I'll be visiting Seattle, partly biz and partly fun, end of July. I need recommendations for activities/restaurants for customer entertainment (more upscale restaurants, can be more expensive but atmosphere is more important, I like interesting, locally owned, not chains) and the same for the non-biz part, more fun and casual places to see and dine (and less expensive). Staying downtown at the Westin and will be there for 5 days. We've already planned the Victoria Clipper and whale watching for a full day. This is partly a birthday gift for my big brother, we are early 60's and fairly active, he likes outdoors, music, and micro breweries. I'm a wine and seafood lover and anything that has to do with wildlife (the animal kind not the human kind). Thanks in advance, I always get great info from my fellow travelers.

Etta's. Great swimming food and a landmark spot

I'm going to latch on here and see what you can find, ags. Our stay's only one night, though, on the way taking our daughter to college

look into what concerts might be playing when you're here at chateau ste michelle winery and the woodland park zoo--both are great, very seattle things to do. if you go to ste michelle you can combine it with winery visits over there as well as red hook brewery.

also over there is the herbfarm, very high end, 9 course tasting menu focused on local foods and wines. i went recently after not having been for years and it was really wonderful. a big splurge however at around $175-200 per person including wines.

any of the tom douglas restaurants are great, including etta's mentioned above; my favorite is the dahlia lounge but they are all good. i also love restaurant zoe for seafood. a few more casual favorites in the market--steelhead diner, cafe campange, matts in the market, pink door--but out on the deck only.

Perhaps you'll find some ideas here: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/seattle

HTTY

A picnic at the Locks. By the picnic at Pike Farmers Market.
Watch the salmon swim up the fish ladder. Watch the locks and the boats up close. Check teh website for Summer events.
http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Public...ename=mainpage

These are GREAT! I already bought the Fodors book, but "personal" recommendations like these are so helpful. 1Jar, how far are the Locks? That sounds like fun! Anyone have an opinion on the music experience/museum, the Paul Allen place?

The locks are at the Northwest end of LAke Union; not far. You might even find a catereer who could help depnding on budget otherwise I've just doen a picnic on the lawn.

Restaurants: Dahlia Lounge, Etta's Seafood, Assagio's (on 4th for Italian) In the Pike Place Market: Chez Shea, Matt's in the Market, Il Bistro, Maximillien's, Place Pigale, Champagne, 94 Stewart, Steelhead Diner.

Would anyone be up for something like Teatro Zinzanni?

I like the Experience Music Project. I think it's fun at least once, and I've been twice. You can do it and the Space Needle on the same afternoon.

I just posted this in a different section but thought it might be of help to you as well. Enjoy your travels!
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Everyone seems to run downtown to eat and explore Seattle when in reality this area is only a small part of all that the city has to offer. Yes the Space Needle is nice (never actually went to it to see it) and the Pike Place mkt is a nice shopping market with a few restaurants, but these are a little boring if you ask me. I don't travel across the continent to see fish juggled but Im sure the locals pride themselves for having a nice fish market.

I recently spent a week and couldn't get enough of the choice of restaurants and nightlife. Being a native of NYC I must admit that I am a bit spoiled in my restaurant experience, but I'm always looking for the next best thing that I usually find in other cities.

During the day tie you might want to take a walk through Lake Washington Park and the Japanese Gardens inside. Its an AWESOME park with huuge trees and awesome trails. I havent seen the movie Twilight but I hear that the park resemble's scenes from the movie since it was shot in the state of WA. The Japanese Garden is a small part of the park that costs about $6 to enter but it is a piece of art. There is a Koi pond and a super-manicured garden, that you can walk through as you follow a path, with a wide array of botanicals.

At night, head to Capitol Hill for the nightlife and the restaurants and you will not be disappointed. This area is about a $12 cab ride from the heart of downtown, there are also several bus lines if you are inclined to navigate public transport. Meet the locals here, they are pretty good people. Check out the stretch of restaurants, bars and clubs on Broadway. If you are into Jazz, you MUST go to Dimitriou's at Jazz Alley, its a world renowned establishment.

This is a walking city if I have ever seen one before. Kick the pavement north or south to escape the crowds of downtown. You can be sure to find some interesting corners of city civilization that are both relaxing and well worth the excursion. But be sure to pack your walking shoes! The STEEP hills of Seattle rival those of San Francisco.

He or she who explores with an open mind is doubly rewarded.

We had a very nice meal at The Pink Door this past May. Other great places are: Etta's, Dahila Lounge, Union, The Georgian Room, Six Seven @ the Hotel Edgewater and Anchovies and Olives. We had a nice brunch at Maximillen @ the Market, the views of Puget Sound are very pretty from the dining room at this restaurant. ***kim***