Touring by Car in Seattle
Jun 3rd, 2021, 05:28 PM
#22
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We booked months ago for a rental car for early June and got a relatively, for these days, good price. Our adult daughter, dealing with cancer complications, wants to see Seattle and WA state. We two and she will be in Seattle our first two days out of ten. Our dates are not optional as we don't know how quickly our daughter's cancer will advance. We are, all three, vaccinated and will wear masks. We will be based in a hotel between the Space Needle and the Bay. She can walk with us for those sights on our first day. We also plan a walk to the Olympic outdoor art park, and may get as far on foot as Pike Place Market, depending on her energy. We plan to keep all sightseeing outdoors, because of the Covid threat. I have copied car touring suggestions for Seattle from the post regarding college visits, but hope to find a route for our second day more simplified and efficient for our particular needs, not involving colleges. I would be grateful for a one day (maybe four hours) car itinerary that begins and ends at the Space Needle that would give our daughter a glimpse of the best outdoor sights Seattle has to offer, perhaps with suggestions for an outdoor lunch break or picnic lunch purchase. Thank you for your patience with my requests.
I think that even if all of your printed planning blew away in the wind, that you would do just fine for time and experiences shared with your daughter. There is SO much to see just while driving around in the direction of your choosing/impulse, that you can't help but have a memorable time. Don't worry beyond mere masks indoors about the Covid threat, particularly given you're all vaccinated.
The scenery just outside of the city in most directions is a major enhancement, and the Pike Place Market is a microcosm of your entire trip, in that you can only pick one or two paths through the market, and one or two spots to eat on a trip there... even though there are a myriad of options all around you. Just have fun, and don't spend too much time or concern trying to stick to a narrow, planned path or itinerary.
Jun 12th, 2021, 07:36 AM
#23
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Thank you, Gardyloo! We did your #1 suggestion for the driving tour as we had beautiful weather and the outdoor locations were ideal! We finished with lunch at Blu Water in Leschi Park with a view of young residents enjoying the beach on a very hot June day. We were advised at Pike Place Market that the fish throwers have not been allowed yet to throw! My daughter wanted to go to the top of the Space Needle, and though I had done that years ago, I was happy to accompany her. I may be wrong, but it seemed the glass floors on one level were not glass before. Anyway, she is afraid of heights, but wanted to face her fears by walking on the glass floor and leaning on the glass window extensions on the other level. I watched and took pictures! We could have used another day for Seattle as we were so tired from our flight the first day--advice to all, allow a minimum of three days for Seattle.
Jun 12th, 2021, 07:58 AM
#24
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Thank you, jpie! Kerry Park was the very best orientation view for Seattle and we made it a point to stop there on our way from SeaTac to our hotel. Our daughter was thrilled, as were we! June 1 was a beautiful, sunny warm day and Rainier was exposed in all its glory. Seattle never looked finer. The fish throwers at Pike Place were not yet allowed to throw. Many of the shops were closed by the time we arrived. We ate take out from Beecher's across the street. My daughter wanted to go to the top of the Space Needle, so that was another first day experience. The second day we followed gardyloo's suggestions for a driving tour of the parks around the perimeter of the island, finishing with lunch at Blu Water in Leschi Park. After that we enjoyed a driving trip over seven more days including Snoqualmie Falls with lunch at Twede's in North Bend, a three day stay in Gig Harbor to visit family, a stay in Ocean Shores for the beach and a stay at Lake Quinault Lodge in Olympic National Park. We are grateful to all on this forum who offered advice! We wanted a pleasant trip for our daughter and you all helped us plan it!
Jun 13th, 2021, 07:40 AM
#25
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So glad you had great weather-we have had a lot of cool rainy weather since then (including today), so your timing was great. You are right that the Space Needle did not have a glass floor when you last visited. That addition happened with its renovation in 2017. Here is a link that shows some of the before and after pictures if you are interested:
https://www.spaceneedle.com/renovation
Your trip sounds like it was everything you and your family wanted-so happy that you had a good time!
https://www.spaceneedle.com/renovation
Your trip sounds like it was everything you and your family wanted-so happy that you had a good time!
Jun 15th, 2021, 07:10 AM
#27
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Suze as per your advice, we realized that Seattle and WA might not quite yet be ready for prime time. You were right and it wasn't. We feel we made the most of what was available, and being forewarned was helpful. We'd had our vaccines, we wore our masks and we avoided the crowds. Crowds were still relatively light in the popular sites. Thanks for your realistic advice as we made our plans!
Jun 15th, 2021, 05:57 PM
#28
Thank you. And you are most welcome! That is very kind of you to remember me, and to say. Just today over on Trip Advisor Seattle forum I'm taking heat for being "too bleak" in my description of Seattle, when people ask about coming here this summer -lol!
Last edited by suze; Jun 15th, 2021 at 06:01 PM.
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