Seattle/Vancouver

Parent Cafe
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<p>A request for ideas from the CC Pacific Northwest natives. Family of five, including 3 older sons (ages 16-22) will be traveling on vacation in early August.</p>

<p>I think I have shortchanged sight seeing in the city of Seattle. We don’t arrive from the East Coast until late afternoon, but I would like to find something to do for the rest of the day. First full day we have tickets to an afternoon Mariner’s game. Second full day I booked a trip up to the San Juan Islands leaving from Pier 69. That takes up the whole day. Our third full day is supposed to be the day we check out of the hotel and drive up to Vancouver.</p>

<p>So, I see arrival day having some time in the evening. Day of the Mariner’s game (1:40 p.m.) was thinking of the Pike St. Market in the a.m. I would like post-game ideas, keeping in mind that we have to get up at the crack of dawn the next morning for the cruise to the San Juan Islands. The day that we check out of the hotel we would be able to spend most of the day in Seattle. What are some other “must-see ideas?”</p>

<p>We will have 2-3 days in Vancouver and have no firm plans other than to visit the Capilano Suspension bridges. We finish up with 3 days at Mt. Rainier, where we will do a lot of hiking. Ideas for “must-sees” in Vancouver?</p>

<p>Would also love restaurant ideas. Casual. Jeans, preferably, since it will be difficult enough to confine clothing needs for 9 days to one suitcase. Boys are not fish eaters :rolleyes: but if there is some place which has a varied menu allowing H and I to have fish and the boys to eat something else, great. Also, love Chinese/Thai food/dim sum. Any suggestions much appreciated.</p>

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<p>we always used to like going to Elliott bay bookstore in Pioneer Square after a baseball game- within walking distance. Pike market could easily take all day-
oh and traffic will add time too. :p.
International district with lots of Asian restaurants are also next to Pioneer Square
[url=<a href=“http://www.uwajimaya.com/]Uwajimaya.com[/url”>http://www.uwajimaya.com/]Uwajimaya.com[/url</a>]
you can see what the Asian ingredients look like
;)</p>

3

<p>thanks for weighing in, EK. I realize that I should have posted this thread with the Pacific time zone readers in mind. :slight_smile: We will not have a car in Seattle, and love to walk, so maybe we’ll be ahead of the traffic.</p>

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<p>I was just in Seattle on business last week. We found a good restaurant choice on Lake Union. (Joey’s) It was casual, yet reasonable, with a great view and ambiance.</p>

<p>[Joeys</a> Lake Union - Seattle Restaurant Reviews](<a href=“http://seattle.about.com/od/fooddining/fr/joeys.htm]Joeys”>http://seattle.about.com/od/fooddining/fr/joeys.htm)</p>

<p>(We also stumbled upon a very nice outdoor waterfall park right in the downtown area not far from King St. Station. We grabbed a coffee and sat outside for lunch.)
This is worth visiting. [Seattle</a> Travel Tips: The Waterfall Park in downtown Seattle](<a href=“Travel Tips Seattle | Get Seattle Travel Tips”>UPS Waterfall Park Seattle | Travel Tips Seattle)</p>

5

<p>A couple of random suggestions, but not dealing with Seattle.</p>

<p>You can enhance your drive to Vancouver a lot by getting off I-5 and doing some side roads. Washington state highways are generally fast, and you get to see a lot more. Take I-5 north out of Seattle to the city of Burlington. Just north of Burlington, get off the freeway and take Chuckanut Drive (highway 11) north to Bellingham. At first, it dives straight as an arrow across farmlands, but it will shortly hit the shore of the Sound, and then it hugs the hills above the ocean. It’s gorgeous and one of the best-kept secrets in Washington. In Bellingham, you can drive through the campus of Western Washington University (which overlooks the ocean), and then pick up I-5 again.</p>

<p>I have some tips on the trip from BC to Mt. Rainier, too.</p>

6

<p>Bus service in the downtown area (bus tunnel) is free. [Metro</a> Online Home Page](<a href=“http://transit.metrokc.gov/]Metro”>http://transit.metrokc.gov/) For a panoramic view of the region (including the majestic Mt. Ranier), make sure to visit the observation deck of the Space Needle at the Seattle Center. A terrific view of downtown and the waterfront can also be had from the 3rd level concourse of Safeco Field. Maybe you can cram in a visit to the UW after the game. It’s a lovely campus.</p>

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<p>Pier 69 is only an elevator ride and a couple of blocks from Pikes and Downtown. A fast walker can make it in half an hour or a bus ride. </p>

<p>Go see Boeing Air Museum, on highway 99, Must see for the males. First day arrival visit the Museum, for as long as you can, do not go to hotel (unless it is at the airport). After museum closing, then go to hotel. </p>

