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Seattle - Help me plan one full day before Cruise


wlee
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I am arriving in Seattle on a Thursday evening, and spending 2 nights in Seattle before leaving on the Princess Ruby in Saturday 7/28/18 for Alaska. So, Friday 7/27 is the only full day I have in Seattle for sightseeing. Please help me figure out best way to spend the day.

I'm staying at the Four Seasons. I'm traveling with my husband and 2 young adult boys. I only want to see the most important (yes, I know that is very subjective) sights, I would like a somewhat relaxed day, no stressing about running all over the place.

So far I'm thinking, walk over to Pikes Market late morning with a stop at the Gum Wall, around 9 or 10 am and spend a few hours there, maybe have lunch there. Then go over to the Space Needle in the early afternoon and walk around that area. Should I get my tickets ahead of time and plan maybe a 1 or 2 pm ticket? What are the must sees in that area? Is it worth it to go over to the International District, maybe for dinner? What is the best mode of transportation with this itinerary? Uber, or is there a monorail type transportation that would take me to these 3 areas? Any other must-sees near those areas?

Thanks in advance?

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From Pike's Market, go up Pine Street (away from the water) for 4 blocks to Westlake Center and catch the monorail to the Space Needle. As seniors, I know we paid $1 each for a one way ride, not sure about the fare for others (check their website).

 

Be sure to walk the grounds around the Space Needle - interesting and a decent place to grab a quick lunch in the food court.

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I would strongly recommend visiting the Pike Place market (no "s") as early in the morning as possible, ideally for breakfast. By 10:30 the market becomes so crowded as to make visiting very uncomfortable for most people.

 

Where are you coming from? If from some other time zone, consider using the time difference to your advantage - 8 AM to us is 11 AM on the east coast and 10 AM in the Midwest, so a 7:30 or 8 AM breakfast won't be a killer. Go have breakfast at Lowell's or the Athenian and then watch the merchants set up; it's the most enjoyable time of the day. Note you could also do this the morning of your sailing; maybe pick up some flowers from one of the market merchants for your cabin(s) on the boat.

 

If it was me planning a Friday and Saturday morning in town, I'd probably do the market on the Saturday morning (the Four Seasons is basically next door) which would still give you enough time to visit the market and be at the cruise terminal (Pier 91, reached by Uber or cab) in plenty of time to board.

 

On the Friday, I'd schedule things to provide time to visit the Space Needle/Chihuly (buy a combo ticket to save money, but I wouldn't worry about getting it in advance.) You can reach Seattle Center by monorail that leaves from Westlake Center, around a 5-block walk from the Four Seasons.

 

But more importantly book space on a "locks cruise" with Argosy - https://www.argosycruises.com/argosy-cruises/locks-cruise-2/ . This is a relaxing, scenic and very interesting tour that will give you great views of the city from the water, pass through the Ballard locks, past the fishing fleet at Fishermen's Terminal (including possibly some of the big Bering Sea crab boats) and past the houseboats including the "Sleepless" boat on Lake Union. You can either opt for the one-way cruise that drops you (or picks you up) on Lake Union, from which you can take a streetcar back downtown, or they'll bring you back to the central waterfront (Pier 55, basically right below your hotel) by bus from Lake Union.

 

Speaking of Fishermen's Terminal, this might be a very enjoyable and off-the-beaten-path option for Friday morning, even if it means missing the Space Needle (which is overpriced and doesn't really deliver in my view.) Take an Uber to Fishermen's Terminal and have breakfast or an early lunch at the Bay Cafe - http://baycafefishermansterminal.com/ - and walk off the carbs around the fishing boats on the piers and floats. This is an iconic "only in Seattle" experience, far from the tourist schlunk downtown. (Just my cynical view of course.)

