Seattle questions

[chapeau]

The Alaskan cruise we're taking is round trip from Seattle. Partly because a friend of my dad's told him how much he and his wife hated Vancouver because of (what they said was) so much panhandling and homelessness. And now the same friend is telling Dad that Seattle is lawless and we shouldn't venture out of our hotel rooms while we're there.

And I'm done. My sister told Dad he needs new friends. She's probably right. We recently spent a long weekend in Chicago and didn't have any problems, so I'm not sure why Seattle would be any different. Usual city rules -- don't be stupid, keep your wits about you -- and you'll be fine. Am I wrong about that?

And we'll have basically 36 hours between our cruise ending and our plane taking off, Saturday afternoon to obscenely early Monday morning. Any suggestions of how to fill our time, assuming it's safe to venture out .

I found TCU's thread from 2016 about recommendations for Seattle and took notes, but I wanted to check if there was anything new or updates.

[justme]

Probably came from an article (I think posted on the board somewhere) about Seattle's homeless problem.

I'm actually headed to Seattle in just over a week myself, but I'll have a lot less time. I've found that there's brewery, distillery, and winery tours abound if any of those are in your wheel house. The CityPass for Seattle might also be of use and not a bad deal if you're able to use all of it. I don't have time so I didn't look into it, but some of the boat trips from Seattle look pretty cool too. 

Which cruiseline are you going with? I booked a hotel near Pike's since I'm with NCL which is Pier 66 so it'll be real easy to get to the ship. I think one other line uses 66 and the rest use 91 which is past the Space Needle. Also, NCL's Bliss is at 66 on Sundays (and Joy on Saturday if that's not the ship you're on) so you'll have 4,000 passengers disemarking and 4,000 embarking in that area - just as an FYI traffic wise if you're going to Pike's Market you might want to plan to go in the afternoon (all aboard is at 2pm). 

[chiver78]

The Walk of the Penguin Mich, HoneyBBQ, shanendoah?  I think there's more in the area, don't want to tag unnecessarily. 

[thyme4change]

That friends sounds like a real pill.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

No, you are not wrong about dealing with Seattle like you would any city.  Seattle does have a problem with homelessness, but if you stick to the tourist areas, you’ll get the panhandler but that is about it.  

As to how to fill your time, Pike’s Market, the Space Needle, the Chihuily exhibit are all good.  Depending on which afternoon or evening you are going to be in Seattle, McCaw hall has ballets and operas in season until June.  We went and saw A Midsummer’s Night Dream last weekend, and it was very good.  If you want to go further, Boeing has a big exhibit worth seeing, but not sure about how you’d get there.

Restaurantwise, we like Mashawi’s (Lebanese food), McMinimin’s (pub with awesome rubens) on Roy, near McCaw hall.  Both are very reasonable.  Further out is Ray’s Boathose.  I have never had a bad meal there.   Ray’s is not cheap, and you’ll need reservations.  You can also easily munch your way through Pike’s.  There is a good breakfast place called Potage Bay Cafe in the university district, but I think they have another branch closer in.  Very good, locally sourced food.

[chapeau]

Apr 25, 2019 14:36:45 GMT -5 justme said:

Probably came from an article (I think posted on the board somewhere) about Seattle's homeless problem.

I'm actually headed to Seattle in just over a week myself, but I'll have a lot less time. I've found that there's brewery, distillery, and winery tours abound if any of those are in your wheel house. The CityPass for Seattle might also be of use and not a bad deal if you're able to use all of it. I don't have time so I didn't look into it, but some of the boat trips from Seattle look pretty cool too. 

Which cruiseline are you going with? I booked a hotel near Pike's since I'm with NCL which is Pier 66 so it'll be real easy to get to the ship. I think one other line uses 66 and the rest use 91 which is past the Space Needle. Also, NCL's Bliss is at 66 on Sundays (and Joy on Saturday if that's not the ship you're on) so you'll have 4,000 passengers disemarking and 4,000 embarking in that area - just as an FYI traffic wise if you're going to Pike's Market you might want to plan to go in the afternoon (all aboard is at 2pm). 

You’re probably right about the article.

And while some of us are into micro breweries and wineries, I have the 7 year old, so I’m looking for more family friendly stuff. But I imagine we’ll be glad to split up, so we can do what strikes us as fun. And since I’m not a height fan, I’m skipping the space needle. When I went to Hancock Tower a few years ago I wouldn’t even go out on the observation deck, so I just don’t see the point. But I’m really hoping to go to Chihuly Garden.
We are leaving from Pier 66 also. I think we’re leaning toward Pike’s Market on Sunday, the day after the cruise, although since we disembark on Saturday we could go that Saturday afternoon. Unless we decide to rent a car and go to Mount Rainier or Olympic National Park. My sister and brother are trying to see all of the National parks, so they try to slip them in when they can.
I’m definitely looking forward to your post-cruise report.

