Seattle work trip in January with 3 vacation days
Jan 19th, 2019, 06:17 AM
#21
The ten-day forecast for the area looks like there isn't going to be a lot of rain through the first of February, which is good if surprising news.
Let me suggest a couple of areas in Seattle itself for you to research. Google is your friend.
West Seattle water taxi and Alki walk. The West Seattle Water Taxi runs from the downtown ferry dock over to Seacrest Park in West Seattle, from which there's a bike/pedestrian path that runs around Duwamish Head to Alki Beach. Unfortunately it operates on weekdays only, so if one of your "town" days is Mon-Fri, it's a great experience. kc-water-taxi-sr99-closure.pdf There's a great cafe, Marination Ma Kai, with good Korean/Hawaiian food and an excellent bar, right on the water taxi pier, and you can rent bikes (or kayaks if you brought your wet suits) that you can take along the waterfront to Alki Beach, where there are lots more shops and cafes, and also our own wee Statue of Liberty, along with killer views of passing ferries and the Olympic Mountains. There's also a free shuttle bus that connects to the water taxi if you don't feel like walking. Map - https://goo.gl/maps/F6DkVMfN6h22
Water taxi arriving in West Seattle -
Alki Beach -
Fishermen's Terminal and Ballard Locks. Seattle's Fishermen's Terminal is the home port for much of the Puget Sound fishing fleet and a sizable chunk of the Alaska fleet. At this time of year the big crab boats (Deadliest Catch et al) are going to be up in the Bering Sea doing their thing, but the salmon boats will all be around, and it's a terrific place for strolling. One of our favorite family things is to head up to the Bay Cafe, a great diner that overlooks the boats, for one of the best breakfasts in town, then walk off the carbs wandering up and down the piers and finger floats among the boats and nets and the various crew members while they work on their vessels. There's also a great sit-down restaurant, Chinook's, overlooking the boats too. From Fishermen's Terminal it's not a long walk (or a 5-minute drive) to the Ballard Locks, where you can watch the boats rise and fall as they pass from the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Lakes Union and Washington down to salt water on Puget Sound. In the winter there is relatively less pleasure boat traffic, but usually there's something going on. It's a fun walk. If you're REALLY energetic and on foot, you can cross the locks and continue on to Ballard. Here's a walking map - https://goo.gl/maps/eGiHqZpTMdT2
Union Bay wetlands. This is an area under the radar for many visitors, but a very nice one. At the point where the Lake Washington Ship Canal meets Lake Washington near the University of Washington, there's a big complex of wetlands and sloughs that are habitat for all sorts of birds and animals. There are walking paths and boardwalks that allow access to the area, and when you're in it it feels like you're a hundred miles from the big city. It's a terrific walk on winter days, and as Simon and Garfunkel said, the animals will thank you if you do. Map - https://goo.gl/maps/94mWAM7TDr72 Walk through the UW campus, maybe go to the Henry Art Gallery on campus, or end up (or start) at Agua Verde, a waterfront Mexican cantina (and kayak rental company) for great margaritas or burritos.
Let me suggest a couple of areas in Seattle itself for you to research. Google is your friend.
West Seattle water taxi and Alki walk. The West Seattle Water Taxi runs from the downtown ferry dock over to Seacrest Park in West Seattle, from which there's a bike/pedestrian path that runs around Duwamish Head to Alki Beach. Unfortunately it operates on weekdays only, so if one of your "town" days is Mon-Fri, it's a great experience. kc-water-taxi-sr99-closure.pdf There's a great cafe, Marination Ma Kai, with good Korean/Hawaiian food and an excellent bar, right on the water taxi pier, and you can rent bikes (or kayaks if you brought your wet suits) that you can take along the waterfront to Alki Beach, where there are lots more shops and cafes, and also our own wee Statue of Liberty, along with killer views of passing ferries and the Olympic Mountains. There's also a free shuttle bus that connects to the water taxi if you don't feel like walking. Map - https://goo.gl/maps/F6DkVMfN6h22
Water taxi arriving in West Seattle -
Alki Beach -
Fishermen's Terminal and Ballard Locks. Seattle's Fishermen's Terminal is the home port for much of the Puget Sound fishing fleet and a sizable chunk of the Alaska fleet. At this time of year the big crab boats (Deadliest Catch et al) are going to be up in the Bering Sea doing their thing, but the salmon boats will all be around, and it's a terrific place for strolling. One of our favorite family things is to head up to the Bay Cafe, a great diner that overlooks the boats, for one of the best breakfasts in town, then walk off the carbs wandering up and down the piers and finger floats among the boats and nets and the various crew members while they work on their vessels. There's also a great sit-down restaurant, Chinook's, overlooking the boats too. From Fishermen's Terminal it's not a long walk (or a 5-minute drive) to the Ballard Locks, where you can watch the boats rise and fall as they pass from the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Lakes Union and Washington down to salt water on Puget Sound. In the winter there is relatively less pleasure boat traffic, but usually there's something going on. It's a fun walk. If you're REALLY energetic and on foot, you can cross the locks and continue on to Ballard. Here's a walking map - https://goo.gl/maps/eGiHqZpTMdT2
Union Bay wetlands. This is an area under the radar for many visitors, but a very nice one. At the point where the Lake Washington Ship Canal meets Lake Washington near the University of Washington, there's a big complex of wetlands and sloughs that are habitat for all sorts of birds and animals. There are walking paths and boardwalks that allow access to the area, and when you're in it it feels like you're a hundred miles from the big city. It's a terrific walk on winter days, and as Simon and Garfunkel said, the animals will thank you if you do. Map - https://goo.gl/maps/94mWAM7TDr72 Walk through the UW campus, maybe go to the Henry Art Gallery on campus, or end up (or start) at Agua Verde, a waterfront Mexican cantina (and kayak rental company) for great margaritas or burritos.
