I booked a hotel off I-5 in Lynwood when we visit Seattle in August. Is this too far off the beaten path? Should we look closer to the city (downtown seems very expensive for what we are getting in Lynwood at Embassy Suites).
We have 2 days to "see some sights" before we move northward to Vancouver. What are not-to-be-missed sights that a family of 4 (w/2 boys 10&14) would enjoy the most?
Thanks for your help.

It's pretty far from most of the interesting things to see, except possibly the Boeing plant tour in Everett. Lynnwood is around 20-30 min. from downtown Seattle (except in rush hours); it's suburban, mall-infested area.
For chain operations, you might have a look at a couple of alternatives in the city - 2 Marriott properties in the South Lake Union area, and a Silver Cloud Inn near the University of Washington. If you want to stay out of the city to the north, there's a nice new Silver Cloud right on the water next to the Mukilteo ferry dock.

I really recommend the Inn at Queen Anne (1-800-952-5043 or 206-282-7357). It was a retirement home for priests before converted into an Inn. It is not real posh but very comfortable and it was really inexpensive for it's location (it is a family run Inn). It was a stone's throw from the Space Needle. It is little known and I stayed there for one night when I arrived for a 4 mo. rotation for work and my apartment was not ready. The bus system will take you from Queen Anne into downtown Seattle in less than 15 minutes in rush hour(and there's always a bus back to Queen Anne, even late at night or a cab would be very cheap from downtown to Queen Anne). The Inn had a continental breakfast when I stayed there too.

Regarding sites: Pikes Place Market, The Underground Tour, The Alaskan Gold Rush Museum (probably not the real name), Ye Olde Curiosity Shop (the boys will love trying to determine if the mummy is real or not) on the waterfront. I was told by friends (last year) that there is a restaurant called the Dahlia which is very good. The aquarium was just O.K. If you've been to a lot of aquariums, I'd skip it.

I recommend you skip the Space Needle. Kind of a waste of time. If you feel obligated, go up to the observation deck. DO NOT go to the restaurant, the food stinks for the prices paid. A coffee or drinks maybe a desert would be O.K. if you want to relax and enjoy the view.

Down the hill from the Inn at Queen Anne is one of the better restaurants in the area. I can't remember the name, but it is pricey but worth the money. It was near the Hampton Square (?) apartments. Ask the people at the Inn.

E-mail me and let me know if you change to the Inn at Queen Anne and what you did on your trip.

Bon Voyage!

Just an addition:
The Inn at Queen Anne's address is 505 First Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109 if you wanted to see where it is on a map. It is in a very safe area. At least it was very safe when I lived there 5 yrs. ago as a 29 year old woman by myself.

Will the Inn at Queen Anne accept children? Some B&Bs won't.
The rate we got at Embassy was about $130 with full breakfast and evening reception/snacks. With 2 boys, the food will help keep down some of the cost on the trip. Is the QA comparable?
Thanks for your advice.

Sheesh! I just called the Inn at Queen Anne and they told me $399.00. I can't believe it. The guy must have thought that he could rip me off, cause I know others who stayed there last year for about $100 in the summer too.

Soooo, here are some more ideas:

Camlin Hotel(1619 9th St.) - IS downtown and would be a little off the beaten path but within walking distance of sites. It is kind of old but should be comfortable. (A clue: Most of the waterfront sites are around 1st street, the higher the street, the farther from the sites. 9th street should be about 9 (somewhat long) blocks from all the action)

Marriott Courtyard @ Lake Union. Closer than lynnwood but not within walking distance. I believe they have a free shuttle to downtown. Finding your way home, you may have to take a bus. Buses are available on Westlake to downtown. Rooms can be as cheap as $45.00 per night for double. A fun thing for the boys is that they have a seaplane business which operates across the lake and is fun to watch and is not supposed to be noisy with respect to the location of the hotel.

Summerfield Suites - Don't have any idea how much they cost but do know that they offer a free shuttle to downtown and are family friendly.

I hope this helps.

To the previous poster: maybe you misunderstood and were quoted the total for 3 nights? I just called the Inn using the above 800# and got a room for under $100. It's a std Queen plus twin/paying $10 extra for third person and getting $10 AAA discount. The reservations person I spoke to said their most expensive room is $160 a night. I chose this hotel based on the good comments read on this board. The room has a small kitchenette but no air conditioning.

Donna,
Does that mean that the Queen Anne doesn't have a room for 4 -- that only 3 people can fit in one?

I specified that there were 3 adults in the room, (husband, son and myself)so a std room with 1 queen and 1 twin was offered. Call the 800# to see if there are rooms with 2 doubles or queens. I also inquired about parking security and we will be allowed to park at a sister hotel which has valet parking. We'll be in a jeep and it will be very obvious that we have a lot of stuff since my son will be packed for a move. I like having a kitchenette and the neighborhood sounds nice.

Thanks for your reply. I checked the Queen Anne and it's booked for the dates I need it. Right now I'm holding onto the Embassy Suites, although I read that Bellevue might be another option for a location. Don't know what's available there yet.