<p>Unless I missed something, it’s all good with the train. I plugged in one random set of August dates, and it looks to me like the train is still running on its regular route. The Seattle to Vancouver route only runs once a day though, so you might need to adjust your schedule – you want the 510 Cacscades northbound leaving Seattle early a.m., arriving in Vancouver around lunch time; then departing on the 517 Cascades from Vancouver around dinner time to arrive in Seattle late evening on the return. If you were looking at other times, that’s why you saw bus service. The “Thruway” bus service does not apply to your trip, so ignore it. What is applicable is an equipment substitution – evidently they are still using the Superliner train cars we rode in last summer (something about a service recall on the regular cars). The Superliner cars are great! Double decker, I think. No dining car, but food is still avilable. A pain if you’re taking bikes, but not an issue for you. Don’t hesitate to book this trip. One really fun part – traveling through White Rock, BC just north of the border, where people wave at you as you go by.</p>
<p>Hi zipyourlips,
Our schedule would not be conducive to taking the early morning Cascades train from Seattle to Vancouver. As I read the schedule and look at all the little icons, it seems that the method of transportation for the rest of the day is by bus. This is with a schedule which went into effect on 5/12/08.</p>
<p>WashDad, thanks for the continuing advice on driving routes. I’m printing this all out for reference.</p>
<p>Thanks to all, and I’m still looking for specifics on restaurants-not “fine dining,” preferably not “touristy.” (We will do our “fine dining” at Pike St. and Safeco. ;)) Dim Sum, Thai, Chinese in Seattle and Vancouver, BC.</p>
<p>Yes, I believe the schedule is always one train a day in each direction, with the buses filling in for other times. So sorry to hear the train times can’t work for you. If there’s any chance of switching your plans to accommodate the train’s schedule, it is really worth it.</p>
<p>Try this one – I have eaten at a different Jai Thai location and it’s good. – Located 2 blocks north of Pike Place Market (2132 First Ave. where it crosses Blanchard), Jai Thai Belltown offers delicious, fresh Thai cuisine and a fully stocked bar with daily specials. When the weather is permitting, this venue also has a nice outdoor patio for dining or relaxing with a drink. Jai Thai Belltown also hosts numerous music nights through out the week in its lounge. Happy Hour runs from 5-7pm everyday and 10pm-12:30am Sunday-Thursday. Contact this venue at (206) 770-7884. Lunch: Mon-Fri. 11:00-4:00pm Sat. Noon-4:00pm</p>
<p>If you’re in the U District, two options (plus lots of others on University Way, aka “the Ave”). Marlai at 3719 NE 45th, a few blocks east of campus, phone
(206) 523-3200. Excellent food, very nice professional wait staff, elegant and a very popular neighborhood spot (no “college” feel here), no need to dress up, and prices are about the same as all the other Thai restaurants in town. Or, on the west side of the campus at 4543 University Way NE, the other end of the spectrum: Thai Tom (206)548-9548. Tiny, cramped, loud, doesn’t take credit cards, large servings, very good food, popular with the younger crowd.</p>
<p>I confess Tai Tung is far from the newest/splashiest pan-Asian restaurant in Seattle ( it’s been around since 1935)
and I haven’t been for a while- but H and I used to go a lot even coming from the east side of the lake and I have very fond memories- it can be uneven- but go with what the guys at the counter are eating- or what is on the blackboard.
[Tai</a> Tung - Restaurants - The Stranger, Seattle’s Only Newspaper](<a href=“http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=11527]Tai”>http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=11527)</p>
<p>I hope you’re in Seattle on the first Thursday of the month. If so, do some googling and save yourself some money. Boeing and some other businesses sponsor free admission to some venues then including, but not limited to:
*Seattle Art Museum (does not include special exhibitions)
*Seattle Asian Art Museum
*Boeing Museum of Flight-free from 5-9 p.m.
*Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum - free from 5-8 p.m.</p>
<p>This isn’t an exhaustive list, just what I came up with doing some quick checking. I’m not sure if the Aquarium is part of this or not. If you’re going to be in Seattle on the first Thursday it would be worth e-mailing the places you’re interested in to ask if they are part of the program. We found out about this purely by chance when we happened to be vacationing in Seattle on a first Thursday.</p>
<p>Thanks, 2blue! As it happens, we are going to be there at that time!</p>
<p>Great. I hope the ballgame isn’t on Thursday. Going to the EMP that evening for free with a party of five would be a sweet way to save some money. We found EMP not to be the kind of place you just walk through and look at things. It is designed to be more interactive. There were places where you could go on to a computer and view interviews with artists, etc. My kids liked the music mixing the best. You could go into a sound room and play something on an instrument which was then recorded. You could play around with it in a mixing studio next. We didn’t have time to go through the whole process, but I guess you can put together something and then buy a CD of it. My kids actually liked the Art Museum even more.</p>
<p>Another really fun, cool spot for teenagers, young adults, and adults is The Triple Door. (“Mainstage Musicquarium Lounge”). It is an awesome Seattlesque spot and a chance to catch some of the music vibe there. Your teenagers/young adults will feel like they had a real night out (I had no idea that under 21’s could go - it seemed like a hip crowd spot). I got this for you from their website (check out the calender and acts):</p>
<p>“The Mainstage is an all-ages venue except for shows with doors after 9pm, which are 21 and over only. The Musicquarium is also 21 and over only. Children who will occupy a seat require a ticket for Mainstage shows”</p>
<p>"What is our food/menu like?</p>
<p>Inspired by the award-winning Wild Ginger kitchen, head chef Nathan Uy designed a menu unique to the Triple Door that incorporates the regional cuisines of Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and China. Our executive pastry chef, Sachia Tinsley, is constantly evolving our dessert menu, which features original creations, as well as classic favorites, like our Molten Chocolate Lava Cake.</p>
<p>We also boast an extensive wine list, with over 500 bottles to choose from!"</p>
<p>[The</a> Triple Door - a music space that rises above the everyday.](<a href=“http://www.thetripledoor.net/default.aspx]The”>http://www.thetripledoor.net/default.aspx)</p>
<p>the Triple Door is very nice but expensive.
