We are attending a conference in July for four days, and will be staying at the Sheraton Seattle, and sightseeing at night. We are trying to decide if we should rent a car, or just take a cab from the airport, and rely on public transportation while we are there. Any opinions and suggestions are most appreciated. We want to go to Pike Market, the Space Needle, perhaps a boat ride, etc. Thanks so much!

If you're busy during the day and only have evenings, you can do without a car. Parking is really expensive downtown, which you should add to the cost of having a car, if you are comparing it with taking buses and cabs.
All the major activities you mention downtown are in a relatively concentrated area. You can even take a ferry to Bainbridge Island and enjoy that little town on foot. Be sure to visit the new Seattle Public Library. Also, there is an excellent Van Gogh exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum. You can take a cab to another neighborhood, if you want to see more of the area, or maybe find a bus tour at night. Will the conference be hosting any tours?

I've been to Seattle twice and didn't rent a car either time--took a cab to/from the airport and either walked or used public transportation. What a great city--hope you enjoy a nice trip.

I agree with the above. An Argosy cruise through the locks would be a good choice for your boat ride.

Thanks for the reply. We will forget the car. I wish we had more time! But with the money we're saving, we will splurge on taxi's when we need to.

Thanks everyone!

Seattle's Airport Express buses stop at all the major downtown hotels including the Sheraton. You can purchase a roundtrip ticket for $14 online or wait to make your purchase at the airport when you arrive. As cab fare from the airport runs about $35 one way, you can reap quite a savings if your flight times are compatible with the bus schedules. See their website for further information at www.graylineseattle.com/airportexpress1.cfm

Seattle has a wealth of public transportation including a free ride bus zone and a trolley system throughout the downtown area not to mention the monorail that goes from downtown to the Space Needle. The hills making walking more difficult if you're not in good physical condition. I would not recommend walking after dark in the Pioneer Square area or through the part of the city uphill from Pikes Market to the main downtown shopping district, a distance of about six blocks. Enjoy your time in Seattle, it's a wonderful city!