[chapeau]

Apr 25, 2019 15:00:44 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

That friends sounds like a real pill.

Yeah, he is. I went to school with his daughter. It runs in the family.

[chapeau]

Apr 25, 2019 15:09:21 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

No, you are not wrong about dealing with Seattle like you would any city.  Seattle does have a problem with homelessness, but if you stick to the tourist areas, you’ll get the panhandler but that is about it.  

As to how to fill your time, Pike’s Market, the Space Needle, the Chihuily exhibit are all good.  Depending on which afternoon or evening you are going to be in Seattle, McCaw hall has ballets and operas in season until June.  We went and saw A Midsummer’s Night Dream last weekend, and it was very good.  If you want to go further, Boeing has a big exhibit worth seeing, but not sure about how you’d get there.

Restaurantwise, we like Mashawi’s (Lebanese food), McMinimin’s (pub with awesome rubens) on Roy, near McCaw hall.  Both are very reasonable.  Further out is Ray’s Boathose.  I have never had a bad meal there.   Ray’s is not cheap, and you’ll need reservations.  You can also easily munch your way through Pike’s.  There is a good breakfast place called Potage Bay Cafe in the university district, but I think they have another branch closer in.  Very good, locally sourced food.

Thank you for confirming my suspicions. And for the restaurant recommendations. I’m definitely planning to try for Mashawi’s. I love Lebanese food, although I might be dining alone. And the breakfast recommendation.
Now I’m getting hungry.

[tcu2003]

If the 7yo doesn’t want to do Chihuly, there is an AMAZING playground right outside it by the Space Needle. It was one of my son’s favorite things, so maybe an adult could hang with him there while everyone else does Chihuly, or two adults trade off.


This is one part of the playground.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Apr 25, 2019 18:17:26 GMT -5 chapeau said:

Apr 25, 2019 15:09:21 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

No, you are not wrong about dealing with Seattle like you would any city.  Seattle does have a problem with homelessness, but if you stick to the tourist areas, you’ll get the panhandler but that is about it.  

As to how to fill your time, Pike’s Market, the Space Needle, the Chihuily exhibit are all good.  Depending on which afternoon or evening you are going to be in Seattle, McCaw hall has ballets and operas in season until June.  We went and saw A Midsummer’s Night Dream last weekend, and it was very good.  If you want to go further, Boeing has a big exhibit worth seeing, but not sure about how you’d get there.

Restaurantwise, we like Mashawi’s (Lebanese food), McMinimin’s (pub with awesome rubens) on Roy, near McCaw hall.  Both are very reasonable.  Further out is Ray’s Boathose.  I have never had a bad meal there.   Ray’s is not cheap, and you’ll need reservations.  You can also easily munch your way through Pike’s.  There is a good breakfast place called Potage Bay Cafe in the university district, but I think they have another branch closer in.  Very good, locally sourced food.

Thank you for confirming my suspicions. And for the restaurant recommendations. I’m definitely planning to try for Mashawi’s. I love Lebanese food, although I might be dining alone. And the breakfast recommendation.
Now I’m getting hungry.

Just a warning.  Mashawi’s opens at 4 on weekends.  Not sure if it is open for lunch during the week as our tickets are always matinees during the weekend.  A few times, we have gotten take out to eat at home after the show is over.

[saveinla]

I am in Vancouver this week - we are staying downtown. There are homeless people, but we have not seen any pan handlers. The only issue for me is the pot smoke every where, as I am allergic to smoke.

My DH has given them food or coffee if we eat breakfast outside and they seem grateful. They have not bothered us. There are some mentally ill people, but it is common everywhere, so we just avoid them.

[weltschmerz]

If the 7yo doesn’t want to do Chihuly,

Oh, I LOVE Chihuly! Went to see his exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and was blown away! Absolutely fantastic!

[toomuchreality]

I went to Seattle in September. Had a great time. No one bothered us. Didn't see any more homeless people there, than in my own city.

I thought the gum wall was interesting.  Free and not far out of your way,  if your'e just wandering around downtown area.  I also really liked the BIG carved statue under the overpass. Fremont Troll

[Apple]

Apr 26, 2019 0:11:19 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

I went to Seattle in September. Had a great time. No one bothered us. Didn't see any more homeless people there, than in my own city.

