roundthebend

One of my favorite places is The Hiram M Chittenden Locks, on the inner city waterway that runs from Lake Washington to Puget Sound. At the Locks, anything from small pleasure craft to immense yachts to very large commercial vessels are transported up or down from lake level to sound level, or vice versa. It's fun to see the boats and all the activity surrounding the mooring and release of the vessels. There's also a great fish ladder viewing area at the Locks, where you can see salmon on their annual migration into the lake to spawn in its tributaries. There's a great park connected to the property, with some exotic species, and a small museum explaining the history. Finally, some of the best fast food fish and chips is available across the street from the parking lot at Totem Fish and Chips.

Another must see is Seattle from a small boat on Lake Union. Head for The Wooden Boat Center on the S side of Lake Union and rent a small boat (row or sail) and wander around the lake looking at the houseboats and the city.

sf7307

Speaking strictly as a long-weekend tourist, we have really enjoyed the locks, Pioneer Square and the Underground Tour. Kids liked the EMP (I was not with them). We all enjoyed the Duck Tour. We have been to a game at the old ballpark, so we have to return for one at Safeco. BTW, we have had spectacular weather all but once.

sf7307

Oh, and we LOVE Pike Place Market!

cleo9340

Personally we drove south to see Mount Saint Helens for a day and stayed overnight at a bed and breakfast. The area was fascinating. Apparently that area gets lots of international visitors because a post volcanic area is hard to find and we are lucky enough to have one.

Also, the owners of the bed and breakfast recommended a hiking trail for us and we did that for 1/2 a day.

Just a thought. Depends on what YOU like to do.

wtm003

Thanks for asking the question - bookmarking.

katrinab

I've been visiting Seattle for years (family) and finally made it to the Museum of Flight last May. I can't believe it took me so long! Often overlooked but really a GREAT museum!

And of course Pikes Place. I make a visit on every trip

Restaurants: La Cocina y Cantina in Capitol Hill, Shanghai Garden in the International District--get the barley green noodles. I DREAM about them!

Info from my last trip:
http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot....est-coast.html

RhettP

I just got back from Seattle and I wanted to share my general impressions. I have to say that I was somewhat impressed with the city and I wish I had more time to spend there especially in the surrounding areas outside of downtown. I'll do that next time. I did like how the downtown area is on the water and the buildings downtown take advantage of the great views. The restaurants and shops downtown are decent and the locals were extremely friendly and knowledgeable.

Almost always when I go to a new city I get the tourist attractions out of the way so we did the tour on the water, Pikes Place area, downtown, International district, Pioneer Square, EMP, and of course the space needle. We ate at Ivar's in the fish district and the seafood was OK but I have definitely had much better on the East Coast - in Florida, Maine, and South Carolina, but we all know that the food in the East (well Southeast) is much better than anything on the West Coast.

Overall, the city felt like a few other cities I have lived in and visited. If you meshed Atlanta, San Francisco, and Denver together you would get Seattle. It didn't feel anything like what I thought it was going to be like. If I had the chance to live there I would have to decline on the cold weather alone. It was rainy and cold the entire time. If I did have to live there I would probably spend all of my time inside. The surrounding water is great but what is the point if you can't go to the beach or go swimming in it.

The stay was enjoyable until we went to Pioneer Square and the International district. After 6 pm those areas turn into high crime areas - drug dealers and bums were all over the place asking for money. Everybody above mentioned that it was definitely a place to visit, but after visiting those areas I didn't really see anything to it. We ate at Jade Dragon and the food was great but that was really about it. The ID area is dingy, deserted and has has very little charm. I really can't say much more about Pioneer Square.

This is a great city to visit and it did give me a good escape away from Los Angeles, but there are much better cities to visit when it comes to attractions, food, and people. My favorites are New York, Chicago, L.A., San Diego, and best of all - Charleston SC - the most charming city of them all.

suze

<we all know that the food in the East is much better than anything on the West Coast>
That is so ridiculous I will refrain from comment.

<was rainy and cold the entire time>
It is *WINTER* for goodness sakes!

Fodorite018

suze--I think he is a local. You know...it rains 12 months out of the year and you never see the sun

takemethere

we ate brunch (on a Sunday) on top of the Space Needle during the Thunderbird fly-in and it was great. if you would enjoy the Sear Tower or Empire State Bldg, you'd enjoy the Space Needle

suze

Sorry but eating at Ivar's then complaining there's no decent food on the entire "West Coast" & complaining it's cold and rainy in Seattle in February, are hardly legitimate!! We have butter in Seattle too. And we use it. No he's not a local, he's a southerner!
Suze (in Seattle)

Fodorite018

LOL, I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but after the last post...well, lol!

Sorry Rhett, I have lived in the south too and it is not my cup of tea. Good thing we all have our preferences.

rosetravels

Someone at at Ivar's? That's just crazy.

Ivars is to Northwest seafood as Olive Garden is to Italian. When I order salmon at my fish market or a restaurant I know what river it came from and how it was caught. Then there's the berries. We have some great food.

clarasong

Actually, we are not encouraging anyone to move to Seattle, so it's good it was bad for you, if you were thinking of moving here LOL, but..we like it just like it is, damp, cozy, friendly and upbeat. and anyone who eats at Ivars and thinks he should expect a 'fine dining' experience needs to get an up to date Fodors Handbook...

Must see's in Seattle in the winter...hm...The Seattle Art Museum has one of the finest collections in the world, the Arboretum is always interesting, a short cruise on Puget Sound is fun, Dinner in the Space Needle is a trip, coffee at Starbucks to sit and chat, some of the best Chinese food in the world, a trip to the Olympic Penn., on and on...if you come again, perhaps you should plan ahead better...it is winter, you know.

suze

I'm still cracking up that someone would have the nerve to complain the weather is bad when they visit a place in the middle of winter.

Would I go to Vermont in January, then post what an awful state that is with all the snow you know?

5alive

Suze, do you really think this guy is serious? He wanted to "share his general impressions" implying he'd been sharing with you before...yet this is his first post.

JJ5

I'm going to Seattle to see the White Sox play in September. I'm thinking 5 days right now- and this thread helps. Thanks!

I know we will go to the Museum of Flight and rent a car to get outside for a day or two.

Both I and my SO absolutely do enjoy the small to moderate sized cities much more than the mega-ones.

RhettP

When I got back from the trip it was 85 degress in "WINTER." Gotta love Los Angeles.

And, Salmon isn't "real" seafood buddy.

rosetravels

How exactly is salmon not "real" seafood? Try at a minimum, wikipedia. It's not a fresh water fish, spends its life in the cold waters of the Pacific Ocean. The very best salmon for eating are from the big, wild rivers or lakes (Sockeye) of the northern Pacific Coast and spend nearly their entire lives in the ocean. It's seafood.

Yep, I do love Los Angeles too. Great place.

JJ5: in September be sure to go to the Ballard Locks. The salmon may be running by then, depending on the weather (the first rains of fall trigger their return from the sea to their rivers & spawning grounds) and that is an absolute 'must see.'

JJ5

Oh thanks, rosetravels. This is mid-September 12-18 or 13-19 thereabouts. My SO is a BIG,BIG fresh lake fisherman and hopes to go out too if the timing is right. We saw a program that occurred late, late August that took you to 3 different locations. But regardless, we will do Ballard Locks. THANK YOU.