 

P1000106as.jpg

 

As for the International District, it's fine and there are some interesting restaurants. However Seattle is full of terrific Asian restaurants, so if you indicate what kind of food you prefer, we can make some suggestions that might or might not be in the "I.D." However, IN the ID one "don't miss" experience is the Uwajimaya pan-Asian grocery and department store. It's a great place to play "name that vegetable," buy weird Japanese snacks for the cruise or your flight home, and maybe have lunch or a snack at the very cool food court, featuring a wide array of Asian (and some western) food, from Hawaiian plate lunches to Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese and Japanese choices. Cheap and fun.

 

Hope this isn't all too confusing.

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You can't go wrong with any of the restaurants in Pike Place Market but my favorite is Lowell's (near the center of the market). I really enjoyed their seafood grill.

 

I thought Chihuly Garden and Glass was pretty spectacular as well if you like that sort of thing. It is right next to the Space Needle. You can buy a discounted ticket that includes both the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden if you want to see both.

 

Be aware that the Space Needle may still be undergoing renovation. When I was there in April the restaurant was closed and a section of the observation floor was closed. If that is important to you, verify the status before you go.

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Most everything has been covered here but my suggestion for the International District is to go in the morning for a Dim Sum breakfast (my favorite is Harbor City...not much for decor but the food is amazing) and definitely stop by Uwajimaya...the light rail will take you there.

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From Pike's Market, go up Pine Street (away from the water) for 4 blocks to Westlake Center and catch the monorail to the Space Needle. As seniors, I know we paid $1 each for a one way ride, not sure about the fare for others (check their website).

 

Be sure to walk the grounds around the Space Needle - interesting and a decent place to grab a quick lunch in the food court.

 

 

Thank you for the monorail advice! I appreciate the info.

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I would strongly recommend visiting the Pike Place market (no "s") as early in the morning as possible, ideally for breakfast. By 10:30 the market becomes so crowded as to make visiting very uncomfortable for most people.

 

Where are you coming from? If from some other time zone, consider using the time difference to your advantage - 8 AM to us is 11 AM on the east coast and 10 AM in the Midwest, so a 7:30 or 8 AM breakfast won't be a killer. Go have breakfast at Lowell's or the Athenian and then watch the merchants set up; it's the most enjoyable time of the day. Note you could also do this the morning of your sailing; maybe pick up some flowers from one of the market merchants for your cabin(s) on the boat.

 

If it was me planning a Friday and Saturday morning in town, I'd probably do the market on the Saturday morning (the Four Seasons is basically next door) which would still give you enough time to visit the market and be at the cruise terminal (Pier 91, reached by Uber or cab) in plenty of time to board.

 

On the Friday, I'd schedule things to provide time to visit the Space Needle/Chihuly (buy a combo ticket to save money, but I wouldn't worry about getting it in advance.) You can reach Seattle Center by monorail that leaves from Westlake Center, around a 5-block walk from the Four Seasons.

 

But more importantly book space on a "locks cruise" with Argosy - https://www.argosycruises.com/argosy-cruises/locks-cruise-2/ . This is a relaxing, scenic and very interesting tour that will give you great views of the city from the water, pass through the Ballard locks, past the fishing fleet at Fishermen's Terminal (including possibly some of the big Bering Sea crab boats) and past the houseboats including the "Sleepless" boat on Lake Union. You can either opt for the one-way cruise that drops you (or picks you up) on Lake Union, from which you can take a streetcar back downtown, or they'll bring you back to the central waterfront (Pier 55, basically right below your hotel) by bus from Lake Union.

 

Speaking of Fishermen's Terminal, this might be a very enjoyable and off-the-beaten-path option for Friday morning, even if it means missing the Space Needle (which is overpriced and doesn't really deliver in my view.) Take an Uber to Fishermen's Terminal and have breakfast or an early lunch at the Bay Cafe - http://baycafefishermansterminal.com/ - and walk off the carbs around the fishing boats on the piers and floats. This is an iconic "only in Seattle" experience, far from the tourist schlunk downtown. (Just my cynical view of course.)

