aquaholic

My husband and i are going to Seattle for the first time and are staying for 5 days. Trying to figure out a schedule. We are staying downtown, we are 32 years old, are adventurous and outdoorsy, not into museums. So far i have: Pike Place, Pioneer Square, Fremont, Space Needle (i know it is touristy, but when in Rome...).

We have a car for a day ... Should we do Snoqualmie Falls or a drive to Mt. Reiner? Any thoughts?

We are hoping to spend around $1500 (all included) for 2 people for 5 days...

I have heard Wild Ginger is a good dinner spot. Any other mid-price spots with a little Seattle local flavor?

How about any good places for live music (either Jazz or R&B locals)?

Thanks for any and all input.

d

While I was there I drove to Snoqualmie and Reiner. I was on business for 2-weeks so I had plenty of time to fill. Personally I think Reiner is too far to drive--Snoqualmie was OK and not as far if you're interested in seeing a waterfall.

happytrails2u

Be careful when you are planning the car trip. Traffic can really eat into your drive time. We went to Port Angeles and spent one day in Victoria, then drove to Olympic Park up Hurricane Ridge, and it was beautiful. We found Pike Place only occupied a few hours, and the Space Needle one hour tops (we were advised to only ride up, not eat at the resturant). I guess what I'm suggesting is you only plan 1 1/2 days for Seattle (since you have nixed museums), and spend the rest outside the city.

PamSF

In Pioneer Square..check out Elliot Bay Books. Also look for Salumi. This is a small (three tables maybe)lunch place run by Maria Batalli's dad. I'd also suggest you look at places to eat in Belltown. (Brasa,Metropolitan Grill).

Near the market check out Cafe Campagne for either lunch or dinner.

There is a great Tapas place downtown called Tango. We thought it had good atmosphere, good wine list and great tapas. I'd advise reservations(the price is reasonable). (206)583-0382.

And..if you decide to shop at Pike Market I'd advise it before you leave Seattle. We have gone to Seattle every year for a decade now. We always go to the market on our way out of town and shop at:

Pure Fish:they will pack anything for the airplane. We always bring home a fresh salmon fillet and some of their alder smoked salmon. DELICIOUS!!!

Three Girls Bakery: anything is good

Dried Cherries from Chokur

Carmel sauce and jams from Woodring's.

Have a great time! We love Seattle.

Gardyloo

When are you coming? Makes a difference - Snoqualmie Falls is much more spectacular when it's been raining or when the mountain snows are melting, so up to the first of July or so, good; after, less water (still a good sight to see, though). Rainier, on the other hand, is not terribly visitor-friendly at the snowline (Paradise, Sunrise, etc.) most years until the summer - muddy, dusty, etc. due to late snowmelt.

Be sure to include a ferry ride - Seattle to Bainbridge Island is probably the best; hit the Harbour Public House (in Winslow, walkable from the ferry) for a nice waterfront burger and beer.

Also have a walk around the International District, Seattle's Asian neighborhood, with great dim sum, interesting shopping (visit the amazing Uwajimaya Village to see the live fish tanks in the market and play "name that vegetable" in the produce section, followed by excellent noshing in the Asian food court. Great before a Mariner's game at Safeco Field, BTW.

Opinions differ about Wild Ginger. Mine are not high. Try Chinook's at Fishermen's Terminal in Ballard - a big noisy place, (10 min. from downtown) - good food, and an interesting view of the west coast's largest resident fishing fleet.

tbilisi

I go along with Gardyloo, although I vote for Wild Ginger...along with Etta's, Matt's, Place Pigale and Campagne Cafe (all in Pike Place Market).
Also recommend you drive over to West Seattle for literally a "different view" of the city. W. Seattle is its own small town within the city and the view of the skyline across the water is remarkable.
Being outdoorsy, you won't want to miss a visit to the main REI store.

amandaamanda

Take the foot ferry to Victoria, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Spend the full day. Walk around, have high tea, eat at the italian restaurant named pallachias (sp) or like... See the charm, visit china town. Or stay overnight at a romantic bed and breakfast, try Abigails...

5 days in Seattle seems like a long time to me in Seatlle, why not break up the trip.

aurelia

Hi. I live in Seattle. Went to Snoq. Falls last week with visitors. not much water going over but the Salish lodge is great place to eat. Everything here depends on the weather, so I would have plan A and plan B. If it's foggy and damp, do the Pikre Street Market, (skip the Space needle and visability will be poor), walk on a ferry just for the fun of it, go to the waterfront and stroll, go to the Seattle Art museum (I know you are not in to it but go anyway), take an underground tour in Pioneer Square (don't feed the bums or pidgeons),..You can do all the above without a car. If it gets clear, take the trip to Mt. Rainer--it is worth it, or drive on a ferry to any of the islands in the San Juans and spend the day there (Friday Harbor is fun). We have a great symphony, opera, etc.. just depends on what you like. Young people like the Broadway district (can take a cab or a bus) for funky places to eat, fun shops and a bit out of the ordinary.

kgk52

While you are in Pioneer Square, be sure to take the Underground Tour. Informative and very funny! The Experience Music Project is also fun and is right under the Space Needle. Whenwe were there we drove to Snoqualmie Falls and had a fantastic (but expensive) lunch at Salish Lodge. We liked the Dahlia Lounge for dinner. Have a great trip!

ALF

Most tourists don't realize that you can also easily reach the base of Snoqualmie Falls. Just drive down the hill on Route 202, then turn left onto 372nd Ave. Turn left onto Fish Hatchery Rd, then park in the lot next to the Snoqualmie Falls Power Station. From there, it is about a half-mile walk along the river to the base of the Falls, much of it on a boardwalk.

Another fun thing to do is to rent kayaks on Lake Union and paddle around while looking at the city.

Also, if you want a day-trip, you might consider taking the ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton, on Whidbey Island. The drive up Whidbey Island is quite pleasant, with stops in places like the quaint little town of Langley, and the beaches and bluffs of Fort Ebey State Park, and Deception Pass State Park. You can cross over to Fidalgo Island on the spectacularly high Deception Pass Bridge, then visit some fine spots, like Rosario Beach, and Mt. Erie - both have short walking trails. You can drive to the top of the latter, which affords some of the finest views down Puget Sound. Other good spots are the loop drive through Washington State Park, and the town of Anacortes (terminus for the San Juan Islands ferries). You can then drive on Route 20, back to Interstate 5, then head back to Seattle.