CatchK

Hi everyone,

Thank you in advance for your help (again!)

I am traveling to Seattle on March 14 and will be alone for 3 days before my coworkers join me for a conference for the rest of the week.

I am staying at the Sheraton, and my question is what are my transportation options? I had no intention of renting a car, but wanted to see/do some things that may be a bit further away from the hotel - I am a PE teacher and am quite active, so walking isn't an issue. But even so, it seems that I will need some transportation at times since I don't want to waste my entire weekend walking!

I see that there are multiple bus lines, plus a monorail, and it is all very confusing. Are taxis plentiful? Would that just be the best way to go to conserve time?

Thanks!

Gardyloo

The Sheraton is close to a downtown transportation hub at Westlake - light rail to the airport, trolly line to South Lake Union, monorail to Seattle Center (Space Needle, EMP, Chihuly etc.) Plus of course there are buses pretty much anywhere in King County from downtown Seattle.

However given your timing I'd rent a car for a day and do a marvelous loop trip that would expose you to some of the real highlights of our region at this time of year. The concierge at the hotel can arrange one for you, or there are branches of all the major rental companies downtown within walking distance.

Head north on Interstate 5 around an hour to the cute little waterfront town of La Conner, in the Skagit Valley. Between the freeway and La Conner is a large daffodil and tulip bulb producing region, and right now (and through the next couple of weeks) the daffodils will be at their peak, and you'll probably also see some of the tulips appearing as this is an early spring. The show can be very impressive, e.g. http://gardyloo.us/DSC_0077c.JPG or http://gardyloo.us/tulips404%20025s.jpg and there will probably still be some migratory snow geese in the area too - http://gardyloo.us/20100319_56as.JPG

From La Conner, head west on WA 20 to Deception Pass, the stunning gap between Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands. The views from the bridges or the beach are terrific, and if you're there during a tide change, the water rushing through the channel can be awesome. There are numerous hiking trails, old growth forest, and good (gravel) beaches in the state park. http://www.naturallyamazing.com/americasparks/6858.jpg

From there, head down beautiful Whidbey Island to the lovely little town of Langley, then take the 20 min. ferry ride across to Mukilteo on the mainland. http://gardyloo.us/20140531_3Ha.jpg

From Mukilteo, take WA 526 (the "Boeing freeway") back to I-5. You'll pass the Boeing Everett assembly plant, home of the 747s, 777s and 787s, and the biggest building in the world.

This is a superb day trip that really shows off some of the diversity of the Puget Sound region. It's lovely any time of the year, but spectacular in the spring when the flowers are out.

Map - http://goo.gl/maps/PFBjO

Bobmrg

Good advice (as always) from Gardyloo. This might help with downtown.

http://www.visitseattle.org/.../Neig...n-Seattle.aspx

Bobmrg

Bad link. Just go with www.visitseattle.org.

happytrailstoyou

There is good bus service from downtown to all parts of Seattle. Ferries leave from the waterfront to Bremerton and Bainbridge Island, and there is train service to more distant locations.

http://metro.kingcounty.gov
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
http://www.soundtransit.org/Rider-Guide/Sounder-train

HTtY

suze

Where do you want to go? You can easily walk all of downtown, including Pioneer Square historic district (south part of downtown). Even up to Capitol Hill, the first residential area to the east of downtown and a fun, funky, long-time artistic and alternative neighborhood.

Metro Bus goes the most places and is very easy to use.

The monorail runs only one route, from mid-downtown up to the Seattle Center & Space Needle.

There's the streetcars, but they run only downtown up to Lake Union and back.

Then LightRail works well for coming to and from the airport.

Taxis are plentiful, but you call them, flagging them down on the street isn't as common in Seattle.

If you have somewhere specific you want to go from the Sheraton, just ask & we can give you exact directions.

sincerely, suze, in seattle

CatchK

That is all really great info - I am printing this and taking it with me for sure, and will look for some time to rent a car and take that day trip.

Thank you all so much for your recommendations!!

Stephanie

sludick

CatchK, on our last visit, we stayed near the Sheraton and took the LightRail from the airport to Westlake Center - convenient and inexpensive. We also took LightRail to a couple other stops during our stay, mainly just because it was a nice form of transport. However, this is definitely a walker's city, and as a PE teacher you should be good to go. It is very hilly, a good workout even if the locals don't seem to notice it...

justwishin

Call an " uber" car to pick you up and drop off-- they are very prompt and reasonable.