Printable Version of Topic
Click here to view this topic in its original format
Dumpshock Forums _ Shadowrun _ Seattle sites
Posted by: Snow_Fox Jan 12 2008, 08:01 PM
My husband and I will be visiting Seattle this spring. Any suggestions for what I can see?
Posted by: Fortune Jan 12 2008, 08:26 PM
Starbucks. 
You might like to take a day trip down to Oregon and visit Crater Lake.
Posted by: Snow_Fox Jan 12 2008, 08:43 PM
we've got resevations at the hotel accross the street from the marketwhere they throw fish, one hotel's selling point was that they were on the same block as the first Starbucks.
Posted by: Fortune Jan 12 2008, 08:59 PM
Which hotel? I stayed at the Warwick (which was highly over-rated, and in no way worth its then 4-star rating) last time I was in Seattle, which wasn't too far fro those very markets.
Posted by: Momijizukamori Jan 12 2008, 09:04 PM
If you like clam chowder (the New England kind), there's a place called http://www.ivars.net/ which has hands down the best clam chowder I've ever had.
Posted by: Kyoto Kid Jan 12 2008, 10:41 PM
| QUOTE (Snow_Fox) |
| we've got resevations at the hotel accross the street from the market where they throw fish, one hotel's selling point was that they were on the same block as the first Starbucks. |
...I actually tried to figure out what the damage from a 5 kilo Sockeye Salmon would be thrown by one of these guys. I think it was something like (3rd ed terms) Str+1M (S). The +1 was for the weight of the fish.
..of course it could differ depending upon whether the fish was fresh of frozen. Maybe STR +1S when frozen.
...and no, you can't Dikote a Sockeye Salmon, it'd just burn to a crisp from the extreme temperatures used in the process and not be very tasty afterwards.
...Seriously though. check out the U-Dub and U-District (north of DT), the Arboretum (south & East of the U dub), and the Waterfront with old Streetcars that came from either Melbourne or Sydney Australia. JUst to the north is Gasworks Park, wiith the old refining apparatus still intact (thoug no longer operational). On a nice day (which you may not get in spring) It is a good place to watch the sailboats on Lake Union and kite fliers in the park.
Capitol Hill Just to the east of DT across I-5 is a chic district with shops, pubs, and nightclubs and home the the city's counterculture. It is compared by some to San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district. At the north end is imposing St Marks Cathedral (which is actually unfinished believe it or not) that houses one of the largest mechanical actions organs in the country (a huge 4 keyboard Flentrop built in 1965 the case of which is nearly 60' tall with 32' copper bass pipes in the façade).
South of DT there is the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field on S Marginal Way. They have the first 707 (the one Tex Johnson did a barrel roll with at the Seafair boat races in 1957) and a Concorde on permanent display among other noteworthy aircraft there.
Alas (thankfully) the Kingdome is no more but Safeco Field is a very interesting facility in that it has a retractable roof but is still an "open air" stadium. Yeah the Mariners kind of suck but a game at the Safe is still a pretty cool event.
Of course there is the obvious, The Seattle Centre. Though always stunning, the Space Needle now plays second fiddle to a large black glass tower (Don't remember which bank owns it now as there have be so many mergers), but the 360° view is still most impressive. The aforementioned skyscraper has a crappy observation deck that faces only to the southeast I believe.
[was getting ready to submit this when the power went out in the neighbourhood knocking all the wireless nodes offline.
...OK Violet (#93) time to put that heavy duty laser torch away. You''re grounded for the next month. Now go to your room (thank the Great Mother it's coated with WiFi blocking paint).]
Posted by: Snow_Fox Jan 13 2008, 04:16 AM
Thanks. My husband wants to see the Experience Music museum-whatever it's called.
Is the Seattle Underground worth a look?
I'm guessing I can look at the air over Pioneer Square and imagine the arcology.
I so cannot just lounge around the pool on a vacation so I'm looking for stuff to do.
Posted by: Tiger Eyes Jan 13 2008, 05:06 AM
| QUOTE (Snow_Fox) |
| I so cannot just lounge around the pool on a vacation so I'm looking for stuff to do. |
Hahahahahahaha.... Ah, I needed that laugh. Just the idea of lounging around pools in Seattle in the Spring...
I'd recommend taking a ferry on a day trip to one of the San Juan Islands. Orca is nice and you can rent bikes if you want to bike around the island. You'd have to have a car, though, to get to the ferry.
The official ferry site is: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
Or if you'll have a car, you can drive north and do a day trip to Victoria, BC - you take a ferry there too, and that's a great trip. About the same driving time to the south is Portland, Oregon.
(And sorry, Crater Lake isn't a day trip from Seattle.)
Posted by: Fortune Jan 13 2008, 05:34 AM
| QUOTE (Tiger Eyes) |
| And sorry, Crater Lake isn't a day trip from Seattle. |
Funny. It took much less than a day for me to get there from Seattle. I'll admit that I didn't go back the same way though, and was not on any kind of schedule.
