Solo Trip to Seattle on a Budget
Jun 16th, 2015, 04:58 PM
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Solo Trip to Seattle on a Budget
My family is going to Alaska in the beginning of August and I wanted to add a few days in Seattle to the end of my trip before heading back east. I had talked to some college friends about joining me, but plans have since fallen through, so it looks like I will be on my own. At this time, I'm planning on staying in a hostel and will be relying on public transportation/walking to get around. This will be my first time in the Pacific NW, so any suggestions for must-sees, restaurants, lodging, etc. are appreciated!
Jun 16th, 2015, 07:51 PM
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Pike Place Market is interesting to wander around. There are some good places to eat there. I think any of Tom Douglas' restaurants are very good, such as Etta's for seafood, Palace Kitchen, or even go to his Dahlia Bakery and order a piece of the famous coconut cream pie (and a fork!).
Take the ferry over to Bainbridge Island, have lunch-there was a decent restaurant (can't recall the name ) walk around, have an ice cream cone, come back.
Check out the Smith Tower, the architecturally cool public library, the Seattle Art Museum.
Take the monorail to the Space Needle, the Experience Music Project. Drink some regional wines & beers. Have fun!
Take the ferry over to Bainbridge Island, have lunch-there was a decent restaurant (can't recall the name ) walk around, have an ice cream cone, come back.
Check out the Smith Tower, the architecturally cool public library, the Seattle Art Museum.
Take the monorail to the Space Needle, the Experience Music Project. Drink some regional wines & beers. Have fun!
Jun 16th, 2015, 08:01 PM
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Did you read the OP's post, SeaF? Etta's and Palace Kitchen are not inexpensive restaurants! The Experience Music Project charges $30 for admission. Given that the OP is planning to stay in a hostel, I find these suggestions bizarre. Almost as if you just threw down YOUR experiences in Seattle without considering the OP's needs...
Jun 17th, 2015, 07:09 AM
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Yes, I did read the post. I did this stuff myself on a budget.
You can go to a nice place and have lunch rather than dinner, and at Palace Kitchen had a beer at the bar and an appetizer. A piece of pie from a bakery, where you don't have to but the whole pie!
Sorry I suggested the EMP-a walk through the Olympic Sculpture Park would be nice--it's free. You can see the Space Needle--you are not forced to pay and go up!
You can go to a nice place and have lunch rather than dinner, and at Palace Kitchen had a beer at the bar and an appetizer. A piece of pie from a bakery, where you don't have to but the whole pie!
Sorry I suggested the EMP-a walk through the Olympic Sculpture Park would be nice--it's free. You can see the Space Needle--you are not forced to pay and go up!
Jun 17th, 2015, 08:53 AM
#5
For $65, CityPass gets you Space Needle - 2 visits in 24 hours so you can get the daylight view and the city lights view at night
•Seattle Aquarium
•A one hour tour of Elliott Bay and Seattle Harbor
•Experience Music Project Museum or Woodland Park Zoo admission
• Pacific Science Center admission or Museum of Flight admission
•Seattle Aquarium
•A one hour tour of Elliott Bay and Seattle Harbor
•Experience Music Project Museum or Woodland Park Zoo admission
• Pacific Science Center admission or Museum of Flight admission
Jun 17th, 2015, 09:18 AM
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Tom Douglas restaurants may be in the OPs budget, but they aren't in mine!
I remember dining on Etta's "rubbed with love" salmon at lunch for about $20, but it is now $27.50/$33.50. With tax and a 15% tip the total for the small serving is now $35. That's not in my budget--I know where I can do better.
Two good, inexpensive restaurants in downtown Seattle are Mae Phim Thai at 213 Pike Street and Long Provincial Vietnamese at 1901 2nd Avenue. Japonessa (1400 1st Avenue) does a $12 bento box at lunch Monday-Friday, and the $11.95 half-pound Angus Burger at Nordstrom Grill is a good value in pleasant surroundings if you have a hankering for meat. Also, at lunch and weekend brunch Blueacre Seafood (1700 7th Avenue) serves a three-course meal that cost $20 when I dined there last week.
HTtY
I remember dining on Etta's "rubbed with love" salmon at lunch for about $20, but it is now $27.50/$33.50. With tax and a 15% tip the total for the small serving is now $35. That's not in my budget--I know where I can do better.
Two good, inexpensive restaurants in downtown Seattle are Mae Phim Thai at 213 Pike Street and Long Provincial Vietnamese at 1901 2nd Avenue. Japonessa (1400 1st Avenue) does a $12 bento box at lunch Monday-Friday, and the $11.95 half-pound Angus Burger at Nordstrom Grill is a good value in pleasant surroundings if you have a hankering for meat. Also, at lunch and weekend brunch Blueacre Seafood (1700 7th Avenue) serves a three-course meal that cost $20 when I dined there last week.
