A friend and I are planning a mid August getaway for four or five nights to Seattle. We are late 50's and both love art museums, galleries, fun shops and food. I am hoping to get a room on Priceline or Hotwire - any suggestions as to which area we should concentrate in. Do we need to rent a car? I am thinking we should at least for a couple days

We are interested in Chihuly. Would really appreciate any advice in terms of areas to bid on, things to do, restaurants (we like just about any kind of food but don't want to break the bank), museums, markets etc

I am thinking of a ferry ride one day to Bainbridge Island, possibly a trip to winery (any suggestions), and not sure what else. Thanks so much as usual
Pam

If you want to see glass, with an emphasis on Chihuly, rent a car and go to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. The Murano Hotel in Tacoma also has some distinctive glass pieces as part of the decor. With that exception, you can get around Seattle just fine without a car.

Check on the Coastliner commuter trains to Tacoma. The Museum of Glass is within walking distance of the Tacoma train station. You'll find a lot of fun and inexpensive ethnic restaurants in the Pike Market area. Seattle Art Museum is on 2nd just above the market and the new Sculpture Park is north within walking distance. Ask your concierge for info and maps. You can't go wrong walking around downtown Seattle. It's a very compact city. Check out what's happening at the Seattle Center. Take the monorail one way and walk back through Belltown (or along 5th Ave). See what's playing at the 5th Ave, ACT, Paramount or other live theater. Bus transport is good and free within the downtown zone.

Seattle Art Museum now has a Impressionist exhibit that is worth seeing (unless you're a New Yorker or from France and are used to seeing the really great stuff!)

If you're a Chihuly lover (as I am), you might also want to check out the train station in Tacoma, the Tacoma Art Museum, Washington Mutual Plaza building in towntown Seattle, the Sheraton in Seattle, and the Seattle Aquarium.

Have a great trip.

There is a beautiful Chihuly piece in the lobby of the Alexis Hotel.

Oddly, the Museum of Glass in Tacoma has *no* Chihuly pieces, though there is an adjacent "Bridge of Glass" that is packed with Chihuly work.

In Tacoma, its' the Tacoma Art Museum that has a permanent collection of early Chihuly work.

You can get between Seattle and Tacoma without a car, but you'll find getting around Tacoma after you arrive will likely require driving.

Assagio's
Pink Door
Dahlia Lounge
Etta's
Anthony's Pier 66/Bell St Diner
Emmett Watson's Oyster Bar
Wann's on 2nd Ave
Ohana
Frontier Room BBQ
Cafe Campagne
... are a few of my personal favorites downtown Seattle

Come to my neighborhood... 15th Avenue East on Capitol Hill. In Volunteer Park there is the Asian Art Museum branch of SAM, plus a very pretty old plant conservatory.

Then walking back along 15th there's lots of fun restaurants for lunch, Jamjuree Thai is my favorite, but Jalisco mexican, Olympia pizza, Coastal Kitchen, 22 Door, Liberty, Smith, Remedy Tea, Teapot Vegetarian are all also good.

It's only a couple miles from downtown easy to reach by bus (or if by car there's plenty of street parking near Volunteer Park).

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I will review in detail over the weekend

Made reservations today - got a great deal - airfare plus hotel (Red Lion downtown) for four nights for $610 apiece (from Columbus OH) We arrive at noon on August 14th and leave around midnight on August 18th - so we will have almost five days.

Anyone aware of anything special (festivals,art fairs etc) happening during the time we will be there. We will definitely take train to Tacoma one day to museum and to bridge - sounds just like what we will enjoy. Any recommendations for eating, shopping etc in that area (remember we will be using public transport)

Am sure we will go to Pike Place Market one day and probably to ARt Museum for impressionist exhibit.

I was in Seattle five years ago on way to Alaskan cruise and I remember taking a ferry to Bainbridge Island and just enjoying being on the ferry. Would that be a good place to go for a day or is there another ferry ride that is equally as good or better -

Thanks so much
Pam

Buckeyeknitter- loved this place when I was in Seattle last year. Small plates in the wine bar were excellent. House wine also very good.

http://www.baroloseattle.com/index2.html

Have fun!

I like Purple Cafe & Wine bar...very close to you (at 4th and University).

You'll easily be able to walk to the Market. I would definitely eat at Matt's in the Market (get reservations).

You can search for events in the Seattle area here:

http://edb.seattletimes.nwsource.com...oth_sr.cfm?d=1

Buckeyeknitter,

For $3, as a potential alternative to Bainbridge Island, I enjoyed the 10-minute ferry ride with Elliott Bay Water Taxis across the Puget Sound to West Seattle. They have a bike rental at the ferry dock in West Seattle and it's maybe a 15-20 minute leisurely pedal (and about an hour walk) to Alki Beach and the strip of restaurants surrounding. An incredible stretch of scenery with beach & mountains (especially on a good visibility day).

The ferries leave about every half-hour and your ticket is good for transferring onto the city bus system. The water taxi I picked up in downtown Seattle by the Argosy Cruise pier (Pier 55?)a few blocks from Pike Place. Market.

The water taxi's a fun alternative suggestion.

But for a walk-on ferry ride, yes, Bainbridge Island really is the best one from downtown Seattle.