Posted by: Tiger Eyes Jan 13 2008, 06:53 AM
| QUOTE (Fortune) |
| Funny. It took much less than a day for me to get there from Seattle. I'll admit that I didn't go back the same way though, and was not on any kind of schedule. |
At 422 miles, one way, from Seattle, that's one heck of a day trip! (about 7 hrs each way, 14 hrs of driving round trip, and that's assuming you stick to I-5 the whole way) So, yes, I guess it is a day trip, if you really like your car.
Or perhaps you drive without small children in the backseat who start playing the "I'm not touching you" game about 15 minutes into any trip...
Posted by: Fortune Jan 13 2008, 07:25 AM
Yeah well, like I said, it wasn't like a trip down and back in one day (as I didn't go back that way). But I had no problems getting there and seeing stuff, and continuing the trip south toward Mt. Shasta all in one day.
Maybe I just drive a tad over the speed limit or something. 
Posted by: Cain Jan 13 2008, 08:09 AM
| QUOTE (Snow_Fox) |
| Thanks. My husband wants to see the Experience Music museum-whatever it's called. Is the Seattle Underground worth a look? I'm guessing I can look at the air over Pioneer Square and imagine the arcology. |
It's called the Experience Music Project, or EMP for short. It's worth visiting, but it's kinda pricey to get into.
The Seattle Underground is worth it if you're a history buff. Or if you're a die-hard Shadowrun nerd, (
)who wants to see the inspiration for the ork underground. Pike Place Market, where you're rooming next to, is also an amazing place to wander around in. There's a lot more than flying fish
. I've got friends who sell ocarinas there. In particular, the Magic Shop on the second level is well worth seeing. If you want to go to Victoria BC, it's worth taking the Clipper, the hydrofoil.
And if you're going to the Arboretum, then also take the time to visit the Japanese gardens there. They even have occasional tea ceremonies, which I've never managed to see.
Posted by: Kyoto Kid Jan 13 2008, 08:22 PM
...I was also thinking of suggesting a ferry trip to the islands but not sure how much time y'all had.
Forgot about the EMP, 
though I tend to be more into the real oldies (like a century or three old).
Tiger Eyes is correct, Crater Lake is quite an out of the way trip. I'd suggest maybe a day trip to Portland (about 160 mi - 3.5 hrs) but beware, a lot of the city's centre is a DMZ right now because of various construction projects, most noteworthy of which is the Mall Max (light rail) project. Also there are a lot (and I mean a lot) of One Way streets in the city centre. I'd suggest either parking after you get here or taking one of the Cascade trains and use local transit. There is a surface streetcar line (the first new streetcar line built in the US in some 70 years) that runs through the heart of the city from the University to NW 23rd.
However if you like books (& who on this forum doesn't) a sojurn to Powell's City Of Books on 10th & West Burnside in Portland is still worth it. The largest bookstore on the west coast (in the country perhaps? takes up an entire city block 4 floors worth) The best thing, it is independently owned and operated. Northwest 23rd in Portland is also an area of trendy shops, bistros, and restaruants. There is also OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) on the near SE side to DT, and the famous Rose Gardens up on the West Hills (near SW to DT).
Posted by: Cain Jan 13 2008, 08:25 PM
I haven't been to OMSI in over a decade, but if you like that sort of thing, the Pacific Science Center at Seattle Center is worth the trip. The exhibits are a bit dated now, but I used to work there in the 80's, so I have a sentimental fondness for the place.
Posted by: Fortune Jan 13 2008, 08:55 PM
| QUOTE (Kyoto Kid) |
| Crater Lake is quite an out of the way trip. |
Then don't go. It was merely a suggestion.
In my opinion, when someone travels across the country (or even around the world as I did) then 400 miles is not really all that big of a deal. I guess it depends on your priorities, and when I last visited the Seattle area, Crater Lake was higher on my list than the Space Needle.
Posted by: Snow_Fox Jan 14 2008, 03:08 AM
EMP is the one thing my husband said he wants to do, so we're doing it. He's been to Seattle once, so this is more of a shared thing, like we had both been to Salem Mass before we met but went back on our honey moon.. He has said to avoid the Salmon ladders at all costs.
I'm a serious history geek so I like the idea of the underground. Yeah, i know the market is not just flying fish but we've both worked for companys that made us see that dumb corp attitude training film but it sounds like Philly's Reading market-which is mainly food, but has all sorts of stuff too. "Magic shop?"
I also want to try the food. My husband likes Salmon so I know he'll be happy. I love oysters and get Atlantic ones fairly easily at a near by market-how many of you own a real oyster knife? but I want to see if there really is a difference in West Coast ones.
Any word of Pioneer square or the Aquarium? my boss, who is a big guy was out there for a convention a few months back and he said the neighborhood around the needle made him feed glad he was there in day light. I thought they were cleaning that up.
Posted by: adamu Jan 14 2008, 03:23 AM
I just want to chime in my agreement with Cain that the Seattle Underground is a good thing.
Again, though, you gotta like history - the guides are mostly professional actors and the like trying to make a buck, and they know jazillions of really cool historical anecdotes regarding the underground and other 19th century Seattle lore.
But in terms of visuals, it is really unremarkable.
The area around the needle isn't really dangerous, but there are lots of seedy types floating around, as it is slightly removed from the more upscale downtown core. Same situation on the waterfront. But both are still heavily patrolled, with enough "citizen" traffic it is not a big deal.
