I'm going to be up in Seattle in the beginning for June for a few days and I don't want to spend a lot of time stuck in the hotel. I'm staying about 40 mins north but have no issues driving down town to check stuff out. I come in on a Sunday afternoon and leave on Wednesday morning. I will have Sunday, Monday, Tuesday all to myself for the most part with a meeting here or there.

So far I want to check out Pikes Place Fish Market (only b/c I used to teach a class based on a book about that place.)

I may make a run up to Vancouver....but other than that I really have no idea what to do/see etc.

I would love to check out some good local food....the hidden gems that the locals know about etc. Cool spots to chill, grab a drink, relax etc.

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

 

Watch the Anthony Bourdain episode of the Northwest. Mario Batali's dad, Armandino, owns a delicious cured meat place called Salumi. There's usually quite a line but it was worth the wait last time I was up there.

Salumi Artisan Cured Meats

Other than that just do the normal tourist things, check out Safeco for a Mariners game and check out the space needle.

 

What type of food do you like? Beers or Spirits?
If you are a baseball fan the fans here are lackluster in comparison to you east coast idiots...(no offense meant)
Depends on your age as well. Lots to do and places to see but it helps with what do you like to do type of thing

 

I would love to check out a Mariners game and show the NW how baseball is done Philly style (minus running on the field) but they are on a road trip while I'm up there

I like beer more than spirits and would love to check out a local brewery if there are any up there

Space Needle sounds cool, I didn't even think of that...keep the ideas coming!

Is it worth it to ride up to Vancouver??

 

Only brewery I can think of other than The Ram types is:

Pyramid Alehouse Restaurant‎
1201 1st Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98134-1238
(206) 682-3377‎

Never been there but its right across from Safeco Field.

 

^+1, The Hef house is awesome. Go to the Space Needle, but don't pay to go up. The EMP is pretty awesome if you are into music. And there are a million great bars downtown. Have fun!

 

Vancouver is a great town and if you don't plan on coming back it could be worth the trip. The two towns are very similar though. You must be staying in the Everett Marysville area when in town with that 30 minutes north you mention.

I will think about good places for you. The Space Needle is a 30 minute deal. It's a 4 minute cab ride from Pike Place so it's not an all day deal.

Kells Irish pub has fantastic beers and is basically in Pike Place market for a couple of Frosty beverages before you head out at night. I would recommend getting a hotel at least 1 night in downtown because the drive out of Seattle late at night will ruin the atmosphere of your trip
Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub - Portland - Seattle - San Francisco
My wife and I like to stay at Hotel Andra in downtown. It's close to a lot. Shopping 2 blocks away with everything you can imagine. Pike Place is 5 blocks max away and just off the lobby is one of our favorite breakfast spots Lola
Hotel Ändra - Seattle, Washington

Would I recommend one spot to eat? No
tons of different styles all around you. Assagio is close to Andra for Italian though not always my favorite. The Pink Door also Italian is next door to Kells so if you find yourself too drunk to function stumble across Post Alley to a crazy little Italian Place that features Burlesque shows at 11pm on Saturdays and the food is very good....
The Pink Door - Italian-American Restaurant & Cabaret Lounge - Seattle, Washington

Let us know your food preferences as well. There are 3 or 4 steakhouses to choose and everyone has their own favorite. The Metropolitan Grill, The Brooklyn and Canlis are all top quality restaurants depending on your budget as well. The Space Needle has a restaurant on top and the food is Ok but a lot of $$$ without the food to back it up. What you do get is a rotating restaurant without question giving you the best panarama of the City while dining. I still just suggest a quick ride to the top in an elevator to the observation deck.

The Seattle Waterfront has a nice little aquarium and Piers full of shops and diner type places to eat.

Safeco field is a beautiful baseball stadium and if they were in town a great place to take in some baseball. You can't see much from outside so a trip the 10 blocks south out of town isn't always worth it. Qwest field nearby this time of year has our Soccer team the Sounders that are very good but tickets aren't easy to get.

For nightlife the only place to be is Belltown. You can walk from Andra but we always take a cab. Belltown is 4 to 5 square blocks of bars and restaurants.

Like I said I will think about it for more suggestions but those are off the top of my head.

If you have a certain food type let me know as well. I can get you to the best spots from Sushi to Ethiopian....

Mark

 

wow thanks a ton for the write up, I'll think about the questions you posed and get back to you

I won't be able to swing a hotel downtown for a night, I'm already booked in the Tulalip Resort/Casino for the 3 nights

I will try to run to Vancouver since I have no idea when I'll be back, plus I may be able to throw a meeting in while up there...any excuse is a good one I guess!

 

The hotel isn't a necessity and I was going to ask Tulalip for you. I just live in the sticks so like staying downtown on ocassion.

Wyatth lives in Vancouver he can tell you a lot more. It will be a full day trip with Border Crossing's etc and you won't get home until late. Plan even from there 2-2 1/2 hours minimum to Vancouver 1 way with good traffic and bring your passport.

Truly both towns are very similar. My friends tell me the Asian food is much better up there but my Asian wife doesn't always agree

Like I said think about the food and Don't ask us for a PHILLY Steak Sandwich....We don't got em

 

great recco's but is anyone possibly interested in grabbing a drink or something in 2 weeks