Seattle Travel Ideas

Seattle Travel Ideas
22 posted on April 22, 2010
POSTED IN: Blog Posts

Next week Lisa and I are leaving for Seattle where we’ll be staying for a few days. Like most good trips, we’ll be mixing some networking with down-time. We’ll spend the first couple of days we’re there hanging with the good folks at Storyville Coffee (you may remember them from post and giveaway I did last year). We’ll get to tour “The Temple” (Storyville’s roasting studio) on Bainbridge Island and we’ll be learning more about Storyville Live, a unique series of in-home concerts benefiting International Justice Mission (more about that later).

After our couple of days with Storyville Lisa and I are going to spend a few days hanging in Seattle and celebrating our Ten Year Anniversary.

Seattle is top on my short list of U.S. Cities that I’ve always wanted to visit but haven’t yet. I’ve always been captivated by the beautiful pictures of the city and surrounding area and come on…it’s the coffee capital of the world! That’s Mecca for a coffee nut like me. There’s so many places I want to see while we’re there – the Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Mount Ranier. But I’d like your help…

Have you been to or lived in Seattle? What are the things we absolutely need to see or do while we’re there?

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This entry was posted on Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 at 9:44 am and is filed under Blog Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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  1. Visit My Website

    April 22, 2010

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    1 Lee Hoover said:

    Born and raised in Seattle. If you’re into books, definitely check out Elliot Bay Book Company, and independent bookstore in the area. Also check out Alki Beach/Point, especially if it’s nice day. Always a lot of stuff going on around there. And yeah, Pike Place Market and the Space Needle are always nice. Be sure to check out the Bubble Gum Wall (it is what it sounds like) and the first Starbucks while you’re at Pike Place Market.



  2. Visit My Website

    April 22, 2010

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    2 Bill (cycleguy) said:

    You gotta go to the Market and buy some salmon from the fish-throwing guys. Freeze it to bring it home and then grill it. No better eating on the planet.



  3. Visit My Website

    April 22, 2010

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    3 Brad Ruggles said:

    Great ideas. Thanks!

    Yeah, I’ve heard the fish-throwing guys are worth seeing. Hadn’t really thought about bringing frozen fish home on the plane. Passengers would love me.



  4. Visit My Website

    April 22, 2010

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    4 Parke Ladd said:

    Hey Brad–The market is a must, and while I know you’re a coffee nut, check out the downtown tea shops, as well. Usually free tastings, ala SE Asia style. I love spending time by the water and really enjoy the mornings the best. Many people out and about, running, walking the side walks, hanging out with friends and such. Really a wonderful town with wonderful people.

    The one thing I wouldn’t recommend seeing or at least going to…the Space Needle. In my opinion, totally not worth it. I wouldn’t waste the time. Plus, also in my opinion, it’s better seen from a distance.

    Enjoy downtown and soak up as much culture as you can. The city has such a nice vibe to it. Enjoy your trip!



  5. Visit My Website

    April 22, 2010

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    5 Brian said:

    Hey Brad, I lived in Seattle for six years, and now that I have lived in Portland for the past 12 – I still head North as much as I can.

    Here’s my list:

    1. Go to SafeCo Field and watch a Mariners game…not for the game, but for the experience. SafeCo is one of the best stadiums in baseball. You can get outfield seats for $12 and it’s still a great experience.

    http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/sea/ballpark/index.jsp

    2. Go to Alki Beach – at night. This part of West Seattle loops around and faces the skyline across Bay. If possible eat at Salty’s be willing to wait for a window seat. Best view on the West Coast.

    http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2354/2028720270_071427471f.jpg

    3. Go sailing. For $25ish each, you can take a 1.5 hour tour out on Elliot Bay, and get a first hand experience of sailing and of course the views are great.

    http://www.sailingseattle.com/

    4. The Old Ye Curiosity Shop. Do it for the kids. Do it for yourself. Go see

    http://www.yeoldecuriosityshop.com/



  6. Visit My Website

    April 22, 2010

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    6 Brad Ruggles said:

    Great ideas! Thanks so much for the links. I like the sailing idea. $25/person isn’t bad at all.



  7. Visit My Website

    April 22, 2010

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    7 Kathy Pride said:

    One of our best family vacations was to Seattle and surrounding areas. Go to Snoqualamie Falls, and we stayed at a great lodge by Mt. Rainier that had an outdoor jacuzzi nestled under the pine trees. Gorgeous. And, we also hit a logging festival that was going on while we were there, great local flavor, and yes, get to Safeco field. Have fun!



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    April 22, 2010

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    8 Patty said:

    Love Seattle!! Definitely the market. My husband and I like going to the Fremont District on the weekends. They have an outside market – food and misc items – vintage, jewelry, etc that’s fun to peruse.

