I'm going on an Alaska cruise this summer (sadly not on RSSC) which leaves from Seattle. We're planning on arriving the day before and will be staying at the Westin downtown. Does anyone have suggestions of "must sees" and "must dos"? Also, any restaurant suggestions? I'd like a restaurant that is characteristic of the northwest/Seattle area and NOT a chain.

Pike Market! Also, take a tour of the underground.

The original McCormick and Schmicks is in Seattle right on waterfront; we enjoyed it.

marc

Lauri,

One of the best meals I have ever eaten was at The Metropolitan Grill (provided you are not a vegan). Excellent filet mignon, wine, wtc, etc.

Not the cheapest place but in my top 3 for food!

Anthony

If you're a modern (i.e., from the 1960s on) music fan, consider the Experience Music Project. Paul Allen (Microsoft founder, owner of sports teams and overall high-tech investor-type person) bankrolled the EMP and it is reported by many to be worth the visit. More info (including hours and ticket prices) at The Experience Music Project homepage .

george

Lauri, thanks for sharing your PG info!

You'll have your daughter with you, right?

My seven year old just loves EMP and seeing whatever else may be going on in the adjacent Seattle Center. He also loves the Space Needle (yuk) and the monorail.

Pike's Place Market can be overwhelming for kids, especially on a weekend afternoon, so go early, but don't miss it.

If you have a car, Discovery Park (1/2 hr. south) will show you so much about NW flora and history, and I doubt you'll find anybody but locals there! Walking trails, Native American cultural center, abandoned military chapel, rocky beach.

Maybe show her the Fremont Troll under the north end of the Aurora bridge.

Wander the Fremont and Ballard neighborhoods. Get a coffee.

From downtown, window shop up through Belltown. My son likes the Seattle Art Museum a whole lot. (www.seattleartmuseum.org/)

Rover's is my favorite restaurant, but it's too small, too quiet, and too sophisticated for most little ones. I like the Metropolitan Grill, too.

Cerinda

Boeing Tours

One of our friends raved about this tour - The Boeing Factory is about 30 miles north of Seattle, but we were told it's worth the trip if you have the time and transportation.

Thanks!
Pike's Place Market is definately on my list! We'll be there on a Thursday-Friday so hopefully the crowds won't be too awful. My daughter can handle crowds with the best of them (we just got back from Disney World, she did better than I did)I assume there are good lunch spots in the Market or nearby?

I suppose since none of us have ever been, we'll do the "tourist" thing and go to the Space Needle.

I'll certainly check out the Metropolitan Grill. Don't think we'll have a car so Discovery Park and Boeing may be out.

One more question...my husband's 40th birthday is on Friday (the day we board the ship). I'd like to get him a nice bottle of champagne to celebrate but don't either want to bring it from Dallas or pay the overinflated prices on the ship. Can anyone suggest a good wine/liquor shop located close to the Westin?

oh, and one more question...who or what is the Fremont Troll?

Lauri,

You might consider the Fremont Troll "public art," or you might consider it an eyesore! A Seattle institution, a great photo op, and it always makes me laugh. I don't want to say much more for fear of spoiling it!

You will certainly find food in the Market and on surrounding streets. We usually just wander until something looks good.

You might want to visit the Seattle Aquarium, too (www.seattleaquarium.org); maybe take a ferry or tour boat out on the Sound.

Cerinda

A ferry out on the Sound sounds wonderful. I always enjoy seeing places from the water. New York, San Francisco, even New Orleans are so interesting from that perspective. I think it's one reason I enjoy cruising so much. Would you suggest one ferry or tour over another?

All of these suggestions are great. The aquarium is fantastic. There's all kinds of good restaurants right on the water. Most have menus posted so wander until you find something that fits. The underground tour is fascinating. I used to work fo Westin and that is where Corp HQ was. It's been a while but Seattle is a terrific town. Have fun!

Lauri,

We just walk down from the Market and take whatever ferry is leaving next; we've never bothered with a tour. Outside of rush hour it's a snap; even at rush hour it's far less hectic than catching the ferry to Staten Island!

Cerinda

Don't want to spoil the surprise...so don't look at the link unless you want to see it...your question about the Fremont Troll made me curious too so I had to google it.

Here are the results: Fremont Troll

Lauri, all of the above suggestions are fine - there are so many things to see and do in Seattle. However, arriving just the day before does not leave you much time. The ferries from the Colman Dock in Seattle go to either Bainbridge Island (about 35 minutes each way) or to Bremerton (about 1 hour each way). Be prepared for hill climbing on the way back to the Westin! There are several good restaurants near the Pike Place Market and also along the waterfront. If you want "Northwest" dining, Elliot's on the waterfront is the best (IMHO)! Closer to the Westin you will find the Union Square Grill which is our favorite steakhouse in the city. (Sorry, Met fans!)

The closest liquor store that I know of is on the corner of 2nd Avenue and Seneca Street which is on the way to the waterfront.

To make it easier, if you would like to email me privately, I can send you some of the street maps, etc., with different locations indicated. My email address is eys_0318@hotmail.com.

In case you haven't guessed, I am in Seattle (or at least I work there!). We live about 20 miles south of downtown in Kent. We have been here for almost 30 years, so I would be happy to send you the info!

And you will love the Alaska trip!

T "l" of "s and l" - Liz

Lauri -
I forgot which line you are on. Are you on a cruiseline that allows you to carry champagne on? Some don't - you'd need to know ahead of time to know if you have to smuggle it or could carry it openly....

I suppose buying out the Ikea store the night before you board a cruise ship is not a practical idea, but it's my favorite place in Seattle.

MarnaLou

Well, there is UPS!! Just at IKEA yesterday sniffing around - but mine is much closer than yours...