2 days in Seattle
 

I have an opportunity to go to Seattle for a long weekend next week - would pretty much have all day Sat. and Sun. to explore - I know little about Seattle and not alot of time to decide if I want to go. I live in Atl and have not been much to the west coast. Looking for the "must do's" for a two day time frame. I enjoy walking (leisurely), outdoor cafe's, slow-paced exploring. I've seen the market mentioned - well we have great markets here and I have been to the SF market and European markets - would this be much different? Might be interested in the ferries? are they an easy do day trip? Thanks!

Pike's Market should be first on your list. If you use the search feature here, a local just listed their favorite places in downtown last week.

You can take a ferry to one of the islands for a bike trip or site seeing, and recent threads have discussed those options.

I am a great fan of Mount Ranier. The scenery, the hiking, waterfalls, and lodges are spectacular. Only about an hour out of town, but it takes most of a day. You won't be disappointed. You will be dedicating half your available time.

Have fun!

The Pike Place Market is unique to Seattle (not Pike's, just Pike) not particularly like the others you mention. It would be at the top of my list.

Also Pioneer Square historic district, Smith Tower, International District/Chinatown, the Waterfront, Seattle Center/Space Needle to me are the "must dos" for a short trip.

The shortest ferry ride on foot from downtown Seattle is simply to ride over to Bainbridge Island and back. Maybe have lunch there. It's 1/2 hour each way and costs $6.95 round trip. The ferries themselves are fun. This wouldn't take more than 1/2 day max.

If the weather is as good as the today ~ you'll be laughing... Some ideas there's Seattle by air: * Kenmore Air *
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kenmore-air-seaplanes-seattle

or By boat: * Argosy Cruises * They have a Murder Mystery Cruise your weekend (not sure if its already book tho').
http://www.argosycruises.com/

There's also * Waterway Cruises *
http://www.yelp.com/biz/waterways-cruises-seattle

If you're quick they have a 1/2 price sale voucher via:
http://king.mediawebconnect.com/Wate...0Cruises/15857




The weekend you're here there's the Fremont Oktoberfest [so take a taxi back to the hotel + see the troll. This is a little out of the 'center' of Seattle but is considered a lively, trendy area!

Fremont Oktoberfest
http://www.fremontoktoberfest.com/

Ride the ferry to Bainbridge Island -- plan your trip to return to Seattle at sunset, the view of the skyline is spectacular, and, if the weather is clear, you might have a great view of Mt. Ranier. We enjoyed an excellent light dinner at Doc's Marina Grill on Bainbridge Island before walking back to the ferry.

If, after enjoying the crush of the Pike Place market, you require a more civilized lunch, try Matt's at the Market -- a little hard to find; it's on the third floor of the building across the street from that (famous) bronze pig.

I think Seattle is very walkable. You can walk Myrtle Edwards park, through Pike Market (but if you've been to one, this will seem like others, it's still nice thought) and down First Avenue. You can hit the museum or take the elevator from the market down to Alaskan Way and walk to the ferry to catch to Bainbridge. You can putz through Bainbridge all on foot if you like.