I thought the gum wall was interesting.  Free and not far out of your way,  if your'e just wandering around downtown area.  I also really liked the BIG carved statue under the overpass. Fremont Troll

I was going to suggest both of those places as things the kid might like to see (though I haven't been to see the troll myself).  

They also have Duck Tours (updated DUKWs from WWII).  We did a tour years ago (I have heard of a crash or two in various locations, but our ride felt completely safe).  Each guide has a catch-phrase they want everyone to shout every time you pass a Starbucks.

There were homeless out and around, but no more than I see in other large cities for the most part, depending on the area.

If the weather is nice, you'll see some outdoor artists along the piers, they can be fun to watch for a little while.

There is also an aquarium (though I haven't been to that either).

I've been to a few Mcmenamins locations throughout Oregon, and they have been kid-friendly.  They tend to buy older buildings no longer serving the original purpose, and then fix them up.  They have a school, an old theater, a jail, etc.  Each location is different, but the food has always been good (the beer too, and I'm not much of a drinker).

[chapeau]

Thank you all so much! I'm back to looking forward to the whole trip. Mostly. I'm still thinking someone may go overboard *accidentally, of course.*

I'm not sure I can spend this much time with my family without losing my mind. Fortunately, it's a big ship...

[HoneyBBQ]

I also have a 7 year old. Just stick to the "seattle center."  My 7 year old loves Chihuly and they have a great restaurant attached too with some wicked bloody marys. As posted above, there's an enormous open playground right near there. You can spend a whole day just in seattle center with Chihuly, seattle center fountain, the playground, maybe the EMP musuem, and also the mentioned Duck Tours is right there as well.  The Pacific Science center is on the southern edge, which is a fantastic STEM museum that we are members of. They have IMAX movies, a laser light show, etc. There's also the Seattle's Children's Theater, so you might see if there are any plays your kiddo would enjoy. You can also ride the monorail to Pike's place. 

www.wheretraveler.com/seattle/play/seattle-center


There will be some meth heads piled in the corner and people openly vaping and smoking weed. We do have a homelessness problem and a begging problem. But you'll not be in danger. It's actually a teaching moment... or at least that's what I tell myself.  Mostly likely you will hardly notice them unless you are looking for them.

Rainier and OLY NP are WAY too far away for a 36 hour turn around with everything you have on an agenda. Sometimes it takes 2 hours just to get into the park on a nice summer day due to traffic queues at Rainier. Stick to Seattle and enjoy the mountains from your airplane window.

[HoneyBBQ]

PS if you have more questions, feel free to tag me, I don't check this forum regularly.

[justme]

So this website web.ticket.spaceneedle.com/?directAccess=c4e22b6a-d4de-4c06-b74b-f7fa187b774c offers lots of different ticket combos.

I'm really sad that the day/night Space Needle ticket isn't available for my date - I'm guessing it sold out. There's also combos that include a science center or flight museum or zoo. Found out through that site that there's a monorail that goes from where the space needle is to more or less where Pike's Market is. With a big group it might not be cheaper than uber though - for just me I'm likely to use it since it's like 2 blocks from my hotel. 

The light rail also stops 2 blocks from my hotel -- anyone use that to know if it's a pain in the butt to use? Paying a couple bucks to get to my hotel sounds a lot nice than the $30 uber I was looking at!

[HoneyBBQ]

The monorail is overpriced for what it is, but it is cute and novel and worth a ride as a tourist. But it only goes from downtown Seattle to the Seattle center. No where else.

The light rail, from the airport to downtown, is definitely the way to go if that is what you are asking. It is fast and reliable and underutilized. And cheaper than the monorail I think haha.

[justme]

Apr 26, 2019 15:32:27 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

The monorail is overpriced for what it is, but it is cute and novel and worth a ride as a tourist. But it only goes from downtown Seattle to the Seattle center. No where else.

The light rail, from the airport to downtown, is definitely the way to go if that is what you are asking. It is fast and reliable and underutilized. And cheaper than the monorail I think haha.

Sort of both, but glad to hear about the light rail! Debating taking it back to the airport since I'll be without my bags.

For the monorail I thought I saw it was like 3 bucks each way, which I thought should be cheaper than ubering there from my hotel on 5th between pike & union. Only cared about the saving money aspect!

