Seattle/San Juans Itinerary Help
Jun 21st, 2005, 02:03 PM
#1
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Seattle/San Juans Itinerary Help
Okay, need help with my itinerary. Would appreciate suggestions for activities...am bringing my very active Mother. We will have a car. I have been to Seattle before, but it was about 3 years ago.
Saturday, August 6 fly-into SEA. Have reservations about both Sorrento and Hotel Andra (CAN'T DECIDE WHICH PLACE TO STAY!) Will probably just wander around this day, visit Pike's Place - definitely just take in the sights.
Sunday, August 7 - suggestions? (besides the Space Needle?)
Monday, August 8 - thinking about a day trip to Mt. Rainier? What do you think? Where should we go? Would like to do leisurely hike and picnic.
Tuesday, August 9 - driving up to Anacortes to ferry over to Orcas. Planning on taking early AM ferry. Will spend the day exploring Orcas, checking into Inn at Ship Bay for 3 nights. Dinner reservations at Inn at Ship Bay.
Wed, August 10 - Whale Watching Tour booked with Eclipse Charters for afternoon.
Thur, August 11 - want to do some sea kayaking - outfitter suggestion?
Friday, August 12 - ferry back. Head to Seattle for overnight at Hotel Andra. Do you have an evening suggestion???
Saturday, August 13 - fly home.
Thanks so much for your help!!!! I really appreciate the support I get from the people on this forum.
Jessica
Saturday, August 6 fly-into SEA. Have reservations about both Sorrento and Hotel Andra (CAN'T DECIDE WHICH PLACE TO STAY!) Will probably just wander around this day, visit Pike's Place - definitely just take in the sights.
Sunday, August 7 - suggestions? (besides the Space Needle?)
Monday, August 8 - thinking about a day trip to Mt. Rainier? What do you think? Where should we go? Would like to do leisurely hike and picnic.
Tuesday, August 9 - driving up to Anacortes to ferry over to Orcas. Planning on taking early AM ferry. Will spend the day exploring Orcas, checking into Inn at Ship Bay for 3 nights. Dinner reservations at Inn at Ship Bay.
Wed, August 10 - Whale Watching Tour booked with Eclipse Charters for afternoon.
Thur, August 11 - want to do some sea kayaking - outfitter suggestion?
Friday, August 12 - ferry back. Head to Seattle for overnight at Hotel Andra. Do you have an evening suggestion???
Saturday, August 13 - fly home.
Thanks so much for your help!!!! I really appreciate the support I get from the people on this forum.
Jessica
Jun 21st, 2005, 02:34 PM
#2
The Andra is better located; the Sorrento is lovely but a bit of a walk (on some of the steepest hills in town) from most anywhere.
Aug 6-7 is the Grand Spasm of Seafair, Seattle's home-grown midsummer festivus. Over on Lake Washington the unlimited hydros will be roaring around, more than matched by the Blue Angels and other aircraft roaring overhead, scaring most household pets into bladder control deficiency. Major internal combustion weekend hereabouts.
(It's actually a very fun show - you might contact the hotel concierge to see if you can get tickets if you're interested. Definitely a locals thing, but big time.)
The rest of your itinerary sounds fine. Mt. Rainier on a Monday is a good idea - fewer day trippers.
Can't comment on sea kayaking. The people on Orcas ought to be able to help, or other posters here, presently.
Oh BTW it's the "Pike" market, not "Pike's" which is a peak someplace or other.
Aug 6-7 is the Grand Spasm of Seafair, Seattle's home-grown midsummer festivus. Over on Lake Washington the unlimited hydros will be roaring around, more than matched by the Blue Angels and other aircraft roaring overhead, scaring most household pets into bladder control deficiency. Major internal combustion weekend hereabouts.
(It's actually a very fun show - you might contact the hotel concierge to see if you can get tickets if you're interested. Definitely a locals thing, but big time.)
The rest of your itinerary sounds fine. Mt. Rainier on a Monday is a good idea - fewer day trippers.
Can't comment on sea kayaking. The people on Orcas ought to be able to help, or other posters here, presently.
Oh BTW it's the "Pike" market, not "Pike's" which is a peak someplace or other.