 

P1000106as.jpg

 

As for the International District, it's fine and there are some interesting restaurants. However Seattle is full of terrific Asian restaurants, so if you indicate what kind of food you prefer, we can make some suggestions that might or might not be in the "I.D." However, IN the ID one "don't miss" experience is the Uwajimaya pan-Asian grocery and department store. It's a great place to play "name that vegetable," buy weird Japanese snacks for the cruise or your flight home, and maybe have lunch or a snack at the very cool food court, featuring a wide array of Asian (and some western) food, from Hawaiian plate lunches to Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese and Japanese choices. Cheap and fun.

 

Hope this isn't all too confusing.

 

 

Wow, lots of great info! Thank you. Love the picture of all the fishing boats, may very well check it out.

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Thank you all for the great advice, I'm copying and pasting all the info to help come up with a plan. I love Dim Sum....will definitely try to get that in the schedule if I can.

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Wow, lots of great info! Thank you. Love the picture of all the fishing boats, may very well check it out.

Is there any place near the hotel that has good dim sum?

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Is there any place near the hotel that has good dim sum?
The only place I can think of downtown is Din Tai Fung in Pacific Place. It is pretty good but it is a chain, almost comically overpriced, and always very crowded.

Seattle is a small city...an uber to the international district would be less than 10 minutes/$10 from your hotel.

 

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Be aware that the Space Needle may still be undergoing renovation. When I was there in April the restaurant was closed and a section of the observation floor was closed. If that is important to you, verify the status before you go.

 

We just returned from our Alaska cruise (roundtrip Seattle) yesterday.

 

As of June 29th the east facing section of the Space Needle's observation floor was still under construction. I didn't notice whether the restaurant was open or not.

 

We had an evening before our cruise and a full day after the cruise in Seattle. On our arrival evening, 4 of us (we were a family group of 6 adults and one toddler) went to the Chihuly Gardens which were spectacular and the Space Needle that was not as impressive. The weather was overcast and that greatly impacted the views. On a sunny day we would have had a completely different experience. On the full day we took a one hour walking tour - the Market Experience with Seattle Free Walking Tours (http://www.seattlefreewalkingtours.com/) that began at 9:30 am. They offer 3 other walking tours and you pay what you think is appropriate. We all enjoyed the tour. In the afternoon 4 of us (including the toddler) went to the Aquarium which was great fun and the other 3 met family friends and went to a Mariners game.

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Most everything has been covered here but my suggestion for the International District is to go in the morning for a Dim Sum breakfast (my favorite is Harbor City...not much for decor but the food is amazing) and definitely stop by Uwajimaya...the light rail will take you there.

 

Ditto Harbor City - Dim Sum was very good!

 

And then walk around the International District for a bit.

 

If you get a chance, take the Spiedel's Underground Tour - thought it was an interesting way to spend some time.

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Something I have not yet done but everyone who I know who has visited thought it was well worthwhile...the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitors Center near the Space Needle. It is pretty new (did it open this year?) and might be worth checking out. They give tours as well.

 

Clicky

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  • 1 month later...
Are Shiro’s, Tilikum Place cafe, the crab pot any good?

 

 

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Shiro's is good (although Shiro now owns and works at Suhi Kashiba), I have never tried Tilikum Place but hear it is good, The Crab Pot is fun but touristy and there are better options for crab/seafood. Some Indian casinos in the area have all you can eat fresh Dungeness from time to time :) .

 

I have not yet eaten there but JuneBaby recently won best new restaurant in the country.

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Shiro's is good (although Shiro now owns and works at Suhi Kashiba), I have never tried Tilikum Place but hear it is good, The Crab Pot is fun but touristy and there are better options for crab/seafood. Some Indian casinos in the area have all you can eat fresh Dungeness from time to time :) .

 

I have not yet eaten there but JuneBaby recently won best new restaurant in the country.

 

 

 

Thank you. We are from abroad and hot dogs enthusiasts. We try to eat local style hot dogs on every US state we have the chance to walk. Anny suggestions?

 

 

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Once again!! Thank you.

