Telluride

My girlfriend and I have been thinking of taking a trip up to Seattle. What are some good things to do and interesting things to see?

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"I am certain that nothing has done so much to destroy the safeguards of individual freedom as the striving after this mirage of social justice." - Friedrich Hayek

amonkie

Well if you like coffee, Seattle is the place to be!!!

I went up to Freemont to sample Peet's Coffee, and there's tons to do just about anywhere in Seattle.

Depends on what interests you though - outdoors, galleries, clubs, sushi?

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Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

squeeeb

visit jimi hendrix's grave in renton and then visit bruce lee's grave in king county.

you can get directions from http://www.findagrave.com

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onward to mayhem!

Telluride

We're into things like museums, art galleries, good restaurants, etc.

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"I am certain that nothing has done so much to destroy the safeguards of individual freedom as the striving after this mirage of social justice." - Friedrich Hayek

Elphaba

If you will be staying for a short time, you will find most of what you are looking for downtown. The usual google search will give you plenty of options to choose from. Seattle is among the top ten cities in the world for excellent dining and I wouldn't know where to begin. Some places to visit that I would recommend:

- Pike Place Market on the water front (artisans, vegetable growers, flower sellers, craftspeople and more)

- New Seattle art park above the waterfront (recently opened)

- Seattle Center (Space Needle, Experience Music Project, Pacific Science Center, Colosseum)

- Seattle Aquarium

- Seattle Art Museum

- Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture

- Fifth Avenue Theatre

- Benaroya Symphony Hall

- Seattle Public Library (newly opened and art in itself)

- Seattle Ferry ride to West Sound and back

I second amonkie's recommendation to visit the Fremont/University district in North Seattle. You will find many places that might interest you near the University of Washington.

If you do choose to come, I think you will enjoy your time here. Any date after July 4 is the beginning of our "summer."

Pen

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"You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to." Molly Ivins - 1944-2007

abaya

Elphaba knows the city well... listen to her.

Don't forget Capitol Hill!! And the UW arboretum is lovely in the summer. How about Ballard, especially the Ballard Locks and Golden Gardens? The Nordic Heritage Museum there is a nice little gem, if you like local history.

Oh, I could go on and on. I spent 23 years there. But I recommend you get a Lonely Planet guide for Seattle, since they tend to put out pretty high-quality stuff. Let us know how it goes!! I miss home terribly.

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clavus

The EMP is absolutely kick ass. The aquarium is top notch. The art museum is good, but not amazing.

random thing to do - On the other side of the straight, in the Port Townsand area (I think) there is a cheezy wildlife safari type thing. You drive your car though a "park" filled with buffalo and zebra and whatnot. The animals are pretty tame and really really really want to eat the bread that you will be carrying in your car, and tossing to random critters. So hop a ferry and explore that area, and do the safari thing... if your idea of fun is having a giant buffalo head licking your dashboard. (no, that is not a euphanism for something).

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snowy

There are TONS of great restaurants in the Seattle area, whether you're looking for Asian food or pub grub or something fancy. For the experience, I definitely recommend checking out either Anthony's at Bell Street Pier or Ivar's Acres of Clams--both are excellent restaurants down on the waterfront, and the view can't be beat--especially from Anthony's patio in the summertime. They're classic Seattle restaurants...definitely not cutting edge or trendy cuisine. For trendy cuisine, go to Dahlia Lounge or one of Tom Douglas's other restaurants.

In the U District there is a hole-in-the-wall Thai place--best Thai food I've ever had--called Thai Tom. Definitely recommended.

Also, there are a lot of great microbreweries and pubs around town, if that's your thing, but avoid the Pyramid Alehouse if the Mariners are playing. If the Mariners aren't playing, the Pioneer Square area is a great place to wander around. I really love the Elliott Bay Bookstore and Magic Mouse Toys (both on 1st Ave), and there are lots of old, funky bars in Pioneer Square that are fun to visit. I haven't made it there yet, but Mario Batali's father owns a sausage shop in Pioneer Square called Salumi. They're famous for their lunches.

Where are you coming from? Are you flying into Seattle? Are you driving? We usually take the train to Seattle (in fact, I just got back yesterday from there), and just use public transportation while we're there. Cabs are cheap and plentiful if you need to get somewhere quick, and walking around the city isn't bad either. The bus system is good for getting some of the places further out, but Seattle doesn't have much mass transit yet other than the buses.

I do recommend, however, taking a ferry ride if you get the chance. The ferry departs from Colman Dock on the waterfront, and you can choose between a half-hour long ride to Bainbridge Island or an hour-long ride to Bremerton (obviously, double that for the round trip). But it's a beautiful ride across Elliott Bay and provides a different view of the city (plus it's cheaper than a sightseeing tour and more fun, in my opinion).

Everyone visits the Space Needle. If you do go up, I do recommend the restaurant. Buy a meal and enjoy the view. The brunch there is good, but on the pricey side. But the cool thing is that the restaurant rotates. Another tall place to visit in Seattle is the Columbia Center--they have an observation deck as well.

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Elphaba

I think Clavus is talking about Northwest Trek, but it is in Eatonville.

http://www.nwtrek.org/

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"You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to." Molly Ivins - 1944-2007

Telluride

Thanks for all the great ideas, everyone. A lot of things have been mentioned that we will definitely have to check out.

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"I am certain that nothing has done so much to destroy the safeguards of individual freedom as the striving after this mirage of social justice." - Friedrich Hayek

rlbond86

Make sure to eat some of the amazing Thai food, and enjoy some delicious Top Pot donuts!

flstf

If you get a little tired of running around in the city (Seattle traffic is terrible) you might want to take a short trip to Snoqualmie Falls. (about 25 miles east on I-90). You might recognize it and the Salish Lodge from the Twin Peaks series.

bobby

welcome to the GREAT PACIFIC NORTHWEST !!!!....P.M. me if you need so help...love ya , Bobby xoxoxoo

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clavus

Nope. I'm talking about this -

http://www.olygamefarm.com/

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Ass, gas or grass. Nobody rides for free.

Elphaba

Cool...I didn't know about this one. Sequim is worthy of a visit for many reasons, but you might want to make it a two or three day affair and drive the entire peninsula loop.

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"You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to." Molly Ivins - 1944-2007