Weekend in Seattle

[nik-]

Close up the gum wall ... spoilered for size.

Spoiler!

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Is it worth it to take a road trip to Seattle over the long weekend? We were thinking of heading down there on Friday and coming back on Monday. So basically 2 days in Seattle and 2 days of travelling. Or should we be looking at spending more time there?

[TorqueDog]

I also recommend The Crab Pot. I went to their Bellevue location, very very good.

[JonDuke]

I don't know if it's open on the weekends, but I would try taking a tour of the Boeing plant.

[dubc80]

We went to this place after a Seahawks game and it was awesome. Indoor bocce!
http://www.vontrapps.com/VonTrapps/HOME.html


The area that this bar is in (Capitol Hill) has a bunch of other bars/restaurants and micro breweries so I'm sure if you can't get in here, you'll find another place that you'll like.

As you probably know, Seattle has a huge coffee and microbrew subculture, so hitting up some of these places for a few drinks is a must. The brewery we ended up going to was called Elysian Brewing.

[vtec260]

Originally Posted by Teh_Bandwagoner

Is it worth it to take a road trip to Seattle over the long weekend? We were thinking of heading down there on Friday and coming back on Monday. So basically 2 days in Seattle and 2 days of travelling. Or should we be looking at spending more time there?

I would think two days might be tight if you want to do several events in Seattle. But if you know what you want to do ahead of time, it's doable, albeit tired if you are doing all the driving. We were there for four days(not including driving time) last week and managed to pace our visits without tiring ourselves out.

Stayed at a hotel close to the airport via Priceline and $20 parking fee/day is normal for most hotels out there from my past stays. But staying at 3.5 star hotels for $60/night is worth paying a bit for parking. You can also access train system to go from airport to Safeco field and other places if you don't want to drive.

Did the Crab Pot last year where they dump seafood on the table and did the take out this year (as we brought our dog with us) and both were good. Agree the fried halibut was very good, but fries/chips needs a huge improvement.

[Northendzone]

Uuummm, who cares, lock yourself up in the room with some rope and essential oils and call for room service.....

[cavalera403]

Currently in my room at the Westin and transit is all we use down here. When you get here get an orca card at the kiosk at the airport and load it up like a timmies card. It is 5 bucks but helps you skip lines at the ball park when leaving.

For food eggs Benny at Lola is great.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Make sure you go to Zig Zag Cafe, and ask the bartenders to make you a random cocktail. Food is good there, too. Just went two weeks ago. Just down the steps a bit from Pike Place Market.

http://www.gq.com/food-travel/restau...merica#slide=1

EDIT: Best chowder is Pike Chowder at the market (I've been to Ivar's and Anthony's). The bisque there is the best soup they have overall.

[Wormius]

A little out of the way, but get the 12 egg omelet at Beth's on Aurora.

My last experience at Crab Pot was underwhelming. Potatoes were undercooked and tiny slivers of sausage. Find a Pagliacci's for a good pizza, or just do Ivars for fish and chips. Fish and chowder are good, and you can feed the monster seagulls the chips.

The magic shop and comic book store in the lower level of Pike Place are a good time.

Everything else you might want to do is on those Seattle Citypass deals.

[vennegoor of hesselink]

Shiro's for sushi in Belltown is my go to in Seattle.

I like Collins pub down by the stadium if you are in the area but avoid if crowded.

[Tsawwassen]

You can check out the Pacific Science Centre and the EMP Museum. Do a round trip ferry ride, Seattle-Bainbridge Island, great views.

[Papi34]

Do you guys know of any good spots for live music?

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Teh_Bandwagoner

Is it worth it to take a road trip to Seattle over the long weekend? We were thinking of heading down there on Friday and coming back on Monday. So basically 2 days in Seattle and 2 days of travelling. Or should we be looking at spending more time there?

Seems like a lot of driving just for two days. Depending on what you're into (shopping, sports, etc.) you could easily fill and couple/few extra days to make it a little more worth your while. Your tolerance for driving may be higher than mine though.

Originally Posted by codynw

Eat a Seattle style hot dog. You're welcome.

Had to google it. Sounds disgusting but I'd probably try it anyways.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle-style_hot_dog

[Knalus]

Originally Posted by Teh_Bandwagoner

Is it worth it to take a road trip to Seattle over the long weekend? We were thinking of heading down there on Friday and coming back on Monday. So basically 2 days in Seattle and 2 days of travelling. Or should we be looking at spending more time there?

If you do, driving through Spokane is in my opinion easier than through Vancouver. First day is only 8 hours on the road, second is 5 hours, so you get an extra evening/afternoon in Seattle, and the morning out isn't so rough. Spokane is a nice place, too. About the size of Regina, but way nicer.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Appreciate all the information.

We were talking about doing a road trip out for the long weekend. I do have a decent tolerance for driving, but if two days in Seattle is kind of tight, we might just go to Kelowna. Although I had never considered Spokane. I've only ever been there as a child. All I remember was the creepy abandoned Expo site lol.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Knalus

First day is only 8 hours on the road, second is 5 hours, so you get an extra evening/afternoon in Seattle, and the morning out isn't so rough.

I don't think you can split the driving each way over a couple of days if you only have 4 days total for the trip. (He said Friday to Monday.)

[lazypucker]

Originally Posted by Knalus

If you do, driving through Spokane is in my opinion easier than through Vancouver. First day is only 8 hours on the road, second is 5 hours, so you get an extra evening/afternoon in Seattle, and the morning out isn't so rough. Spokane is a nice place, too. About the size of Regina, but way nicer.

I second that. I just went for a Vancouver/Seattle trip 2 weeks ago. Going through the Eastport/Kingsgate border crossing at Idaho (and then through Cranbrook and Fernie) is a much better option than the Peace Arch. There is virtually no line-ups and also you can take advantage of the cheap gas in the States driving back. The geography and the scenary on the I-90 is totally different (and unique) than the Hwy 1. Make sure you stop by the Thorp Fruit Stand and Antique Shop on your way to Spokane.

The driving distance is only about 50km more compared to the Vancouver/Hwy 1 route. It is a 14-hour drive + stops. So it is doable in 1 day. But driving 2 days on a 4-day trip is kinda pointless to me. Maybe a 5-day trip is better?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Papi34

Do you guys know of any good spots for live music?

Top 10 live music venues in Seattle

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...venues-seattle

http://www.thecrocodile.com/

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Music

http://www.seattlemusicshows.com/

[Knalus]

Originally Posted by Teh_Bandwagoner

Appreciate all the information.

We were talking about doing a road trip out for the long weekend. I do have a decent tolerance for driving, but if two days in Seattle is kind of tight, we might just go to Kelowna. Although I had never considered Spokane. I've only ever been there as a child. All I remember was the creepy abandoned Expo site lol.

If I were you, I would do Spokane and Glacier National Park on the same trip. Just book ahead. Hotels in Spokane and Coeur D'Alene are always full in the summer, as it is such a popular vacation destination.

If you or your wife shop online and order things from American stores, you can save a significant amount on duty, taxes and shipping from doing a long weekend in Spokane. Plus, the town is a really nice place, with a nice waterfall right in the center of town.

And if you do go to Coeur D'Alene, catch breakfast at Jimmy's Down the Street. Best food ever.