Seattle in August?

[Bonny]

My birthday is August 10. DH is suggesting Tahoe which of course is lovely. But world traveler that I am  I've got a sudden wild hair to check out Seattle. I've never been.

I know The Walk of the Penguin Mich and TD live in the area and I don't think Gardening Grandma and cronewitch are too far away either. Anyone else? Oh and HoneyBBQ!

Thoughts, suggestions?

Thanks

[cronewitch]

I am about 3 miles from Seattle, come see our city. What do you like to do? We have pike place market which is veggies and crafts for local flavor. We are on Puget Sound but not far from the ocean for deep sea fishing and near the mountains for hiking or driving to Mt Rainier. Boeing has a space museum and tourist like to go look at waterfalls or take hot air balloon rides. We have decent seafood restaurants.

[Bonny]

I love to hike but DH typically can't handle more than about 5 mi. What's the weather like in mid August? Is that a good time to go?

[billisonboard]

I recommend kayaking on Lake Union. Paddle around the houseboats used in Sleepless in Seattle,  then over through the Arboretum. 

[kittensaver]

I don't live there but I visit frequently because we have family there.

Go to the Ballard Locks and see the salmon ladder. The park around the locks is also lovely. The Woodland Zoo is pretty awesome. So is the Theo Chocolate Factory.

If you like touristy stuff, don't miss the science fiction museum and the experience music projects in the downtown area. More touristy but fun stuff: the Seattle duck tour and the underground tour. The Seattle space needle has awesome views, but the food in the restaurant is not very good (JMHO). If you like books, don't miss the Elliott Bay Book Company. If you like cooking, the original Sur La Table is in the Pike's Market area (so is the original Starbucks). If you like shopping, Seattle also has the original Nordstrom.

The glass museum in Tacoma is pretty nifty.

If you want to hike (or just wander), check out the lavender farms on Whidbey Island. There are many small, charming hobby-sized farms on Whidbey that welcome visitors.

[billisonboard]

What general part of the country do you live in? If it is inland, I would focus on the water of the Puget Sound. Do you live in the city? If so I would encourage thinking about change of pace and not doing Seattle but the San Juan islands. 

[Bonny]

Jul 14, 2014 12:08:26 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

What general part of the country do you live in? If it is inland, I would focus on the water of the Puget Sound. Do you live in the city? If so I would encourage thinking about change of pace and not doing Seattle but the San Juan islands. 

I'm in the SF Bay Area just south of the City with a house that has an ocean view. I can never get enough of water views.  I like the kayaking recommendation. How far are the San Juans from Seattle?

[billisonboard]

Jul 14, 2014 12:12:12 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Jul 14, 2014 12:08:26 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

What general part of the country do you live in? If it is inland, I would focus on the water of the Puget Sound. Do you live in the city? If so I would encourage thinking about change of pace and not doing Seattle but the San Juan islands. 

I'm in the SF Bay Area just south of the City with a house that has an ocean view. I can never get enough of water views.  I like the kayaking recommendation. How far are the San Juans from Seattle?

By seaplane or car and ferry? Not sure the time you have. A car trip north from Seattle could be fun though April for the Tulip Festival is a great time for it. Deception Pass on Widbey Island and Chuckenut(sp?) Drive just south of Bellingham are great.

I am throwing things out that you might not find on "The Top 100 Things To Do in Seattle" website. I would not hesitate to do the typical Seattle things if that is what interests you. It is a great town to visit. Do end up northwest of downtown on a clear day if at all possible. The view of Mt. Rainier towering above the "huge" buildings of downtown is one of my favorites.

[Bonny]

Jul 14, 2014 12:33:50 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

Jul 14, 2014 12:12:12 GMT -5 Bonny said:

I'm in the SF Bay Area just south of the City with a house that has an ocean view. I can never get enough of water views.  I like the kayaking recommendation. How far are the San Juans from Seattle?

By seaplane or car and ferry? Not sure the time you have. A car trip north from Seattle could be fun though April for the Tulip Festival is a great time for it. Deception Pass on Widbey Island and Chuckenut(sp?) Drive just south of Bellingham are great.

I am throwing things out that you might not find on "The Top 100 Things To Do in Seattle" website. I would not hesitate to do the typical Seattle things if that is what interests you. It is a great town to visit. Do end up northwest of downtown on a clear day if at all possible. The view of Mt. Rainier towering above the "huge" buildings of downtown is one of my favorites.

