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 Seattle sites, RL visit |
 Jan 12 2008, 08:01 PM
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#1
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Prime Runner  Group: Members Posts: 3,577 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Gwynedd Valley PA Member No.: 1,221  |
My husband and I will be visiting Seattle this spring. Any suggestions for what I can see?
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Jan 12 2008, 08:26 PM
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#2
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Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
Starbucks. ;)
You might like to take a day trip down to Oregon and visit Crater Lake. |
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Jan 12 2008, 08:43 PM
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#3
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Prime Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,577 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Gwynedd Valley PA Member No.: 1,221 |
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.
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Jan 12 2008, 08:59 PM
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#4
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Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
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.
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Jan 12 2008, 09:04 PM
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#5
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Target Group: Members Posts: 28 Joined: 12-October 07 Member No.: 13,673 |
If you like clam chowder (the New England kind), there's a place called Ivar's which has hands down the best clam chowder I've ever had.
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Jan 12 2008, 10:41 PM
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#6
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Bushido Cowgirl Group: Members Posts: 5,782 Joined: 8-July 05 From: On the Double K Ranch a half day's ride out of Phlogiston Flats Member No.: 7,490 |
...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. :grinbig: ...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).] :grinbig: |
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Jan 13 2008, 04:16 AM
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#7
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Prime Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,577 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Gwynedd Valley PA Member No.: 1,221 |
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. |
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Jan 13 2008, 05:06 AM
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#8
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 732 Joined: 21-July 05 From: Seattle Member No.: 7,508 |
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.) |
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Jan 13 2008, 05:34 AM
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#9
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Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
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. |
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Jan 13 2008, 06:53 AM
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#10
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 732 Joined: 21-July 05 From: Seattle Member No.: 7,508 |
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... :S |
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Jan 13 2008, 07:25 AM
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#11
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Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
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. :D |
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Jan 13 2008, 08:09 AM
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#12
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Grand Master of Run-Fu Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 6,840 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Tir Tairngire Member No.: 178 |
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, (8))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 :D. 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. |
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Jan 13 2008, 08:22 PM
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#13
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Bushido Cowgirl Group: Members Posts: 5,782 Joined: 8-July 05 From: On the Double K Ranch a half day's ride out of Phlogiston Flats Member No.: 7,490 |
...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, :oops: 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). |
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Jan 13 2008, 08:25 PM
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#14
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Grand Master of Run-Fu Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 6,840 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Tir Tairngire Member No.: 178 |
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.
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Jan 13 2008, 08:55 PM
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#15
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Immoral Elf Group: Members Posts: 15,247 Joined: 29-March 02 From: Grimy Pete's Bar & Laundromat Member No.: 2,486 |
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. |
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Jan 14 2008, 03:08 AM
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#16
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Prime Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,577 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Gwynedd Valley PA Member No.: 1,221 |
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. |
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Jan 14 2008, 03:23 AM
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#17
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Snakehandler Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 7,454 Joined: 28-April 06 From: London, England Member No.: 8,508 |
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. |
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Jan 14 2008, 05:10 AM
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#18
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Bushido Cowgirl Group: Members Posts: 5,782 Joined: 8-July 05 From: On the Double K Ranch a half day's ride out of Phlogiston Flats Member No.: 7,490 |
...unfortunately Pacific salmon spawning is in autumn, but it is pretty cool to watch them jump the ladders. |
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Jan 14 2008, 06:39 AM
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#19
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Grand Master of Run-Fu Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 6,840 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Tir Tairngire Member No.: 178 |
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. |
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Jan 14 2008, 03:55 PM
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#20
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 976 Joined: 16-September 04 From: Near my daughters, Lansdale PA Member No.: 6,668 |
You may just have encouraged her to take a swim suit. She can be, contrary. |
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Jan 14 2008, 06:56 PM
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#21
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 100 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 389 |
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. |
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Jan 14 2008, 07:20 PM
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#22
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Bushido Cowgirl Group: Members Posts: 5,782 Joined: 8-July 05 From: On the Double K Ranch a half day's ride out of Phlogiston Flats Member No.: 7,490 |
...also here is a cool site in the Fremont District
Fremont Bridge Troll 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. |
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Jan 16 2008, 04:23 AM
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#23
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 511 Joined: 19-August 02 Member No.: 3,139 |
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. |
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Jan 16 2008, 05:18 AM
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#24
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Grand Master of Run-Fu Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 6,840 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Tir Tairngire Member No.: 178 |
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.
QUOTE Pike's Place can be fun to wander... definitely go to the Spice Shop (I forget what it's actually called)... Marketspice. They make some of the best tea in the world. |
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Jan 16 2008, 04:49 PM
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#25
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 100 Joined: 26-February 02 Member No.: 389 |
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. |
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