When are you coming?
I am going to El Corazon on the 8th for an all ages show- $10- it used to be the Offramp- cause Mike McCready ( Pearl Jam ) is playing with his UFO cover band Flight to Mars and they are all great and very friendly. ( they also play more than UFO- excellent Zep- Who & Kiss- I also heard Mike at the last FTM show do a bit of Hendrix & he even sang!)
Haven’t been there before- sounds very grungy-
I like the Showbox though and they often have all ages shows.
( personally I don’t really care for EMP, but I suppose if you are a tourist it might be interesting)
you also will want to be apprised of this schedule
[Welcome</a> to Seafair - Seattle’s Summer Celebration](<a href=“http://www.seafair.com/]Welcome”>http://www.seafair.com/)
as it will affect traffic.</p>
<p>EK,we’ll be arriving on the 5th, but departing on the 8th later in the day for Vancouver-we may be able to come back at the end of the trip post-Rainier, but my guess is that we may spend the extra time at Rainier hiking the trails. We’re leaving it as flexible as possible.</p>
<p>Looks like we miss the Seafair festival.</p>
<p>I wanted to add that I agree with emeraldkity there are other things I’d prefer to EMP. Getting in for free that evening is what I meant by sweet. Given the ages of your group, though, it could be a good choice. I think the aquarium was my favorite place to go.</p>
<p>You’ve gotten lots of great advice, as usual. I’ve been out of town so am late with my own advice.</p>
<p>While I know lots of people who love Wild Ginger, I have never been there and enjoyed it. EVERY SINGLE TIME I’ve gotten really terrible service (waiting an hour for a reserved table makes me crazy) and ordinary food. But I know people who love it and swear my experience is unique. Who Knows. </p>
<p>My favorite dim sum place in all of the northwest is the Pink Pearl in Vancouver. Don’t be put off by the huge size. They have staff and kitchen to match. [Pink</a> Pearl Chinese Restaurant Website](<a href=“http://www.pinkpearl.com/]Pink”>http://www.pinkpearl.com/)</p>
<p>I’m not sure anyone has said this, but jeans won’t be an issue. We’re not a formal area of the country. DO bring shorts though, since you’ll be here for our warm/hot season.</p>
<p>dmd77, thanks for this additional info, exactly what I’ve been looking for! I think I have read about the Pink Pearl elsewhere. I see on the web site that they open at 9 a.m. for dim sum, but I’m wondering if you know how late in the day they serve it. At some point it looks like they turn to a dinner menu. I will also try to dig up more opinions on Wild Ginger before we give it a shot. I thought it might be a chain restaurant because the name sounded familiar, but the Wild Ginger in New York doesn’t seem at all similar.</p>
<p>Good to know that jeans will be acceptable in many places. We rarely eat out “fancy” meals when we travel. We are planning on combo of shorts/jeans for the trip and I check weather.com up until the morning we leave for the airport, just to be sure.</p>
<p>I was avoiding the Seattle-specific advice (others are better than me at that), but I did recently eat at a little restaurant called Matt’s in the Market, which is above Pike Place Market. I had some really nice fish and enjoyed the great view out over Elliott Bay. Since it’s small and this is summer, I have no idea how hard it is to get in.</p>
<p>WashDad, I have seen Matt’s in the Market mentioned in many places. Maybe we’ll try for an early lunch, before the crowds.</p>
<p>DO bring shorts though, since you’ll be here for our warm/hot season.</p>
<p>I would temper that, I had to get out another blanket last night. :p</p>
<p>Wild Ginger is not part of a chain. Its website is www(dot)wildginger(dot)net. You can take a look at the decor as well as menu and pricing. For us, it falls toward the “fine dining” end of the spectrum. If you’re considering it, I would make a reservation now and cancel later if you change your mind.</p>
<p>Here’s a quote from their website: “Wild Ginger is a James Beard Award winning restaurant and has been reviewed or featured in top ten lists of national publications such as Gourmet, Bon Appetit, Atlantic Monthly, People, Conde Nast Traveler, Money Magazine, Forbes RYI and The New York Times. The well-respected Zagat Guide has noted Wild Ginger as Seattle’s most popular restaurant since 1997.”</p>
<p>Lynn Canyon (North Vancouver) has a similar suspension bridge as Capilano and it’s FREE (and FAR less crowded).</p>
<p>Zipyourlips: I wonder if someone has confused Thai Ginger (which is a chain of sorts, although small) with Wild Ginger. As I said above, I know lots of people who love the place. I’ve been three times and all three times I got mediocre food and poor service.</p>
<p>EK4: I got out the extra blanket last night too, but I have to hope that the first week of August we’ll at least make it into the 70s!</p>