Hi,

Just learned will get to come to Seattle for a training the week of March 17. My training will take place in the Pacific Tower in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. I'll have one tourist day free on Sunday March 16th, and I'm pretty sure I'll have most evenings free.

Question 1, what neighborhood would you stay in? After a little research I'm leaning toward staying downtown at Mayflower Park and taking a 36 bus back and forth to the training (I'm a city girl and very comfy with public transit). Second choice the Silver Cloud-Stadium that looks walking distance to Pioneer Square which I only know about from reading - I've only been to Seattle briefly once and it was many, many years ago. But am very open to suggestions!

Question 2, any particular recs for what to do for evening activities? I won't have a car. I'm into exploring neighborhoods, especially any with interesting architecture; most kinds of music, especially but not only jazz and indy folk; art; shopping at independently owned stores, especially bookstores; dining at casual but delicious mostly ethnic restaurants.

I'm not asking about my one tourist day since I figure I'll just read up here and elsewhere and see what most appeals to me, but if anyone's inclined to suggest on that too, I'm all ears!

Thanks in advance for any help!

The Mayflower Park is an excellent hotel choice and puts you right in the center of downtown Seattle for convenience to shopping, restaurants, activities.

You can look who is playing at The Triple Door or Jazz Alley for live music downtown. Seattle Art Museum.

For more independent (cafes, bookstores, music) look to the nearby neighborhoods, especially Capitol Hill (which is just esat of downtown and easy to get to on the bus).

Thanks Suze. Just looked up both Triple Door and Jazz Alley online and the latter has more choices I like that week. I see that they take advance reservations for $4 more and with dinner reservation you get to choose your seat - do you (or anyone else) have experience with knowing if the advanced reservation is necessary?

Also, I like to walk a lot and it looks like a walk from downtown to Capitol Hill might be interesting and do-able...do you think so? Would it, and/or walks to or around other neighborhoods like Pioneer Square, Internat'l District, etc. be safe for a woman alone at night? (basically, for me "safe" just means not isolated and not high crime area)

The option to reserve a table at Jazz Alley has only been available for a few months, and we love it. We were there last night for Sergio Mendez who, with eight other musicians, had people dancing in the isles.

Jazz Alley is a very pleasant venue. We prefer a seat in front of the stage and about three tables back. When we sit on the side we are sometimes annoyed by people who behave as though they are in a sports bar.

The best tables are reserved for dinner. The lingcod and rockfish are my favorite menu items--I like fish. Enjoy.

You should stay at The Mayflower Park or some other hotel in that vicinity. That's where the action is, and Jazz Alley is around the corner.

HTtY

PS Check Goldstar.com for discounts on harbor cruises and other events that might interest you.

For solo travel to cities such as Seattle I tend to use HI Hostels. http://www.hiusa.org/washington/seat...american-hotel
The hostel is within walking distance of both stadiums and the newly renovated Amtrak station.
The bus system in Seattle is pretty good.

tomfuller - why would someone who has chosen the Mayflower Park want to stay at a hostel?

To the OP - Personally, I would not be comfortable walking around downtown Seattle alone at night. There is a large homeless/transient population and a lot of street crime, particularly in the Pioneer Square and Belltown areas. I don't live in Seattle but a short ferry ride away; and I don't like what I see walking from downtown theater venues to the ferry dock. Just saying -- others may disagree. But I would probably take cabs. The Metro buses can be scary as well.

tomfuller - why would someone who has chosen the Mayflower Park want to stay at a hostel?

To the OP - Personally, I would not be comfortable walking around downtown Seattle alone at night. There is a large homeless/transient population and a lot of street crime, particularly in the Pioneer Square and Belltown areas. I don't live in Seattle but a short ferry ride away; and I don't like what I see walking from downtown theater venues to the ferry dock. Just saying -- others may disagree. But I would probably take cabs. The Metro buses can be scary as well.

Excuse double post.

When we were in Seattle last August, we went to a jazz concert at The Tea Room of the Panama Hotel. It was great; even more so if you have read "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet."
We went during the day; took a bus, but you might not find a concert during that time. I would take a taxi if I was alone; area is a bit iffy. We actually walked back to Pike Market but again, I was with hubby.

http://www.jamieford.com/books/

http://www.panamahotel.net/teahouse.htm

Thanks for the suggestions, everybody! Hope I hear some more opinions on the "walking around alone" issue. Of course, I might befriend people in my training (which is very small group, this is not a big conference) and end up having company...but that's not a given.

I can't think of any major city I've been that didn't have some areas where I'd feel fine and some where I wouldn't, so I'm hoping it's just a matter of learning which is which.

I don't like walking from the theater district to the ferry dock at night either, but I have no qualms about walking at night in the heart of the retail and theater core, which is where The Mayflower Hotel is located.

HTtY

HTTY - I agree with you, but would not suggest walking from the retail core (i.e. Westlake area) to either Pike Place Market area or Pioneer Square at night. Even the buses could be iffy for a lone female.

Walking to Capitol Hill is easy enough, but don't forget we're talking about Seattle in March. You may well arrived soaked. Same goes for walking around at night - splish splash.

I'd have a look at the Stranger for comprehensive music (also restaurant and bar) options - http://www.thestranger.com/

The walk to Capitol Hill is not far (between 1-2 miles depending exactly where to where you are going). But it is *UP* hill. You might like to use Metro bus to go up, then walk back.

I wouldn't wander around in Pioneer Square or International District at night alone. But I would feel comfortable, say walking from Jazz Alley to the Mayflower Park, all right in the central downtown core.

I would not wander around the international district or Pioneer square at night. Kinda dodgy. Take a taxi when it doubt - they are quite reasonable. Capital hill has some great restaurant choices.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your help.

I would feel fine walking around Capitol Hill at night. It's a "hip" district and there's always lots of people out on the streets. (I live here.)

In Pioneer Square there are some clubs, but there are also a lot of homeless people, three "missions", etc. Maybe not dangerous, but I wouldn't do it (I work here.)

I'm here, Suze thank you so much for the Mayflower rec in a couple threads. Perfect location for me and great value for the money.

Happytrails, I think it was you in another thread you mentioned World Spice. I never would have found that, and loved it,so thank you too!

Several eating pleasures today and haven't even had dinner yet The highlight was stopping for a late afternoon glass of wine and chicken liver pate at Le Pichet...divine!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!! and WELCOME to Seattle. Hey we've got some nice sunny weather for you here today.

Ooooh love Le Pichet.

You're very welcome about the Mayflower Park. Love that hotel!