I've never ridden a train before, so it should be fun. Certainly, would have been more scenic to go during the late Spring, but what-the-heck, we wanted to escape town for the long weekend. I'd like to do the aquarium while we're there. Any other suggestions? (No worries, we'll be catching the Ducks game - somewhere - while there.) We're heading up the afternoon of the 31st and staying until the 3rd. We'll be staying downtown at the Sixth Street Inn. Looked rather centralized.
Pike Place Market and the surrounding sound area EMP (and the rest of Seattle Center) if you like music history Two places worth the time if you're not familiar with Seattle.
Both are well worth it. The Market for the people watching, and EMP for the interactive/Paul Allen-ness of it all.
On second thought, I did take that Mt. Hood train from Hood River one summer. We were supposed to do that same train - polar express - this Christmas, but couldn't get tickets as it was sold out.
Train is sometimes late. Cell phone coverage is spotty on it at times. Pike Chowder is the bomb too.Not sure whatelse to doinSeattle downtown except shop...they have aninteresting map store.
Make sure you take the proper train up to Seattle. One is just a people-mover that is less friendly than coach. The other one is alright..I think that's the Starlight Express? It's been a few years but there was a definite difference in trains.
My wife & I found several EXCELLENT restaurants on the bay front with views and great food. I'd suggest looking for dinners down there.
Eat dinner/have drinks at Wild Ginger at 3rd and Union. Good Asian food and a lovely atmosphere. I'm a huge fan of the lounge (it shares an entrance with The Triple Door). I've been to EMP several times, and it sucks on weekends IMO. The whole interactive instrument room (one of the coolest parts) is always so crowded you have to wait to play with anything. The Sci-Fi museum is kind of cool if you are into the stuff. It has some cool movie props. Shop at Westlake Center. Take a Safeco Field Tour (check the schedule since it's a holiday weekend). Beth's Cafe for breakfast.
I already sent him a PM about this about a month ago. The Seattle Public Library is a lot of fun... the people I show around the city tend to like it more than EMP. Maybe because (a) it's free, and (b) the EMP has a lot of stuff to read but you can blast through it in like 20 minutes if you don't take care. Pike Place is a "must go" place. See them throw the fish and check out the shops and the market stalls and the restaurants. It's a good place. Marrakesh is a fun Moroccan restaurant in Belltown. Via Tribunali is an excellent pizza place with a few locations (Queen Anne and Capitol Hill). Going to the top of the Space Needle isn't cheap, but it's something that I think most people want to do. That's some of the stuff I'd recommend. Ed O.