The aquarium is nice enough, if not grandiose. They do a good job with the larger marine mammals like seals and so forth. They also have an actual salmon ladder that salmon climb to spawn, but my biology being non-existent, I have no idea what time of year that happens.
Posted by: Kyoto Kid Jan 14 2008, 05:10 AM
| QUOTE (adamu @ Jan 13 2008, 10:23 PM) |
| The aquarium is nice enough, if not grandiose. They do a good job with the larger marine mammals like seals and so forth. They also have an actual salmon ladder that salmon climb to spawn, but my biology being non-existent, I have no idea what time of year that happens. |
...unfortunately Pacific salmon spawning is in autumn, but it is pretty cool to watch them jump the ladders.
Posted by: Cain Jan 14 2008, 06:39 AM
| QUOTE |
| I'm a serious history geek so I like the idea of the underground. Yeah, i know the market is not just flying fish but we've both worked for companys that made us see that dumb corp attitude training film but it sounds like Philly's Reading market-which is mainly food, but has all sorts of stuff too. "Magic shop?" |
The Pike Place Magic shop has been one of my favorite attractions for a very long time. They sell mostly magic tricks, with a lot of books thrown in for good measure and some occult items. The owners are professional magicians. In Shadowrun time, you can easily picture the place as the first talismonger shop.
Posted by: Daddy's Little Ninja Jan 14 2008, 03:55 PM
| QUOTE (Tiger Eyes) | ||
Hahahahahahaha.... Ah, I needed that laugh. Just the idea of lounging around pools in Seattle in the Spring... |
You may just have encouraged her to take a swim suit. She can be, contrary.
Posted by: Roadspike Jan 14 2008, 06:56 PM
I rather enjoy the Aquarium/IMAX theater down on the waterfront, but it's not spectacular. The EMP and Sci-Fi museum (admission covers both museums) are fun to go to once. Pike's Place can be fun to wander... definitely go to the Spice Shop (I forget what it's actually called) right next to the flying fish place, it's phenominal. Seattle Center and the Pacific Science Center aren't bad. There's also an interesting sculpture park between the Seattle Center and Pike's Place, although I can't for the life of me remember what it's called. Pioneer Square is a little meh. There are some nice little places around, but they're mostly overshadowed by bars and nightclubs, and the area definitely isn't the nicest late at night. As several other posters have mentioned, the Seattle Underground is fun to visit every decade or so.
If you have time for day trips, I'd suggest Wouth Whidbey Island (what can I say, I grew up there...) or just driving somewhat at random through the Snohomish Valley--there's some nice farm country up there, and some great mountain views.
If you do decide to go to Portland, OMSI is pretty cool, and Powell's is fantastic. I went to The Strand in New York City (supposed to be the longest shelf distance of any bookstore in the US, or some bogus statistic like that) and it absolutely paled in comparison to Powell's.
Posted by: Kyoto Kid Jan 14 2008, 07:20 PM
...also here is a cool site in the Fremont District
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:FremontTroll.jpg
He resides under the north end of the Aurora Bridge on N. 36th Street at Troll Avenue N. In my Seattle setting, the statue is still there and there is a neighbourhood gang (of trolls, natch) by the same name.
Posted by: Eldritch Jan 16 2008, 04:23 AM
It's been years since I visited, but I went to the Space needle twice, once during the day, and once at night. Very cool both times. I'm not sure about the restaurant, I didn't have the finances to dine there.
I did like the Zoo, and the Aquarium, IIRC, the zoo had some beluga whales at the time.
Posted by: Cain Jan 16 2008, 05:18 AM
The Space needle restaurant has (reportedly) gotten better over the years. The last time I ate there, it was nothing spectacular, but that was over ten years ago.
Marketspice. They make some of the best tea in the world.
Posted by: Roadspike Jan 16 2008, 04:49 PM
| QUOTE (Eldritch) |
| I did like the Zoo, and the Aquarium, IIRC, the zoo had some beluga whales at the time. |
I believe that that would be the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium down in Tacoma. The Zoo in Seattle is the Woodland Park Zoo. Both are quite nice, but the Woodland Park Zoo definitely doesn't have belugas.
Also, I've never eaten at the Space Needle Restaurant, but I've heard the portions are tiny, not particularly appetizing, and exceptionally expensive.
Posted by: Kyoto Kid Jan 16 2008, 05:04 PM
Marketspice. They make some of the best tea in the world.
...yes, the tea is simply wonderful although for some reason a bit tricky to find here in Portland only 160 mi away. Used to go there a lot when I lived in Seattle many moons ago...when you could still see the Smith Tower & the Needle was the tallest structure in the city.
[edit]
...think I got the tags fixed right.
Posted by: Fortune Jan 16 2008, 07:27 PM
| QUOTE (Roadspike @ Jan 17 2008, 02:49 AM) |
| I've never eaten at the Space Needle Restaurant, but I've heard the portions are tiny, not particularly appetizing, and exceptionally expensive. |
All certainly true when I was there. I have heard that it has improved in the past couple of years though, but have no proof of that.
