Welcome to Seattle

Seattle is a diverse and beautiful city that has a lot to offer in a small package.  It is not a large city, if you want you can easily walk from Pioneer Square to Seattle Center  (the length of the downtown core) in a little over an hour.
There are some hills, and they are mostly East and West, the North and South routes are pretty flat, or have gradual hills.

Generally, locals prefer hat and hoods to umbrellas, but it does rain much in the summers.
Wear comfy shoes, especially if you will be walking around the city.

Let's start with how to get around.  A single comprehensive transportation system, is not something you will find here, it is a piecemeal collection of random transportation options.
  1. It is worth it to get an ORCA Card and load a little money on it, they are refillable.
  2. The bus system is cash only, monorail, Seattle Street Car, Ferry, light rail accept Credit cards.
  3. The ORCA card works with everything except the monorail ( which is privately run)
  4. The ORCA card will manage transfers between different systems, which will save you money, if you are hoping on and off
  5. Once you pay, you get to ride free for 2 hours, the ORCA card will manage that too.

So, what are all the fragmented transportation options available to help you get around?
  1. Light Rail: This runs north and south, from the Airport ( south end) to the University of Washington (north).  It is mostly used from the airport to Downtown.
  2. Bus: There are 3 bus systems, METRO is King County ( Seattle)  You can use the Trip Planner web site or download the phone ap for planning trips on the go. 
  3. The Seattle Street Car (SS) also commonly called The SLUT ( the original name was South Lake Union Trolley)  This will take you from Westlake Mall to South Lake Union.  It is about a mile for the entire 1 way route.  ( there is also a Street Car that runs from the International District to Capitol Hill.
  4. The Monorail: This runs from Westlake Mall to The Seattle Center and is less than a mile, but it is fun to take at least once. It was built for the 1962 World's Fair.
  5. The Washington State Ferry:  Seattle to Bainbridge island is only 35 mins one way, and makes a great pause in the day to sit back and relax.  It lands in a cute little shopping area along the waterfront, but you can hop off and right back on.  Tickets are only needed from Seattle. 
What to see:
I have divided the City up into general areas downtown ( what I am most familiar with,  I break out a bit in the Other Area section and day trip section.
  1. SODO,  Pioneer Square  and International District- this is where Seattle started, and along with the 2 big stadiums ( Century Link ( Seahawks) and Safeco ( Mariners) there are team stores.  There are brew pubs across from the stadiums that feature, lots of Seattle beer on tap. 
    1. It is super easy to take the bus tunnel around to and from this area.  Get off at International District/Chinatown Station to be more central or Stadium station to be south of everything
  1. International District has lots of restaurants and Uwajimaya a giant Asian grocery store with a really nice food court, it is across the street ( East) of the International District station)

  1. There is lots of browsing and it heavy on bars and art galleries, but a few things are worth seeing
    1. Magic Mouse Toys - not your average toy store, super fun for Kids and adults, make sure to head downstairs, for books and puzzles.
    2. Underground Tour - This is great, full of humor and insight and you get to go into the creepy beginning of Seattle.
    3. Last Resort Fireman museum - I have never been, but it is on my list, it is small, but looks like it would be fun.
  1. Waterfront
    1. The Waterfront area is currently under construction, but it still allows access to a bunch of fun things
      1. Ivars ( Ivars Fish Bar) - this is very Seattle, walk up and order your fish ( they have rules- Fried orders first, then in an orderly manner get your drinks and chowder and pay)  So a long line, will clear out pretty quickly.  You can eat in the enclosed shelter or out on the dock.  The Seagulls love the French fries and will beg and cajole for you to give up the tasty potatoes.  It is at the south end of the waterfront ( a short walk from Pioneer square)
      2. Ivars also has a very nice sit down restaurant and they have recently redecorated it and updated the menu.
      3. Ye Old Curiosity Shop This is a tourist store and oddity museum, it is fun to wander through and see all the mass produced trinkets along with a mummy and other weird things. 
      4. Seattle Great Wheel - Giant enclosed Ferris Wheel contraption, that is actually pretty fun, you get to see Bainbridge Island  (if you squint) and the entire City including West Seattle.
      5. Seattle Aquarium