HTtY
Jun 18th, 2015, 04:00 PM
#8
There's plenty to do and see in Seattle free or at a low cost, as long as you can find a cheap place to stay for your dates. Your lodging is going to be the only tricky part about your plans... Green Tortoise, City Hotel, and Hostelling International are the 3 downtown.
The passenger ferry to Bainbridge Island and back is an excellent low-cost activity.
In Pioneer Square the Klondike Museum and Waterfall Garden Park are free. Then spring for the Underground Tour ($19). Eat at Bakemann's (sandwiches $4.50).
Walking the waterfront and thru Pike Place Market costs nothing and is endlessly entertaining.
Frye Museum is free.
and so forth...
best, suze in seattle
The passenger ferry to Bainbridge Island and back is an excellent low-cost activity.
In Pioneer Square the Klondike Museum and Waterfall Garden Park are free. Then spring for the Underground Tour ($19). Eat at Bakemann's (sandwiches $4.50).
Walking the waterfront and thru Pike Place Market costs nothing and is endlessly entertaining.
Frye Museum is free.
and so forth...
best, suze in seattle
Jun 19th, 2015, 07:46 AM
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Everyone is "on a budget" including Russian gas billionaires, it's the numbers that count.
What are yours for lunch and dinner? That may help determine if you can handle celebrity chef eateries (I wouldn't and I have an income).
Look: the microbrew revolution in the US means every decent-sized has brew pubs that offer decent food at a decent price. Check into those.
What are yours for lunch and dinner? That may help determine if you can handle celebrity chef eateries (I wouldn't and I have an income).
Look: the microbrew revolution in the US means every decent-sized has brew pubs that offer decent food at a decent price. Check into those.
Jun 19th, 2015, 08:24 AM
#10
Breakfast: La Panier French bakery or the Crumpet Shop in the Market
Lunch: Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar (old timey sit-down bar and café), Market Grill (grilled fish sandwiches at a counter by the pig statue), Pike Place Chowder (a dozen kinds of chowder and soup), Jacks Fish Spot (fish vendor that also has a lunch counter), Michou Deli (excellent food). All in the Market.
Dinner: Mama's Mexican Kitchen (2234 2nd ave) or El Borracho (1521 1st ave), Rocco's Pizza (2228 2nd ave), Pixtos tapas bar (2207 2nd ave), Wann's Japanese izakaya (2020 2nd ave).
Lunch: Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar (old timey sit-down bar and café), Market Grill (grilled fish sandwiches at a counter by the pig statue), Pike Place Chowder (a dozen kinds of chowder and soup), Jacks Fish Spot (fish vendor that also has a lunch counter), Michou Deli (excellent food). All in the Market.
Dinner: Mama's Mexican Kitchen (2234 2nd ave) or El Borracho (1521 1st ave), Rocco's Pizza (2228 2nd ave), Pixtos tapas bar (2207 2nd ave), Wann's Japanese izakaya (2020 2nd ave).
Jun 19th, 2015, 11:10 AM
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"The passenger ferry to Bainbridge Island and back is an excellent low-cost activity."
Dumb question, but I see this recommended in guidebooks and on forums. Are the views nice? Is the Island particularly interesting? Everyone recommends this, but I'm not sure why. (That's not sarcasm. I'm trying to learn for my trip).
Dumb question, but I see this recommended in guidebooks and on forums. Are the views nice? Is the Island particularly interesting? Everyone recommends this, but I'm not sure why. (That's not sarcasm. I'm trying to learn for my trip).
Jun 19th, 2015, 11:22 AM
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I agree with the brewpub suggestion. That's my go-to dinner in Seattle if I didn't snack my way through the market. Dinner anywhere in the tourist area is going to expensive, and I've found pub food to be the most economical option. (Unless you can eat fast food- I cannot). When I'm travelling on a hostel budget, I choose one splurge place. But what that depends on what you really enjoy food wise. I'm one of those rare people who just wasn't blown away by Etta's. My splurge choice would be good sushi or Tolouse Petit or Metropolitan Grill.
Doing Seattle on a budget really depends on what is important to you. I've found EMP/Sci-Fi, the Seattle Art Museum, and Wing Luke Museums to be worth the money simply because I like museums and one of those can take up a whole afternoon (for me). If you only hit one, do EMP/Sci Fi because Seattle Center is such a destination. Ride the monorail to get there. Also, it's popular culture rather than history or Art, and I haven't been anywhere quite like it. If you love small museums, go to Wing Luke, because the special exhibit is always well done, and the tour and gift store are also very attractive if you are interested in Asian American history. Seattle Art Museum really depends on your level of interest in art but parts of their collection really impressed me, and I'm a museum nut.
If you would rather be outside on a bike, perhaps renting a bike and exploring the trails would be a better idea. Burke Gilman is very popular. There IS a bike share program, but I'm skeptical of it being useful in Seattle. I haven't used it yet, but that may be of interest to you.
If you like outdoor stores, visit flagship REI and nearby Feathered Friends. That REI is pretty much the Mecca of REIs if you are into outdoor equipment and clothing.