Posted by: Snow_Fox Jan 17 2008, 03:06 AM
It would be nice to know. when I was in college I twice did "Top of the Hub" the big sky restaurant in Boston and felt it was over priced and the few was too damn cloudy. During the day the observation deck was cute but by night it was like a cloaking device- occassionally pulled back as clouds cleared, then shut down again.Maybe cocktails and lunch?
Posted by: Tiger Eyes Jan 17 2008, 04:04 AM
| QUOTE (Snow_Fox) |
| Maybe cocktails and lunch? |
I've heard the way to do it is to just have dessert there. You get the view and the experience, and it's hard to mess up dessert.
But, then again, I consider eating dessert a high priority, so maybe that's just me...
Posted by: Roadspike Jan 17 2008, 04:44 PM
I've also heard that dessert isn't too bad up at what will become the Eye of the Needle come Shadowrun times. Again, not first hand experience, but it might be worth the trouble. You could also go up, order an appetizer and drinks, and look around. If the portions on other people's plates are tiny, go straight from appetizer to dessert. Otherwise, order dinner.
Think of it as legwork.
Posted by: Snow_Fox Jan 19 2008, 05:13 PM
Actually I was thinking of this as leg work, you know, chatting to people who've got experience and know the area before I go in.
Posted by: Roadspike Jan 21 2008, 04:51 PM
Well yes, but as any Shadowrunner will tell you (or any forum poster will tell you to prevent looking like a fool), you have to do legwork on your legwork, to make sure that your contacts aren't being fed false information.
Posted by: Stahlseele Jan 21 2008, 05:04 PM
for example i COULD be an evil germanazi guy . . you don't know . .
maybe i'm an patriotic american? O.o
Posted by: Method Jan 22 2008, 01:15 AM
Definitely check out Pike's Place- like Cain said there are tons of weird little shops in the catacombs below the fish store. Its also right up the street from the waterfront and the Aquarium.
If you go to the University District they have lots of cool little shops, and there is the Burke Museum of Natural History located at the north end of the U campus.
The Freemont troll is cool to see, but only takes a minute or two. Not much to it really. But there are lots of cool bars and restaurants in Freemont, just up the street from the troll. I personally like Brauer's which is a cool modern industrial / Belgium brewery place. They have more imported beer on tap than you can imagine (print new beer lists daily).
For seafood, Ivar's has great fish and chips and clam chowder, but they also has a very nice upscale restaurant decorated like a traditional Salish indian lodge. It is recognized as a historical building because it is so full of character.
Posted by: Method Jan 22 2008, 02:19 AM
Also- I too have heard the Space Needle restaurant is a little hit or miss. For your money there are A LOT better places to eat in the city.
I must be hungry with all this talk of food.... 
I always check out aikido dojos when I travel to a new city. Do you guys have any particular interests?
Posted by: Daddy's Little Ninja Jan 23 2008, 07:29 PM
SF's husband tells horror stories about how boring the salmon ladders were when he went years ago.
Posted by: Adarael Jan 23 2008, 08:55 PM
I guess it depends on how interested you are in salmon jumping. Personally, I'm betting I'd be bored out of my skull. But if it turns your crank...
Posted by: Snow_Fox Jan 26 2008, 04:09 AM
It's the in joke with my in laws. My father in law was all excited and dragged them off to see them. typical 'dad' move and even he now admits it was boring as sin.
Posted by: Cain Jan 26 2008, 04:38 AM
Well, the salmon ladders are at the Ballard Locks, which is good if you're really, really into local history. Otherwise, you get to spend a lot of time watching boats go up and down twenty feet. Oh, and they brag that they have the best fish n' chips there. I'm dubious of that claim, but YMMV.
Posted by: Snow_Fox Jan 26 2008, 02:45 PM
Ymmv?
Posted by: Fortune Jan 26 2008, 03:17 PM
| QUOTE (Snow_Fox) |
| Ymmv? |
Your mileage may vary.
Posted by: Snow_Fox Feb 3 2008, 06:47 PM
This is really helping guys, thanks.
I was checking my original Seattle SB and that says there are two restaurants and 2 bars at the space needle. "Eye of the Needle" is just one of those. I think that would be a bit much BUT does anyone know if there's a seperate bar there?
I've also realized we'll be there when it's my husband's birthday. I can asusme there are good places to celebrate? Soemoen siad there are clubs in pioneer square, any good?
Posted by: the_dunner Feb 3 2008, 07:27 PM
As another SR geek who made the pilgrimage to Seattle (probably 4 years ago, now) --
Definitely hit the Underground tour. The guides were entertaining, in a campy sort of way, and the history and the visuals were well worth the time and cost.
Skip the meal at the Space Needle. It was a neat view, but the food was crap, and over priced.
This sounds blasphemous, but consider skipping the Sci-Fi museum. If you're a serious sci-fi buff, there's VERY little there that you aren't already familiar with. The museum was very small and way too mainstream. A trip to Planet Hollywood would expose you to about the same number of movie props.
The restaurants and shops around the Frontier district were very nice.
Pike's Place market was OK, but hardly up to the hype. If you're from Boston, then the Faneuil Hall market was pretty comparable.