I'm just kicking around ideas for my birthday next month (August 10). Trying to get an idea of what to do and if August is a good month to visit. We do have some friends who have a home on Widbey Island. What's the time for car + ferry?

[billisonboard]

Jul 14, 2014 12:40:26 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Jul 14, 2014 12:33:50 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

By seaplane or car and ferry? Not sure the time you have. A car trip north from Seattle could be fun though April for the Tulip Festival is a great time for it. Deception Pass on Widbey Island and Chuckenut(sp?) Drive just south of Bellingham are great.

I am throwing things out that you might not find on "The Top 100 Things To Do in Seattle" website. I would not hesitate to do the typical Seattle things if that is what interests you. It is a great town to visit. Do end up northwest of downtown on a clear day if at all possible. The view of Mt. Rainier towering above the "huge" buildings of downtown is one of my favorites.

I'm just kicking around ideas for my birthday next month (August 10). Trying to get an idea of what to do and if August is a good month to visit. We do have some friends who have a home on Widbey Island. What's the time for car + ferry?

It has been a while since I lived in that area. I would have to Google it.

[HoneyBBQ]

How long are you coming for?

Chihuly museum is awesome.

San Juans are around 2-3 hrs depending on Ferry traffic.

Whitbey is around 1-2 hours (same).

If you've never been and only have a couple days, I would definitely just stay in downtown and do the stuff around there. Pioneer square, pike's, underground, lake union, etc. If you want to hike you can go to Discovery park west (sort of) of Seattle.

If you want to take a ferry for <1 hr you can hop on the Bremerton ferry walk on (no wait, only a couple bucks) go have lunch and do some light shopping and then come back.

Sounders MLS game or women's soccer, FC Reign.

August is a great time to visit.

[Bonny]

HoneyBBQ,

I'm still trying to figure it out but I'm guessing about 5 days including travel days. I know the flights aren't long between SFO and SEA but it seems to take half a day getting to/from and dealing with the airport. So really about 4 days.

I did see the Chihuly exhibit down at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix about 5 years ago.

I'll have to see if our friends will be at the house on Whitbey Island. Sounds like that could be a fun little trip by itself.

Glad to know August is a good time to visit.

[billisonboard]

Classic sign on the Deception Pass Bridge on Whidbey Island:

Make sure you are careful if you go.

[Deleted]

Theo's Chocolate, the EMP museum, the Underground Tour, the market... 

[Bonny]

Any suggestions for a downtown hotel?

I've been looking on Trip Advisor and VRBO and rooms are coming in at $300 night.  

[Deleted]

There is a monorail from the tower area to market area. Is one cheaper than the other? 
You might find an apartment for short term rent. That's what I'll try to do next time. Once I'd like to come home from the market and cook...

[Deleted]

August is the only consistently perfect month! 

Fairmont-Olympic $349/night – 5 star and extremely nice
Renaissance Seattle (now owned by Marriott) $309/night - 4 star and nice, but it has been about 4 years since I have been there.
Holiday Inn Express Seattle City Center $256/night - not sure if express merits stars, its a room.
Willows Lodge (on the eastside, not in seattle) $307/night - extremely nice. Sits next to Red Hook Brewery and Chateau St Michelle, so if you are into being spoiled, wine, beer and fine dining, its a really nice treat. 

There are cheaper hotels around the airport, but I have not stayed in them. If you rent a car be sure to get the bridge toll pass!

Whidbey Island & Fort Casey (old battlements). Eagle's Nest Inn (B&B) is quaint and the owner is a good cook. Under $200 per night if you want to spend a night there. Might be worth it with the rates in Seattle! I hear that the Compass Rose is a good B&B also, but I have not stayed there. I think they are closer to $100 per night.

Argosy Cruises does some nice trips off the Seattle pier. Tillicum Village (Blake Island) is a fabulous and unique Native American experience (and oh the salmon!). www.argosycruises.com/tillicum-village/

There is a Chihuly Glass Museum Display in Seattle Center, along with the Experience Music Project and the Space Needle. I think I'd skip the duck if there are no kids involved in the trip. The Ballard Locks are very pleasant, but Garmin sent us via the worst route to get there.

Do you like casinos? There are a couple large ones north & south of Seattle.

[Deleted]

Holiday Inn Express isn't a bad brand at all...    

