WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN SEATTLE
Including Places To Eat and Stay and How To Get Around
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Getting There Is Half The Fun
You have many choices when it comes to traveling to Seattle for your vacation. Seattle is served by Sea-Tac Airport, which is south of the city and served by most major airlines such as Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, and more. Or if you prefer a more leisurely mode of travel, you can arrive by train or bus. You can drive here, too, although you may not enjoy the traffic on the freeways or in the downtown areas. And if you're coming from the north--Alaska or British Columbia--you may decide on a ferry ride as a means of travel. Public and private transportation from the airport, train, bus or ferry terminals is good, and you can get most anywhere you need to go by using them. Of course, if you want to drive around the area after you arrive, all major car rental agencies serve the Seattle area for your driving convenience.
Where To Stay, Where To Eat
If you're not visiting friends or family while in Seattle, you'll need a place to stay, and places to dine. Here are a few places recommended by Seattle.com. Remember, there's not enough space here to tell about all the wonderful accomodations Seattle has to offer. Check out Seattle.com for more choices.
Downtown-Area Hotels
• Ace Hotel
While the name doesn't sound like much, this is one of Seattle's trendiest hotels. Located in downtown Seattle near Pike Place Market and Rainier Square shopping center, the Ace is reminiscent of "European Pensione and minimalist luxury." Room rates range from $95 to $200 per night depending on accomodations. You'll find a sink and vanity in every room--only the deluxe rooms have private baths.
• Eighth Avenue Inn
Standard rates range from $99 to $139 per night, although there are often specials. Located close to both the business and entertainment districts. If you're driving, daily parking is just $10 a day. If you're depending on other means of transportation to get around, you are just a few blocks from the bus "free zone."
University District Hotels
• Watertown Hotel
Prices range from $135 to $165 per night, but ask for Seattle.com's rate and receive a discount. Located near the Univeristy of Washington, if you're checking out this school on your visit, you'll enjoy staying here.
• University Inn
Located just blocks from the "U District," prices range from $149 to $165 per night, with $10 per night discounts through Seattle.com. Offers shuttles to the University, many hospitals and medical centers, as well as tourist attractions such as the Seattle Center and Space Needle.
Outlying Area Hotels
You may prefer to stay at an outlying hotel such as the many hotels located near Sea-Tac Airport, or in one of the suburban cities. Check out Seattle.com for more information on some of these accomodations.
Seattle Dining
There is no way we can do justice to the many fine dining establishments in the Seattle area in just this one little article. Suffice it to say, no matter what your dining pleasure, you'll find it here. With its close proximity to Puget Sound, you'll find many seafood restaurants in the area. Everything from steakhouses and ethnic eateries to fast food fare can be found here. Rest assured, you will not go hungry in Seattle for lack of good restaurants. Visit Seattle.com to see a listing of available eateries in the Seattle area.
Things To See And Do In Seattle
Now that you have been well-fed and have your hotel accomodations, it's time for sight-seeing. No visit to Seattle is complete without a tour of the downtown area. Many things to see and do here, including the Seattle Center and Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Underground City, many tours of the area, sports events and shopping. Here's a brief run-down on some of the things you can see and do while vacationing in Seattle.
Tours
•Savor Seattle Food Tour
Take a two-hour walking tour of Pike Place Market; taste-test the cuisine from the many vendors and Market-area restaurants.
• Seattle Double-Decker Tour
Visit Seattle's top tourist attractions from authentic double-decker buses. You can remain on the bus for the complete tour, or hop off at places which interest you and hop back on the next tour bus to ride to the next attraction.
• Snoqualmie Falls and Winery Tour
This is a 6-hour bus tour which takes you east of the city to visit Snoqualmie Falls as well as several wineries and chocolate factories. Pick-up points are at all Seattle or Airport hotels at 9 a.m. on selected days.
• Boeing Plant Tour
If you or someone in your group has an interest in airplanes, the Boeing Plant Tour is something you may be interested in. Tour Boeing's plant and see how their planes are put together.
Cruises
With so much water in the Seattle area, including Puget Sound, Lake Union and Lake Washington, it's only natural that there are cruises of these waterways available, too.
• Royal Argosy Lunch Cruise
Departing from Pier 56 in the Seattle Waterfront District at noon each day, enjoy lunch aboard the Royal Argosy and a tour of Elliott Bay on Puget Sound.
• Seattle Lake Cruise
Enjoy a two-hour guided cruise of both Lake Washington and Lake Union, including Sleepless In Seattle's houseboat community.
• Whale-Watching From Friday Harbor
Your own transportation to Friday Harbor is required, but if you're driving or going by ferry, you can easily access this delightful whale-watching cruise at Friday Harbor.
Other Activities
For activities with little to no cost, Seattle is home to the Woodland Park Zoo, if you are traveling with children who would enjoy a zoo visit. Greenlake Park is another fun place to visit, with walking, bicycle and rollerblade rentals available. If you have a car at your disposal, you can drive to many nearby locations for sightseeing and visiting. There are golf courses to enjoy, and camping and other outdoor recreational activities too. Shopping? Theater and concerts? Parks and recreation? Movies? The Seattle Center? Museums? You have a variety of choices of things to see and do while you are on your Seattle vacation. We know you won't regret the trip.