The zoo and the aquarium were both worth the time and the trip.
If you can, take some time to hit some of the park areas. To me, that was one of the most striking things about Seattle. Hiking through the parks was absolutely fantastic. It also gives you a first hand feel for the type of rainforest that your SR characters are subjected to regularly.
Definitely spend some time walking along the docks/piers. The view of the sound was beautiful. While there were quite a few tourist traps along there, it was a great place to walk and see the water.
I remember looking in to taking a trip to Tillicum Village, but it didn't fit with our schedule. You might want to investigate that.
Also, depending upon when you're going, it might be during a Whale migration. You might want to consider a whale watching trip.
Posted by: Cain Feb 3 2008, 07:28 PM
Oh, dear gods, you have no idea what you're asking....
There's something like two dozen plus clubs in the Pioneer Square area, all of which have a different theme and target audience. I'm presuming that you want to avoid the frat boy/sorority girl clubs, but you've still got a large number to go through.
My suggestion is the joint-cover Pub Crawl. Go to Doc Maynards, where the Seattle Underground tour starts. You can buy a ticket good for about ten different clubs in the area. Have a few drinks and start wandering. You'll get to see a lot of Pioneer Square, hear a lot of good live music, and get really, really drunk if that's your thing.
Posted by: Fortune Feb 3 2008, 10:05 PM
I definitely found this to be true. But really, there are good restaurants almost everywhere you go in the world. I have never planned a trip around food.
Posted by: Method Feb 3 2008, 10:16 PM
There is a kind of touristy curiosity shop on Pier 54 near Pike's Place and the Aquarium. It has all kinds of random and cool stuff, including a famous mummy.
http://www.yeoldecuriosityshop.com/
Posted by: Shrike30 Feb 3 2008, 11:07 PM
If you head up the hill from downtown to Capitol Hill, try and avoid wandering too far and dropping off the east side into the Central District. Not the best neighborhood in the world.
The University District is amusing. The University Village is right nearby, and is basically a mall. Pass on it.
Gas Works Park has one of the better views of the city. It's on the North side of Lake Union. The bigass hill in the park even has a sundial on top (because someone thought it'd be a good idea to try and tell time by the sun here... who knows why?).
The Center for Wooden Boats is on the South end of Lake Union, alongside of Northwest Seaport (which is located in the Armory building, adjacent to the waterfront). They both get into a lot of the maritime history of Seattle (which is pretty key to Seattle history in general), and have a lot of older, really interesting boats to check out. If you're interested, I think Northwest Seaport does tours of their working boats, including a heavy duty diesel tug, a fire ship, and a lightship.
The Ballard Locks are interesting if you like watching water flow and (sometimes) boats move up and down in a lock. Not a bad place for a picnic or something, but not really a draw.
One more vote for the Underground Tour, here. If either of you are allergic to dust or mold, there is a lot of it down there.
The Museum of Flight is definitely worth a look.
Cruising up and down the waterfront on foot is a good way to see some nifty things like the Aquarium, and you'll be right there if you're staying near the Pike Place Market. Not hard to take a stroll along it, spot something you want to see, and go home if you get bored.
Take a trip into Fremont if you get a chance, if for no other reason than to check out the neighborhood. It's pretty interesting.
If y'all want to meet some of the local Runner crowd, let us know. We're friendly here 
Posted by: Snow_Fox Feb 3 2008, 11:42 PM
we're big on picnics but i'm not sure if it's the right atmophre. we've seen canals on the east coast but it can be interesting to compare. I wouldn't do the sci fi museum but someone here said it's part of the osund experience museum and my husband wants to do that so...
When is the rainy season?
Posted by: Fortune Feb 4 2008, 12:13 AM
Um, it's Seattle! The question should be 'When does it rain the least?'.
Posted by: Cain Feb 4 2008, 06:17 AM
Jan 1st-Dec 31st.
Posted by: arathian Feb 4 2008, 08:34 AM
For clubs near Pioneer Square, I can recommend The Last Supper Club and my own favorite Trinity (three rooms, each with a different DJ).
Posted by: Daddy's Little Ninja Feb 4 2008, 01:31 PM
In other words she should bring a rain coat and not her leather duster?
I thought the summer was the particularly rainy time.
Posted by: stevebugge Feb 4 2008, 05:21 PM
I'm a serious history geek so I like the idea of the underground. Yeah, i know the market is not just flying fish but we've both worked for companys that made us see that dumb corp attitude training film but it sounds like Philly's Reading market-which is mainly food, but has all sorts of stuff too. "Magic shop?"
I also want to try the food. My husband likes Salmon so I know he'll be happy. I love oysters and get Atlantic ones fairly easily at a near by market-how many of you own a real oyster knife? but I want to see if there really is a difference in West Coast ones.
Any word of Pioneer square or the Aquarium? my boss, who is a big guy was out there for a convention a few months back and he said the neighborhood around the needle made him feed glad he was there in day light. I thought they were cleaning that up.
As a Seattle Native My .02
Give yourself a full day for thr Makret & Seattle Waterfront. Depending on interests you could squeeze in the Seattle Aquarium.