We did Four Points Sheraton Downtown last time. But I wish we had stayed at the needle instead. My kids loved the EMP... wanted to go to music programs at the IMAX, and the glass museum is there. 

Next time I want to do something like this... 
www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p402525vb

[Bonny]

Jul 16, 2014 23:15:32 GMT -5 oped said:

There is a monorail from the tower area to market area. Is one cheaper than the other? 
You might find an apartment for short term rent. That's what I'll try to do next time. Once I'd like to come home from the market and cook...

Apartments/condos are just as expensive on VRBO!

For the first time I'm seeing individual room listings in SFHs on VRBO. I thought that was an AirB&B deal.

I'm trying to talk DH out of renting a car unless we go up to Whidbey Island to visit our friends. I haven't gotten a response from them so I don't know if they are there or not.

[Bonny]

OK we're booked for the Hotel Vintage

www.hotelvintage-seattle.com/

Now I need suggestions for a restaurant for my birthday dinner 

ETA: Tulio's in the hotel was recommended by our friends who have a place on Whidbey.

And I really lucked out. Friends called this morning and we're going to spend Wednesday night with them. I was able to cancel the last night of my "non-refundable" reservation because I called back so quickly and I had booked directly through the hotel.

Woot-woot!

[sarcasticgirl]

I can't remember the name of any of the restaurants we went to when we were in Seattle last year. I just know that I ate my weight in salmon. It was sock-eye season! 
If you can get to Salumi for lunch, I'd recommend that. And pike place chowder was fantastic. Your hotel isn't too far from where we stayed (the Sheraton on Pike and 6th) and we didn't rent a car. If you are okay with walking, it is a very walkable area! 

[Bonny]

Jul 24, 2014 19:59:46 GMT -5 sarcasticgirl said:

I can't remember the name of any of the restaurants we went to when we were in Seattle last year. I just know that I ate my weight in salmon. It was sock-eye season! 
If you can get to Salumi for lunch, I'd recommend that. And pike place chowder was fantastic. Your hotel isn't too far from where we stayed (the Sheraton on Pike and 6th) and we didn't rent a car. If you are okay with walking, it is a very walkable area! 

Not renting a car for this trip. We're taking the public transport from the airport to the downtown hotel we're staying at. I thought we might rent a car to go see our friends who live on Whidbey Island but the husband is insisting on picking us up and dropping us off at the airport the next day. I thought that was a lot of work on his part but I think he's a little bored!

[Gardening Grandma]

August is a GREAT time to come - best weather. September is good too.

You don't need a car if you are staying downtown (Yes, the hotels downtown ARE spendy). But don't make the mistake my cousin made. To save money, she got a hotel in Bellevue and rented a car. She spent a lot of time sitting in traffic.

From the airport, take the light rail downtown (runs every 10 mins, trip is 40-50 mins depending where you are going). You can walk onto the Bainbridge Is ferry (30 min trip), walk around downtown (very small with antique shops, galleries, restaurants) and back. Scenic ride.

Pike Place market (of course).

I'm sorry I can't recommend a restaurant - haven't eaten downtown in years.

[Bonny]

Just back and for the most part had a blast!

Hotel Vintage was wonderful. Great location and we did A LOT of walking. Monday we got in about 10 miles starting with walking from our hotel to the Space Needle, circumnavigating Lake Union and back to the hotel. Oh and that was the day Seattle hit 95 degrees.

Tulio's was a bust. When you spend that kind of money you expect things to be perfect and not have to wait an hour before your food arrives...especially on your birthday. For that kind of money Capital Grill was much, much better.

All the other meals were great. Loved Ivars down at the wharf. I would have loved to go to their Salmon House on Lake Union but the timing wasn't quite right. Beautiful restaurant.

We also enjoyed Planet Java near Pioneer Square and the Underground Tour. Really enjoyed the Underground tour; what an amazing story!

Loved the little bit of Whidbey Island and the tiny town of Langley. I hope we can see our friends again soon. They have an adorable A Frame Cabin with a fantastic view out the sound.

And what a week for weather from the 90s to thunder and lightening and back to fog again!

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

I'm sorry I missed this.....

My friends came to Seattle last year and wound up staying at The Inn at the Market.  Not cheap, but in a very central location.  I tried to get a room but they were booked, so we wound up in a place a but further away.  It was ok, but not in a very central location so that we needed to take a cab ride down.

