Seattle Solo Traveler...
 

I am female that will be traveling solo to Seattle.

I got a great deal on Priceline for 4 nights at the Renaissance Seattle. Can anyone tell me if this is a safe area and walkable to the downtown sights (waterfront, Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market).

Any suggestions for tours, restaurants etc for solo traveler?

Thanks so much!

The hotel is at 6th & Madison which is a central downtown location. It is definitely safe during the day as it is in the middle of the business district, a busy part of town.

Easy walk from that location and fun to do solo, I suggest the new Seattle Public Library, Seattle Art Museum, Pike Place Market, and Pioneer Square Historic District (you could do the underground tour there).

I really enjoyed the underground tour. Very unique and interesting.

I love Pike's Place Market and eat in the same "touristy" restaurant there every time I'm in Seattle. Has served as film location for several movies - but can't remember which offhand.

Take a ferry ride out to an island.

I just LOVE Seattle!

Here's a link to the tour -
http://www.undergroundtour.com/

Here's the schedule for the ferry to and from Bainbridge Island -

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/sche...m?route=sea-bi

Still can't remember the name of the restaurant - just to the right of the flying fish (in the market - no whining), nice upstairs dining area with view of the water. Maybe someone will know which one I'm talking about - but great food in the market nevertheless.

Found it. The Athenian.

Somewhere In Seattle
The restaurant in which Tom Hanks and Rob Reiner have lunch is called the Athenian and it's located inside the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle. On the north end of the market you'll find a steep road that leads up to 1st Avenue. It was on this short road that Rob Reiner inspected Tom Hanks "butt". The waterfront home Tom Hanks lived in is on Lake Union and can be seen while driving north on I-5 from downtown Seattle (look to the west when you see the water - it's the first beach house north of the marina housing the large tourism boats). The beach where Tom Hanks played ball with his son is several miles away. It's called West Seattle and the beach is actually a several miles long waterfront stretching to the east from what's called Alki point. It appears the small building Meg Ryan hid behind while watching him play ball is no longer there. I've tried several times to find it but I've been unsuccessful.

Sorry, I cut and pasted without citing the source. I don't want to get in trouble here -
http://www.inthe90s.com/generated/movielocation.shtml

Hi cleogirl,

Hope I haven't missed your trip date. I traveled solo to Seattle earlier this year. My favorite restaurant by far was Brooklyn's across from the lower portion of Benaroya Hall. Sit at the chef's bar where you'll be welcomed warmly by other singles. It's a little pricy, but well worth it for your nicest night out.

The Pike Market is a must if only to grab some fresh produce, walk downwind to a Bainbridge ferry, and enjoy a picnic lunch on the island!

Take the monorail to the Space Needle if it's working, go to the top if you must. Take a picture of the ridiculously scary clown club across the street. :)

I took an enjoyable Grayline neighborhood tour while visiting to get a sense of local scene. The driver made plenty of stops for terrific photo ops (famous dt view from Queen Ann Hill) and gave lots of useful info. on the neighborhood personalities.

The original Starbucks near the Pike Market is also an interesting stop. Have fun!

Make sure you get a bus schedule--
One of the busses will drop you right at your hotel door.
all of the"downtown" busses are free
--the map will show the free area.
The new awesome Library is only 2 blocks down hill from your hotel.
The Elliott Bay bookstore in Pioneer Square area is wonderful and has coffee and food in basement.
1/2 block north of bookstore is a sandwich-soup-bakery place (soups are great). Looks to be in an old building that was cleaned out and now has shops.You can get food and sit in or outside.
Pike Place Market is the"most" You can spend all day just looking around..I always get a snack--usually fruit or crumpet to take back to my hotel for snacks..
You will "love" this city !!!!

Seattle buses are free downtown only until 7PM, which I find a bit odd (Portland's downtown fareless square buses are free 24 hrs a day).

A female friend of mine went to a concert alone in Seattle at Benaroya Hall last year. She took the bus from her hotel and then back after the concert. She said she was a bit intimidated at one point by some guys who harrassed her by the bus stop but once she moved on she was fine. I think you simply have to have your wits about you when you travel alone, use common sense, avoid dangerous situations.

Andrew

While I generally feel very safe in Seattle (i live here) I'm not crazy about being alone downtown late at night. I would probably opt for a taxi to get around. Even if not truly dangerous, there are unfortunately many homeless people, shady activity, etc. which might feel uncomfortable or intimidating as mentioned in the post above.

Even though downtown is safe, I agree with suze. If I were recommending a downtown hotel to a lady friend traveling alone, I would suggest the Sheraton or the Hyatt which are in the heart of the retail core near shops, restaurants, movies, etc.

Agreeing with all said about downtown at night. I, too, attended a concert at Benaroya alone this year. My routine is to walk as far as my fellow concert pedestrians stay clustered, then catch a cab from there. It's too late after shows to catch free buses, but I managed to save a couple dollars on cab fare.