Last edited by Gardyloo; Jan 19th, 2019 at 06:19 AM.
Jan 19th, 2019, 12:01 PM
#22
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My current favorite palce to visit in Seattle is the Chihuly Garden and Glass - stunning! For a lovely tropical break in the winter, I'd suggest a visit to the Volunteer Park Conservatory. I love taking visitors to the Hiram Chittendom Locks in Ballard, but in the winter it won't have as much boat traffic and you won't see a lot of salmon in the fish ladder.
Do have a nice lunch somewhere with a view.
Enjoy your time in Seattle.
Do have a nice lunch somewhere with a view.
Enjoy your time in Seattle.
Jan 19th, 2019, 06:44 PM
#23
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Thanks again Gardyloo. I’ll do my research. DH said to tell you I talk to Google all the time! Thanks for the great ideas tailored to my husband’s likes. Again your pics are breathtaking.
Jan 19th, 2019, 07:06 PM
#25
For Seattle, I enjoyed the Underground Tour -
UNDERGROUND TOUR
LaConner is a great trip. Wish you were there a little later when the daffodils or tulips were in bloom.
I had a nice day trip to Gig Harbor last month, thanks to Garyloo's suggestion. I'd love to return and stay overnight.
But if I had 3 days to play with, without a doubt I'd take the ferry over to Victoria, BC. A little touch of England over here. Afternoon tea at the Empress. Stay at the Empress if you can! And then a trip out to Butchart Gardens. Amazing!
My first stop in Seattle is always Pike's Place and then to the Athenian, up the steps to sit and eat in front of the window to watch the ferries, ships and water traffic -
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...ashington.html
Always.
You may enjoy a trip out to the Ballard Locks -
Ballard Locks ? My Ballard
I would love to take a houseboat tour (think Sleepless in Seattle) -
Sleepless in Seattle houseboat, Sleepless in Seattle floating home, Sleepless in Seattle Houseboat pictures, Sleepless in Seattle floating home photos, Seattle Tour sights include Sleepless in Seattle house boat, Seattle Locks Cruise, Cruise on Lake
I haven't yet, but it's on my list.
On one work trip, I drove out to Snoqualmie for night skiing -
https://summitatsnoqualmie.com/
It was lots of fun!
UNDERGROUND TOUR
LaConner is a great trip. Wish you were there a little later when the daffodils or tulips were in bloom.
I had a nice day trip to Gig Harbor last month, thanks to Garyloo's suggestion. I'd love to return and stay overnight.
But if I had 3 days to play with, without a doubt I'd take the ferry over to Victoria, BC. A little touch of England over here. Afternoon tea at the Empress. Stay at the Empress if you can! And then a trip out to Butchart Gardens. Amazing!
My first stop in Seattle is always Pike's Place and then to the Athenian, up the steps to sit and eat in front of the window to watch the ferries, ships and water traffic -
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...ashington.html
Always.
You may enjoy a trip out to the Ballard Locks -
Ballard Locks ? My Ballard
I would love to take a houseboat tour (think Sleepless in Seattle) -
Sleepless in Seattle houseboat, Sleepless in Seattle floating home, Sleepless in Seattle Houseboat pictures, Sleepless in Seattle floating home photos, Seattle Tour sights include Sleepless in Seattle house boat, Seattle Locks Cruise, Cruise on Lake
I haven't yet, but it's on my list.
On one work trip, I drove out to Snoqualmie for night skiing -
https://summitatsnoqualmie.com/
It was lots of fun!
Jan 20th, 2019, 06:36 AM
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LoriEd--Chihuly is not to be missed, IMO. The Argosy cruises are fantastic and my favorite one is the locks cruise, which goes through the Ballard Locks. Since your husband is interested in the Nordic Museum, allow time to experience Ballard. Go to the locks even if you do a cruise. It is an interesting place with a lot to see. We go there often and never tire of it, FWIW. Two fantastic bakeries in Ballard are Tall Grass Bakery and Cafe Besalu, which are right next door to each other on 24th, straight up from Market which is the Main Street o Ballard. Larsen's is further up on 24th near 80th. Another really good one is just south of Ballard and is called Byen. All of these are very good, and the first three are perfect to try if in Ballard. BTW, Ballard has a farmers market on Sundays that is not to be missed either. It is year round and the best one around! We are spending today at Whidbey. It is so close to use and we go there quite a bit, but I especially love it this time of year when there are not many people. Be sure to check out Ebey's Landing.
Jan 20th, 2019, 08:09 AM
#27
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Here are Cheryl's photos go the Chihuly Glass museum:
https://cherylmarlandphotography.smu...useum-Seattle/
Also, Besalu has the best croissants in the city.
https://cherylmarlandphotography.smu...useum-Seattle/
Also, Besalu has the best croissants in the city.
Jan 20th, 2019, 04:14 PM
#28
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Kathy—yes, those croissants are tasty! Their quiche and bread pudding are hits with us as well.
We spent the day wandering the Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island. Today was gorgeous for January, so I will post a couple pictures so you can see what it looks like this time of year.
We spent the day wandering the Skagit Valley and Whidbey Island. Today was gorgeous for January, so I will post a couple pictures so you can see what it looks like this time of year.
Were you here this past weekend? We were up at Mt Baker backpacking in the snow. Fantastic weather, yet again. Two gorgeous weekends in a row in January!
Jan 28th, 2019, 03:47 PM
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