I would have suggested going to The Herb Farm in Woodinville for your birthday dinner.  It's not cheap, but you get an utterly outstanding meal.  Another place we go to where we have never had a bad meal is Ray's Boathouse.  If you really wanted to go off the beaten track, The Willows on Lummi Island (about 100 miles north) has an excellent restaurant, that has gotten outstanding reviews and a new James Beard Award winner chef.  I wanted to go for my birthday, but figured I shouldn't have to make reservations for my own birthday and expected TD to do so.  I know better now!  

[Bonny]

Aug 20, 2014 16:52:49 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I'm sorry I missed this.....

My friends came to Seattle last year and wound up staying at The Inn at the Market.  Not cheap, but in a very central location.  I tried to get a room but they were booked, so we wound up in a place a but further away.  It was ok, but not in a very central location so that we needed to take a cab ride down.

I would have suggested going to The Herb Farm in Woodinville for your birthday dinner.  It's not cheap, but you get an utterly outstanding meal.  Another place we go to where we have never had a bad meal is Ray's Boathouse.  If you really wanted to go off the beaten track, The Willows on Lummi Island (about 100 miles north) has an excellent restaurant, that has gotten outstanding reviews and a new James Beard Award winner chef.  I wanted to go for my birthday, but figured I shouldn't have to make reservations for my own birthday and expected TD to do so.  I know better now!  

No problem. I tagged you in the beginning but that can be easy to miss.

I filled out Kimpton's follow up survey and let them know about the problems with Tulio. GM got right back to me, apologized, and is investigating. He's sending me a $100 gift certificate (that will cover lunch! ) with an expiration date of 11/30/15 and is transferrable if we don't make it back to Seattle.

The best meal and service that we had was at Capital Grille. But we also liked some of the less expensive places we ran into for lunch and we certainly didn't lose any weight on this trip, LOL.

I also should add that we didn't rent a car.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Aug 23, 2014 18:14:50 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Aug 20, 2014 16:52:49 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

I'm sorry I missed this.....

My friends came to Seattle last year and wound up staying at The Inn at the Market.  Not cheap, but in a very central location.  I tried to get a room but they were booked, so we wound up in a place a but further away.  It was ok, but not in a very central location so that we needed to take a cab ride down.

I would have suggested going to The Herb Farm in Woodinville for your birthday dinner.  It's not cheap, but you get an utterly outstanding meal.  Another place we go to where we have never had a bad meal is Ray's Boathouse.  If you really wanted to go off the beaten track, The Willows on Lummi Island (about 100 miles north) has an excellent restaurant, that has gotten outstanding reviews and a new James Beard Award winner chef.  I wanted to go for my birthday, but figured I shouldn't have to make reservations for my own birthday and expected TD to do so.  I know better now!  

No problem. I tagged you in the beginning but that can be easy to miss.

I filled out Kimpton's follow up survey and let them know about the problems with Tulio. GM got right back to me, apologized, and is investigating. He's sending me a $100 gift certificate (that will cover lunch! ) with an expiration date of 11/30/15 and is transferrable if we don't make it back to Seattle.

The best meal and service that we had was at Capital Grille. But we also liked some of the less expensive places we ran into for lunch and we certainly didn't lose any weight on this trip, LOL.

I also should add that we didn't rent a car.

When you come back to use that GC, let me know and I'll make a road trip.  I'd love to meet you sometime!

[Bonny]

I would as well but not sure when I'll be back. I'm trying to talk DH into a SE Alaska trip next year but we have some kitty issues. The Uber Siamese is in kidney failure and needs subcu fluids now 3x per week. He's doing well but it does affect our travel plans.

[Ombud]

Jul 17, 2014 1:03:41 GMT -5 @lillylake said:

August is the only consistently perfect month! 

Fairmont-Olympic $349/night – 5 star and extremely nice
Renaissance Seattle (now owned by Marriott) $309/night - 4 star and nice, but it has been about 4 years since I have been there.
Holiday Inn Express Seattle City Center $256/night - not sure if express merits stars, its a room.
Willows Lodge (on the eastside, not in seattle) $307/night - extremely nice. Sits next to Red Hook Brewery and Chateau St Michelle, so if you are into being spoiled, wine, beer and fine dining, its a really nice treat. 

There are cheaper hotels around the airport, but I have not stayed in them.

Grand Hyatt on Pine St was only 200 night and centrally located. Across from the metro and a few blocks from Pikes Pier