I'm headed to Seattle the first week in October for my 2nd anniversary. Any help on where to stay and dine in Seattle for the first two nights would be great. I've heard dinner at the needle would be good? Then we're on to explore Vancouver and Astoria. Thanks!

The needle is good for a view but not noted for food. FOr restaurants look at the on line version of the local newspapers, Seattle Times, Seattle P.I., and Seattle Weekly. You will find reviews of a many restaurants so you can pick one to fit your preferences. The website seeseattle.com has links to hotels, etc. and is the best on line place to glance at the variety of places to stay. Also, you might want to ask your local independent book seller to order a copy of Seattle Best Places or Northwest Best Places (Sasquatch, publisher.)

The Space Needle has a great view on a clear day, but the food is expensive and not all that great. Wild Ginger is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. I'd recommend that you try it for one of your meals.

The Needle is a good place to go for a drink before you head out for dinner IF the weather is clear. The view is good, but the food is not really that good and it is expensive. Since it's your anniversary, I'm assuming you want some place semi-romantic? Here are my suggestions (not in any order):

Painted Table at the Alexis
Adriatica - Dexter Ave
Sostanza's - Madison Park
Rover's - Madison Park - VERY Expensive, but worth it - you would have to try for reservations now though
Canlis - same as Rover's remarks
Campagne at the Inn at the Market

Wild Ginger has excellent Thai food but is a bit "busy".

As far as places to stay, there are many different types of lodging in Seattle and the Seattle area. Again, it depends upon what you're looking for and how much you want to spend. Some of my favorites (I play "tourist" here in my hometown twice a year) are:

W
Inn at the Market
Hotel Monaco
Salish Lodge
Alexis

All of these have websites that you can review what they look like and their prices. If you need further information, feel free to email me. Happy Anniversary - may you have many more happy years together!

I visited in the fall of 99 and stayed at The Inn at Queen Anne, it was lovely, and the price was reasonable. I recommend it.

Sara, did you mean explore Vancouver and Victoria or Astoria? Big difference.

For an anniversary dinner/overnight I'd recommend a water view room at the Inn at the Market, then dinner right downstairs at Campagne. Breakfast the following morning at any of a number of places in the Pike market, just outside the hotel door. No car needed.