<p>If the arrival is such that the air muesum time is limited, then downtown, Pike, pier 69 (food and curio shops), SpaceNeedle is a good. Uwajimaya is an Asian supermarket (if you like grocery shopping and if you need grocery/traveling food/paper/etc. ) and very close to Mariners, downtown & Pikes. Somewhere near dusk ride to the top of space needle, you may eat there but it is expensive. Nordstum flagship store is downtown. Try the plank BBQ Salmon or crab (dungeness) or a bucket of clams and oysters at one of the outdoor restuarants near the ferry and pier shops. </p>

<p>Basically, what you want to see is on highway 99, beginning from SeaTac to Seattle. If you get tired of Seattle, you can run south all the way to San Diego CA on this road. </p>

<p>West Coast weather is different from anything east of Rockies. Bring a sweater, hoodie, light jacket, a windbreaker is recommended with a sweater for anything after 7pm.</p>

8

<p>Definitely go to Pike Place Market, you can’t go to Seattle without a stop there - even though it will be crowded that time of year. There are also lots of places to eat right around the market, including several where you can just get the food to go. You can stay in the area for a few minutes or a few hours, whatever fits your schedule.</p>

<p>And the King County Metro bus system is free within most of the downtown area which can help a bit with your traveling.</p>

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<p>Vancouver: The tram. Victoria and high tea at the Empress. Asian foods. Vancouver is very cosmopolitan. Skip the asian foods in Seattle. Pikes locale has many small restuarants, something for everyone. Try riper, western fruit.</p>

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<p>oh don’t go to the space needle to eat- way overpriced and mediocre
however lots of choices otherwise- So your boys don’t like any kind of seafood?
[Sea</a> Garden Restaurant - Seattle, WA, 98104-2905 - Citysearch](<a href=“CitySearch - Your local city guide”>CitySearch - Your local city guide)
Not even crab?</p>

<p>( also Safeco has some pretty good food selections- </p>

<p>[On</a> Dining: Safeco’s new food lineup looks like a winner](<a href=“http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/food/357283_dining02.html]On”>http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/food/357283_dining02.html) )</p>

11

<p>If anyone is a science fiction fan, the Science Fiction Museum is fun. Starts off concentrating on books, then moves on to movies. </p>

<p>The mother of all novelty stores, Archie McPhee’s, has their retail store in Seattle. [Archie</a> McPhee® Toys, Gifts & Novelties](<a href=“http://www.mcphee.com/]Archie”>http://www.mcphee.com/).</p>

12

<p>Well if you are coming to Ballard to go to Archie McPhees, you could go to Thaiku a wonderful Thai restaurant.
( or India Bistro- or La Ilsa ( puerto rican)</p>

13

<p>Day of arrival, evening, SpaceNeedle, and Late meal on the pier.
Next day: Air Museum with option to attend Mariners game with late entrance. If boys and girls want to separate, hookup at Native American Museum or Pikes/wharf for dinner. </p>

<p>Washington wines are very very good, and IMO have more character than CA wines. </p>

<p>Major western coast cities, SF, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, are very compact because of the terrain. You can see a lot on foot or on the fareless squares. </p>

<p>Canada; Bring some Canadian bucks. You can use US $ at most of the stores but the exchange rate is bad.</p>

14

<p>You can get CD by using your ATM card at any ATM, that or your credit card should get you the best exchange.</p>

<p>When crossing the boarder listen to the radio AM 1130, every ten minutes on the “ones” they give traffic & border…if you hear Peace Arch is good, stay on the 5 and it goes to the border; if you hear Pacific or Truck crossing, get off on exit 275, go straight and that takes you to an alternate crossing that is not just for trucks. Heading north is best on weekdays and early in the morning or late at night. It is about 2 hours from Seattle to the border.</p>

<p>We have done tea at the Empress and were not impressed, $55 or more per person…better to just walk around and see the empress, skip the tea. Even my British Mum agrees.</p>

<p>Some sites to check:</p>

<p>[|</a> Seattle Times Newspaper](<a href=“http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/britishcolumbiaguide/]|”>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/britishcolumbiaguide/)</p>

<p>you really seriously should consider time on Vancouver Island, Butchart Gardens is amazing [The</a> Butchart Gardens - Home](<a href=“http://www.butchartgardens.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1]The”>http://www.butchartgardens.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1)</p>

<p>[Travel</a> | Taking Vancouver Island’s “most beautiful shortcut” | Seattle Times Newspaper](<a href=“http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2008045526_trvictorialoop13.html]Travel”>http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2008045526_trvictorialoop13.html)
this really is a lovely drive
at the top of the Malahat they mention is the Goldstream park, you can stop and look</p>