Jun 21st, 2005, 09:13 PM
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How about going to the NW Cascades National Pk on Aug 8 rather than Mt. Rainier? That is a spectacular area and is north of Seattle, closer to the San Juan Islands. People swear by Sun Mountain Lodge on the other side of the Cascades. Years ago we stayed in cabins with bunny rabbits running all over the grounds, but I can't remember the name of the place. Gardyloo, do you know?
Jun 22nd, 2005, 09:09 AM
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Without knowing your interests (art? baseball? parks? shopping?), it's hard to advise you on how to fill your time in Seattle, but there are dozens of threads on Seattle activities if you browse.
For your Mt. Rainier day trip (which is a great idea, by the way, given the rest of your itinerary), it's hard to choose between Sunrise and Paradise (the two main visitor's center areas). I think I prefer Sunrise-it has fewer of the tour bus crowds, but really, you can't go wrong. Both places have picnic areas and hiking paths-I especially like the short hike to the Mt. Fremont lookout at Sunrise.
For your Mt. Rainier day trip (which is a great idea, by the way, given the rest of your itinerary), it's hard to choose between Sunrise and Paradise (the two main visitor's center areas). I think I prefer Sunrise-it has fewer of the tour bus crowds, but really, you can't go wrong. Both places have picnic areas and hiking paths-I especially like the short hike to the Mt. Fremont lookout at Sunrise.
Jun 22nd, 2005, 11:45 AM
#5
Truly, your Seattle question is tough to answer with no background of your interests. There's tons of things to see and do. People all think of the Space Needle which is fine if the weather is clear but only takes 1 hour.
For instance saw an article in the paper about the rose gardens at Woodland Park Zoo (which I'd forgotten all about). The Japanese Garden in the Arboretum. The conservatory at Volunteer Park.
And of course all the usual suspects like Pioneer Square historic district, underground tour there, Chinatown International District, Pike Place Market, aquarium, Experience Music Project, Seattle Art Museum, ferry ride, monorail ride, having lunch somewhere nice with a waterfront view (Etta's, Cutter's, Anthony's are my favs this summer for some reason).
For instance saw an article in the paper about the rose gardens at Woodland Park Zoo (which I'd forgotten all about). The Japanese Garden in the Arboretum. The conservatory at Volunteer Park.
And of course all the usual suspects like Pioneer Square historic district, underground tour there, Chinatown International District, Pike Place Market, aquarium, Experience Music Project, Seattle Art Museum, ferry ride, monorail ride, having lunch somewhere nice with a waterfront view (Etta's, Cutter's, Anthony's are my favs this summer for some reason).
Jun 23rd, 2005, 07:52 AM
#7
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Thanks for all the help. The suggestions sound great. My Mom and I both enjoy the outdoors. We also love gardens. We just love to stroll around, enjoy beauty, experience other cultural environments, and eat gourmet dinners.
We like to do some shopping, but we are not marathon-shoppers...
I was joking about the Space Needle (just had to throw something really touristy in there for a laugh)
Sorry about Pike Place Market misspell...yikes!
I am still up-in-the-air about Andra/Sorrento. I stayed at the Andra when it was the Claremont, and LOVED the location. I just would like to treat my Mom to a really nice, old lovely hotel like the Sorrento.....I just don't know if the location is a problem?
We like to do some shopping, but we are not marathon-shoppers...
I was joking about the Space Needle (just had to throw something really touristy in there for a laugh)
Sorry about Pike Place Market misspell...yikes!
I am still up-in-the-air about Andra/Sorrento. I stayed at the Andra when it was the Claremont, and LOVED the location. I just would like to treat my Mom to a really nice, old lovely hotel like the Sorrento.....I just don't know if the location is a problem?
Jun 23rd, 2005, 08:10 AM
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Take your mother to the Teatro Zinzanni-
its an interactive dinner theatre- not far from the space needle and is one of the most fun evenings you can imagine.
Its a cross between the Moulon Rouge and the Cirque de Soleil- the food is excellent. It is held in an wooden antique circus tent imported from Europe. The waiters and waitresses are all part of the show - and entertainment is going on constantly while you eat- I have been twice and would go again as the show changes frequently.
