My ideas is #5 from Gardyloo above, I was just out in Alki last week for our company picnic.

Take the water taxi from downtown over to West Seattle. Right where it drops you is a restaurant called Marination Ma Kai that is very good with a huge deck overlooking the water and a stupendous view back to the Seattle skyline.

I don't think the Bremerton ferry is enough to a different experience than the Bainbridge ferry to do both.

Thanks, also, HTtY.

We posted at the same time, suze. Thanks for your thoughts.

You're probably right about taking another ferry to Bremerton. I will investigate a water taxi. Dining waterside is always our preference. Thanks!

Over in West Seattle there's a free shuttle bus that runs the length of the shoreline there if you wanted to get to other restaurants, but I've heard such good things about Marination Ma Kai and the setting is so beautiful with the outdoors seating, I think you'd really enjoy it.

You sure did pick a GREAT WEATHER time to be here in Seattle!

Ma Kai is great but understand it's basically a land branch of a popular food truck, so it's paper plates and plastic forks and counter service. And on sunny evenings the patio will be <i>packed</i> so come early and be prepared to wait.

As DebitNM mentioned, if you want fancier table service but with the same killer view, Salty's is a few dozen yards down the street from the water taxi dock (here's the view from the Ma Kai dock - http://gardyloo.us/20091226_30a.JPG ) You could book a table there, can't at Ma Kai.

Thank you Gardyloo. I didn't realize Salty's was also so close to the water taxi dock.

After brunch, we took the free bus down to the shore, just where the bus turns right to parallel the shore. We walked all the way back to the water taxi.

I realize
Tab can't do that, but even riding the entire loop back to water taxi dock would be nice. Maybe skip having dinner at Saltys and having it at one of the many cafes that dot the route. Or go the free bus ride first, get off, have a drink and the. Head back for dinner at Saltys.

The Ma Kai is pretty rustic, I MHO.

Another vote for the Salmon House. DH and I have been going there since we were dating, lol. I love sitting out on the patio, weather permitting of course:) They truly know how to do salmon!

I've been researching these options. Unfortunately, the water taxis do not return after about 7pm. We could take Über all the way back to the hotel, though we'd prefer water transit both ways.

Argosy cruises has a trip to Tillicum Village that fits our schedule. It looks probably corny, like a luau, but could be fun. Has anyone done it?

Thanks, mms.

PS. Yes, we brought this gorgeous weather from Colorado! You're welcome.

Not as corny as you might think. Go today and there's a discount - http://www.argosycruises.com/about-u...ers/hot-deals/

I haven't done it but the Tillicum Village cruise/dinner gets good comments.

Or there are also Argosy Cruises that don't include a dinner (or the Tillicum Village stuff). Just the regular Harbor or Lake Washington tours are very nice too.

Thanks for all your help, everyone. I appreciate your time and suggestions.

We are considering the Tillicum Village trip for tomorrow afternoon, because DHs conference is out at noon. It appeals to me, because it sounds more interesting than just a dinner, and would suit my inability to walk. (Which has become a major limiting factor, since DH and I usually walk everywhere on vacay.)

Tonight we are going to either Ivar's Salmon House at Union Lake, or Agua Verde. Both are walkable from our hotel, and I'm going to try it. At least one way.

DH is interested in going to Vachon via ferry, but we aren't sure if there are restaurants or anything fun, that's close to the ferry terminal.
Anyone know?

Yes, Tillicum Village is great! Hope you are able to make it! When our kids were in 4th grade, that is when they get the brunt of WA state history, and so our school always had field trips to Tillicum Village for the kids. It was such a popular trip and too many parents wanted to chaperone, so they had to do a lottery. That tells you how good it is, lol!

There's nothing within walking distance of the Vashon ferry dock. Vashon is a great day trip with a car - start at the north end, leave from the south over to Point Defiance in Tacoma (great zoo) then back to Seattle via downtown Tacoma (Museum of Glass, Chihuly bridge etc.)

The Vashon ferry isn't what you're looking for.

I hope you do the Tillicum Village cruise.

I love Aqua Verde!

Thanks, suze. I figure if you like Aqua Verde, that's a strong recommendation, given your travels to Mexico.

We do have great Mexican food in Denver, which is the reason we chose Ivar's Salmon House last night. It was very good, mms.

Unsure what we will choose to do this afternoon. Thanks for the info on Vachon Island, Gardyloo. With a car, we'd probably do it. But we didn't want to try and navigate Seattle behind the wheel. Y'all have some traffic here!

Too many choices! Too bad I can't walk, though. It's something I've never experienced before. Plus the constant pain. DH assures me it will resolve itself with help from my PT, but it will take months. It's been bad since about March. I am a cranky person now.

Actually (although the food is certain very good) it's the setting of Aqua Verde that makes it a so special.

Ivar's is great too.

I'm just happy you are having such FABULOUS weather for your trip. That doesn't always happen here you know, even in summer, ha-ha!

Isn't the traffic just AWFUL? That's my biggest complaint about this city. It's just terrible and pretty much 24/7.

I actually don't mind the traffic that much. Granted, I do avoid rush hour, but only about 2 hours in the am and again in the pm. It's the bad drivers I don't like, lol, as in being sideswiped on I-5 going 60mph in Tacoma the other week. Now THAT is what bugs me;)