<p>The capital of Victoria is there and “up island” you can head west (half a day’s drive) to the other side of the island and get surfing waves in Tofino, [Tofino</a> Accommodation | Prime Tofino Whale Watching | Wickaninnish Inn](<a href=“http://www.wickinn.com%5DTofino”>http://www.wickinn.com).</p>

<p>[Tourism</a> BC | Official Travel Website of British Columbia](<a href=“http://www.hellobc.com%5DTourism”>http://www.hellobc.com)</p>

<p>We live closer to Vancouver than Seattle, so our “going to the city” errands are run there, but for vacation stuff, we really love Vancouver Island, Victoria is a nice city for walking around and a short 30-40 minute drive gets you over the Malahat pass and into more wild county; as mentioned in that article, Shawnigan Lake is very nice and there are more lakes and little towns as you head north.</p>

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<p>For weekend eats (B,L,D) i strongly recommend the Steelhead Diner. Not the fastest food in town but among the best downtown. </p>

<p>[steelhead</a> diner: the diner evolved. a unique restaurant located in the pike place market in seattle, wa](<a href=“http://www.steelheaddiner.com/index.html]steelhead”>http://www.steelheaddiner.com/index.html)</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the responses so far. I was thinking of going up to the Space Needle on the first evening we are there, but I know better than to eat at a place like that. :wink: </p>

<p>LongPrime-Late entrance to the Mariners game? I don’t think so-we are big baseball fans.</p>

<p>What does everyone think about the Experience Music Project? All boys are huge music fans. What about the Aquarium in either Seattle or Vancouver?</p>

<p>No kind of seafood, EK, except occasional shrimp or scallops for two of them. Even H is allergic to shellfish, but can eat “regular” fish.</p>

<p>WashDad, thanks for the driving tips. We’ll have to see how pressed we are for time. I’m thinking that we’re going to be doing a border crossing at the worst possible time-late Friday afternoon.</p>

17

<p>I’ve done trips to Seattle with similiar aged kids; Here are some thoughts…</p>

<ul>
<li>Asian food in Seattle is amazing - Seattle has so many fantastic restaurants in every cuisine. For Asian/Northwest fusion and a great atmosphere, try Wild Ginger. For steak, Metropolitan Grill is wonderful. Daniel’s Broiler on Lake Union is pricey but has a fantastic Seattlesque view (I think you can see float planes taking off and landing). There is something for everyone there. I think The Space Needle is a great place to eat. The restaurant food is now very good, and it has an amazing, rotating view. Lots of fun for tourists.</li>
</ul>

<p>-Other fantastic restaurants with killer views: Palisade (wonderful brunch as well), and Salty’s on Alki.</p>

<p>-While you are at the Seattle Center you could visit EMP, the rock museum (which looked sort of like a smashed guitar on the outside) - Paul Allen’s homage to his favorite music.</p>

<p>-If you have any Nirvana fans, you could go see Kurt Cobain’s home (go up the large staircase and you can see over the trees) and sign the bench, in a small park next to his home where fans have created a sort of shrine. There is a Jimi Hendrix place as well - use Google for further information if you want it.</p>

<p>-Near Pike Place Market is Campagne, on one of the little side streets. Delicious food and a french cafe sort of atmosphere. The Pink Door is in the same area right next to Pike Place Market. Cool Seattle atmosphere and great food. </p>

<p>-If you are going down to Mt, Ranier, you might want to check out Northwest Trek. You can see grizzlies, bald eagles, wolves, mountain lions, linx, bobcats, etc. up clase in a beautiful setting with tall evergreens everywhere. The tram ride then takes you clase to all sorts of prey animals including Roosevelt Elk, bison, and moose. Really, really fun if you like wildlife (try to take the tram just before feeding time when the animals mosey toward the road).</p>

<p>-There are float plane rides on Lake Union which are incredibly fun and offer an amazing view of the area.</p>

18

<p>Make sure you have your passport with you when you head to Canada. The days of easy A (i.e. just 1 or 2 questions from a border patrol agent) crossings at the border are gone, particularly if there are minor children in tow. Also, the alternatives to the Peace Arch crossing at Blaine can be relatively swift. And check a calendar for Canadian summer holidays. I found out once that a lot of things in Vancouver will close for a Holiday. Makes sense, I guess. One more thing, skip Pike Place Market and visit Granville Island Market in Vancouver instead.</p>

19

<p>Be sure that you catch the sunrise and sunsets. Sunrise over the mountains, Sunsets over the water. Western daylight days are appropriately longer than east coast. </p>

<p>Light jackets for evenings, is a must, even when day temps hit 90+ and take along on the ferry. Bring binoculars or telescopic devices. Bring extra sandwiches for ferry.</p>

20

<p>LongPrime, I think you meant the “Museum of Flight” at Boeing Field (oops, “King County International Airport”). It’s well worth going there right after you land – it’s on the way to downtown Seattle either by I-5 or Highway 99.</p>