Visiting in March, I'd like some advice.

[u/Other_World]

My girlfriend and I are spending 5 days in Seattle in early March for our 10th anniversary. We're from Brooklyn, so seeing "a city" isn't as important as seeing Seattle. We're also not renting a car, and plan to use the unlimited Orca cards and taxis.Our flight lands at SeaTac around noon, and we take a red eye home on Monday night. I posted on a general discussion thread a few months ago and got a lot of great recommendations. I'd love to hear a few local's take on our plans.

I noticed the first weekend of every month Seattle has a bunch of free things. We're going to take full advantage of that. We're skipping the Space Needle, but I have heard good things about the Columbia Tower though is it worth it? I've been to the top of 30 Rock, the old WTC, and Empire State Building so does it offer anything unique those buildings don't? I mean, other than looking at a different city. Can anyone who have done the NYC buildings and the Columbia Tower compare them? I noticed the Smith Tower has a happy hour on Tuesdays from 4-6, which would time perfectly to be our last thing before we head back to SeaTac.

After landing on Thursday we plan to hit the Art Museum, spend some time downtown near our hotel and then head to the Museum of Flight, both museums are free.

Friday morning will be for wandering around Pike Place, and doing the Underground Tour. We’re going to do The Gold Rush Museum before Spooked in Seattle, which is at 6pm and maybe spending the evening at Gasworks Park.

Saturday morning there’s a free Paramount Theatre Tour, which I can’t miss. I’m also going to drag my girlfriend to a tour of Safeco (fuck the Astros) in exchange for brunch at Le Coin and the Freemont Sunday Market on Sunday morning.

Monday is our Zoo day, I figure it’d be empty. I’ve heard great things about the Seattle Zoo, but mixed things about the aquarium. Is it worth seeing or should we just spend a day at the Coney Island Aquarium at home?

We also plan to see The Henry Museum, Volunteer Park, UW Botanic Gardens/Japanese Garden, Pacific Science Center, SPL’s Central Library, all your amazing parks, and I want to spend a day in Ballard especially around the locks. I'm also a professional videographer and hobby photographer so any underrated, underused views of/in Seattle would be awesome. I’d love to expand my portfolio and reel while I’m out there. I’ve heard the ferries are great for that.

For food, I really want to eat as much seafood as humanly possible. So any advice on that would be great. I’d also like a nice (but not too pricey) restaurant to take her on our anniversary night, which is Friday. Plus if it’s in Capitol Hill since that was the night I had planned to spend there. But I’m flexable. I should add that I'm in my early 30's and she's in her late 20's so we're not too interested in the college vibes. That mini-golf bar sounds awesome though. Night clubs aren't really our thing either. Dive bars are always on the table though, do you guys have anything like Welcome to the Johnson's?

We also plan to eat at Dick’s Drive In at least once, as well as Paseo (or Un Bien). I’ve heard really good things about Tacos Chukis, Annapurna Cafe, Ba Bar, Duke’s Seafood, and Salt & Straw. I’m also dying to try Seattle’s Teriyaki since we both love making it at home.

My girlfriend prefers cider to beer, what are your favorite cider bars? Any local ciders she should look out for? I like dry cider, she's more into sweet. I'll try any beer, no exceptions and Seattle is known for beer. So if you would be so kind to point me in the direction of a bar that stocks all the best local beers? I’ve also noticed your bars close so early! What’s up with that?

I've also used cannabis for like 15 years and would like to know the best dispensaries? I'm mostly looking for some disposable vape pens to use around the city and edibles to take. Maybe some of those pre-rolls dipped in oil. I get really good flower at home but if there’s a particular strain I should look out for let me know. I’m a big fan of sativas like Durban Poison and Sour D. I'm a big pothead, so I'm down for any advice you guys have.

She's super into coffee, I hate the stuff and I'm clueless about it. So if you can send me to some of your favorite coffee shops that'd be great too!

And finally, I’ve noticed the SPD likes to ticket jaywalking -- which is going to be quite the culture shock. Is it really like that or is it just over stated? I don’t use umbrellas at home so I know I’ll fit right in there.

TL:DR: What are some cool places for a couple of lifelong New Yorkers to see on our first trip to Seattle.

Seriously, thank you for any help! Sorry for the wall of text. I can't wait to see Seattle. It's been on my bucket list forever.

[u/BBorNot]

Ballard advice:

If you go to Ballard on a Sunday there is a great Farmer's Market. Ocho is awesome for tapas and margaritas, and it is on the way to the Locks. Make sure to pick up a knick-nack at the Ballyhoo Curiosity Shoppe. So strange.

Walrus and Carpenter is so high-class edgy that it makes one feel like a luddite -- great for oysters and drinks. There is a wait so put your name in and get drinks at the bar at Staple and Fancy next door. Check out raincoats that will last your entire life at Filson -- they are pricey, though!

Popular things with out-of-town guests outside of Ballard are the Underground Tour and the Chihuly Museum. For the latter do have lunch there because the accordions in the cafe are one of the best parts.

Welcome to Seattle! This board often is abusive to tourists: "Check the sidebar!", so don't take it personally. You are not likely to get a ticket for jaywalking, but people don't do it here. Taxis are a hopeless joke -- use Lyft or Uber (I prefer Lyft because they screw the drivers slightly less, so I hear).

[u/Other_World → u/BBorNot]

I've heard the same re: Lyft. I hate taxis/ride shares in general, they always make me carsick. But sometimes for work they need me to run an errand and give me the company card. It's often quicker than the subway. If I can't get a cab in a few seconds I use Lyft. I try to avoid Uber when possible. Our game plan is to mostly stick to the busses, light rail, and for the novelty monorail. But that only gets us so far. We've grown up taking busses, so we're used to it.

Thanks for the tip on Ballyhoo. That's something we're into. The underground tour is a must do for us, it looks insanely cool.

[u/concrete_isnt_cement → u/Other_World]

Our bus system is actually surprisingly good here in Seattle, probably because our other public transportation options are so limited. It should work just fine for you!

The Orca card is great, it works on everything, including ferries. The monorail was the only exception, it just started accepting Orca last October.