heatherjane

Hi everyone!

I'm looking to go to Seattle mid-May. Looking to arrive Sunday late morning and leaving Tuesday mid-afternoon or Wednesday mid-afternoon. We potentially want to go explore out and around Seattle if you have any suggestions there too I hear it's beautiful.

I've been looking at places to stay and trying to decide between Inn at the Market or Hotel 1000. Pros and cons of these?

While in Seattle, what are some must sees? Pike Place Market and the Space Needle are the two suggestions I've heard most (of course). If any of you could give me your list of must-sees and if possible, how much time you spent doing that or staying there, that would be great!

I'm working on planning out the days as best as I can to make the most of our trip. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Cjar

Fremont is kind of a cool neighborhood and there is a troll under the bridge. Fun photo op. We have toured Theo Chocolate and also enjoyed the Botanical Gardens in Bellevue. If you do go to Pikes Place Market , Beechers has a yummy crab melt. I suppose it depends on what you like to do. Washington state is beautiful. You can hike, eat, walk interesting neighborhoods. It is always helpful if you mention the things you like to do.

I have never stayed in either hotel, so I can't offer any information on those.

If you haven't all ready, take a look at the visitseattle.org website

heatherjane

Thanks for your suggestions! The botanical gardens definitely sounds like something we would be into! And that crab melt sounds delicious. Yea I guess it would help to tell you what I like, huh? Haha. I guess we don't really have a preference. We just want to see all that Seattle has to offer. We are both in our mid-20s. We do like to enjoy good food, coffee, drinks, hikes, & relaxing. We aren't too into going to the museums and art exhibits, but if someone comments and really believes it's amazing we will consider it. Any thoughts on the aquarium? Something worth seeing?

Oh! And how about Bainbridge Island? Some co-workers mentioned that. Is it a good place to visit? We don't plan on driving anywhere while we are there, so if it requires a car to explore the island, then I'm not sure it's a good fit.

Any restaurant suggestions would be great too! I hear the oysters are amazing there, so if you have a suggestion for a good restaurant for that, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Bobmrg

Bainbridge Island pops up frequently in posts not because of its intrinsic beauty or things to do but because the return trip offers killer views of the Seattle skyline. It's an inexpensive way to get an overview. The little town of Winslow (the ferry terminus) has some nice shops and eateries but that alone does not justify the trip.

If you post in Trip Advisor you will get more answers from locals.

Bitter

For the basics, see the guide:

http://www.fodors.com/world/north-am...ington/seattle

Here are some of my questions and results from last summer.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-questions.cfm

suze

Either Inn at the Market or Hotel 1000 are fine hotels downtown.

The trip to Bainbridge Island is mostly about an excuse for a ferry ride and getting out on the water.

I think the highlights are: Pike Place Market, Space Needle/Seattle Center, Pioneer Square historic district (including the Underground Tour).

2nd tier: The Great Wheel, Seattle Art Museum, Chihuly Gardens, Olympic Sculpture Park, EPM.

heatherjane

Thanks Bobmrg! Bainbridge Island does sound great, but I guess we'll have to think about that if we have the time. I'll post in Tripadvisor and see what else pops up!

Thanks Bitter! I'll take a look at your post from last summer and see what intrigues us.

Hi Suze, thanks for giving me the highlights! These are great suggestions and I'll work them into our agenda.

Gwendolynn

We stayed at the Inn at the Market some years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Had a lovely water view and the market was just down the street.

Kathie

If you don't want to rent a car (and I don't blame you!), cross the Bellevue Botanical Gardens off your list. If you want gardens, consider the Arboretum and the Japanese garden (in the same area) and visit the Volunteer Park Conservatory if you enjoy orchids.

I highly recommend the Chihuly Museum/Gardens - just stunning. Also check on the shows at the Seattle Art Museum and look at the Seattle Asian Art Museum if you go to Volunteer Park.

You don't have a lot of time, so I won't recommend any places farther afield. Indeed, I don't recommend that you get off the ferry on Bainbridge - just ride the ferry for the great views.

I'm someone that thinks the Space Needle is better seen at a distance rather than standing in line and paying to go up in it.

garyt22

Get a Seattle CityPass... Discounted price on the top attractions... Includes EMP, space needle, harbor cruise and many more...

heatherjane

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions! The Inn and the Market is definitely my top choice right now. However, I may get a free night at the W Seattle and it might make sense financially to just stay there (such a dilemma!). I'm pretty picky with hotels, so if you've had a good or bad experience at the W, please let me know!

All the museums and gardens sound great! Definitely will be hitting up Chihuly and I've read wonderful things about it. The Japanese Gardens sound great too! Will be checking all that out.

The Seattle CityPass is a great idea! I will definitely look into that. Thank you!

suze

Again, nothing wrong with any of the hotels you are considering.

I love the old conservatory at Volunteer Park (I live a couple blocks away and go there often). And the Arboretum and Japanese Garden there are very beautiful too. Both can easily be reached by bus (two different ones) from downtown.

Gardyloo

Regarding gardens, while you may have scrubbed the Bainbridge Island idea (which is a shame) you should know that one of the region's premier gardens is the Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge, http://www.bloedelreserve.org/

May would be a spectacular time to visit Bloedel as it would be bursting with rhododendrons and spring flowers.

While a car makes it easy, there's a bus service available from the Bainbridge ferry terminal - $2 each way I think - http://www.bainbridgechamber.com/default.aspx?ID=226 - that would make it very easy. That way you'd have a terrific "twofer" experience.