space needle/general seattle
 

The Space Needle is supposed to have such a great view - but if the weather is overcast, does it really matter if you go in the daytime or nighttime? What about a visit at about 5:30 p.m. in spring (with the time change having already happened?) Ditto for harbor cruises - day or night better, assuming that it's cloudy or rainy? Also, any suggestions for fun things if you want to spend the whole day in the University District, after a college tour? Thanks!

I would wait and choose your activities depending on the weather. No sense going up the Space Needle if it's cloudy imo.

Do you really only want to stay in the U-District? I guess you could, but all of Seattle is only a few minutes away (10-15 mins. by car to downtown).

Unless the weather is truly spectacular, the Space Needle view is overrated. If you go, I'd recommend going up for breakfast -- you can then get a meal for much less than the dinner menu costs, and your visit to the observation deck is included.

Re: the U-District; you should of course explore the Ave; it's seedy but interesting. The campus is beautiful, (be sure to check out the main library's reading room) and you can walk across the bridge and visit the Arboretum, which is fabulous in the spring. The Museum of History and Industry is there as well. An upscale shopping center (University Village) is nearby.

I agree with the previous poster who suggested that you might rather stay downtown, but there are very frequent buses (#71,72,73) between the U-District and downtown... you don't need a car.

Sorry... Actually I didn't mean they need to STAY downtown, as in their hotel, only that they might want to get out and explore further than just the U-District.

here's the other thread with some comments