounds good... but hope wifey can handle the 15 minute walk, with her sprained ankle.

Gardyloo

Where are you staying?

mrace

Gardyloo: Mayflower Park

suze

How about an Argosy cruise? (for Sunday afternoon/evening).

I think the Bainbridge ferry might be a bit much on a sprained ankle, unless you just rode over, then took the next boat back (skip walking into town).

suze

No idea if this is up your alley, but how about Teatro ZinZanni? It's a 3 hour show, 5 course dinner, see their website for what it's all about.

mrace

suze: might go with the Argosy 1-hour harbor cruise, then hit a place for dinner.

Gardyloo

Seattle is pretty hilly (although the Mayflower is ideally located - on the flats and pretty level to places like the Pike Place Market.) So walking might be an issue regardless.

I like Suze's idea of the Argosy cruise (just take a cab to the dock if walking is uncomfortable.) Actually, their dinner cruises aren't at all that bad, and that would solve both problems. Or if you want a great seafood meal after the cruise, Elliott's Oyster House is basically next door to the Argosy dock, and is one of the best seafood restaurants in the city (despite it's honkytonk location.)

mrace

Gardyloo and Suze: Argosy then Elliot's - sounds like a plan!

Thanks!

mrace

How's the show/food at The Pink Door? I was thinking of it for Monday evening, as they have a show that night.

We're going with the City Tour on Tuesday..will finish up around 1pm - any good ideas for a lunch spot?

suze

Lunch spot, if you haven't been yet, might be a good time to do one of the Tom Douglas restaurants... Etta's Seafood, Dahlia Lounge, or Lola's.

suze

Oooh... better yet, if you don't end up going to Pink Door for the show Monday night, make a reservation there for the patio for Tuesday lunch. In nice weather, that is one of the sweetest spots in Seattle!