Heading to Seattle - Could use a little help - Page 2

HardDrive · 06-09-2020, 08:43 PM

Yeah, thanks for the input junior. I lived in Seattle for 15 years. Still own a home there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Funny. Those are decent suggestions, but it's kinda telling that if you ask "where should I go while in city X" on a car forum, every suggestion you get will involve a multi-hour drive out of the city in question.

Things are still partially shut down in the city proper (that Queen Anne neighborhood where the OP is staying is pretty central), there are still things to do that don't involve driving hours out to the Mountain Loop Highway, for example.

"Driver up US 2 to Stevens Pass. Not a lot to do out there, but beautiful drive."

LOL. Stevens Pass is the heart of the central cascades. Hundreds of miles of hiking, climbing, skiing, biking, camping, off-roading, hunting, and fishing right off of the pass. PCT crosses through there. It's one of the major outdoor recreational areas in the state.

Now that Mount Rainier NP has opened for day trips, for a long scenic drive from Seattle, I'd suggest going south over Chinook and Cayuse Passes into the park and up to the Paradise visitor center. Pretty spectacular countryside, and you end up on a volcano.

Another drive suggestion would be to drive down to Crystal Mountain and take the gondola ride up to the top. It's open now on weekends. Incredible views of Mount Rainier that you get without having to exert yourself.

daepp · 06-10-2020, 10:12 AM

Hey - the original suggestions of drives were perfect. See the area by car, maybe a few hikes etc mindful of the weather.

Also the various restaurants that are open/opening is fantastic - THANK YOU!

daepp · 06-10-2020, 10:14 AM

I may jump the shark with this one, but bless her heart, my daughter has discovered an old favorite of mine - vinyl. Anyone know a cool record store within greater Seattle that might be worth a trip/open?

gtc · gtc's Garage

I believe the gondola at crystal is currently closed to foot traffic - they opened back up for a few weeks of spring skiing and have been prioritizing skiers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarwood

...
Another drive suggestion would be to drive down to Crystal Mountain and take the gondola ride up to the top. It's open now on weekends. Incredible views of Mount Rainier that you get without having to exert yourself.

Ayles · 06-10-2020, 10:48 AM

The best one is Daybreak Records in Fremont though they just moved and their opening has been delayed by the Virus. Second to them is Jive Time (also in Fremont) and again not sure of their hours or open status. Both are just a couple minutes away from QA.

http://www.daybreakrecordstore.com/

https://jivetimerecords.com/

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

she might be interested in seeing the Troll statue and also the Marx, or Lenin statues - IIRC< in fremont

MRM · 06-10-2020, 11:05 AM

Seattle is one of our favorite cities to vacation in. I don’t know anything about it other than from a tourist perspective, but I can make some suggestions that you can do in 48 hours that will be fun to an outsider. I agree that Kerry Park is a must. Also Pike Place and the waterfront. Have breakfast at Pike Market overlooking the water and try to have dinner on the waterfront at one of the dockside restaurants. Just walking the Pike Market neighborhood and seeing things like the gum wall is so much fun and you can fit your exploration into whatever time you have available. Finally, take a ferry, any ferry. The longer the better, but the ride and the view are what counts more than the destination.

gtc · gtc's Garage

One thing to look forward to - there are basically no lines right now at the popular Pike Place spots like the original Starbucks and pike place chowder.
Also it just occurred to me - if you're not eating out, Ethan Stowell has been doing some fantastic take-out meals for two at his restaurants... here's the one in queen anne:
https://www.ethanstowellrestaurants.com/locations/how-to-cook-a-wolf/

jcommin · jcommin's Garage

I'm a foodie kinda of guy - the seafood, craft beer and coffee (not Starbucks) is some of the best your will ever get. Traveling east thru the Cascades is amazing. 48 hours isn't allot of time. It is will wet your appetitie for the city - I like the entire Oregon / Washington coast.

Before 9/11 I brought back on small cooler of salmon and crab I was allowed to bring on the plane. I brought back an apple larger than the size of a grapefruit (yes they get that big) only becuase I have never seen an apple get that big. They are many apple orchards west of the mountains - the georgraphy is very different.

Whatever you do - enjoy. You will be better prepared when you visit again.

71T Targa · 06-15-2020, 02:43 PM

So? How was it?

daepp · 06-17-2020, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71T Targa

So? How was it?

Hey guys - great trip, and thanks for all the tips.

I got in around 3, headed for Queen Anne, and then we set off on foot for the nearby waterfront and park.

A little wind-blown and a little chilly, but well worth the view!

Back at her apartment she made me a great meal, and then finished the evening with a cigar on the rooftop patio of my hotel in QA

daepp · 06-17-2020, 01:29 PM

Saturday morning started with coffee in her apartment, and then a trip north to the Mukilteo Ferry and over to Whidbey, where we went to the Farmer's Market and stopped at about 10000 coffee places - all good, not complaining.

Next real stop was the Deception Point bridge, where we id a bit of hiking. The views were incredible:

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

Ensign, or...?

jhynesrockmtn · 06-17-2020, 01:39 PM

Great trip. I miss the good parts of Seattle. The traffic and non stop development, not so much. I spent a lot of time on Whidbey. My ex father in law was a retired Navy Captain who owned property right near the air base after he left the military. We buried him up there last year. RIP Captain Don!

daepp · 06-17-2020, 01:44 PM

The hike down

Next it was over to Fidalgo, several more stops, then a tremendous downpour (almost had to pull over but, to be fair, it was the only rain I really had to deal with) and then over to the falls:

The natural beauty wherever I looked was just stunning.

I didn't have enough time - of course. And my daughter had things in mind she wanted to show me - very enjoyable. But one clear take-away is that the next trip to Seattle will be for at least a week!

After returning to QA to regroup, shower etc, we finished the night with a fine seafood meal near Pike Market at Cutters - wonderful!

Thanks again for all the great advise!

Seahawk · 06-17-2020, 01:48 PM

That is great, David.

She must be a LT by now?

I wish her well...she has some big decisions coming up!

71T Targa · 06-17-2020, 02:48 PM

Thanks for the pics. Looks like it was a great time with your daughter.

Jeff Higgins · 06-17-2020, 04:10 PM

I'm glad you had a good time, David. Yes, the natural beauty of our area is simply spectacular. It looks like you took in a fair amount of it, considering the time you had. For those of you unfamiliar with our area, it's quite a little buggy ride from Deception Pass to Snoqualmie Falls. Quite a big day to have taken in both.

Oh, and a bit of local Falls trivia - a young man by the name of Robert Plant was inspired to write a song called Misty Mountain Hop after a visit to the Falls.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Great thread. Wife and I recently visited Seattle and did not come close. Spent most of our time walking the city, eating, and drinking. Will have to visit again based on this.

daepp · 06-17-2020, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

Great thread. Wife and I recently visited Seattle and did not come close. Spent most of our time walking the city, eating, and drinking. Will have to visit again based on this.

Which is a great time too!

The first few trips there that's exactly what we did - a great city to explore, esp. on foot!