[justme]

chapeau

Oh hey! Forgot to report back! So I did take the light rail to/from the airport. It was really easy. And there's even a golf cart shuttle from where you exit the airport to where you get on the train (it's a covered walk way through the parking garage and then a bridge - so even walking's not too bad though it was chilly when I got there if you don't want to wait for the shuttle). $3 each way per person - they had discounted rates for children and seniors. The stop (Westlake) was 2 blocks from my hotel - Motif Seattle. I liked the hotel. Everyone was super nice, the offered a drink when I showed up (yay free bottled water) and held my bags until my room was ready. It was $211 all in for my room and it was pretty big - I was the king bed room and there was a nice big couch the folded out if you needed another bed. Where I ate for lunch (Palminos I think, right across from the hotel) was meh and I don't think I'd go back besides their happy hour that looked really good. I ate dinner at Von's 1000 Spirits which is on the water and was really good. It was near the ferris wheel and about 5 blocks from my hotel - though after 4th street it starts descending pretty quick to the water so the walk back kinda sucks. They make their pasta and pizza dough in house sourbread style and they have a good specialty cocktail menu -- also have a decent drink and food happy hour after 10pm. 

I took the monorail to the Space Needle but like HoneyBBQ said it is totally lame and do not take it for any reason other than it would be cheaper than other methods. For me it was a lot cheaper - Ubers were around $8 from Motif but the monorail was a 2 block walk and $2.50. If you do take it - round trip isn't any cheaper than buying 2 one way. There's a really huge fountain near the space needle that I saw I lot of kids running down towards the water and then back again while parents sat up on the edge. The children's science center looked kinda cool from the outside. I also saw some things for something the Gates did in the area that seemed children focused but I forget what it was called. There was also a park-ish area right next to the childrens museum that's under the space needle that could be cool beyond the playground TCU mentioned (they're all really close to each other) that was way less crowded.

The space needle is cool - it's now just two floors of observation decks with the bottom one rotating and having the glass bottom. There are some food options up there and a lot of bars - as well as restrooms - so it's conducive to spending a lot of time up there if you want. I got up there right before sunset so it was cool to see the city and bay and stay up there while the sun set and the lights turned on.

I left my hotel around 11am to go to the port and got stuck waiting for 2 industrial trains to pass. It was pier 66 so I'm not sure if all the other piers have the train tracks between the piers and the rest of seattle, but if that's the case for you just be ware that I was sitting in my uber for over 10 minutes waiting for the trains to pass and it was backing up traffic like no body's business. My driver ended up going over enough that helped because he dropped me off before the train had passed the street that dead-ended into the terminal. 

If you want any info on the ports just let me know which ones you're going on and I'll tell you what I know if it!!

[chapeau]

Thank you so much justme
I really appreciate the info about stuff to do around the Space Needle. Everyone in my family wants to go, but I hate,hate,hate heights, so they can have fun with that, I’ll be on the ground.
We’re at 2 1/2 weeks until we leave, and I can’t wait.

[saveinla]

May 20, 2019 17:05:45 GMT -5 chapeau said:

Thank you so much justme
I really appreciate the info about stuff to do around the Space Needle. Everyone in my family wants to go, but I hate,hate,hate heights, so they can have fun with that, I’ll be on the ground.
We’re at 2 1/2 weeks until we leave, and I can’t wait.

The elevator ride to the top is not bad - it's pretty quick and you don't have to look outside if you are afraid. 

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

May 20, 2019 17:05:45 GMT -5 chapeau said:

Thank you so much justme
I really appreciate the info about stuff to do around the Space Needle. Everyone in my family wants to go, but I hate,hate,hate heights, so they can have fun with that, I’ll be on the ground.
We’re at 2 1/2 weeks until we leave, and I can’t wait.

My husband hates heights also, but he did survive the Space Needle. First, you could stay on the ground and let your kids and their dad go up. If you do go up, you can stay close to the center and not approach the windows. If you decide to approach the windows, you certainly don't have to go outside the windows onto the balcony. 

[chapeau]

I had to sit in the floor of the elevator that went to the viewing platform at the building formerly known as Sears Tower (it was the Hancock Building, I think, when I went in. Pretty sure it’s changed names at least once since then). I had to be talked out of my own garage attic once, and there’s a regular (but steep) flight of stairs going down from there. When I ride the incline in local bigh city, I sit on the floor, facing the back of the car. Afraid doesn’t even scratch the surface of how I feel about heights.
I have tried, I just don’t want to anymore.

I don’t mind hanging out alone on the ground. I’ll probably be ready for an hour (day) or so away from the rest of the fam by then anyway.