    And yes, absolutely the market! Pikes Place is very entertaining – people watching. :-)

    Depending on when you’re going -there are a lot of things that are going on outside in various parts of the city.

    The islands are great to visit – bike ride, and spend time outdoors, shopping is amazingly fun, there’s the air museum that’s fun – what specifically do you and your wife like to do? :-)



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    April 22, 2010

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    9 Patrick Weed said:

    Hey Brad, if you want a little international culture mixed in with what was already suggested, which are all great ideas btw. There is this great little Russian pastry place right next to the market. It’s called Piroshki Piroshi and they have these great different pastries, both sweet kinds as well as ones with meat in them (Meat ones are better). Anyways check it out, they are right near the 1st Starbucks located on the same road as the market.
    Hope you guys have fun. Who will you be networking with? Any churches I might know?
    Blessings my friends,
    Patrick



  10. Visit My Website

    April 22, 2010

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    10 sTim said:

    The Market and Bainbridge are a must to say you’ve been to Seattle. The Needle is cool if it’s a clear, sunny day – otherwise skip it because you won’t see much. But the absolute *MUST* that you may not read about is the underground tour. Cool enough for what you see, but for the story of the city and getting to walk through the underground, it’s one of the coolest things I’ve done in a city we’ve visited.

    Also, I agree on SafeCo, it’s quite nice and very affordable. If you can do a tour of Qwest (Seahawks) Field too, it’s the best “all access” kind of tour I’ve gotten of any stadium.



  11. Visit My Website

    April 22, 2010

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    11 Joseph said:

    That is my home town my friend…enjoy.

    Brian had some great ideas and Salty’s is a must…

    Have to do the Market because it is so Seattle and watch the fish throwers..your kids will love it. While in the market grab a little food and then just at the end of the market across the street is Starbucks #1 which is a must stop. Coffee is EVERYWHERE literally like every 1/2 block so you can get really wound up.

    Downtown is a nice area to walk and if the wife likes shopping at all you have a ton of cool spots like the first Nordstrom, first Eddie Bauer etc which have some cool stores. Just some neat culture too.

    Not sure on free time but Snoqualamie has some cool offerings and the valley has amazing wineries like Columbia, Columbia Crest and Chateau St Michelle. Snoqualamie Falls is pretty cool as well.

    The reality is this though…eat lots of seafood. It is fantastic and ask locals where to go..they will steer you well. Just try not to drive if possible…traffic is bad.



  12. Visit My Website

    April 22, 2010

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    12 Brad Ruggles said:

    Loving all the ideas guys, keep ‘em coming.

    Oh, I should probably clarify…we’re gonna be celebrating our 10yr Anniversary on this trip so, uh, no kids!!

    But that’s ok, some of those ideas you all have mentioned that would entertain the kids would probably entertain me as well. :-)



  13. Visit My Website

    April 23, 2010

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    13 Christopher Hopper said:

    Well, everyone’s already said Pike Place Market, but what no one has said yet is Lark In The Morning (Pike Place Market
    South Arcade, 1401 First Ave), probably the single coolest musical instrument store on the planet. It’s right around the corner from the fish throwing, and has the largest collection of the most obscure instruments on the planet. You don’t even have to be a musician to appreciate it! Specifically, check out their whistle drawer…native whistles hand crafted by tribes from all over the world used mainly for hunting, and mimic every insect, bird, or other beastie you can think of. (Seattle is on my top 3 favorite US cities). ch:



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    April 23, 2010

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    14 Brad Ruggles said:

    I’m not a musician but I do like music…and especially whistles. :-)

    Thanks for the tip!



  15. Visit My Website

    April 26, 2010

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    15 Nicole Mesick said:

    Born, raised, and still live in Seattle.
    1. The Market, amazing place just for the atmostphere alone. Of course the first starbucks is there so you will dig that.
    2. Underground tour, very cool tour of what Seattle was like when it was first built below sea level.
    3. Fremont area, a very good taste of what Seattle is like. Go see the troll under the bridge, walk around and enjoy the chill vibe.
    4. Alki beach if it is a nice day, very nice walk and amazing view of the city during the day and night as well.
    5. Catching a game at Safeco, I for sure agree with that. Fun times.
    6. I would skip the space needle if you are on a time crunch, not really that big of a deal to be honest.
    7. If you have the chance to head up to Snoqualmie Falls it is a great hike and amazing waterfall.
    8. Feel free to email me if you would like some food suggestions or anything else. It is a fun fun place to be!



  16. Visit My Website

    April 26, 2010

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    16 Nicole Mesick said:

    I forgot to add, it is a must to see the gum wall and eat the donuts off to the left side of the fish throwing at the market. If your wife likes to shop check out Nordstrom Rack, amazing deals!



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