If you do decide to go up to Skagit Valley for the tulips eat at the Calico Cupboard. There is one in Mt.Vernon, LaConner and Anacortes. My dad lives up there and every time I drive up to visit I stop here for lunch or treats to take home. Great sandwiches, soup, baked goods. I crave their club sandwich!

Well, I'm trying to figure out where to stay now. I'm thinking that the Silver Cloud at Lake Union may work for us, since we don't really need to spend all our time downtown anyway and we would save a bunch of money staying there. What do you all think? Will we be missing out on anything by staying there? I could try to Priceline something downtown, but I don't know if it's worth it, since parking is still outrageous there.

You won't miss a thing. Lake Union's a fine place to stay with a car. The only reason to stay downtown is if you wanted to be walking distance to... well the downtown stuff.

The Silver Cloud offers free shuttles to downtown (Pike Market, Pioneer Square, cruise terminal, etc. - Safeco Field??) so I wouldn't hesitate to stay there over downtown.

Hello,

I live in Redmond, WA. Just so you know, we have had beautiful spring-like weather this month and we are hoping it sticks around. Always be prepared for some rain, though. No, there is not much to see in Woodinville, where you are staying. Most of the fun things are in Seattle. The Space Needle and EMP Music Museum are right by each other. My favorite is the famous Pike’s Market. It is a farmer’s market full of eccentric stores and outdoor vendors. It is right on the waterfront. It’s a fun place to go, but can be crowded on the weekends. Downtown Seattle has lots of great shopping, restaurants and coffee shops. The seafood is really good here. The Seattle scenery is beautiful; we are surrounded by mountains, trees and water. I am from Texas, so it’s a big change for me! There are some boat tours you can go on, although I don’t know the exact names. You can visit Snoqualmie Falls, which is closer to Redmond, where your conference is located. Redmond also has a nice outdoor mall and some good restaurants. Hope you enjoy your stay.

I'm guessing the boat tours you're referring to are Argosy Tours:

http://www.argosycruises.com/

Thanks again you guys for all the great suggestions! We are booked for one night in Redomd and three nights at the Silver Cloud in Lake Union. It sounds like maybe we should hit Snoqualmie falls after our meeting on Thursday and then head toward Seattle from there, giving us all day Saturday and Sunday to explore some your suggestions.

Another question... I keep seeing ads for the "City Pass" which is $39.50 that gets you admission to the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Science Center, Woodland Park Zoo and Museum of Flight. Is it worth it to buy this and see all/most of this stuff or is it kind of a tourist trap?

Oops, it also include an Arogsy Harbor cruise. I knew I was forgetting something!

The Space Needle is $13 for adults as of December, so that is a start toward recovering $40 worth.

I just don't know that the Aquarium is time well spent for a first trip to Washington and just three days here.

It might make sense if you were from Kansas or somewhere, but you can do the ocean stuff anytime in "LA" (??).

The other things that fall under your pass are decent, for those with particular interests that lean toward any of them, but why commit yourself to enough of them just to recoup your $40, when you can take the chance of maybe "only" catching three of them and spending $35 (or whatever)?

I like the idea that you're booked near Lake Union and you'll be reasonably near to central Seattle. On the right mornings you can walk into town, with the tall skyline being your guide. Otherwise take a bus to the city center.

Bus fare is $1.25 one way, most of the time, and .25 more at rush hour (in the downtown core area). (actually there is a "Free Ride" zone in the middle of downtown, but your hotel is beyond that boundary)

For sure go to the Pike Place Market and watch the merchants throw fish for a little while. Go to the Space Needle just because it is the number one symbol of Seattle. (if inclined to spend a hundred bucks or so on dinner up there, you can make reservations ahead of time and then you don't have to pay the $13 fee going up)

If you're more city/urban people than country bumpkins you might enjoy walking the street along "Broadway" (on a hill a couple of miles due east of mid-town Seattle). Lots of eateries and "society" up there and generally a younger subset of all things Seattle.

Better have plans in case of rain, because it sure could rain the whole time you're here.

If it is sunny, I recommend a round trip ferry boat ride across the water.

Maybe opt for "Bainbridge Island" which would be maybe a 30-45 minute trip one way, then a docking at the other side... and then it turns around and comes back toward the city skyline.

Don't bother getting off on the other side, just enjoy the boat on the water and the views all around.

Maybe you don't have to "do" so terribly much, maybe just let Seattle "happen" to you...

I hope it works out well for you!

Sounds good. Thanks! Would you recommend the trip to Bainbridge over doing one of the Argosy cruises?

I wouldn't do that coupon book, because with only 2 days I wouldn't choose any of those activities (except maybe going up the Space Needle).

Out to Snoqualmie Falls sounds like a great idea from Redmond.

I would give Broadway on Capitol Hill (mentioned above) a miss, it is in transition these days (used to be 'hip' now is under renovation), it is a bit past its prime. The pierced tattoo crowd that used to hang there, is more down on the Pike/Pine corridor these days.

Volunteer Park is nice on 15th on Capitol Hill as are some of the shops and restaurants on the same street. There is a conservatory and old water tower you can climb for free (poor man's space needle).

Honestly because you've just got the weekend, I'd stick with Seattle basics: Pike Place, Pioneer Square, a drive thru the Arboretum and along Lake Washington, maybe the Locks.

Hope the beautiful weather is around for your days here.

While Bainbridge Ferry is a cheap way to get out on the water and a good look back at the skyline, for you I'd probably suggest one of the Argosy cruises as being more interesting.

I think the Argosy Tours are great- I have done the Harbor Tour and also the tour out to Tillicim Village and Blake island - and enjoyed both -
with the tours you get a little history and local info- the ferry is just a nice ride .

I mentioned Volunteer Park in passing (it's in my own neighborhood and I forget how great it is!).

It's a fantastic park and only ~3 miles from downtown. One of the original Olmsted designed outdoor spaces.

The Asian branch of the Seattle Art Museum is there, the old water tower as mentioned above, and a wonderful old 4-room glass conservatory, refurbished lily ponds, reservior, great view.

Nearby (south on 15th 5 blocks or so) are many nice neighborhoody restaurant options.

So, what is everyone's favorite Argosy Cruise??? I think we definitely want to do one of those.