I am leaving for Seattle tomorrow on a long awaited getaway with my SO. I have a very loose itinerary/game plan and would appreciate any comments and advice. We arrive Saturday at 5 pm and are staying at the Vintage Park. Any advice on best transportation to the hotel? Is there subway or buses or should we just take the shuttle or cab? We have reservations that night at Dahlia Lounge. Next day, we'll do Pike's Place Market and Pioneer and whatever else in between. I like to just get lost wandering around a city. The next day, labor day, I thought we could try to take the ferry to one of the islands I saw in a thread here. I'll bring my laptop and look it up. Sounded like it had a quaint and charming town. Tuesday, we have lunch reservations at Matt's at the Market and fly back at 5 pm. Appreciate any help "fleshing out the details" for me; thanks!

Noting these restaurants as well as Flying Fish: Etta's, Lola's, Palace Kitchen, Serious Pie, Dahlia Lounge & Dahlia Bakery, plus a private catered dining room at their main office in Belltown.

Any recommendations on ferries and which towns/islands....Orcas vs San Juan islands?

We have 3 full days and nights. Thanks.

With 2 people, I'd just take a cab as the Airporter bus or shuttle won't be much less expensive.

The San Juans (whether San Juan or Orcas) are a long day trip from Seattle if you're planning to drive to Anacortes and ferry from there. And I definitely wouldn't plan on taking your car on the ferry due to long lines coming back from the islands on Monday (the holiday). I'd suggest the Whidbey Island loop instead (if you do a search there have been quite a few posts about that), doing it south to north so that you're taking a ferry to the island in the morning and coming back via Deception Pass bridge.

Bumbershoot will be going on this weekend at Seattle Center--if you're interested in arts and music, and don't mind crowds, it can be a lot of fun (I'll be there all 3 days).

I was just at Matt's in the Market last night for dinner with some friends from out of town--it's a great spot, you'll enjoy it.

I took a taxi from the airport. However,if you want to take a bus from Seatac Airport, you can take either the #174 or #194 to downtown. You might find the website http://transit.metrokc.gov useful. It lists bus routes for various destinations in Seattle.

I hope that you enjoy Seattle as much as I did.

Thanks NWWanderer! I was just starting to realize that San Juan might be a bit too ambitious and was also starting to wonder if I should get a rental car. Whidbey sounds great. What about Port Townsend? I was just reading about the great neighborhoods of Seattle and a car may be good to have. For such a short trip though, I may be plenty busy just especially with Bumbershoot going on? Thanks.

Take the Winslow Ferry, as a walk on, simply an easy outing and you can walk about on the other side, coming back when you like, no car worries, fun in rain or shine.... see below:
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Walk on the Bainbridge Island ferry at Pier 52 on the Seattle waterfront. Round-trip fares are $6.70 for adults, $3.35 for seniors over 65 and $5.40 for children 6-18. Crossing time is 35 minutes. See www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries for schedules.

Tourism information

Pick up the Bainbridge Downtown Association's walkabout guide at the information kiosk at the ferry dock, or download a copy at www.bainbridgedowntown.org. Copies are also available at the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce visitor's center at 590 Winslow Way E. (206-842-3700 or www.bainbridgechamber.com).

Best times to go

Avoid Mondays and Tuesdays when many places are closed. Saturdays and Sundays get crowded on summer weekends.

Upcoming events

Thanks for that link, Clarasong. That was great; I can see now that some areas like Port Townsend are a bit far away. Maybe next trip. Perhaps I should reverse my schedule and do Bainbridge on Sunday and Pike's Place and Pioneer Park on Monday since many places are closed Mondays on Bainbridge.

For me, the main reason to take the Bainbridge ferry is to get the views of downtown Seattle--maybe have a bite to eat over there but it wouldn't be at the top of my list with just 3 days in Seattle. I'd do things like the new sculpture park or visit the locks out in Ballard over that, personally.

And just so you know, it's Pike Place Market, or just "the Market" ;-).

We were in Seattle a few weeks ago. Went to Bainbridge Island, which is cute with shops & restaurants. Also, you get a nice view of the Seattle skyline from the ferry.

