Search

Visiting Seattle

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 3rd, 2019 | 08:07 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Visiting Seattle

Visiting Seattle for a week during November. Will also be my first time to the US.

Any suggestions/advice regarding dos & don'ts? Also, worthwhile sites to see & things to do?

Thanks in advance!
D1rtyD0g is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2019 | 04:43 AM
  #2  
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,544
Likes: 0
In a first trip to Seattle, it's worth the effort to see the main attractions the city is famous for... Pike Place Market, Space Needle, water activity, are great starts... consider Seattle City Pass for discount admissions, take a hop/on hop/off trolley ride, Seattle Duck tour and then focus in on the things you are interested in... have fun.
garyt22 is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2019 | 05:39 AM
  #3  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
I agree with Gary, except for the Duck Tour. We thought it was cheezy even when the kids were young, and now with their safety record there is no way I would suggest it.

November weather can be anything. If you are coming over Thanksgiving, know that the Seattle Marathon is Sunday of that weekend, so many hotels get booked up for that Saturday night and then there are road closures on Sunday. Many people will say to not come since the weather tends to be rainy and it gets dark early. I don't mind this at all, but I am a PNW native so maybe its in my genes, lol. I actually love the city in the winter. As Gary suggested, do the main attractions. Just have a light rain jacket and you will be fine.
Fodorite018 is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2019 | 07:46 AM
  #4  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 0
I agree that I would probably skip the Duck in November as well, depending on the weather. If you are interested in glass art I would definitely recommend seeing the Chihuly Garden and Glass at the Seattle Center is also well worth a visit and is very interesting in the fall and winter as well given the live planting outside where glass works are placed among the gardens.

https://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/

Also if you don't already know it Seattle is also a big coffee and micro brew beer city-both of which are great activities if the weather turns out to be less than ideal during your visit. Milstead and Co. is one of my favorite coffee places. It is in Fremont which is a neighborhood well worth visiting-very arty with lots of local attractions to visiting including the Troll and the Lenin statue-you can google those to find out more info. Here is the link to Milstead:

milsteadandco

I would also add taking a ferry boat ride to Bainbridge island my list of things to do. You can just hop on a ferry at the waterfront and walk off and go have lunch in the little city center of Winslow-it makes for a fun afternoon even in grey weather.
jpie is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2019 | 08:10 AM
  #5  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 98,177
Likes: 12
Have you found a place to stay yet? Are you getting a hotel? Or hostel? Or B&B? Or apartment?

Downtown Seattle is convenient for the main tourist sites like Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square. But you might enjoy a residential area nearby like staying on Capitol Hill or in Fremont or Ballard?

If you are interested in music, theater, or just general goings-on, pick up (or check out online) the alternative newspaper called The Stranger. Also the Seattle Times has a good entertainment section on Fridays. These two to find special events going on during the time you're here.

November can be pretty dreary weather-wise. You'll want to read up on indoor and in-city activities most likely to maximize your trip.
suze is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2019 | 09:47 AM
  #6  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
November is the highest rainfall month in Seattle, which is why I (a Seattle resident) usually travel somewhere warmer and drier during November. Also, remember Seattle is located pretty far north, so days are quite dark.
Kathie is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2019 | 12:18 PM
  #7  
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 0
For visitors, is the underground tour at Pioneer Sqaure worthwhile? Giving it some thought for our short trip later this month to attend a Yankees-Mariners game. A day trip to Bainbridge Island is already on our list of activities.
curiousgeo is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2019 | 12:51 PM
  #8  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,027
Likes: 0
We really enjoyed the underground tour at Pioneer Square, yes. Early Seattle history and the story of the how the tides and toilets interacted was eye-opening as well.
sludick is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2019 | 01:24 PM
  #9  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
I took the underground Seattle Tour when it first started, circa 1969 and really enjoyed it.
Kathie is offline  
Old Aug 4th, 2019 | 02:12 PM
  #10  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 0
I would also back the opinions of the others about the Underground Tour, especially as it sounds like you might be staying close to that area if you are going to a game. Do be aware there are some stairs and uneven footing on the tour just in case that might be an issue for you.
jpie is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2019 | 11:34 AM
  #11  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 98,177
Likes: 12
I thought the Underground Tour was very fun and funny. My sister wanted to do it when she visited a couple years ago. We went on the original Bill Speidel one. I wouldn't consider it an absolutely "must do" if your time is short though.
suze is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2019 | 01:29 PM
  #12  
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 0
Thanks for your replies on the tour, sounds fun and interesting. And suze, I’d rather do the tour than go shopping with my wife lol.
curiousgeo is offline  
Old Aug 5th, 2019 | 02:23 PM
  #13  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 98,177
Likes: 12
You can say that again. I hate shopping!

The Underground Tour shows you a few physical cool places in the basements and underground, but it's more about the patter of the guides and the way they tell the colorful story of our colorful founding mothers and fathers of this city. It is quite a tall tale! While you're in the neighborhood, also hit the Klondike Museum. It's a couple blocks from the tour, free, national park, only takes 20 mins or so, with exhibitions and interactive displays from the Gold Rush era.
suze is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
calgary1989
United States
9
Sep 4th, 2013 09:49 AM
JC98
United States
11
Dec 22nd, 2010 06:08 PM
BringTheBaby
United States
4
Oct 15th, 2009 12:25 PM
jabice
United States
23
Aug 26th, 2004 06:56 AM
Jay
United States
9
Nov 6th, 2002 07:57 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -