We will be in Seattle for 2 days (May !9 & 20) prior to an Alaska cruise. I would appreciate any input regarding hotels (around $200 night, or less if decent) and things to do.

Probably a better idea to post this in a Seattle/Washington thread.

I just did a quick check on Expedia and I'd recommend looking at the Hyatt 8 and/or the Arctic Club, both available for $199 and both very good value at that rate.

The Hyatt 8 is (IMO) better located and is a few blocks from the Pike Place market, monorail to the Space Needle, etc. But any downtown hotel will be fairly close to those attractions. You may find cheaper properties closer to Seattle Center or Lake Union, but they won't be as convenient.

The top sightseeing attractions in Seattle are:

• Pike Place Market
• Space Needle
• Ferry to Bainbridge Island

Other significant attractions include the following

• Pioneer Square
• Chinatown International District
• Museum of History and Industry
• Experience Music Project
• Seattle Great Wheel
• Underground Tour
• Argosy Locks Cruise
• Seattle Art Museum
• Olympic Sculpture Park
• Downtown Retail Core
• Frye Art Museum
• Woodland Park Zoo
• Pacific Science Center
• Seattle Aquarium

HTtY

We stayed at the Inn at the Market and loved the location. The rooms on the water side are prettier than the city side. The staff was great.

http://www.innatthemarket.com/

We loved the market and also enjoyed the Boeing tour. This was fun too:

http://zinzanni.com/seattle/

We stayed at The Alexis twice now and once at Inn at the Market. We really liked the Alexis; didn't care for the tempurpedic beds at IATM.

We also loved zinzanni as well as Jazz Alley:

http://www.jazzalley.com

Gardyloo's two suggestions are excellent for that price. Grab either one of them if you can!

My other hotel recommendations would include: The Warwick, Mayflower Park, Hotel Max, or the Roosevelt.

Inn at the Market and the Alexis are both very lovely hotels but above the requested price range, I'm pretty sure.

My things to do suggestion would be: Pike Place Market, Space Needle, monorail, and Pioneer Square historic district.

Second string depending on your interests (and the weather): a game at the sports stadiums, Seattle Art Museum, Volunteer Park, the Frye Museum, Chihuly Gardens, Olympic Sculpture Park, Woodland Park Zoo, Greenlake, the Arboretum, Madison Park, etc.

I really liked the Mayflower hotel but don't know its pricing for your dates.

It may sound funny, but I think about my favorite thing in Seattle was the Gold Rush Museum around Pioneer Square. A lot of fascinating history that I didn't know and nothing like that anywhere else I've been.

http://www.nps.gov/klse/planyourvisit/directions.htm

They call it a "park" but I think that's official lingo, it's in a building, they show the photo of it.

I agree. The Klondike Museum is great, Christina. It's a couple blocks from where I work and I drop in often. That paired up with The Underground Tour is a really fun thing to do in Pioneer Square.

Grab a Seattle City Pass... Well worth it...

I booked the Arctic Club, seemed like a nice place and a great location.
Thank for all the help!

Oh, you want scenerey? the stay at the Four Seasons and request one of those very expensive waterfront view rooms so you can look out at the self-storage building.

Arctic Club is a GREAT choice.

I booked the Arctic Club, seemed like a nice place and a great location.

Be sure to check out the Dome Room at the top of the hotel. One of Seattle's hidden architectural gems.

Thank's again, will check out the dome room.

Any thoughts or recommendations on cruise tours, they seem expensive.
I am told if you book with an outside vendor, you are responsible if they get you back late.

<recommendations on cruise tours, they seem expensive>

What is it you're wanting to do?

Doing Mendenhall glacier and whale watching, now trying to decide between White pass Railway and Yukon Expedition or Railway and sled dog musher's camp with sled ride. Any experience with either?