jenalr

We're going to be in Seattle for a few days before leaving for an Alaskan cruise. We're staying at a downtown hotel and are trying to figure out what to do while we're there. We're definitely going to see Pikes Place and Seattle Center. We're considering the hop on/off bus and see that you get the 2nd day free. Will this take us to enough places that it'd be worth it as a "mode of transportation" for the two (really 2.5 days since we'll fly in early that afternoon) days? Or would we be better off with other plans?

Any suggestions or input would be welcomed.

Thanks!

jenalr

Oh yeah.....looking for the input/suggestions, but keep in mind that we have a 2 year old in tow with us! We're not very interested in the aquarium, though.

Thanks!

happytrailstoyou

I'd skip the hop on and hop off bus. Transportation is free on municipal busses in the downtown retail core.

I think your money might be better spent on the Duck Tour, or on the Argosy cruise that goes through the locks.

http://www.ridetheducksofseattle.com
http://www.argosycruises.com/

You might also enjoy taking the ferry to Brainbridge Island. From the ferry terminal it is a short walk to restaurants there.

We have a great zoo--a favorite place for local parents and grandparents to take two-year-olds. It's my favorite zoo, and I've seen many of the "best" ones.

http://www.zoo.org/

jenalr

Great suggestions, thanks! Checking out the Duck Tour as an option. It looks great.

As for going to Bainbridge Island....what is there? I also read somewhere that we could take the bus to Fremont (?) and it was a nice trip. What's there? Is that worth it?

Thanks!

suze

I disagree & think the Greyliner hop on/hop off bus for 2 days is a great idea. They are using the double-decker red ones with the open top floor (like you think of in London).

Fremont is simply a funky Seattle neighborhood a couple miles north of downtown. It's OK but I would not call it a must do of a short stay here.

I'm not a fan of the Duck, but you might be. It's very corny. If you want a regular city tour I'd go with See Seattle or someone like that in a normal van. I do like the Argosy cruises, even the Tillicum Village tour.

Bainbridge Island is the shortest ferry ride from downtown. That's why people do it. It's a town across the water west of Seattle. There's not much there, just a residential area, with a cute main street with some shops and restaurants. It's more about the fun of the ferry ride over and back.

If I were recommending a few day's activities I'd go with: the Pike Place Market, the Waterfront, Pioneer Square historic district, Chinatown/International district (including going up Smith Tower to the Chinese room observation deck) and Seattle Center (including the Space Needle and maybe Pacific Science Center). Olympic Sculpture Park is good in that area.

jenalr

This is the first I've heard of concerning the Smith Tower and the Chinese Room Observation Deck. Where exactly is that located?

What about going to Bremerton Island? My husband mentioned that the ferry goes there, too....? And does the ferry run 24 hours a day where we won't have to worry about getting back to our hotel before a certain time due to transportation between the different places we go?

I love this forum! Thanks for all the help!

Fodorite018

I am with Suze and am not a fan of the Duck Tour. We did it when we lived there and our kids were younger and even they thought it was too cheezy.

The Woodland Park Zoo is excellent, as already mentioned.

Other places our kids enjoyed were the locks and Gasworks Park.

Bremerton would not be my pick. Definitely Bainbridge over Bremerton, IME.

Fodorite018

BTW the ferries do not run 24 hours a day, but they do run fairly late. The website http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/ will give you the details for each route.

happytrailstoyou

The point of taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island is that, on a clear day, you will have fabulous views of the Olympic Mountains to the west and the Cascades to the east as well as Mt. Rainier to the south and Mt. Baker to the north--and the Seattle skyline. It's a beautiful trip, and there is no charge for the return. When we make this trip in the summer, we take the short walk to downtown Winslow and have lunch.

I've never been on the Duck Tour, but I frequently see the vehicles going through downtown and, when I do, most everybody on board is smiling:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ashington.html

The Duck Tour leaves from the Space Needle, which is in Seattle Center which you plan to visit--a logical combination.

One way to get to Woodland Park Zoo is to take the #5 bus at 3rd and Pine in downtown Seattle.

suze

<This is the first I've heard of concerning the Smith Tower and the Chinese Room> ... that's because it's a local's secret ;-)

www.smithtower.com It's on 1st Avenue in Pioneer Square. It's an historic building that for a long time was the tallest building west of the Rockies (or something like that!). It has very cool 'manned' guilded elevators you go up in. Way lower height than the Space Needle but an excellent aerial view of Seattle.

There's really nothing for a tourist on the Bremerton run. If you want to do the ferry, do Bainbridge Island (they leave from the same downtown pier).

happytrailstoyou

There's really nothing for a tourist on the Bremerton run.

Perhaps it has been a while since you've been to Bremerton. The area around the ferry terminal has been improved in a most pleasing way. Facing town, to the left is a delightful park, to the right is a U.S. Naval Destroyer Museum Ship, and straight ahead is an Anthony's restaurant! http://www.ussturnerjoy.org

However, since jenair isn't traveling with a 10-year-old boy, I have recommended the Bainbridge Island run.

jenalr

EXCELLENT information here! Thank you!

Okay one more thought that crossed my mind. Do you think it'd be beneficial to get the Seattle City Pass? http://www.citypass.com/seattle

We looked at the Go Seattle card and it offers a lot more, but my 2 year old would not be free, where as with the City Pass she would be, and the different things we'd do seem to be covered with the City Pass, still.

