Since we will only have a limited amount of time in Seattle, what are your top recommendations to things to do and places to eat? We'll probably arrive mid-afternoon Friday and depart Sunday or Monday. We know the ferry to Victoria will take a full day, but we are interested - is it worth it?

Some things to concider in Seattle are: the waterfront, the seattle center(the space needle is here) and of course Pike market. There is also a underground tour of the city. as for places to eat, I've eaten at a few, but I'm not sure which are the best, I'd say, just kinda look. the spaceneedle does have a restrurant. as for the ferry ride, I found this very nice. I would take it again. hope this helps some.

Thanks, Debbie. I appreciate the info.

Meg - I've lived in Seattle nearly 30 years, and one of the absolutely best restaurants is Il Terrazzo Carmine, near Pioneer Square. Make reservations if possible. This is where we always try to take out of town friends and relatives. If you have more time, I can give you other restaurants that are terrific too. Be sure to take in Pike's Market Place and the waterfront as noted above. The Space Needle would be good for great view, but food is just so-so, and it's pricey. Have a great time.

DearMeg: I agree with the above writer kip the Space Needle restauants. Ther is a gret Italian place very close to to the needle called Beppos. Veryquirky and the line ws out the door but it was great! Go hungry and be prepared for a kitchen tour before you are seated and some very eclectic wall decor. We had so much fun - the prices were decent too though the menus are actually painted on the wall among petrified birthday cakes, gaudy candleabras, and the like. All a part of the "Ambiance" which is too wierd to expli bur VERY popular. No trip to Seattle is complete without a visit to Pikes Market.Make sure to visit Two Sister's Bakery there and pick up some fabulous bread. Also, you must bring home some local, "low flying" fish from this world famous market. They will pack it for travel. The market goes undergroung and is on many levels. This alonecould constitute a weekend trip. Most people spend time in Pioneer Square. This is a historic, preserved part of downtown. We took the underground tour and it was fun. Our guide was a comic-in-training and made us laugh. Also, go and see the only working "Locks" in our country. I was fascinated to see them operating and it really wasn't my kind of thing. It's a popular thing to do and you will be glad you went. I did Victoria and loved it, but a weekend isn't worth the time. Go when you can stay a few nights and enjoy walkin around this lovely harbor town. You must take in High Tea at the Empress Hotel is you go. Have fun in Seattle. Wish it were me!

Consider a night drive to Port Angeles, cheap hotel, and then leave via the Victoria Rapid Transit line. You have to spend a night somewhere and driving at night the traffic is not a problem and it doesn;t eat into your short amount of daylight time during the weekend. The cost is $20.00 (rt) if money is of issue, if money is not an issue then leave from Seattle and it will cost $70-100 (rt). While we have not been to Victoria, we have friends in Seattle and they all have said it is worth the trip. You could spend a whole week in Victoria and the surrounding area, but that need not be the case if you are trying to hit the high points of Victoria and get a good feeling of the culture. My wife and I are are planning to visit the first weekend and are making Victoria a part of our extended weekend plans.

Thanks everybody for all the great info. I am really looking forward to the trip.

Meg- I am widely disagreed with on the issue of Victoria both on this site and elsewhere, but I just don't see it! Victoria is not that special. Yeah, it can be a fun visit. the Buchart Gardens are fabulous, but on a one day trip you'll spend it all there and won't really see the town. With only one weekend to visit Seattle, I simply would not invest a third of your trip on Victoria. (I got sick on the Victoria Clipper, but it's not just that). You'll miss something of Seattle that you shouldn't miss. Furthermore, Vancouver is the better visit of the two B.C. cities. My embattled opinion is that you should skip Victoria and take in a late season visit to Paradise on Mt. Rainier. I'm not sure where you're from, but if not mountain country, you really should stand on the side of this 14,000 peak to appreciate nature. Have fun! You can't miss. Our October weather is sometimes the best in the country, cross you fingers.