I meant to say in the post above that Teatro Zanzinni would be a great place to go and celebrate your son and daughter-in-law's anniversary. Let TZ know it's a special occasion when you make the reservation.

To HDM:

Good idea! I'll definitely check it out!

I second Ste.Michelle winery , across the street from them is The Columbia Winery and down the street is the Silverlake Winery also some smaller ones along the way. Ste. Michelle is so pretty and has a great tour with tasting all for free. The wine at both others mentioned are great too. The folks at Silverlake are super nice. The Columbia is pretty too just compared to Ste. Michelle it pales. Next to the Columbia is the Red Hook Brewery if you or your husband likes beer or want a terrific lunch spot. Nice full menu and a full bar.Nice outdoor seating. They have a really fun tour.Free also.

I definitely would like to visit the St. Michelle winery, and lunch at the Red Hook brewery sounds perfect. Now I have some good ideas for planning our itinerary. Thanks!

The market opens around 8am.

As far as Mt. St. Helens, the downtown Seattle exits are #165 and thereabouts. You head south on I-5 to exit #49 and head east. The road goes about 45 more miles, and dead ends at Johnston Ridge Observatory. Fantastic spot and a must see! Be sure to check the hours before you go. I have not been in the fall so don't know.

Some other ideas -- take the Underground Tour at Pioneer Square. It is really interesting to see the old Seattle before it was raised above sea level.

IF you're a rock-music fan, you can explore the Experience Music Project -- we saw the Dylan exhibit last year and really liked it.

Alki Beach, across Elliott Bay from downtown Seattle, is the city's most popular beach and is the nearest approximation you'll find in the Northwest to a Southern California beach scene. Eat at Salty's for a memorable meal.

And if you like Jazz, try Dimitriou's Jazz Alley Restaurant and Nightclub
for excellent food and music.

Hope this helps...
Debi

I forgot to mention -- I strongly second {third?} Teatro Zanzinni...it was really fun and the food was good. Really unique show.
Debi

Silver Cloud Broadway is a good suggestion of a more budget wise place to stay. You can still have drinks in the lobby of the Sorrento Hotel.

I think the Market is open earlier than 8am? there is a website at www.pikeplacemarket.org for more details.

I don't see the big deal about mentioning a street address when we don't know a name and it is part of a large condo or apartment building. what's the fuss?

I don't think anyone's mentioned Chinatown/International District? That's very nearby where you will be and lots of fun. Have "dim sum" for lunch one day and look around.

We had a very nice dim sum lunch at a place called Floata (3rd floor in a building with a small mall on the main floor) and then walked down the street to the Chinese Garden. That was very pretty. You can also visit Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's garden next-door. There's a small fee but it's worth it if you can hook up with the tour. It's very interesting and pretty. At the ticket booth, there's a stand with brochures in it and in the one about the gardens, there's a coupon for some amount off the entrance fee.

Oh yeah--Suze, you're right--it's a row of palms now...you mean the hotel hasn't stayed exactly the same since 1988?;-)

Actually The Sorrento is a hotel that DOES look like it has always looked. Classy like that doesn't need an update!

When you stay at a downtown hotel Salty's on Alki will send a free limo to take you there and back. I can't imagine a better view at night.

Check out The Gaslight Inn on Capitol Hill. It's lovely and less than the Sorrento. It's in very close driving distance to first hill.They also have Howe Avenue Suites which will include kitchenettes. We really like this place and have stayed there often. The glass collection along with all the Mission Antiques and Hopi artifacts will delight you.

svrichard,
If you can still find a copy, the New York Times had a very good article on places to go in Seattle in yesterday's (Aug. 4) issue.

A few years ago we stayed at the "Executive Hotel Vintage Court" www.vintagecourt.com which is in the Union Station area. It's a small boutique hotel, reasonably priced, good location, and has a free wine happy hour every night. We thought it was a good value and a nice place. If you haven't done so already, check out www.tripadvisor.com for the recommendations of other travelers. I just did and see where this hotel gets mixed reviews. Trip Advisor is a good starting point. After narrowing your choices down, do a search here for additonal info.

The underground tour is fun. We also hit the wineries mentioned here and thoroughly enjoyed them. Ranier is amazing and well worth a visit.

Recommend Silver Cloud Inn-Lake Union. Request high floor on Lake Union side. Fantastic views, reasonably priced, parking, breakfast included. Lots of restaurants within walking distance. Be sure to eat at Ray's Boathouse Restaurant at sunset for great water views.

Mt. Rainier most definately -- be sure to walk through the grove of the patriochs to see some really large trees. If you plan to add Mt.St.Helens, it is better to get a room, we stayed at a really nice Best Western in Chehalis.

If you have a few days -- consider a trip to Port Angeles. Drive up to Hurricane Ridge -- awesome views. You can take the ferry over to Victoria in the morning and take a bus over to Buchart Gardens -- or just enjoy the lovely city of Victoria and ferry back the same day. We also stayed at the Red Lion Best Western here -- good Mexican food in the town. We also did a day trip to the Hoh Rain Forest from Port Angeles -- some really large Sitka Spruce Trees here -- some 500 years old.

Salties on the water -- good food as the name implies -- right on the water. September should be a great time to visit.

We've just decided to spend a weekend in Seattle and this was the first post I pulled up. It's got all I nn to know. Great timing on my part - thanks to everyone! I always come to Fodor's when I'm visiting someplace new.

Thanks to everyone for all the great advice. We've decided to stay at the Silver Cloud on Broadway since it's near where my son lives. I'm glad this post also helped out some other people! That's great! All of you gave us some great ideas of places to go! I will definitely check some of them out!