Each year my sister, myself and my two daughters take a 4-6 day trip. This yr. it will be Seattle for 6 days. I have quite a bit of info, however, it appears we will need a car. Are you able to drive to Mt Rainer and will there be signs so that we could tour ourselves and get out and walk or should we take a guided tour. Please advise. Also, any suggestions where to stay in the city? Is the Embassy Suites close to anything? Thank you. JB

Yes, you can drive to Mt. Rainier and there is no need to take a tour. It's a National Park and everything is quite well marked (you'll get a map and info at the entrance). There are lots of very easy, well signed (and heavily traveled) nature trails and short walks as well as longer hikes.

There is lots of accomodation advice if you search other Seattle threads; otherwise, you might want to post your budget and any other considerations so that people can best help you.

http://www.nps.gov/mora/

This is a direct link to the webpage for Mt Ranier National Park. If you click on the in-depth page, there's a section on recreation, which will have a bunch on day-hikes and short trails listed. It'll take at least 1.5 hours to get there from Seattle, and some of the roads in the park are a bit unnerving if you're not used to driving in the mountains. I'd still recommend driving yourself rather than a guided tour so you can stop and enjoy things whenever you feel like it.

It's a big park and there's lots to see, so get an early start (but not so early that you're driving in the dark).

Thank you both for answering my questions.
We will rent a car.

We are looking for a hotel (inside rooms, please) The budget allows for about $200-250 per night with all of us in a room. That is why I was thinking Embassy Suites, however any other suggestions will be welcomed. Does Seattle offer a lot of public transportation (ie: Chicago) or are we better off renting the car for the full week? JB

Seattle has a decent bus system and some commuter trains but it's certainly not Chicago's transit system. If you will be venturing beyond downtown, I'd rent a car for sure, especially with four people. Sounds like you have the budget for it anyway. But remember, you'll probably pay $25/night just to park it, so include that in your budget.

In my experience, by the way, Seattle can get very busy in August. I would book a hotel ASAP at least one you could cancel.

Andrew

thank you, took your advise and booked a room at the Homewood Suites, (Hilton) looked like a convenient location.

If you're around over Labor Day weekend, there's a lot happening in town.

http://bumbershoot.org/index.html

Actually we will be and I will look up the site, thanks. jb