 

Let me continue to squeeze your knowledge. [emoji23]

 

We’ll be in SEA from WED midnight almost TH. And our cruise departs on Sat. So 2 full days in SEA ( TH and FRi).

 

What you suggest? Should I spend 1 day nearby Space Needle and another day near Pike Place Mkt.? Any other idea?

 

We do flight out of seattle on the same day of debarkation but late night 10PM. I was thinking of doing the Boeing tour and another thing that day!. What do you think?

 

 

 

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I am arriving in Seattle on a Thursday evening, and spending 2 nights in Seattle before leaving on the Princess Ruby in Saturday 7/28/18 for Alaska. So, Friday 7/27 is the only full day I have in Seattle for sightseeing. Please help me figure out best way to spend the day.

I'm staying at the Four Seasons. I'm traveling with my husband and 2 young adult boys. I only want to see the most important (yes, I know that is very subjective) sights, I would like a somewhat relaxed day, no stressing about running all over the place.

So far I'm thinking, walk over to Pikes Market late morning with a stop at the Gum Wall, around 9 or 10 am and spend a few hours there, maybe have lunch there. Then go over to the Space Needle in the early afternoon and walk around that area. Should I get my tickets ahead of time and plan maybe a 1 or 2 pm ticket? What are the must sees in that area? Is it worth it to go over to the International District, maybe for dinner? What is the best mode of transportation with this itinerary? Uber, or is there a monorail type transportation that would take me to these 3 areas? Any other must-sees near those areas?

Thanks in advance?

 

 

There is no Pike's Market in Seattle

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Once again!! Thank you.

 

Let me continue to squeeze your knowledge. [emoji23]

 

We’ll be in SEA from WED midnight almost TH. And our cruise departs on Sat. So 2 full days in SEA ( TH and FRi).

 

What you suggest? Should I spend 1 day nearby Space Needle and another day near Pike Place Mkt.? Any other idea?

 

We do flight out of seattle on the same day of debarkation but late night 10PM. I was thinking of doing the Boeing tour and another thing that day!. What do you think?

Two questions. First, where are you staying, and second, are you willing to rent a car for the day?

 

The Pike Place market becomes insanely crowded after around 10 or 11 AM most days during cruise season, so it's best to go there for breakfast - as early as possible - and be gone before the crowds get bad. The Space Needle is located at Seattle Center, the former site of the 1962 Worlds Fair, and is next to other attractions like the Chihuly exhibit, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) and the Pacific Science Center. You can spend some time in the Center, but note all of the attractions are rather pricey (and in the case of the Space Needle, in my opinion overpriced.)

 

Seattle has a lot of places with great views - many that include the Space Needle, which of course you can't see when you're IN the Space Needle - and many of which are free, or at least a lot cheaper. I'd research the following places or activities, all accessible using public transport.

 

Bainbridge Island ferry

West Seattle water taxi and Alki Beach

Kerry Park

Gas Works Park

Fishermen's Terminal

Ballard Locks

Fremont Troll

Uwajimaya

Museum of Flight

South Lake Union Park

Museum of History and Industry

Washington Park Arboretum

University of Washington campus

...for a start

 

Regarding the Boeing tour, it's located around 25 miles north of Seattle near the (cute waterfront) town of Mukilteo. There are tours available from downtown Seattle hotels, but these are fairly pricey. If it was me on your disembarkation day, I'd rent a car (shuttles to downtown rental offices available from the cruise terminals) and drive up to the Boeing tour, do the tour and spend the day seeing some of the region, then use the car to get to the airport in the evening. This approach might save money overall as it provides bag storage and airport transportation as well as access to the Boeing tour etc. Just a thought anyway.

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Two questions. First, where are you staying, and second, are you willing to rent a car for the day?

 

The Pike Place market becomes insanely crowded after around 10 or 11 AM most days during cruise season, so it's best to go there for breakfast - as early as possible - and be gone before the crowds get bad. The Space Needle is located at Seattle Center, the former site of the 1962 Worlds Fair, and is next to other attractions like the Chihuly exhibit, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) and the Pacific Science Center. You can spend some time in the Center, but note all of the attractions are rather pricey (and in the case of the Space Needle, in my opinion overpriced.)