Good advice on the Fish Ladder at the locks in the Spring. There are no Salmon running until late June
You will not be dissapointed in your Oyster selection at the Pike Place Market
Do not go to the Seattle Center (or the Space Needle) or plan on doing much walking around Downtown past 8:00pm, It's safe during the day, at night is a different story.
There are a lot of good restaurants Downtown, make sure you visit at least one owned by Tom Douglas if you can afford it.
The Ferry system is worth seeing, as are the San Juan Islands. Inquire about whale watching tours.
Expect Rain, sun, wind, usually all in the same day March through May, Temperatures may range from Low 40's to High 60's in theis time period too. Spring has pretty volatile weather in Seattle.
Underground Tour is pretty good if you like history, You can also schedule a tour of Safeco Field for the same day, if you even slightly like baseball you'll enjoy it.
Skip going up the Space Needle, find out how to get to Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill, it's a much better photo.
The Woodland Park Zoo is worth seeing.
Get a City Pass & Use it, it's a good value.
http://transit.metrokc.gov/ If you want to give the bus system a shot.
Capitol Hill / Broadway is very overrated unless you happen to like agressive pan-handlers, same goes for the U-District. The International District on the other hand is worth an excursion.
Japanese Garden in the Arboretum is nice
If you like planes, visit both the Boeing Museum of Flight at Boeing Field and the Future of Flight Exhibit in Everett, if you're not in to planes these are not for you.
The "First Starbucks" is nothing like what it was in the early days, it's just a Starbucks with the old logo now.
If you really need to get a game in while you're here Shrike30 and Myself have a regular Monday night game, PM one of us if interested.
Posted by: Daddy's Little Ninja Feb 4 2008, 06:51 PM
Her husband would kill her.
Posted by: Adarael Feb 4 2008, 10:02 PM
I think this is probably overstating the case.
Of course, I admit I make a habit of "going places I shouldn't."
Seconded. You take the #2 up to the top of Queen Anne.
Posted by: stevebugge Feb 4 2008, 11:09 PM
Possibly overstating a bit, however keep in mind that we also may be benefitting a bit from the "Home Turf" Quality too.
Posted by: Fortune Feb 5 2008, 12:12 AM
I've never had a problem there. And Snow Fox, from all accounts (albeit mostly hers! ), can take care of herself.
Posted by: the_dunner Feb 5 2008, 12:16 AM
All the talk of bad neighborhoods reminds me of something odd -- Seattle had, by far, the most polite vagrants/panhandlers of any city I've ever been to. Mind, they also had some of the nicest dressed ones. The combination made it pretty much impossible for them to get any money out of me, but still, it was a bizarre observation.
Posted by: Snow_Fox Feb 5 2008, 12:53 AM
), can take care of herself.lol, true but Seattle ain't the Bronx, but they won't let e bring a gun on the plane
seriously though, being able to handle myself doesn't mean I want to have to. My boss was in seattle on business a few months back and said tyhe needle itself was ok but the area to get there made him a little uncomfortable.
How good is the mass transit system? The monorail? for getting about? I'm interested in the osund of the japanese gardens which will be differnet from everything else. As forthe first starbucks it's more of a joke foir us since I really don't drink coffee but a friend of ours is a Lutheran, to whom the holy sacriment should be coffee. So a pic of the original starbucks will be something of a pilgrimage for my friend's sake.
Posted by: Cain Feb 5 2008, 01:42 AM
The monorail is mostly for show more than anything else. The bus system is very good, and Steve's link should be very useful if you intend to bus it a lot.
Posted by: stevebugge Feb 5 2008, 03:50 PM
I've noticed that as well, it makes me question just how desperate some of them really are. I saw one on the corner of 105th & Aurora who had a brand new pair of Nikes that retail in the $110-$150 range and a pretty high end cell phone too. It didn't match up very well with the Homeless - Need Help cardboard sign he was holding.
The Bronx (or for that matter LA, or Chicago or New Orleans) Seattle isn't but just because our bad areas aren't that bad doesn't mean anyone wants to end up in one unexpectedly. Downtown is pretty much safe during the day, but I'm going to stick by not recommending that tourists walk more than a block or so at night if it can be avoided (the parking situation can make it unavoidable)
The "Transit System" is something of a misnomer. If you are not in a hurry the Bus System is pretty good. The Monorail goes only from Westlake Mall to the Seattle Center. If you're staying Downtown and planning on visiting the Seattle Center it's fun to ride for the novelty. There is no Subway or Rail system. A lot of Hotels in downtown provide shuttle service to various downtown attractions as a complimentry service, check in to that. I'd still recommend renting a car if you're planning on doing anything outside the Downtown core. Be careful though Seattle is home to the highly annoying Passive-Aggressive driver and Washington State as kind of messed up merge laws too.
Posted by: Fortune Feb 5 2008, 09:53 PM
There is a misconception in place here. It is usually pretty damn easy for homeless people to get clothes and the like in 'first world' counties. All kinds of organizations, and even individuals are eager to give stuff like that, for all kinds of reasons, not all of them truly altruistic. Blankets, shoes, and even brand new t-shirts and jeans.