How about a visit to Edmonds- just a little north of Seattle on Sunday. The downtown area is very cute with lots of nice shops and restaurants. There are several beaches to walk on- I was there last weekend- love it!!
Another fun thing to do - in my opinion-
is a visit to Tillicum Village - an Indian Village- you get a meal of salmon cooked on planks which I thought was excellent- you can stay on the island as long as you want - there are walking trails- beautiful views of Mt Baker- I enjoyed it.
its an interactive dinner theatre- not far from the space needle and is one of the most fun evenings you can imagine.
Its a cross between the Moulon Rouge and the Cirque de Soleil- the food is excellent. It is held in an wooden antique circus tent imported from Europe. The waiters and waitresses are all part of the show - and entertainment is going on constantly while you eat- I have been twice and would go again as the show changes frequently.
How about a visit to Edmonds- just a little north of Seattle on Sunday. The downtown area is very cute with lots of nice shops and restaurants. There are several beaches to walk on- I was there last weekend- love it!!
Another fun thing to do - in my opinion-
is a visit to Tillicum Village - an Indian Village- you get a meal of salmon cooked on planks which I thought was excellent- you can stay on the island as long as you want - there are walking trails- beautiful views of Mt Baker- I enjoyed it.
Jun 23rd, 2005, 09:03 AM
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If you like gardens, the outdoors and just strolling around, a lot of Suze's suggestions (the Washington Park arboretum and Japanese Garden, the Fremont neighborhood, where you could eat, shop, and walk along the Burke Gilman trail along the ship canal, and the conservatory, lookout tower and cemetary, which has great views, at Volunteer Park) are good.
Walking much of 1st Avenue, from about Bell St. in Belltown, south to the Pike Place Market, and south still to Pioneer Square, is a good city walk-lots of interesting shops, architecture, restaurants. The new library at 4th and Madison is a lot of fun to check out.
Walking much of 1st Avenue, from about Bell St. in Belltown, south to the Pike Place Market, and south still to Pioneer Square, is a good city walk-lots of interesting shops, architecture, restaurants. The new library at 4th and Madison is a lot of fun to check out.
Jun 23rd, 2005, 09:42 AM
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If you should decide to walk around Pioneer Square, a great restaurant is Il Terrazza Carmine on 411 1st Ave. If you like italian food, it's the best! As others have mentioned, you will be here for Seafair which runs Aug. 5-7 and although everyone has their own opinion of it, I personally enjoy it primarily to see the Blue Angels show. If you should decide not to go to the fair, which does get pretty crowded, you will still be able to see them fly overhead on Lake Washington and I am sure the concierge can recommend a good viewing spot. Some view it on the 520 bridge. Have a great time. You probably picked the best month of the year to visit Seattle. Beautiful weather!!!
Jun 23rd, 2005, 05:14 PM
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I enjoyed reading all the suggestions as we are headed out to Seattle 1 week later and am looking for support for the places I am thinking about visiting. Got lots of that from these posts. I just have to say one thing...please don't blast me BUT..it is really unfair for people to book 2 sets of hotel reservations because they can't decided. It is a very busy time and by doing that, you prevent others from getting rooms. You also tie up good prices and leave just really expensive rooms if they are even available. So, be kind to others and let go of one set of hotel reservations. Sorry, but I just had to say this (I made ours in March and yes it was hard to choose).
I really appreciate it. We are really looking forward to our trip. I will be sure to write-up a Trip Report!
Jun 25th, 2005, 07:12 AM
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Jessica,
This is the only post about the San Juan Islands I've seen that makes good sense, because you have allowed sufficient days for the slow pace of island life. More often somebody is asking how to squeeze in a day in the San Juan Islands on their way from the Olympic National Park to the North Cascades Highway.
I look forward to your report.
Happy Trails
This is the only post about the San Juan Islands I've seen that makes good sense, because you have allowed sufficient days for the slow pace of island life. More often somebody is asking how to squeeze in a day in the San Juan Islands on their way from the Olympic National Park to the North Cascades Highway.
I look forward to your report.
Happy Trails
