Hi all,
I am a graduate student headed to Seattle for a conference during the end of June. I will have one full day before the conference starts, and a few evenings to explore the city. I have been to Seattle briefly once, but just hit the market and the EMP. Any suggestions on how to spend my time? (I will have a few friends to sightsee with). Any suggestions for moderately-priced restaurants (we are on a budget of $70/day for food)?
We are staying at the Crowne Plaza and spending most of our time at the convention center.
TIA.

Welcome to Seattle. What kind of food do you and your friends like? Any particular desires such as outdoor seating, view of the water, within walking distance of the Crowne Plaza, etec.?

spend time at the Pike Place market, the Piers(waterfront), the seattle center... take a ride in the ducky duck
ride...is a car and boat tour all in one, it's funny and it will show you downtown Seattle. Check with your hotel
is they offer any tour to the tulip fields - la conner-bellingham, is nice. Also, mt.Rainier... the university.
For food the market is cool, the Westlake mall, any RED ROBINS, FOR pizza - Pagliacci! delecious... Elliott
for seafood-$$.- lake union grill or
Metropolitan grill.$$$ awsom..
enjoy seattle- we are loving this sunny
68deg.weather we are having....

Thank you for the responses.
As far as restaurants, we are all pretty open to anything. We'd like to stay within walking distance or be able to take public transportation if possible. We might want one nice seafood dinner near the water.
I will check out some of the other things you mentioned.
Thanks again!

I would check out some of the various neighborhood/districts.

Pioneer Square historic district
Chinatown (dim sum for lunch)
The Market (Pink Door on the patio for lunch or drinks)
Belltown (Black Bottle or Brasa happy hour)
Capitol Hill (1200 Bistro splurge dinner)

Chop Suey, Crocodile, Triple Door, for music depending on your taste and who's playing

BE EXTRA CAREFULL AROUND PIONEER SQUARE
AND CHINA TOWN. TO MANY DRUNKS...

For seafood, Anthony's Pier 66 on the waterfront has several levels, at different prices. The top level has outside seating but is pricy. The middle level----called I think the Beach Cafe or something like that---has good food and you could request a seat by the window. Other possible choices for seafood right downtown are Cutter's (also with water views), Etta's, and Flying Fish.

I don't think you'll have trouble sticking to a $70 per diem unless you really go all out on breakfast and lunch.

For a change of scenery, take the ferry over to Bainbridge (a 30-minute ride) and go to the Harbour House Pub (nice seats on the deck, overlooking a marina). The food is quite good, and moderately priced.

Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar in the Market for oysters and beer. Jack's Fish Spot (also in the Market) for cioppino and fish and chips.

Mmm, I love Brasa's happy hour! Other happy hour options can be found at http://www.seattletravel.com/seattle...ur-ballard.htm

It's out of date, but you get the idea.

Other moderately priced options include Cedars (Indian food in U. District), Pasta Freska (our favorite no-menu italian, dinner is usually +/- $27/person and 2-1/2 hours long), Pagliacci's Pizza as mentioned, Specialties (multiple locations) for great sandwiches.

You can cab just about anywhere from the Crowne Plaza.

Tulips will be gone by late June, they are on their way out now. But La Conner is still cute.

These are a long walk or easy bus ride from downtown (all of these are terrific but budget priced):

Seven Stars Papper-12th and Jackson: Some of the best Szechuan you'll find anywhere-get the crab or fish in black bean sauce if you want seafood
Tamarind Tree: Great Vietnamese, on Jackson just west of 12th
Green Leaf: 8th just south of Jackson-more great Vietnamese

For oysters, check out the happy hour at Elliot's, on the water-bargain prices and great quality and selection. Their other food can be uneven-don't have dinner there.

I second Suze's recommendations, too.