Being that we only have 2 days, are we trying to cram too much into two days?

So far we're definitely going to do:

Pike Place Market
Waterfront
Pioneer Square
Chinatown/International district
Smith Tower/Chinese room observation deck
Seattle Center
Space Needle
Pacific Science Center (*maybe*)
Olympic Sculpture Park

Have we already packed our two days full without trying to add on the City Pass? We're East coasters, so our body clock will have us waking up quite early while we're there. I just wonder if we'll be awake long before anything opens!

suze

I think your list is good for 2 days. It's OK to skip the Science Center. Really that's not all that packed. You cn easily group the Market, Waterfront, Pioneer Square, Smith Tower and Chinatown (optional) one day. Then Sculpture Park, Seattle Center/Space Needle the second day.

The Market vendors are setting up before 6:00am, so going there is you're up really early your first day would be a good place to start.

I think you even have time for a ferry ride, without rushing around too much. You're right HTTY I haven't been to Bremerton in ages, but I do like the Bainbridge Island ferry ride and think the town on the other side is best suited.

For the things you are doing, most of them are free, just walking around the city things. I'm not sure a "pass" is really needed (but I am no expert on that, living here, and never having used them!).

welcome to Seattle.

Gardyloo

You might also look at the Queen of Seattle steam paddle-wheeler tour of Lake Union and the Ship Canal - http://www.queenofseattle.com/ - a new service that will show you a very interesting part of Seattle (fishing harbor, Lake Union houseboats etc.) in more comfortable surroundings (esp. for a 2-yo) than the Ducks. You can take the streetcar from downtown to the south end of Lake Union where the boats depart.

When is your trip? There might be things going on that could affect your plans.

Daniel_Williams

Hi jenalr,

You've got good advisors here that helped with my Seattle trip 2 years back, but I just wanted to add one more thing. It was $16 to go up the Space Needle to the observation deck (when I went) and I nearly opted not to take the elevator up thinking it would be better to spend the money on something else (I nearly balked since despite being iconic, the Needle's rather modern, only something like the 7th tallest building in Seattle plus things can get pricey with several people). Nevertheless, I wanted to say I was glad I bit the bullet given that it was a nice day, and consequently the views from up high in the Space Needle were quite lovely. It was worth it to me to get a more panoramic sense of the immediate geography of Seattle (Puget Sound, Lake Union, Alki Peninsula, Olympic Mountains in distance).

Enjoy your trip! Daniel

SOCALOC

I'm not a fan of the Duck, but you might be. It's very corny.
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Ok it IS corny but it's a blast for all ages! Not to mention the spectacular views you get of Seattle from the lake. If you eat at the top of the Space Needle they waive the fee.

Bobmrg

We've lived in the Seattle area since 1960 and still enjoyed The Duck Tour. Fun to be a tourist once in a while.

bainbridgedowntown

Be sure not to miss the ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, and all there is to do once you arrive! Downtown Winslow is just up the hill from the ferry, and full of unique shops, restaurants, and activities that will confirm why it's the Number 1 destination for day visitors in Washington State. You can rent a canoe, kayak, or electric boat and explore the history of inner Eagle Harbor, rent bicycles and cruise the island, catch a ride up the island with Kitsap Tours and visit the incredible gardens and estate at Bloedel Reserve, then sample island wineries at three local tasting rooms along Winslow Way including Eleven, Victor Alexander, and Eagle Harbor Wine Co. Check out local favorite MORA ice cream, The Streamliner Diner, Real Foods Cafe, or The Four Swallows for dinner. Consider adding an overnight at the Eagle Harbor Inn, the island's award-winning petite hotel which is walkable and located in the heart of Bainbridge's Marina District close to Pegasus Cafe, The Pub, and the boardwalk. Convinced yet? There's only two things you shouldn't miss when overnighting in Seattle ... Pike Place Market and Bainbridge Island. You'll be glad you didn't skip either one! Just ask your hotel concierge for the newly updated 2010 Bainbridge Island Walkabout Guide ... then walk on the ferry and enjoy a great local adventure!

JBoyle

I agree with the post above - be sure to check out Bainbridge Island, the ferry ride alone is worth it! If you would like to see a little more of Bainbridge Island, and the Kitsap Peninsula beyond, check out the tours offered by Kitsap Tours (www.KitsapTours.com). Tours include Bainbridge Island tours, tours to the beautiful Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge and North Kitsap Tours, wine tours, brewery tours, photography safaris and more. The best part? Kitsap Tours will pick you up at the Bainbridge Island ferry dock and return you to the ferry dock; or there are optional endings to extend your day.

jenalr

FABULOUS FABULOUS!!!! Thank you all so much for all of this help!

One small note....my husband did "surprise" me tonight with news that he did purchase the City Pass and upgraded to do the Locks Cruise instead of the 1 hour cruise. I hope that this will still be something that we won't look back and regret doing. I am totally sold on Bainbridge Island. Approximately how long should we plan on that roundtrip lasting?

We're flying in and landing around 5pm and I am guessing we won't be able to check out too much that first night since we're staying at an airport hotel that night and then transferring to the downtown Grand Hyatt. If we want to head downtown after arriving - what's our most convenient way to/from the downtown area? Can we take the Light Rail down?

Thanks again for all of this wonderful information!