West Seattle is also a great inexpensive afternoon, but it's more something you'd do on a return trip or if you are local. If you want affordable fish and chips with an awesome view, though, make that trip for Salty's. I think with only a few days you'd be happy to just explore downtown and maybe Queen Anne, Capitol Hill or Fremont. If you like bookshops, Elliot Bay in Capitol Hill is a great way to kill a few hours. Capitol Hill is fun for window shopping and terrific for people watching- it's a lively place in the evenings.
The waterfront and market area is at least one day of exploring- that's as cheap as your willpower makes it. Window shopping is free as long as you actually stick to window shopping
Food and booze is what really gets you in Seattle. Check out the places Suze recommends. If you like asian, go to Uwajimaya's in the International district- grocery store food court has been a source of several cheap lunches for my friends and me.
Live music can sometimes be a cheap way to enjoy your evening- if you like Irish music, check out Kells Pub music calendar. If I remember right, the cover isn't to high and their beer is also affordable. If you don't like Irish music, find one of the many indie coffee shops and peruse through the bulletin board. Bedlam in Belltown is my favorite for this- partly because it is very close to my favorite hostel, City Hostel.
Have fun!
Doing Seattle on a budget really depends on what is important to you. I've found EMP/Sci-Fi, the Seattle Art Museum, and Wing Luke Museums to be worth the money simply because I like museums and one of those can take up a whole afternoon (for me). If you only hit one, do EMP/Sci Fi because Seattle Center is such a destination. Ride the monorail to get there. Also, it's popular culture rather than history or Art, and I haven't been anywhere quite like it. If you love small museums, go to Wing Luke, because the special exhibit is always well done, and the tour and gift store are also very attractive if you are interested in Asian American history. Seattle Art Museum really depends on your level of interest in art but parts of their collection really impressed me, and I'm a museum nut.
If you would rather be outside on a bike, perhaps renting a bike and exploring the trails would be a better idea. Burke Gilman is very popular. There IS a bike share program, but I'm skeptical of it being useful in Seattle. I haven't used it yet, but that may be of interest to you.
If you like outdoor stores, visit flagship REI and nearby Feathered Friends. That REI is pretty much the Mecca of REIs if you are into outdoor equipment and clothing.
West Seattle is also a great inexpensive afternoon, but it's more something you'd do on a return trip or if you are local. If you want affordable fish and chips with an awesome view, though, make that trip for Salty's. I think with only a few days you'd be happy to just explore downtown and maybe Queen Anne, Capitol Hill or Fremont. If you like bookshops, Elliot Bay in Capitol Hill is a great way to kill a few hours. Capitol Hill is fun for window shopping and terrific for people watching- it's a lively place in the evenings.
The waterfront and market area is at least one day of exploring- that's as cheap as your willpower makes it. Window shopping is free as long as you actually stick to window shopping
Food and booze is what really gets you in Seattle. Check out the places Suze recommends. If you like asian, go to Uwajimaya's in the International district- grocery store food court has been a source of several cheap lunches for my friends and me.
Live music can sometimes be a cheap way to enjoy your evening- if you like Irish music, check out Kells Pub music calendar. If I remember right, the cover isn't to high and their beer is also affordable. If you don't like Irish music, find one of the many indie coffee shops and peruse through the bulletin board. Bedlam in Belltown is my favorite for this- partly because it is very close to my favorite hostel, City Hostel.
Have fun!
Jun 19th, 2015, 11:45 AM
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Bitter- it's all about the ferry ride, or at least that's why I would suggest it. There's something magical about being on the water in Seattle on a good day. The Bainbridge route gives you both a destination of sorts and an accessible water experience. Not too long and not too short. I'm not so much into Bainbridge itself although I know people who are, but I sometimes take the ferry just to take the ferry, if that makes sense!
Jun 19th, 2015, 11:53 AM
#19
Bitter-
1. Because ferries are fun to ride around on. There are different decks, both inside and outside places to sit & stand, a café serving food & drinks.
2. The views back to the Seattle skyline are magnificent.
3. It's only a 30 min. ride each way and an entertainment bargain at only $8.00 round trip.
4. Nothing so special about Bainbridge Island right at the dock, some people just ride over, disembark, and then get back on the same ferry to return. But if you want to stay there's a cute little downtown district about a 10 min. walk from the ferry terminal with shops, cafes, bars that is fun for a couple hours.
1. Because ferries are fun to ride around on. There are different decks, both inside and outside places to sit & stand, a café serving food & drinks.
2. The views back to the Seattle skyline are magnificent.
3. It's only a 30 min. ride each way and an entertainment bargain at only $8.00 round trip.
4. Nothing so special about Bainbridge Island right at the dock, some people just ride over, disembark, and then get back on the same ferry to return. But if you want to stay there's a cute little downtown district about a 10 min. walk from the ferry terminal with shops, cafes, bars that is fun for a couple hours.
