Welcome to Seattle!
We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Seattle. To help you enjoy your weekend and get the most out of your time here, we have compiled a little list of things to do, things to see, places of interest and just general information about Seattle.
We hope you will find this information helpful in planning your weekend activities.
What to do in Seattle
Our wedding weekend is the same weekend as Seafair. www.seafair.com It’s a Seattle traditional summer festival. There will be hydroplane racing on Lake Washington, an Airshow featuring the US Navy Blue Angels and other fun activities.
There are plenty of other great things to do in Seattle - check out www.seattle.citysearch.com
Coffee Houses
Caffé Vita
2126 5th Avenue, Seattle
Brian and I get coffee here almost every day --
Great atmosphere, cool art and good coffee – This is NOT Starbucks!
Caffé Ladro
600 Queen Anne Avenue North, Seattle
This one is on top of Queen Anne hill and serves a great Americano and tasty scones.
Nice atmosphere and cool paintings on the walls.
If you must go to a Starbucks or Tully’s – there is one on nearly every corner in downtown Seattle.
Places to go Shopping
Belltown:
independent clothing stores, shoes stores, funky trinket stores. Belltown is a part of Seattle generally located between 1st and 3rd Avenue and between Cedar St and Virginia St. There are also a number of fun restaurants and bars in this part of Seattle.
Capital Hill:
vintage clothing stores, vintage furniture stores, music stores and “other” stores. Take Denny up to Capital Hill – most shops are on Broadway.
Bon-Macy's Seattle – Downtown
http://www.macys.com
6 floors of clothing, house wares, shoes, make-up, furnishings and more clothes
1601 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA
Pacific Place Mall
Has great stores like Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware & the Movie Theatres
600 Pine Street (across the street from Nordstrom)
Seattle, WA
Did someone say Shoes??.....Try Nordstrom (This is the Corporate Headquarters and Flagship Store)
www.nordstrom.com
500 Pine Street (across the street from Pacific Place)
Seattle, WA
Bellevue Square Mall
http://www.bellevuesquare.com
If you want lots of shopping, then venture across the lake to the Eastside and shop to your hearts content.
Places to go See
The Space Needle and Seattle Center
http://www.spaceneedle.com
Ride the elevator up to the observation deck and get a bird’s eye view of the city – you can even see my house if you look towards the north.
How to find it – Look up, find the Needle on the skyline and follow it.
Ride the Ducks
http://www.seattleducktours.net
Ride in a vehicle that can go on Land and on Water – they make you quack like a duck but you do get to see the sites around Seattle.
How to find it – Located across the street from The Space Needle
Pioneer Square
www.pioneersquare.org
Take a Tour of the Underground – the tour starts and ends in Doc Maynard’s Bar at 601 1st Avenue. This tour takes you on a trip to the original ground floor of the shops and stores in Seattle during the big gold rush days before the “big fire”.
Or enjoy some great food and live music.
Waterfront
Visit Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, The Seattle Aquarium, Ferry Dock, Eat Fish and Chips at Ivar’s.
Seattle Art Museum
http://www.seattleartmuseum.org
There is a great Van Gogh exhibit showing now – don’t miss it.
100 University Street
Pike’s Market
At the end of Pike Street, visit the market for great fresh flowers, produce, fish; cool souvenirs, fun paintings and pictures of Seattle.
Sea-plane rides from Lake Union
Take a Sea-plane ride leaving off of Lake Union – take a tour of Seattle or go up to the San Juan Islands or fly into Victoria.
For those interested in WALKING TOURS – here is a link to some great self-guided ones
http://www.seattle.gov/tour/HistoricDistricts/index.htm
Visit a Brew pub
Red Hook Brewery is in Woodinville – took a brewery tour and sample some of Red Hook’s finest.
Sample some of Washington’s finest wines
Chateau St. Michelle & Columbia Winery are in Woodinville – right next to Red Hook Brewery.
Day Trips
Go International
If you want to visit Canada remember to bring either a passport or your driver’s license and birth certificate.
- Visit Victoria, BC - Easiest way is to go on the Victoria Clipper - http://www.victoriaclipper.com – The Clipper leaves right from Seattle and only takes a couple of hours. Victoria is well worth the trip.
- Visit Vancouver, BC - Just a short 3 hour drive up I-5.
Climb a Mountain
Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens are a few hours drive away –
- Drive right up to Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise at Mt. Rainier for great views of the mountain. – No climbing required!
- Mt. St. Helens is a longer drive down I-5 heading south but worth the trip if you have the time.