wasn't clear on that. but if they board on saturday(?) doesn't allow them any more time. if not til sunday, different story for sure.

it is definitely about priorities but some things have to be left out no matter what you'd like due to TIME consumption. you showed that in mentioning trying to do Mt Rainier without a car. Unless that's ALL you want to do. this also involves the dates they are here. any idea what travel to Rainier will be like on a sunny july 4-5?? if the ship leaves Sunday, as has been suggested, more time available for sure. if not, you can maximize your time and do more by not using up time going to far afield. and if you think WPZ isn't unique you have not visited a lot of zoos.

Okay, I will admit I’m not a zoo fanatic, but I’ve been to zoos all over the US, including National and San Diego. So I’m curious as to why you think Seattle’s is so unique that it’s worth giving up half a day for when Boeing and Rainier are not.

(Personally, I wouldn’t choose any of them, I’d eat my way through Pike Place Market and go to the art museum or the Wing Luke instead. I’m just curious as to what is unique to you about it).

I said the ship sails Sunday evening. I misspoke; the scheduled sailing time is 3:30 PM Sunday afternoon. Thus the OP would want to be at the Pier 66 cruise terminal no later than 1 or 1:30 PM that day.

Long-distance out-of-town trips like Mt. Rainier involve a lot of time sitting in a car, and in early July there will still be six feet of snow on the ground on many/some of the trails around Paradise, and for that matter, the odds are 50-50 that you'll even be able to see the mountain through the clouds. I recommend local and/or sea-level excursions at that time of year. Don't forget the OP's next week is going to be spent seeing a lot of mountains and glaciers.

I think we've given a good overview of options. It's impossible to say what's "best" for people when you don't know their interests. I just think there is plenty to see and do right in downtown Seattle (counting from Seattle Center at the north end to Pioneer Square at the south end) that could easily fill a couple days.

Thanks for all the input, friends. Will discuss with the family. And, yes, the ship sails on Sunday afternoon, so we have half day on Thursday, all day Friday and Saturday.

I think you have about all the possible ideas rounded up here, as far as what you can present to your group for a vote

apologies. after rereading your OP, i see now that i misinterperated your line on boarding saturday night as when you might have to be onboard by, not when you were looking to have dinner.

Marvelous Mouse--I can't speak for others, but this is the only zoo where I've seen a Komodo dragon. Those are pretty rare to see in zoos. Woodland Park also has gorillas. At the time we went, you could sign up to feed the giraffes a special kind of large leaves.

Also good to hear the aquarium got an update. In the past, they had seahorses and seadragons. Curious if they are still one of the attractions.

Whether that is a better option than a day at Mount Rainier or Museum of Flight, etc., comes down to what the OP and her family are most interested in. I think Woodland Park Zoo is a viable option when the party has two grade school girls and a middle school girl.

Forgot to add this link...

https://www.timeout.com/usa/things-t...zoos-in-the-us

Another option along the lines of Jazz Alley is The Triple Door.

I’m surprised you haven’t seen Komodos a lot elsewhere—I think they’re pretty common these days. They weren’t in the 90s, I know, because that was one of the reasons I was really excited to go to San Diego as a kid.. but they’re usually one of the first animals I look for when I go to a zoo—that and elephants.

Good point about the gorillas! I don’t think I’ve done any of the special feedings. Like I said, I like the zoo—I think it’s a good one—I just don’t gravitate towards zoos.

fwiw, at the age of those kids, the highlight of any trip to Seattle was the pirate shop and Ivars on the waterfront 🤣

We don't need to pin things down for them (go to the zoo, don't go to the zoo)! As long as we give a nice menu of options (which I think we have) they can figure out which ones work for their group.

My main concern is underestimating the timing. They will really only have time to do a few things, especially if they start doing things outside of the downtown core.

5alive—I was a chaperone to the zoo when our son was in 1st grade. The Komodo dragon was new and it was a big deal. Mostly though I just remember having a raging headache on the school bus on the way home 😂

Suze: Re Triple Door, have you been there? What was it like. Food?, or should we just do drinks?

Sorry, missed this question. The food for Triple Door comes from Wild Ginger (upstairs) so I would expect it to be very good to excellent.

The big family meeting is this weekend to finalize plans. Here is what I am recommending:

Thursday 7/4, as we will have traveled 3200+ miles from the SE USA, likely just dinner, and stroll around downtown and bed. The fireworks are at 10:30 pacific time, so that means 1:30 am our time.

Friday 7/5: Husband and I are having brunch with long time friends who live in the area. Will recommend the rest of the group see Pioneer Square. Dinner for the adults at Dimitrio's Jazz Alley. Family with kids will do something else.

Saturday 7/6: Girls going on a VIP food tour of the Market (starts before the market opens). Guys and kids will figure something out. Then to the Space Needle and Chihuly Gardens. Dinner is looking like Suze's recommendation of Cutters Crabhouse. I am pleased to see a kids menu and ability to make reservations.

Again, thank you to all for your recommendations. Husband and I will visit Seattle again to do some of the other things you have suggested.

Sounds like a plan! Enjoy!!

RNCheryl - I just got back from a cruise on the Norwegian Bliss on Sunday. You will love the ship. Sorry I can't help with your Seattle questions, but if you want any info on the Bliss, let me know.

Cheryl, did you get my PM on the Bliss info you asked about?

Yes, I sure did. Thanks again!