Thanks, mms! We're really looking forward to our trip.

Volcanogirl--we have season tickets so if you go to a game when we are there, I would love to meet you:)

This might sound nitpicky, but it's not "high tea," it's afternoon tea. "High" tea is a working class hot meal, not a "high class" tea like many people think.

As for tea at the Empress, bring plenty of money.

Ahh, this thread makes me want to return to Victoria, Seattle, and finally see the San Juans. I was fortunate to fly out of Seattle on the 25th, when both the sky and water were a brilliant blue, and the ferries must have been plum full of happy travelers. %%-

That sounds great, jetset. Fingers crossed that we get some beautiful weather. Do you guys think we should reserve the tea at the Empress ahead of time? Does it sell out?

I would reserve it, just to be safe. When we did it, it was sold out, but I have no idea if that is the norm. You might call or email and see. BTW, we also requested a table by the window and were glad we did.

Thanks, m, that's a good suggestion. I think I'll try to get a late time, and we can count it as dinner.

we enjoyed a lunch at Matts in the Market. The restaurant is upstairs and you may snag a table with a view of the harbor.

Thanks, maxima!

Is there good public transportation in Seattle? If we stay at the Courtyard by Marriott on 2nd Ave., is that fairly close to the baseball park?

<i>Is there good public transportation in Seattle? If we stay at the Courtyard by Marriott on 2nd Ave., is that fairly close to the baseball park?</i>

Pretty good. The Courtyard is a block from the Pioneer Square light rail stop. The light rail goes south from there to the stadiums (2 stops) and on to the airport (roughly 35 min.) It also goes north to the main downtown/retail center at Westlake (2 stops on the train or 10 min. on foot) and on to Capitol Hill (10 min.) the University of Washington (roughly 10 more.)

By foot Safeco Field is probably 20 min. (downhill going, uphill returning). The train station is a block from the ballpark.

It was mentioned upthread but the Museum of Flight was definitely one of my highlights (http://www.museumofflight.org/). Yes, it depends on interests but it is still one of the better aviation museums I have been to and is worth the time to spend there.

<Courtyard by Marriott on 2nd Ave., is that fairly close to the baseball park?>

Yes. You could use LightRail. Or you could walk it in ~20 mins.

Public transit is pretty good in Seattle. There is light rail, buses and the monorail, and ferries as well.

We stayed at the Mediterranean Inn, in the lower Queen Anne area. buses right out the door, and restaurants down the street, as well as supermarkets. the room had a fridge and a microwave and I think a sink and dishwasher and the front desk supplied dishes and silverware.. we were there for a few days and bought some things for breakfast at the supermarket as it was easier and faster than eating out each morning. also had sandwiches made up for the flights home, airline food being what it is or isn't

we walked to a portion of the waterfront but mainly took buses to get around.

the downtown hotels are more expensive.

Thanks, everyone. Twenty minutes walking is farther than I thought - are there some hotels you can recommend right by the baseball park?

"...are there some hotels you can recommend right by the baseball park?"

http://www.silvercloud.com/seattlestadium/


(If across the street is close enough.)

<i>Twenty minutes walking is farther than I thought - are there some hotels you can recommend right by the baseball park?</i>

Yep, the Silver Cloud/Stadium is right across the street. Great place, plus they have a local shuttle if you want to go someplace downtown in a relative hurry. http://www.silvercloud.com/seattlestadium/

Bob beat me to it.

Everyone's got you covered. Only the Silver Cloud is close to the stadiums. The Best Western Pioneer Square is a tad closer than the Marriott Courtyard, but not by much.

Hey, great minds think alike! This one looks perfect. Love how close it is to the stadium, and the free shuttle is a bonus. Looks like they have a restaurant on site as well. You guys are great! Price looks pretty good too.

There's also this brewery/restaurant very close (across the street):

http://www.elysianbrewing.com/elysia...s-dinner-menu/