Any ideas on good hotels, resturants and things to do as first timers to seattle?

get yourself a copy of Best Places: Seattle

I took a tour bus to Mt Rainier, it was awesome!

Check web deals for the Eliot Grand Hyatt. It's relatively new, very nice, very well located, and often on sale at amazingly low rates (close to $100 for corner rooms and suites on occasion).

When are you coming?

Type "Seattle" into the search box above and stand back.

Try Palisades restaurant for awesome views and a fabulous meal!

As far as things to do...

. Take the elevator to the top of the Space Needle. At around $15, a bit pricey, but you can't beat the view. (And watch for Dr. Evil, who made it his evil headquarters.

. While at Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is) check out EMP, the Experience Music Project building, and see if you like, or loathe, Frank Gehry's controversial design.

. Take a roundtrip ferry ride from downtown to Bainbridge Island, 30 minutes each direction.

. Ride the waterfront trolley. A pet project of a former city councilman, the trolley cars are from Melbourne, Australia.

. Visit Pike Market. Always entertaining, especially the guys at the fish stand underneath the clock (just ask anyone; they'll know which stand you mean.)

. Visit Pioneer Square with its fine old architecture and brick buildings saved from developers. The waterfront trolley goes to Pioneer Square.

. If you'll have a car, drive to Gasworks Park on the north side of Lake Union for a grand view across the lake with downtown Seattle in the background.

Lot's of the mainstays well recommended above, here's some other ideas. Take in a game at Safeco Field. Eat at Etta's, and Wild Ginger. Check out all the Asian stuff at Uwajimayia's (sp?). Walk along Alki beach in the evening sunshine (if you're lucky with our weather). Stoll around in Elliott Bay Books. While in Pioneer Square seek out the Waterfall Garden where UPS (brown) was born and they preserved a memorial to their employees. Drink amoung the best espresso in coffeeville at Zeitgiest. Rent a kayak on Lake Union and paddle around the houseboats. Listen to the advice above about Mount Rainier, Paradise or Sunrise side doesn't matter.

We had a too brief stay in Seattle on a budget. Stayed at the Queen Anne which was in a decent residential area but within walking distance of the Space Needle and monorail. We were able to pack the following into one day: first Underground Seattle tour of the Day, explore Pikes (great area for people watching), lunch at Etta's, afternoon Duck Tour (great fun and great view of water residences). Our son probably would have enjoyed the music experience. It was too foggy for a good view from the top of the Space Needle at the end of the day. I'd love to go back some time.