Cell phones are also pretty cheap and easy to pick up as a homeless person from a variety of sources. I understand that some might question the need for a homeless person to have a phone, but there are as many reasons for them to have one as you, maybe even more, since that is their only line of contact.
Incidentally, Nike recently (well, a couple of years ago) did a huge promotion in Seattle (involving sports stars from Australia as well as elsewhere), where they gave bucket-loads of shoes and clothes to the homeless community there.
Posted by: Grinder Feb 5 2008, 10:00 PM
It may sound odd, but is it possible to travel in Seattle by bike (as in bycycle)?
Posted by: stevebugge Feb 5 2008, 10:16 PM
Actually Seattle is far more Bicycle friendly than most large cities, except for all the hills. If you're in pretty good shape and don't mind the occasional steep elevation gain and or rain shower getting around by bike isn't too bad. Still have to be aware of traffic, but there are bike lanes on some roads, bike trails, and a lot of shops and retail areas provide bike racks to chain up to when you get there.
Posted by: the_dunner Feb 5 2008, 10:26 PM
While that's true, I've walked through the downtown areas of 30-some major US cities. When I'm traveling, I almost always use public transportation. I've never seen panhandlers dressed as nicely as they were in Seattle. It really was a night and day sort of difference. Maybe they just have a much better "safety net." I can't say that I'm familiar with Seattle's social services system.
Downtown Seattle is awfully hilly. (The Underground tour explains why.) Unless you're in shape for mountain biking, I wouldn't advise it.
Posted by: stevebugge Feb 5 2008, 11:45 PM
This probably could use a little elaboration since we've both touched on it now. Seattle has some pretty substantial elevation changes in relatively short distances. Pioneer Square and the Waterfront are pretty close to Sea Level. Westlake Mall, which is just about 6 blocks east of the Aquarium is probably at about 150-200 feet. Queen Anne Hill and Capitol Hill top out just short of 500 feet and are less than 2 miles from the Center of Downtown. There are plenty of ways to go around the hills, but there are quite a few places you may want to go that are on top of the hills. If you're up for the workout biking in Seattle is an ok way to go, but it's not something you want to do on a whim, and plan your routes carefully.
Posted by: Cain Feb 6 2008, 02:40 AM
Not to mention that it doesn't stop in Downtown. Most of the Seattle area is rolling hills, with very little flat land. You're almost always going to be going up or down a hill wherever you go. Right where I live, there's an elevation drop of about 50 feet a stone's throw away, going from the U-District to U-Village. Sudden changes like that are the norm around here.
Posted by: Kyoto Kid Feb 6 2008, 03:03 AM
...the hills are part of the reason they revieved and expanded the trolley buses. The steep grades were punishing the drive trains of the deisel ones.
Seattle actually used to have six Cable car railways (like San Francisco's) because the hills were so bad. Several of the lines were still in operation up until 1940. Another curious conveyance was known as The Counterbalance (Queen Anne Ave) which was a counterweight system installed in 1901 that assisted streetcars up and down the steep avenue (20% grade). You may still hear this reference used for the main avenue on the hill.
Posted by: Snow_Fox Feb 7 2008, 02:53 AM
so is there casble/street cars running now, in 2008?
My boss wanred me about the hills. He said he never heard about them but it was "like freaking san fransisco"
Is the Japanese garden /University district and Queen anne hill reachable without renting a car?
Posted by: Cain Feb 7 2008, 03:08 AM
1. There's two street cars running: the old one along the Seattle Waterfront, and the South Lake Union Trolley. The old one is more picturesque, but the new one has a better acronym. 
2. It's a lot like San Francisco, only with less flat areas. If there's any naturally flat land in Seattle, they probably put it in a museum somewhere. 
3. Both are easily reachable by bus. From where you'll be, Queen Anne will be just one bus away; the gardens will take a transfer or two. Steve's link is the best for finding your way around.
Posted by: Kyoto Kid Feb 7 2008, 03:31 AM
My boss wanred me about the hills. He said he never heard about them but it was "like freaking san fransisco"
...unfortunately no cable cars but as Cain said there are the two streetcar lines. And again as I mentioned, a lot of "Trackless Trolley" buses, albeit they are all new ones. Also if you do ride Metro, I believe they still have the "free zone" downtown so you don't have to pay a fare. If you go beyond however it is an interesting exerience. Coming into the city you board through the front door and pay your fare as you enter. However heading out of the city centre you board through the rear doors and pay your fare when you get off and then have to exit through the front door. That is how they foil cheaters.
...at least that was the way I remembered how it worked.
Posted by: Snow_Fox Feb 7 2008, 03:42 AM
ok I remember hearing about theSouth Lake Union Trolly. but it had slipped from my mind.
kind of a shame someone with no sense of humor was involved in re-naming it.
Posted by: stevebugge Feb 7 2008, 05:22 PM
kind of a shame someone with no sense of humor was involved in re-naming it.
Having anything resembling a personality removed is a pre-requisite for working for any department of either the City of Seattle, King County, or the State of Washington. A few slip by but they have to keep a low profile
Posted by: Snow_Fox Feb 9 2008, 05:15 PM
If i'm asking locals for directions to it, what name do they use, the official ,new, one, the old 'trolly name, or the acronym?