 

Seattle has a lot of places with great views - many that include the Space Needle, which of course you can't see when you're IN the Space Needle - and many of which are free, or at least a lot cheaper. I'd research the following places or activities, all accessible using public transport.

 

Bainbridge Island ferry

West Seattle water taxi and Alki Beach

Kerry Park

Gas Works Park

Fishermen's Terminal

Ballard Locks

Fremont Troll

Uwajimaya

Museum of Flight

South Lake Union Park

Museum of History and Industry

Washington Park Arboretum

University of Washington campus

...for a start

 

Regarding the Boeing tour, it's located around 25 miles north of Seattle near the (cute waterfront) town of Mukilteo. There are tours available from downtown Seattle hotels, but these are fairly pricey. If it was me on your disembarkation day, I'd rent a car (shuttles to downtown rental offices available from the cruise terminals) and drive up to the Boeing tour, do the tour and spend the day seeing some of the region, then use the car to get to the airport in the evening. This approach might save money overall as it provides bag storage and airport transportation as well as access to the Boeing tour etc. Just a thought anyway.

 

Just to expand on this (and I think Gardyloo implied), I don't think the Market or the Seattle Center is worth an entire day each...especially if you are visiting Seattle for the first time.

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Two questions. First, where are you staying, and second, are you willing to rent a car for the day?

 

 

 

The Pike Place market becomes insanely crowded after around 10 or 11 AM most days during cruise season, so it's best to go there for breakfast - as early as possible - and be gone before the crowds get bad. The Space Needle is located at Seattle Center, the former site of the 1962 Worlds Fair, and is next to other attractions like the Chihuly exhibit, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) and the Pacific Science Center. You can spend some time in the Center, but note all of the attractions are rather pricey (and in the case of the Space Needle, in my opinion overpriced.)

 

 

 

Seattle has a lot of places with great views - many that include the Space Needle, which of course you can't see when you're IN the Space Needle - and many of which are free, or at least a lot cheaper. I'd research the following places or activities, all accessible using public transport.

 

 

 

Bainbridge Island ferry

 

West Seattle water taxi and Alki Beach

 

Kerry Park

 

Gas Works Park

 

Fishermen's Terminal

 

Ballard Locks

 

Fremont Troll

 

Uwajimaya

 

Museum of Flight

 

South Lake Union Park

 

Museum of History and Industry

 

Washington Park Arboretum

 

University of Washington campus

 

...for a start

 

 

 

Regarding the Boeing tour, it's located around 25 miles north of Seattle near the (cute waterfront) town of Mukilteo. There are tours available from downtown Seattle hotels, but these are fairly pricey. If it was me on your disembarkation day, I'd rent a car (shuttles to downtown rental offices available from the cruise terminals) and drive up to the Boeing tour, do the tour and spend the day seeing some of the region, then use the car to get to the airport in the evening. This approach might save money overall as it provides bag storage and airport transportation as well as access to the Boeing tour etc. Just a thought anyway.

 

 

 

To answer your Questions:

We’ll be staying @ belltown in

We can analyze this option

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...
I would strongly recommend visiting the Pike Place market (no "s") as early in the morning as possible, ideally for breakfast. By 10:30 the market becomes so crowded as to make visiting very uncomfortable for most

Go have breakfast at Lowell's or the Athenian and then watch the merchants set up; it's the most enjoyable time of the day. Note you could also do this the morning of your sailing; maybe pick up some flowers from one of the market merchants for your cabin(s) on the boat.

 

Gardyloo, thank you for your wonderful advice, we too are cruising out of Seattle in a couple weeks and even though we’ve been there several times, the idea of taking flowers from the Market is something I hadn’t thought of, :confused: Does RC allow folks to bring on fresh flowers? What a great idea, thanks again, Kathy

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