We recenty spent three days in Seattle before and after a cruise. We loved it and want to go back...but for how long? We've done the market and Space Needle. What are your favorite things to do? How long should we plan on staying? We're wide open.

My favorite was Mt Rainier (I took a bus tour)

Well I came here on vacation in the '80s and have stayed about 25 years


My favorite suggestions depend somewhat on what time of year you want to visit. I love many of the various outdoor festivals, street fairs, block parties, Bumbershoot, Folk Life, Bon Adori, Halloween, New Years Eve, etc.

Pioneer Square historic district and Chinatown/International district are fun. There's loads of great parks: the Arboretum, Discovery Park, Alki Beach, Golden Gardens, etc.

Ferry rides, sea planes, Clipper to Victoria, San Juan Islands, Whidbey, the coastline out at Long Beach, Graylands, Ocean Shores or over thru Snoqualmie Falls, out to Winthrop/Mazama in the North Cascades.

There really are quite a lot of threads about Seattle and the region, and while seriously clunky, the search function is probably up to the job.

What are your interests and what would be your timing?

Interests are as wide open as our timing. We're retired so our trip could range from one to three weeks or more.

What would be the best time to visit?

I love the study of whales, actually antyhing about the ocean. We love good food and good wine. We've been to BC so VIctoria and Vancouver are unnecessary. We're both into history. My wife loves antiques. As a USAF vet, Boeing is of interest. Microsoft is also.

My goal is to pick a few brains before trying to plan a trip.

Thanx for your response.

If you will have a car, you could drive to Woodinville and check out a couple of wineries--Chateau Ste Michelle, Columbia and I think some others are there. If you are so inclined, you could book a dinner at the (in)famous herbfarm Restaurant, also in Woodinville.

Driving to the Olympic National Forest was one of my favorite things that we did on our last trip, although we only spent a few hours, barely scratched the surface.

I would come in the summer. Even though things may be a bit more crowded, it would be worth it to have a chance at better weather for the kinds of things you are interested in seeing and doing. Late spring or early fall are good too but more chance of range. I would not suggest visiting Seattle in the winter-time.

If you're into whales, drive to Anacortes (1 1/2 hours N of Seattle) and catch the ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. They have whalewatching tours and almost always are successful at spotting them. Nice scenery too!

There really isn't much more to see in Seattle proper except for the art museum. But outside there is a lot: 1) visit the locks and salmon run 35 minutes north of Seattle and visit the Boeing factory for a tour. 2) take the ferry to quaint Whidbey Island 3) if you are into hiking and national parks don't miss Olympic National Park, a very underrated gem.
Because of the rain and gloom, you should only visit this city from mid June to the end of September.

<There really isn't much more to see in Seattle proper except for the art museum.>

I will be respectful of another person's opinion, but WOW, that is one hard to believe generalization! I've got to wonder how much time Barney18 has spent here in Seattle. Especially with the comment about the gloomy weather. Simply not true. There are plenty of beautiful days in the early spring, late fall, even in the dead of winter when it is crisp and clear and sunny.

Jim, Re Microsoft, the campus is all spread out like a college, and in many locations. There is a small history museum on the main campus in Redmond. It focuses on the history of the personal computer and is interesting if you're into that kind of thing. You'd need to pair with an employee to go to the store, which is in the same building.

Jim, a few thoughts:
The Boeing tour: http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/tours/

The Museum of Flight:
http://www.museumofflight.org

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park:
http://www.nps.gov/klse/

<There really isn't much more to see in Seattle proper except for the art museum.>

That is a truly silly statement.

Off the top of my head, things to see and do in Seattle proper besides the Seattle Art Museum:

Olympic Sculpture Garden
Seattle Center
Space Needle
Pioneer Square historic district
Smith Tower observation deck
Chinatown
the Waterfront
Pike Place Market
Seattle Public Library
new Seattle Streetcar (trolley)
the Monorail
Experience Music Project
Frye Museum