Hello..
I have parents visiting from Dec 17 to Jan 3. I'm finding it difficult to find suitable things to keep them amused. I've put together an itinerary as best I can.

Please can anyone who knows Seattle and its surroundings give any other suggestions and critiques - Thanks

My Ideas so far:
SEATTLE
* Pike Market and Pioneer Square (Does any know if the Underground Tour is open? – Is it worth it?)
* Fremont on Sunday - Visit to Flea market and Troll.
* Experience Music Project (For me rather than them!)
* Bainbridge Island Ferry Trip on a good day (Do you think only a day, or is it worth staying overnight in a good hotel/lodge or B&B - Or do you think Salish Lodge would be better?)
* Volunteer Park Conservatory to visit the warm greenhouses with the tropical plants.
* Seattle Symphony - Something my father enjoys – Tickets appear reasonable.

EASTSIDE
* Spirit of Washington Train
* Snoqulamie Falls
* Bothell’s Country Village or do you think the Issaquah Village more of a draw?
* Malby’s Café for Sunday brunch
* Woodmark Hotel Bistro on a good day for Sunday brunch
* Chateau Ste Michelle Winery
* Leavenworth

If you're taking the winery train ride, why would you then go back to Ste. Michelle? It's the same as Columbia - different wines which you can get at QFC. Here are some things I'd suggest:

Trip to Mt. St. Helens - the visitor's center is really terrific and you're not as apt to be "snowed out" as you may be if you try and go to Rainier.

Trip to the San Juan Islands. Take the ferry to Anacortes and stay overnight at a B&B. Prices are lower in the winter (although I just noticed you're going to run into the holiday season somewhat, but you should be able to find a good price).

Take ferry day trips to Bainbridge, Vashon, and Whidbey. Go to the Olympic National Forest (again, this could be weather sensitive - johnsevy would probably know this better). Stop in Sequim.

I'd pass up the EMP if you live here you can go anytime. Personally, I don't think it's enjoyable at all.

Get tickets to a show at the Paramount or at Meany Hall (UW).

Visit the SAM, Bellevue Art Museum, Asian Art Museum (Volunteer Park).

Visit the zoo and then go and have lunch at Greenlake.

You may want to check about the flea market in Fremont - I think it's a summer only event, but I could be wrong about this.

Go to the top of the Smith Tower

Go to Seattle Center and see the Titantic exhibit (not sure when it ends).

Hope this helps.

Hi, Jayne,
I think you've listed a number of good ideas, and ldsant has added more. Some random additional thoughts:

The Bothell and Issaquah "villages" are (IMO) kitschy shopping centers that (especially around Christmas) make my teeth ache. Allow me to suggest instead a day's shopping (lots of antique shops, etc.) and strolling in Snohomish, a very interesting historic town not far from Maltby - makes a great day's combination outing. Do a windshield tour of some of the wonderful Victorian era houses in Snohomish. Downtown Issaquah is okay for a short stroll if it's convenient to you.

The Seattle zoo is fab in winter. Baby elephant and gorilla are current big draws - go before school lets out for the winter break if you can.

The Symphony is a great idea, also if you or your folks like the Nutcracker, the Pacific NW Ballet puts it on every year, and it's fab. (The PNB was influential in reviving/preserving Balanchine's sets, costumes, and choreography - eye-popping stuff.)

Another Sunday brunch idea (make reservations) is Salty's on Alki - not so much for the food (good, lots, over the top as usual) but the view across Elliott Bay back to Seattle - wow.

I frankly wouldn't plan any driving outings of great length. The days are so short and the weather usually so poopy that you'll barely get there before having to turn around. If you still want to get away, though, then St. Helens (leave real early) is a possibility, or (better IMO) Hurricane Ridge in the Olympics just outside Port Angeles (a benefit is it combines a ferry ride with a nature outing). You can do a visit to Roslyn on the other side of the Cascades (check pass conditions on I-90), a cute historic mining town where "Northern Exposure" was filmed some years ago, or, for a splurge, fly on a floatplane from Lake Union in Seattle to Victoria BC for the day. Victoria's a blast at Christmas time.

And don't forget New Year's Eve in Seattle - fireworks off the Space Needle are great. Think about a NYE party on one of the dinner boats, parked in the lake below the Space Needle.

Don't forget the aquarium. Take the bus from Pike's. And how about the Nordstrom outlet in downtown? Mom will love that!

Seattle has lots of good theater. It would be a shame to not catch at least one or two plays. Check the websites for the Seattle Rep., Intiman, Empty Space, or one of the less well known theaters to see what is playing during the time period you mention. Also, I think a lot of people forget about Chinatown/International District. It's not San Francisco, but I think there is a lot to see. Many, many good restaurants and, for just sitting and watching people try one of the bubble tea houses (maybe a mulberry milk tea with tapioca pearls?) or one of the dessert places (there is a good one just north of the former Uwajimaya site.) Just walking around the neighborhood you will see interesting buildings and interesting shops - and smell exotic smells. Maybe the best time to experience it is a Saturday or Sunday morning and you can combine your walking tour with Dim Sum at Top Gun or China Gate.

Maybe John will check here again and elaborate on what he means by short days since we're planning to make a trip from Port Townsend to the Hoh rain forest in December and I'm worried about drive time. I'm planning on 3.5 hours each way so I'm guessing if we leave by 6:30 am or so we can arrive by 10 AM, sightsee for maybe 2 hours - a short hike in I hope, then head back so we can get "home" by dark.

Anyone comments on this plan? We REALLY want to see the rain forest but don't like the idea of staying over a night in another lodge if we can avoid it (we have such a nice spot already reserved in PT) - also we want to see the scenery along the way and we can choose our day spontaneously based on weather.

What do you think?

Oh yeah, I lurk.
Jayne, in midwinter the sun rises (if visible) at 8:00 AM and sets around 4:30. So if you're away by 7 or so you'll be fine for a few hours on the coast. I wouldn't skip it if it's on your must-do list. Take fast film for your cameras because you'll probably be in the wet/gloom in the Hoh forest (which makes it even spookier and way cool). You'll also likely have several gigundous elk all to yourselves.

PS you can see sunrise/etc. information anywhere in the world at the Naval Observatory site, http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.html

Great, I was hoping for a vote of confidence. Cool site, thank you very much. And great tip about the film speed - I probably wouldn't have remembered and I am an artist, amateur photographer when I DO remember.

I would just like to thank everybody for your great ideas...

I'm already testing out my mapquest to figure out how many day trips I can fit in.

John, you made a really good point about the daylight hours - it's so easy to forget that winter is around the corner when we still have this great warm weather and blue sky.

Anyhow, I really feel prepared now - Thanks!