If anyone can help give me a reality check I would appreciate it. Myself and another female are going to Seattle for five days. I have most of the trip planned out already; however, I need more information for one day downtown.

We have tickets to a 7pm basketball game at Key Arena and wanted to fit in the EMP/SFM and possibly other events, as well as lunch and/or dinner in the area.

My specific questions are:
1. Where's the best(and relatively cheapest) place to park the rental car? We are able to walk 1/2 mile-1 mile stretches at a time, but don't want to be left walking an iffy neighborhood at night.

2. Where are the best places to eat for one seafood-deprived and one non-seafood lover to eat on a budget within walking distace of the Seattle Center?

3. Is it reasonable to walk from the monorail station and EMP to the Key Arena? Even after the game?

4. Any other suggestions for within-walking-distance time fillers in between EMP and the game? (Our interests are widely varied, but we prefer unusual sites/events/museums/etc. or scenic, relaxed environments.) We have Pike Place scheduled for another day, but we could squeeze it in here early in the morning if that sounds like a reasonable option.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!

Key Arena, the EMP and the monorail are all within Seattle Center, a short distance (couple-three hundred yards) from one another. Walking after the game is fine.

When is this? Restaurant and activity recommendations might vary between the seasons, as in wet/dry.

There are a lot of lots for parking around the seattle center, depending on the game they charge $10 to $25.

On Mercer and 1st there is a restaurant called 10 Mercer. They have great food, relaxed atmosphere, great prices and lots of choices. They also have parking for about $7 with validation. We have parked there many times, walked to the center and then come back for dinner with no problems.

Or on the otherside of the center on 5th and Roy there is a restaurant called Crow. Same thoughts as above only no parking- street only. Free but a bit farther of a walk. Or park in the garage for the ballet and you are half way between the 2.

emp/key arena/monorail are all in the same area. no problem!

None of the neighborhoods around here would be considered iffy.

The neighborhood is safe. As a single female, there's really no place I'm uncomfortable walking at night in Seattle, even alone.

Can you leave your car at your hotel and cab in? There are certainly plenty of garages and lots in that area, but I don't know the cheapest. You could always just drive the perimeter of the Seattle Center and compare prices.

The only restaurant I can think of in that area for both seafood and other dishes is Crow, but I wouldn't call it budget.
http://www.nwsource.com/ae/scr/nws_r...=12394&rtype=v

Thanks for the info everyone. I'll definitely check the places that you mentioned out.

I don't have any specific tips but am writing you from downtown Seattle...

That area is fine. Seattle Center is at lower Queen Anne hill, a farily upscale neighborhood. Especially when there's a big event at the Center you'll find tons of people out at night.

You won't need it for the particulars you mentioned above, but The Metro (bus) within the downtown area has a fairly large "free ride zone" that can help you get around.

You'll have no trouble finding seafood here!

There's no cheap place I am aware of to park once you're around Seattle Center, and especially when there's a big event, the lots all jack up their evening rates for "event parking".