Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Our Seattle trip is approaching, and I have some questions. First, I got some great tips already from LP, and someone mentioned there was a Rainforest Cafe. I was so excited, because I had no idea there was one of those there, and we always have a great time at RFC in DTD. Are there any other can't miss dining experiences like that? My kids are 8 and 4, so they really go for stuff like that. Also, I was thinking about doing the Light rail for transportation from our hotel which is near the airport, the Hilton, to all the major tourist attractions. Is it easy to figure out? Cost effective compared to driving/parking? Any other tips/ideas would be appreciated!
Originally Posted By KCCHIEF Rainforest Cafe is in SouthCenter Mall.....you probably need to call for reservations...206-248-8882
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Not to steal your thunder, CuriousConstance, duckling, but I've got a question about Seattle, WA, too. I've never been there but I've heard that they have werewolves in that part of your America. Is that true?
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Here is a list of things we are planning on doing for sure in Seattle. I'm trying to plan the days so I know where we will be going each day. Any info on what is within walking distance of each other would be appreciated. And/or how much time to devote to each activity. Keeping in mind we have the two young kids (8 and 4) and generally like to be relaxed about things rather than race from activity to activity. Space Needle Seattle Aquarium Argosy Cruises Seattle Harbor Tour Pacific Science Center EMP Museum Woodland Park Zoo Pike Place
Originally Posted By tashajilek If you visit Pikes market you really cant go wrong with great food options. There is a soup place that has the best salmon, scallop, clam chowders if you like that type of thing. You can grab a gyro, they have asian cuisine,pizza chocolate galore and their mini cheesecakes are fricken awesome.The food is all really good quality. I am excited you are going to Woodland, it's the second best zoo i has visited and i have even been to the one in Oregon. I have done everything you have mentioned above and everything is pretty fun. I think they still have the little carnival near the space needle which has been there for a awhile now. Where you will be doing the cruise and the aquarium make sure to walk up and down the pier and check out the pirates store and curio shops.Im sure your son will get a kick out of seeing mumified creatures with two heads lol. I also did the ducks tour one year which is a nice way of seeing Seattle, but it's a bit on the pricey side for 4 people.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "Where you will be doing the cruise and the aquarium make sure to walk up and down the pier and check out the pirates store and curio shops.Im sure your son will get a kick out of seeing mumified creatures with two heads lol" Yes he would! We will definitely check this out!
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Also we were thinking of seeing Brave while we were there, any really cool or humungous movie theaters we should try to check out?
Originally Posted By tashajilek The only large theater i can remember is the one in Alderwood mall which is a little bit of a drive from Seattle exiti 181. They also have a Disneystore, but you have one of those in Oregon anyways. Im sure there has got to be a decent theater somewhere is Downtown Seattle.
Originally Posted By MissCandice Although I can see Seattle from the hills of my town (Bremerton) I rarely go to Seattle because it takes an hour plus to get there because of the Puget Sound. I'll give it a go with helpful tips though. The Space Needle, PSC, and EMP are in the same area so get them all in one day. I could spend all freaking day at EMP but I am not sure kids would want to spend that much time there, although there are plenty of interactive things to do. They will for sure enjoy the Pacific Science Center though. There is also an IMAX theater there. The Space Needle...my feelings are mixed. I recommend it because its a great view but it is pricey in comparision to how much time you will actually spend there compared to the other places mentioned. There's only so much time you'll want to look at the view. I recommend getting a CityPass (which you can buy at any of the places that accept it), its 69.00 I believe and it gets you in to PSC, SN, EMP, Woodland Park Zoo, an Argosy boat tour, and the aquarium. That's a pretty good deal. The Seattle Aquarium and Argosy Harbor tours are right on the waterfront, very close to each other. The aquarium is kind of small but I enjoy it, and the kids sure will. And I love the Seattle Harbor tour. Its about an hour and it takes you into the industrial part of the harbor where the big ships are. Also, the time I went we saw seals! Pikes Market is within walking distance from the tour and aquarium area. The kids will love the fish guys, and its just interesting to walk around and look at everything, even just people watch. Woodland Park Zoo is not really close to the other sites but easily reached by bus if you won't have a car. Again, its not the biggest zoo but I may be biased on zoos since I'm from San Diego and that's the best zoo I've ever been too. I recommend going though. They have new babies now which is always fun. In addition to where you have mentioned you want to go I always recommend to people to take a ferry ride even if its taking a ferry ride, getting off, and then back on again for the return trip. If your kids love boats, water, and seagulls they will really enjoy it. Plus you get the views of the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier (on the Cascade Mountains side). As far as going with public transportation as opposed to having a car, I'd go public transportation since parking is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive in the city, at least to a poor person like me. Anyhoo, I hope this helps.