We went whale watching around the San Juan Islands. This is a 9 hour expedition including travel time from Seattle.

When you say you will "do Pioneer," I assume you mean Pioneer Square. I would not bother going there on Sunday, as you have planned. The area does not look as alluring as the tourist websites would indicate. Also, most of the shops are closed on Sunday, and there are lots of transients hanging around the central area. On the other hand, some of the old buildings were lovely, and the Klondike National Park (actually a small museum) is worth a short visit.

For a nice overview of downtown Seattle, why don't you "Ride the Ducks?" It's a whimsical way to see all the highpoints of the city, and you get a dip in Lake Union as well, where the residential houseboats are. As it's the long weekend, there will probably be lots of sailboats out, which would be quite scenic. www.ridetheducksofseattle.com

If you like to eat & have the time (2 hours), I would recommend the Savor Seattle tour. You learn the history of Pike Place Market & sample food from several stalls there. Cost: $41 http://www.savorseattletours.com/pikeplacetour.htm

Thanks for that tip about Pioneer Square on Sunday. I must have been there on a Sunday 18 years ago because it was quiet with lots of transients around. Maybe we'll do Bainbridge that afternoon.

I have done the duck tour in Boston but I would like to see the residential houseboat area. I have seen many recommendations for it here. Thanks.

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3 days is simply not enough time to do Seattle & visit the San Juan islands too.

Maybe walk on the Bainbridge Island ferry and heading over & back, would be more reasonable in your timeframe (less than 1/2 day activity).

Your restaurant list, excepting Flying Fish, is simply all the other Tom Douglas restaurants in downtown.

I always take a taxi in from the airport. It should be about $30. You just walk from baggage claim, across the skybridge, to the taxi line. It's very easy.

I don't think you need a car. You can get to a nice neighborhood like Fremont or Capitol Hill easy enough on Metro bus.

Oops, "tomorrow" is today! You're probably already on your way!
~suze in Seattle

Hi Suze,

I was hoping to hear from you as well! Thanks for the advice. I don't leave for a couple of hours so I am relaxing with my English Breakfast tea. Of course, I haven't packed yet but at least I've taken my shower! I pack very late and very light. I am looking forward to exploring your fair city and showing it to SO for his first time. Thanks.

It's really cool weather this morning, but sunny (knock wood).

Decent Impressionist show is now on at the Seattle Art Museum which is close to where you'll be going. If you like art, it would be worth checking out.

Thanks so much. We love impressionism so we'll try to fit that in. We are HERE!!!! and so excited to be here. SO just loves it; says it is much more to his liking than San Diego. We are having morning coffee and then heading out for "the Market" soon. I just booked tickets to see Shrek the musical tonight....it is only a few steps from our hotel. We are looking forward to attending Bumbershoot as well. Great weather so far!

ncountry: I woke up cold this morning...there's a chill in the air, but not the worst day in Seattle, by any means. Skies are beautiful, it is damp but not pouring, air is clean and I am glad I am here, not in New Orleans, where we lived once. Anyway, go and Ride the Ducks if you like a rambunctius tour of the city...or dinner at the Space Needle (need to book asap). We are a very civilized city.

By the way, Capitol Hill is a fun neighborhood and I think you can get their easily by taking a bus up Pike or Pine street.

Did you know that JCMSUP...names of Seattle streets, are remembered by the thought "Jeasus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest." kinda funny.

It is a spectacular day in Seattle. I couldn't ask for better weather. Only Fairbanks, Alaska is posted as expecting a lower high temp today as the rest of the country seems in a heat spell. We are loving it!!!

sounds like you've done your foodie homework.

a couple of tips that fold into your plans:

-try the truffle oil pizza at serious pie.

-if you want some tasty pub grub/fish 'n chips, visit the bainbridge public house in winslow (walking distance from the bainbridge ferry). also, they have a great selection of nw microbrews, and it's great fun to sit outside.

-don't miss the coconut cream pie at dahlia.

-tasting room (located in the post alley part in pike place market) has a great selection of nw wines. great stop before matt's.

-edgewater hotel near the sculpture park is a great spot to sit outside for some snacks and libations. the bar is called 67. again, ask to sit outside.

Enjoy! looking forward to hearing how it goes.