  1. West Edge, Retail Core ( Pike Place and Westlake)
    1. This area is well suited to tourists and has a lot to offer.  West Edge is mostly businesses.
      1. Seattle Art Museum  It is not a giant all day kind of place.  It has a remarkable African collection and the Porcelain Room is beautiful to behold.  They also will have this summer a very special exhibition called Kusama:Infinite Mirrors There is a presale for members now, but the public can purchase tickets in June.  (Sadly this sold out in a day- but day of tickets maybe available) 
      2. Pike Place Market - they are expanding the market and modernizing it.
        1. Seatown - Tom Douglas restaurant - the Crab BLT is amazing
        2. INDI Chocolate - Bean to Bar chocolate and lotions
        3. Beecher's Cheese - They make the cheese on site and have fresh curds to eat.  Awesome Grilled Cheese sandwiches and wonderful Mac and Cheese
        4. Market Spice - They have Cinnamon Orange tea that is quite popular, but also every spice known to man and a great selection of teas.
      3. Westlake
        1. This is a shopping mall, in the center of the shopping area. 
        2. Lush Known for fresh and preservative  organic bath products that are bright and fun.
        3. Made In Washington Great collection of higher end Seattle area made gifts.
        4. Fireworks- has the perfect gift you never thought of.  There is one in the airport too 
  2. South Lake Union  (Discover South Lake Union)
    1. MOHAI  Museum of History and Industry.  A little gem with a very comprehensive look at Seattle History.
    2. Serious Pie/Biscuit - Wood oven pizza with local ingredients and biscuits topped with creativity 

  1. Belltown and  Uptown - This is where I live, so I am partial to a bunch of restaurants
    1. Food
      1. Yellow Leaf Cupcakes  Crazy yummy cupcakes, French Macrons and various baked goods, they all baked daily in the shop.
      2. Petra  Experience the culinary Petra Bistro tour and sample the authentic flavors and spices from Jordan, Lebanon, Greece, Turkey and Northern Africa. Their rice is amazing, I love their skewers and falafel as well.  Good food, not a fussy environment.
      3. CJ's Eatery - Classic Diner food in Belltown.  Expect to wait on weekends after 8:30 am  The Swedish pancakes are sublime, they are also known for chorizo gravy and the specials.
      4. Macrina Bakery   I Love the Morning Glory Muffin, but you really can't go wrong with anything.  The Apple Cider Wheat bread is my favorite daily kind of bread.
      5. Spa Noir - if you are in need of a massage, mani pedi or facial, you can not go to a more Seattle, more welcoming, or professional space. 
      6. Biscuit Bitch- Biscuits, eggs, bacon, gravy, strawberries.. They take the biscuit to a new level.. There is always a line
      7. Wasabi - Not the BEST sushi in Seattle, but a really nice Sushi experience and they have a large collection of Japanese food and Sushi.
      8. Shiro's- the best Sushi in Seattle.  They take reservations, and there is a line nightly for the counter seating.
      9. Marrakesh An authentic Moroccan experience.   I think it is a 5 course meal, and you get to pick the main.  It is all served family style and you are encouraged to dig in.  The Bread is really good.  A couple of nights a week they have belly dancers on hand to entertain you  as you eat.  I have been 2x and both times it has been a excellent experience.
      10. Zeeks Pizza  Really good pizza, northwest combinations  The Frog Green, and Tree Hugger are yummy.  I also like the Thai Chicken pizza, but everything is good.
      11. Pagalicci Pizza  They have sit down locations, but they are my delivery go to- great pizza, and wonderful salads.  I ordered pizza and Pagliaccio Salad ( a chopped salad with garbanzo beans, lettuce, peperoni and peppers)  and he still talks about it 2 years later, and insists on visiting Pagalicci next time he is up here.
      12. Cantina Lena  True Mexican - a bit meat forward, but a great place to pick up a quick meal
      13. Palace Kitchen  My favorite place, upscale food ( expensive) in a causal atmosphere, no  reservations and only serves dinner and late night.  Limited menu, but constructed with care.  The Olive Poppers are da bomb and the butterscotch pudding changed my understanding of what butterscotch is. ( it has not been on the menu the last few times I have been there, but I hold out hope.) 
    2. Seattle Center Built for the 62 World's Fair, it is still the hub of Seattle, and Festivals for all nationalities seem to play out over most weekends.   It is home to a bunch of civic activities, Opera, Ballet, Live Theater to name a few.   The Monorail links Westlake ( Retail Core) to the Seattle Center.
      1. Space Needle - You get amazing views of the city and the surrounding areas, the restaurant is okay, but save your $$ for the gift shop.. It is wonderful
      2. The Armory - Food court at Seattle Center- lots of choices from Vegan to Burgers.
      3. Pacific Science Center - Besides IMAX and the best Butterfly room, this is also a fun place to interact with science and this summer they have the Terracotta Warriors which is pretty amazing to behold.  I have never been disappointed by the travelling exhibitions
      4. Chihuly Glass Garden - My brother insists we come here, whenever he visits, it is beautiful and showcases the beautiful art of glass to the highest level.  In particular the gardens with the glass that mingles with the plants, in the shadow of the Space Needle it makes for some beautiful vistas.
      5. MoPOP Museum of POP culture and Music, a great experience 
    3. Other stuff
      1. Cinerama - a classic theater, with cheap concessions and they make chocolate popcorn on site. ( I recommend 1/2 and 1/2) 