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 I would actually plan to spend most of a day at the Pacific Science Center...my son could spend hours and hours in there, so even though it is right at the Seattle Center, EMP, and Space Needle I would not plan to do all in one day. The Space Needle and Seattle Center should be done together in one day, because neither is a full day thing. Do not eat in the Space Needle though...the food is crazy expensive and not very good. I think the only people who ever each there are tourists and kids on prom night. You could probably do EMP the same day, but you should look online to see some of the activities and exhibits there and see if there is enough to keep your family there for a whole day. It is a whole-day activity for my family, but my kids are a little older. If you guys like seafood, you should really try to hit one of the restaurants on the water. There are some really great ones. I would strongly recommend getting a car. The light rail from the airport to your hotel is good, but the public transportation in general sucks, so if you want to go to Rainforest Cafe at Southcenter or the Woodland Park Zoo you will want a car unless you want to spend hours on a bus (multiple buses, actually). There is also a lot in the surrounding areas. You could go to the beach at Alki, or take a ferry to one of the islands. If you drive about 30 minutes East, you can visit Snoqualmie Falls and take a ride on an antique train (there are two weeks where the train is pulled by Thomas the Tank Engine, if your little guy is into that). That is also where I live, so you could say you visited the hometown of the one and only Princessjenn5795 Let's see...make sure you hit the curiosity shop when you are down on the waterfront, and make sure to go down to the lower levels of Pike Place and check out all the shops, especially the magic shop. Your kids will really like those. When we are Pike Place we really like to go around to the different stalls and get fruit, and cheeses, and breads and things, and take them to the little grassy park area that is behind the market on the street level and have a picnic. You can see the water from there, and it is really nice. Unless it is rainy, but being from Oregon, you are probably just as used to that as we are
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 I just saw your hotel is by the airport and you are planning to take the light rail into the city. You may still want to get a car. Most of the hotels by the airport offer free parking, and the light rail is good for getting downtown, but not out to the zoo or south center. Parking at Southcenter is also free, and the parking at the zoo is not too bad. Again, the bus system kind of sucks, especially if you leave downtown, so I wouldn't recommend it.
Originally Posted By ophellia I can agree with the wonderful advice given here...except that as a late comer the the PacNW I am enthralled with Sky City,,,the restaurant in the Space needle...yes it's over priced...but I enjoy the rotation of the restaurant and that view...it's lovely from the deck too, but there is a magic for me in the rotating restaurant and fabulous service I have always had there...I've had food just as good or better many times for better prices...but maybe I've just been lucky...Dec of 2010 Christmas day there was Perfect, the food, the service...ok not the prices...but really there's a $15 difference in the minimum required meal price and the deck view....maybe it's the attraction loving side of me and just spinning in a slow circle is grand fun I think...I'll come back and post a great info guide I found...
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I should mention that we are driving to Seattle. It's about a 5 hour drive for us, so not to bad. We will have our car, and will be able to take it to the Zoo and Mall. Still not sure if we'll use to light rail to go into town, or drive. What kind of parking prices can I expect for parking most of the day downtown? Is the waterfront area with the shops, the same thing as the Pike Place? We always like to do everything everywhere we go, so we tend to spend a lot of time at places. When we go to OMSI in Portland, we spend a day, or at least a big chuck of a day. So I'm going to plan conservatively and then if we have extra time, that'll be a bonus. Oh, and we are getting the Citypass, it's a great deal!
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Thanks for all the advice everybody! "The Space Needle and Seattle Center should be done together in one day, because neither is a full day thing." Jenn, is the Seattle Center the same thing as the Pacific Science Center?
Originally Posted By tashajilek We usually try and find parking on the street at Pikes market because the meters tend to be cheaper than the parking garage. If you park near the space needle try and find a lot a little further and walk a few blocks.
Originally Posted By MissCandice Seattle Center is where EMP, the Space Needle, and PSC are. And forget going to Snoqualmie to visit Jen, you need to take the ferry to Bremerton to visit me
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I would love to come visit BOTH of you Although, I think we're going to be crunched on time I don't think we will have the time to do a ferry trip. Have to put it on the list for next time!
Originally Posted By Tiggirl If you go to Pike Place Market (which you SHOULD do) make sure you go downstairs towards the end of the market and get a bag of hot, freshly made donuts. Its one of my favorite things when I go home for a visit. LOL! Also since you will be in that area you might want to check out Unexpected Productions. Its an improv place and they often have family friendly shows. You can see whats coming up here: <a href="http://www.unexpectedproductions.org/" target="_blank">http://www.unexpectedproductions.org/</a> They are located right by Pike Place Market. ~Beth
