kcapuani

After much research, I finally have an itinerary for my August trip to Seattle. If anyone has any suggestions on places to stay, to eat, must do activities, etc., please chime in! There are four of us traveling: myself, my mother, and my 11.5 yr old daughter and 7.5 yr old son.

2 nights Forks (considering the Miller Tree Inn)
1 night Port Angeles
2 nights Port Townsend (have an inquiry in to the Washington Hotel)
2 nights Seattle (Four Points Sheraton)

We will be doing a whale watch out of Port Townsend and plan on doing a day trip to Whidbey Island. We are also hoping to squeeze in a trip to the Boeing Factory if my son is tall enough by then.

happytrailstoyou

Rather than do a day trip to Whidbey Island, take the ferry from Port Townsend to Coupevdlle, drive to Clinton, and take the ferry to Mukilteo, which is three miles from the Boeing Factory Tour. Book the Coupeville ferry and Boeing tour in advance. Or, drive to Seattle via charming Coupevdlle, Deception Pass, and the Skagit Valley.

HTtY

voyager61

For kids the ages of yours, the Seattle Center area, where the Space Needle is, would be a good place to spend time. Besides the needle, there is The Pacific Science Center, the Experience Music Project museum and many other cultural attractions and pleasant outdoor spaces. And there are good but quick places to eat in the Center House Food Court. For more information: http://www.seattlecenter.com/

sassy_cat

We really liked the Misty Valley Inn in Forks. It might not work for your group as you'd need 2 rooms but the breakfast was wonderful.

So much to do in ONP that we skipped Seattle (just slept there for 2 nights at the beginning and end!).

marvelousmouse

Do you like chinese food? There's a tiny Chinese restaurant in Pike Place Market that is nothing fancy but has good food and a terrific view of the water. The uwajimaya supermarket in International district also has a food court if the goal is cheap and easy.


I like the crumpet shop at the market partly because the crumpets are delicious and partly because you can get tea or iced tea with all day refills.

If you are interested in more "adult" restaurants I have some favorites, so let me know, but I rarely eat at sit down places with kids in Seattle. Usually everyone is too full from market food so if I am out for dinner it's with friends, and usually a splurge.

Chihuly glass may or may not be of interest, but the cafe is fun because it is decorated with vintage toys including some rather creepy dolls. I remember the menu looked good but it may be pricy- we only ate dessert there.

Underground Tour is educational and awesome- if this is your first time to seattle, I'd consider it a can't miss.

The scifi and emp are always good if you have popular culture geeks with you. The other museums of interest depending on the special exhibit at the time, so Google for your dates. This applies especially to the pac science center- not impressive if you've been to science museums in larger cities. But the special exhibits (right now Pompeii) are worth the money. However- there are some really terrific dinosaur sculptures in the reflecting pool there that kids (and some adults like me) find pretty awesome

Finally, down on the piers, there is a lot of tourist stuff, including a pirate themed shop and a curiousity shop that the kids will definitely like.

You probably don't have time to branch out to the different neighborhoods, so I'd recommend just picking maybe 2 things (outings or mueums) and then assigning the rest of the time to exploring. With kids, pike place market can take up a large chunk of the day. Lots to see, and taste

marvelousmouse

Forgot to mention- the monorail is fun and easier than walking from westlake (pike market) to seattle center. It's not transit, more a retro curiousity, as it only goes between those two places.

sludick

Miller Tree Inn looks great. The Orchard Suite, especially, would suit your group. We did stay at the Misty Valley Inn once, and the breakfast is their claim to fame - I just found it to be too...too. Too sweet, too rich, too much. It is very generous, certainly. But I like your candidate much better. My two cents.

Some good suggestions on Seattle. If you do the Underground Tour, take some time to research and come up with some interesting tidbits for the kids to look for - I particularly enjoy the history of the toilet and how they would back up and flood out houses at high tides. A few fancy "crappers" down there, too.

happytrailstoyou

We stayed at the Miller Tree Inn ten or fifteen years ago--in a cottage behind the big old house. It was o.k. I liked that they started serving breakfast early because at that time they were catering to fishing parties. We ate breakfast with a exuberant woman who tried to sell us a book she had published recently.

We've stayed at a motel in Forks and at Crescent Lake Lodge (several times) but our favorite place to stay in the area is in Port Angeles at the Red Lion in a room with a balcony of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. There are good dining options in PT.

HTtY

kcapuani

Such great suggestions! Thank you all. A friend of mine told me about the Underground Tour so I think I'll put that on the must do list. And a ride on the monorail would delight my 7 yr old.

Oh, and I checked out the Misty Valley Inn but no kids under 12

Fodorite018

At Pike Place Market, the Gum Wall is always a hit with kids

Along the waterfront, the Great Wheel is something you might enjoy. We took my mom there when she visited us last summer and she enjoyed it as well.

If you son is not tall enough for the tour, then head just south of downtown Seattle to the Museum of Flight. It is excellent and good for the ages of your kids.

If you have time, head to the Ballard Locks. See the Fremont Troll too.

kcapuani

I just looked up the gum wall - Totally gross but my kids would get a kick out of it!

sunbum1944

I suggest Tillicum Village. You will take an Argosy Tour on a boat - land on Blake Island where you will be treated to an Native American dinner of salmon cooked on a plank and a show of native dancing. There are walking trails on the island and you can stay on the island and explore after the show is over.

My daughter and I enjoyed our afternoon here

Fodorite018

kcapuani--LOL, yup, the kids love it!

I agree with sunbums suggestion of Tillicum Village. It is a typical field trip for the local 4th graders, and when our kids went, so many parents wanted to go that it had to be on a lottery system. That tells you how good it is, when parents WANT to chaperone a field trip

happytrailstoyou

Tickets for Tillicum Village and other Argosy tours are sometimes available at a discount at goldstar.com

We often treat visitors to the cruise that goes through the locks and on to Lake Washington.

HTtY

margotheangel

+1 for the Museum of Flight recommendation. If you go there, please have lunch at La Fonda Catrina, which is a Mexican place about five minutes away.