Seattle...What's to do and see?

[bullwinkle77]

We're thinking of driving from CA (have done it before and it is such an easy drive when there is no snow to deal with) What kind of "must see" things are there to do in Seattle if we arrive a couple of days early?

[depfox]

What part of Ca are you driving from I considered driving also. Where do you plan on parking you car while on the cruise

Jay

[mtymike]

We are also driving up from Monterey. We have never done it. We will try and find a hotel that will let us keep the car there for the week like we were able to do in San Diego. That worked great they shuttled us to the port and picked us up and brought us back to our car. I'm sure we can find the same deal up there. Can't wait.

[seannmike]

Sounds like a lot of CA people. We're flying but were wondering where everyone is from. San Francisco here.

[The Ennis Girls]

Toronto Canada here;)

[Crazy aka Cheryl]

New York City Here :D
If I start walking now I should get there in time:D
CCC

[candue]

Hey Cheryl, If you did start walking they couldn't charge you extra for your suitcase full of shoes! Good luck with your holiday drive. Think of you and other boat peeps daily, Miss you all. TJ

[hoop31]

We are swimming in from hawaii.... going to get there a couple of days early to adjust to time change and try to catch a Seattle Storm game!
Can't wait to see everyone again!!!!

[bullwinkle77]

Hey--I am the original poster asking about what to do in Seattle....isn't anyone from Seattle and/or WA state on this list?

Re: questions about driving...We live in the Sacramento area...we have driven to Vancouver, BC, so Seattle will be an easy drive. Re: where we are going to leave our van. We are weighing the option of renting a car one-way, each way------I already checked out the costs and they weren't so bad, especially if one weighs wear and tear on your own vehicle, any fees for parking vehicle for a week, etc.

Re: one way rentals.....We ended up renting a car in NYC this summer after R Family's cruise ended and NCL booted us all off the boat by about 9AM. Our flight back to CA wasn't until 7:30PM that evening and when we started pricing and trying to find a place for our luggage while we tooled around the city, costs of cabs, having to go back to where we left our luggage before leaving for JFK, it ended up costing less to do a one-way rental and picked up a car in NYC and used it for the day and drove ourselves to the airport. We were quite happy! Got to hang out and take our time getting to the airport.

So, back to my original question.....what's to do in Seattle--trying to figure out how many days we should plan to hang out in Seattle....

[jklangbehn]

hey live in olympia, an hour south - so things to do in seattle - go to the space needle, the science center all good for ages 3-teens.. if it's a clear day you need to pay the $ to go up on the space needle observation deck you can see past mount rainier, mt. st. helens, mt. baker, our olympics and the sound.. it's pretty cool.

I haven't done but the EMP - experience music project is fun for music buffs. Then take the monorail from the seattle center (where needle and science center is) to downtown - cheap ride, no hassles in parking - you'll get off at westlake center - downtown seattle - great shopping all within walking - nike town, nordstrom's flag ship store etc - the you can walk down the hill - Pike Place Market - gotta do that in the summer - great food all along the way - and of course there is a coffee stand Seattles best or Starbucks literally on ever corner.

If you are driving up from CA - the you could do a cheaper route and Do tacoma downtown instead.. the Glass Museum is incredible and can walk about 3 blocks up and eat at the Spaghetti Factory - all very reasonable.

Few take cabs in Downtown Seattle - none really in tacoma. you kinda walk everywhere - traffic is HORRIBLE. but if you are driving there is good parking by the Port - and it's more reasonable the a week parking at the Ports of Miami or NYC. Don't drive in downtown Seattle - not worth it, parking is nill.. seriously if you want to do downtown.. it's easier to just go to the space needle and park in one of the lots there and take the monorail into downtown.. it's like $4 a person.. very reasonable.

Hopefully this is helpful - let me know if you guys need more ideas.

[sharonlynn1946]

** it's easier to just go to the space needle and park in one of the lots there and take the monorail into downtown.. it's like $4 a person.. very reasonable.**

Say Janice,

Good idea. Do you know if the monorail is handicapped accessable? I tried to email you privately. My partner and I use motorized wheelchairs to get around and plan to take them with us on the cruise too. We will be spending a few days in Seattle also.

Thanks for any help you can give us for ole' people!!!

Sharon

[jklangbehn]

yes to get up the platform it's a short ramp and then it's straight on the train.. and they are driven by a driver so you don't have to worry about the doors shutting on you.. it might be cheaper for disabled. I haven't ridden since be labeled disabled and using a cane.
janice

[Chapman]

Hi Friend
I certainly agree with you. Thank you very much for sharing your information. It was really very helpful for me.
Thank's!!!!!!!