Posted by: Fortune Feb 9 2008, 05:20 PM
"Where can I find the SLUT?" usually works really well.
Posted by: Snow_Fox Feb 10 2008, 10:40 PM
I am so hoping that you are serious, or my husband and I could be having some very long talks with the local police for potentially soliciting.
"really officer, there was a man and a woman with eastern accents asking where they could find sluts."
Posted by: Grinder Feb 10 2008, 11:20 PM
Does any of the locales knows clubs where metal and hardcore-shows take place?
Posted by: stevebugge Feb 11 2008, 11:12 PM
Mostly small venues, neither style is popular enough around here to have a dedicated club, though some clubs may have a night dedicated to a particualr style. The club scene in Seattle is not particularly good, between local laws & insurance costs opening a dance club is expensive and difficult.
Brew-Pubs, Bars and Restaurants in Seattle however do quite well and have a wide variety of styles represented.
Posted by: Adarael Feb 11 2008, 11:41 PM
With regards to what the locals call the streetcar, I just call it the streetcar. If pressed as to which I mean, I will say "The south lake union one."
Posted by: stevebugge Feb 11 2008, 11:49 PM
For some fun insight on Seattle & it's inhabitants http://www.seattleweekly.com/columns/284118
A lot of this is largely tongue in cheek.
Posted by: Snow_Fox Feb 12 2008, 01:33 AM
I do want to say 'thank you' for your help guys. I copied over many of these entries and then let my husband read through them. He was surprised the indian village on the island is still going strong. He said it was like indian dinner theatre in a theme park.
Any of you know about "Ride the Ducks?" These are amphibious trucks that give tours in some cities. I know there's one in Seattle. The one in Philadelphia is really good, we drag visitors onto it and they enjoy it, after going through the streets of philly it drives into the Delaware river. Any word on how good or not the one in Seattle is?
Posted by: ixombie Feb 12 2008, 02:03 AM
You WILL go to Dick's and get a burger! 
You prolly don't want to go to the Space Needle, it's pretty boring.
Fremont is pretty cool. It's the center of the universe, you know.
Posted by: Cain Feb 12 2008, 03:43 AM
It's been a long while, but the hardcore scene used to meet at the Ballard Firehouse. They still might have concerts there.
I've never ridden the Duck before, but I understand it's pretty good. It meets at Seattle Center, near the EMP, so it may be worth checking out while you're there.
And Dick's is seconded. 
Posted by: Shrike30 Feb 12 2008, 08:22 AM
For a "round the city, see lots of things" tour, the Ducks are pretty cool, especially since they're not restricted to land. As long as you don't mind people with quacking noisemakers, loud music, and all that stuff that usually comes with mobile tours
They always look like a good time, but my interactions with them have been from the perspective of being another driver on the road, trying not to get run into the ditch by some crazy guy rolling around in a modified assault transport.
Actually, for a Shadowrun player, rolling around Seattle in one of those is probably pretty entertaining
It is legal for you to have the airlines ship your sidearm as luggage. I'm not sure, however, if you have a permit to carry that will be valid in Washington. The number of states we've got reciprocity with are pretty low.
Posted by: Daddy's Little Ninja Feb 12 2008, 02:29 PM
We know the ducks. Like SF said whenever we have family or friends visit we take them onto the ducks as a fun way to see Philadelphia. We all have those quackers and my husband's brother's wife just 'loves us to death' for giving their children the spares we picked up. She has said that She will have her revenge when Rei, my daughter, gets a little older.
Posted by: Fortune Feb 12 2008, 03:04 PM
???
Posted by: stevebugge Feb 12 2008, 03:53 PM
Ducks look like a good time, never ridden them either but they seem to be pretty full even this time of year. Dick's burgers are nothing special, Dick's itself is cool because it represents one of the last surviving fast food mini-chains of the pre-interstate highway era. Also noteworthy is Gorditios for Burritos roughly the size of a firelog.
Posted by: Shrike30 Feb 12 2008, 05:57 PM
I usually advertise 'em to people as "a burrito the size of your head." They've got a picture of an infant next to one of their grande burritos. The burrito is larger.
Posted by: Kyoto Kid Feb 12 2008, 06:41 PM
...back when I first moved to Seattle I remembered a place called the Outrageous Taco (or Burrito) where the large was about as big as you describe. It was in the north U-District area I think a block off of University Way.
Could this be the same place only the name has changed?
Posted by: stevebugge Feb 12 2008, 08:11 PM
Could this be the same place only the name has changed?
Doubt it, Gorditos has been an instiution on 85th Street North, just west of Greenwood Avenue for a long time now, 10-15 years at least.
Posted by: Daddy's Little Ninja Feb 12 2008, 09:34 PM
Posted by: Kyoto Kid Feb 12 2008, 09:42 PM
...thanks. Would have missed it anyway as I moved to Olympia in '82 then to Portland in '89. Just sounded a lot like the old Outrageous.
Posted by: Fortune Feb 12 2008, 10:46 PM
Damn! I was just starting to picture you in a whole new light.
Powered by Invision Power Board (http://www.invisionboard.com)
© Invision Power Services (http://www.invisionpower.com)