  1. Out and About
    1. Freemont Troll - He sits under the Freemont Bridge and it well visited.
    2. Archie McFee's - a practical joke and crazy items store, they are known for a weird sense of humor. 
    3. Dick's  A classic burger and fry joint with milkshakes.  Very limited menu and no changes can be made to the burgers, you get what is on the menu.  They are all over the city.
    4. Washington Park Arboretum  - Beautiful gardens on the edge of the city, by the water, has an authentic Tea House and gardens and a Rhododendron Glen ( The Rhoddy thrives up here and is found in most gardens)
    5. Canoe and Rowboat rentals- Montlake Cut  - this is really fun to do and a great way to see the area for a different perspective.
    6. Ballard Locks  This is where Lake Washington, meets the Pacific Ocean ( Puget Sound).  The levels of the Lake, vs ocean is different, so  the locks will raise  or lower boats moving between the 2 bodies of water.  They also have a salmon ladder, to help the salmon move from the ocean back to the lake.  
    7. Alki Beach  is a great beach area the winds around West Seattle, it is great for seeing the city, or just beach Combing
      1. Spud's  If you are at Alki, this classic Fish and Chips joint is across the street on the North side of the beach. 


  1. Day Trips
    1. North Bend ( the real Twin Peaks)  An Hour East of Seattle, and includes Snoqualmie Falls ( amazing and breathtaking, especially with the wet winter we have had) 
    2. Mount Rainier National Park  90 mins south of Seattle
    3. Mt St Helens   3 hours south/East of Seattle
    4. Deception Pass - 1 hour north and West of Seattle ( by car)  It is breathtaking here and a popular place to picnic
    5. Boeing Factory Tour - 40 mins north  I have heard great things about this
    6. Museum of Flight - 20 mins South ( by the airport)
    7. Skagit Wildlife Reserve - 1 hour north ( near some great outlet shopping)

  1. Leavenworth -  about 90 mins north/east of Seattle This is a great little Bavarian themed town with lots of beer and brats.
  2. Olympic National Park about 3 hours West from Seattle - a beautiful National Park.  When you look West from Seattle, you can see the mountains faintly out in the distance across the water. ( Includes the Hoh rainforest)
  3. Blodel Reserve  - 90 mins via Ferry ( you can drive your car onto the Ferry)
  4. Tacoma - 30 mins south of Seattle,  Is Seattle's smaller sister, it is where the TAC in Seatac comes from
    1. Glass Museum - This is much more than Chihuly ( who is like the godfather of glass art)
    2. America's Car Museum 



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Michelle said…
http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/google-maps-says-we-love-these-50-seattle-area-places-in-the-summer/
May 29, 2017 at 6:53 PM
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