Seattle on Thursday
 

Hi, My husband has a business meeting (coffee) in Seattle Thursday-Monday, and I am going along to play. I will spend one day with him at the exhibits which are everything coffee, tea, and chocolate. He tells me there will be many samples. Anyhow the other two days he will be tied up. Is there anything I should not miss? I was there many years ago. I have read suggestions on the board to see the new library. Our hotel is very near so I will definitely go there. I'm open to anything. Thanks, Owa

If I had a full day or two to kill, I would consider taking the Victoria Clipper to Victoria. You can leave in the early morning, and be back that evening, with a chance to walk around the quaint downtown area, as well as take a tour of Butchart Gardens. If the weather is good, the boat trip alone is spectacular. If the weather is bad, it can be a rough ride.

There are also several boat tours that you can take around Lake Union & Lake Washington, or Elliot Bay. Also, consider taking a boat to Tillicum Village for a salmon bake lunch (weekends only) or dinner and watch a NW Coast Native American dance performance.

The Experience Music Project (EMP) museum is worth visiting, as is the Seattle Art Museum.

Under, "hokey but still fun anyway", there are the Ride the Duck tours of Seattle and Elliot Bay, and the Seattle Underground Tour.

I think with only two days and not having visited in a long time, you should stay in the city. You don't even really need an itinerary for two days. I love just walking around. However, new visitors or nearly new like yourself should go up in the Space Needle for the view, not the meals. Don't miss Pike Place Market. The Waterfront. Pioneer Square and Underground Tour. Seattle Art Museum. Asian Art Museum. Safeco Field Tour or take in a Mariners Game if you like baseball.

Thanks ALF and sgorces for making me excited about going to Seattle. You both have enough suggestions to fill my days. I'm from South Dakota and was surprised to see that we are much warmer than Seattle. It will be over 70 on Monday in Sioux Falls. I'll plan to dress in layers. Thanks again, Owa

Yeah, we kind of switched seasons. We just had the warmest and driest winter in memory, but we seem to be getting all our winter weather now. The mountains are covered in snow, and some of the best skiing of the season can be had now.

I also vote for staying downtown and just poking around. The new library is a good pick. And also the Seattle Art Museum (the building is interesting in itself). I'd wander thru The Market and have lunch at Etta's Seafood at the north end.

The next day I'd go in the other direction (still walkable and downtown) to Pioneer Square Historic District. Go to Elliott Bay Bookstore. Look in all the small shops and galleries. Have lunch there or in Chinatown.

Ride the monorail and go up the Space Needle for the view, if the weather is clear. Shopping of course if that interests you, the flagship Nordstrom and a newly named Macy (used to be Bon Marche) are both centrally located among tons of other smaller stores and shops or all sorts. In that area lunch at Il Fornio maybe.

This morning (7am here now) is bright and sunny but cool. Yesterday was very strange weather... windy, raining, sunny - sometimes all at the same time!

Metro bus has a free ride zone that covers most of downtown so you can step on and off for getting cross town (the drivers announce before you are leaving the free ride zone). That might be useful say if you wanted to get from Pioneer Square up to Seattle Center (probably a couple miles and the two furthest points of the things I've mentioned above).

I'll wave if I see you downtown!!

susan in seattle

If you want to take a ferry ride, from the terminal near Pioneer Square on the waterfront, you can catch one to Bremerton or Bainbridge and back (i forget which is the shorter ride, which you'd probably want). Just walk on (cars are allowed too). Looking back as it pulls away from shore is one of the most stunning views of the Seattle skyline. It's about 1/2 hour ride so you can just take a round-trip over and back. The ferry boats are very big with several decks and areas (inside and outside) so makes for quite a unique experience. I'm not sure the price but it's not expensive.

Wow, you are all just great in taking the time to help me enjoy Seattle. I wasn't so excited about going before I posted because I'm in the middle of just moving and now trying to sell my house on my own. Now I can't wait to go tomorrow. My husband thanks you also. He thinks I don't go on enough trips with him. Owa

I hope this weather holds for you. News on Sunday evening predicted the entire week to be overcast and rainy. But I'm looking outside right now (my office is near the waterfront) and it's as sunny as can be!

Suze, I just looked at the forecast for Friday and Saturday--rain. I will still enjoy, and thanks for wishing me well. Owa

Ahhh... but you must think like a local, we never pay attention to the weather forecast :-)

I hope you enjoy your stay with us!

The Seattle Art Museum, Pike Market and Pioneer Square should keep you busy enough.

The idea for a day in Victoria is a good one. The Royal Museum there is not to be missed and is at the waterfront.
Do not miss the First Peoples exhibit.

I might be inclined to go to Victoria one day and then poke around the market,the art museum and Pioneer Square the other one. I suggest lunch at Salumi in Pioneer Square. This is a serious hole in the wall. There are maybe four tables. It is owned by Mario Battali's Dad(who is charming btw). Do check out Elliot Bay Books, there is not another book store quite like it.
See if there is an exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum you might be interested in.(We stumbled on an Annie Lebovitz exhibit). You can walk from the market to Pioneer Square and happen into the museum is you desire. You can also take free public transit.

Pike Market can take a couple of hours. We always(we hit Seattle once a year) stop at Pure Foods to pick up some fresh fish to take home. Try their hot wood fire smoked salmon. It is to die for. We have it shipped twice a year.They will pack for the plane. We also hit Three Girls Bakery,the hazelnut and the Chukar Cherry stands. Consider lunch(if you are there at that time) at Matt's in the Market.(Near the Crumpet Shop). It's a great little place. I actually like it much better than Etta's.

Thanks PamSF for the advice. I just copied all replies. We leave in a couple hours. Owa