We will have 3 nts/2 days in Seattle. We've never been there before and then will drive down the coast to San Francisco. This will be the end of August. With so little time in Seattle, I'm wondering if it's worth spending one of our days going to Victoria on the hi-speed cat or should we spend our time "doing" Seattle?

Also, any recommendations for casual seafood reataurants would be appreciated. We're staying at the Hampton Inn near the Space Needle.

Thanks.

With only 2 days in Seattle, I suggest you skip Victoria. Victoria is a beautiful city and well worth a visit, but Seattle is also wonderful. You'll find plenty to do there.

I agree with Susan about skipping Victoria, but for different reasons: some 25 years ago, Victoria was pretty, in a seedy, provincial way, but now it's become an over-hyped Canadian version of Disney-scape. Besides, Victoria continues to defy the anger of Washingtonians by dumping its raw sewage into Juan de Fuca Strait--and by insisting its doing the right thing!

I was just in Seattle last April and stayed in that very Hampton Inn. I would suggest Wild Ginger, kind of close to the market if I remember. Sort of Asian Seafood. Kind of ecclectic. Also if you ask the front desk people they sent us to another wonderful seafood resturaunt and I can't remember the name. It was great, though. Loved Seattle, planning on returning myself in August. Have fun!

Hi Jacqueline, We are going to Seattle next month and asked friends who are there quite often (and went to school there) for recommendations. Theirs were Etta's Seafood, Flying Fish, and Ivar's Acres of Clams. There is one other but it's quite a drive from the middle of the city and we won't have a car. Have heard about Wild Ginger, but it seems to be more "fusion" than NW Seafood.

Thumbs up on the suggestions for Etta's and Flying Fish; however, Ivar's doesn't belong in the same sentence with these two, IMO! The out of downtown place is probably Ray's, which is also fabulous. By the wall, other than two or three places that I can think of off the top of my head, all restaurants in Seattle are "casual." If by casual you mean "less expensive", then I'd suggest Chinooks at Fisherman's Wharf (north of downtown), and the downstairs cafe at Anthony's Pier 66 (I believe it's called Bell Street Diner) on the downtown waterfront.

Wild Ginger is emphatically NOT a fusion restaurant; rather, it is pan-Asian. The difference is that they feature dishes from a variety of Asian cultures, rather than mixing or "fusing" the elements from various cultures into each dish. And while it's not a "seafood" restaurant per se, they do have alot of seafood on their menu. Two of my favorite seafood dishes there are the Thai Noodles (look for it on the specials sheet) and their Black Pepper Scallops.

With such a short time in Seattle, I wouldn't try to do Victoria too. Spend the first day exploring downtown, then spend some time out in the various neighborhoods (such as Fremont, Madison Park, West Seattle, Magnolia) on the second day to get a feel for why we like living here so much!

Sheri, Our friend recommended Ivar's as a place to have a bowl of clam chowder and something quick for lunch but you sound like you don't like it at all! Is it just too touristy or should we skip it all together. Also, if you could pick just 2 neighborhoods, which would you choose? How do you feel about the Underground tour of Pioneer Square? Remember, we are tourists and while we don't do the tourist things in SF, we would like to do some in Seattle but also avoid tacky stuff. Thanks for the advice.

We will be spending 4 days in Seattle later this month. Have been there before for several days at a time so we've done the Space Needle and similar sites, mostly downtown. Any suggestions for this trip -- sites, restaurants, etc.? Staying on a First Ave., a few blocks below the market. Also, if we wanted to get to Whidbey Island, is that feasible or even possible given time and lack of car? Thanks.

Well, we're back from our short trip to Seattle in which we tried to go over to Victoria. Unfortunately, the Victoria Clipper couldn't make the trip because of high winds and seas so after 4 hours on the boat we returned to Seattle. Spent the last day in Seattle and didn't regret being there, but wish we could have seen Victoria if only for a day. We need to return. While we were there we took the ferry out to Bainbridge Island just for a short outing--it was nice and we walked around the town a bit and then returned to Seattle. Best part of the trip was the lovely views of Seattle from the water.

I like Seattle - But I LOVE the San Juan Islands. Whether I had 2 days or a month, I would take the ferry and just explore - spending at least one night on one of the islands. Rosarios on Orcas Island has a wonderful Story. The owner was a wealthy, civic leader (maybe even mayor) of Seattle. He was told by his docors that he was dying and had six months to live. He went to Orcas Island and built a beautiful mansion in a lovely cove and went on to live another twenty years! Rosarios is now an Inn and I could certainly live there twenty years myself!

Whidbey Island is lovely if you don't have as much time. I'm not sure how you would do it without a car. If you do go, Captain Whidbey's Country Inn is also a historical Inn with a colorful past, set in a beautiful cove. Charmining atmosphere, and great food! I highly recommend it.

Jill

Why not walk on the ferry to Winslow. It is a nice little town and can walk about, shop and have a wonderful seafood lunch. Would certainly skip Victoria...it is too "tricked up" as the British say, and not very British anyway (that's what one local told me). I have never found the sense of traveling to one place of interest only to take a deep breath, and leave for another. Seattle is very interesting in it's own right, and there is enough to do here that one could spend a week (or a lifetime, as I have chosen to do.)
Walk about the Public Market, take the Dinner train, take a bus to the Oriental distric for some splendid "dim sum", walk around the Seattle Center, the Acquarium, etc., etc. Anyone bored in Seattle has only themselves to blame.
p.s. Glad you are coming.

While in Seattle we were told by a native that there is a float plane that goes to the resort at Rosarios. That would be a great idea. Sorry we didn't know sooner.