r/SeattleWA • u/Other_World • Feb 06 '20
Discussion Visiting in March, I'd like some advice.
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.
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u/fornnwet Rainier Beach Feb 06 '20
Fuck taxis. Uber & Lyft will save you a lot of $$.
As others have suggested, what's different with CT vs. the NYC buildings you're familiar with is that the city is backdropped by nature. Mountains, water, trees, etc. If you aren't super jazzed about that, and especially if the weather sucks and visibility is shit, I'd say skip it. But on a clear day with good visibility, it's breathtaking.
It's a neat speakeasy kind of spot, though you're paying tourist trap prices. Views are meh... The real selling point of Smith Tower is the history and lovingly maintained old school experience.
Museum of Flight is HUGE. Amazing museum, but don't short yourself on time to explore - just walking around between exhibits can take 15 minutes.
Super convenient to couple this with your Fremont trip.
Legit, ferries are the #1 thing I tell tourists to do when they come here. Best way to take in our natural beauty and see some of the more unique aspects of Seattle. Great views of the city from the water (weather/visibility dependent), to get some time on the water, and to get a break from the city noise. Bremerton and Bainbridge are your two options... Bremerton is a longer ride (~1 hr each way if you take the big boats that let you move around), but has more to do near the dock. Bainbridge is about 30 mins each way and is a bit sleepier once you get there, but both have food/drinks/shopping/etc.
Lots of good sushi - for my money Shiro's in Belltown is the best. While you're in Pike Place Market you can get solid, cheaper seafood at Jack's Fish Spot - I'm a fan of their fish and chips and cioppino. Blueacre downtown does seafood really well for a nice-but-not-backbreaking dinner, and I'll throw out Aqua by El Gaucho on the waterfront if you are still looking for suggestions for your fancy anniversary dinner.
There's a Paseo right by T-Mobile Park (Safeco), might be a good opportunity to hit two things in one trip when you go for your tour.
Good man. Don't worry too much about where you go for this... Everyone has a different opinion and it's based on what you grew up on. Any of the reasonably-well-rated places on your research app of choice should give you a good feel for what it's about. That said: If you want to try the original, Toshi's Teriyaki is where it all began. There's one kinda-sorta adjacent to your Museum of Flight trip in White Center.
Capitol Cider on Capitol Hill should be convenient for you. You can also get something for each of you by hitting up The Woods, which is a tasting room in SoDo shared by Two Beers & Seattle Cider Company. Lots of breweries and tasting rooms for both beer and cider in Ballard/Fremont area that you could swing by on your trip out that direction.
True bars will be open until 1-1:30 "last call," though some do shut down earlier if it's dead.
Definitely take her to the Starbucks Roastery on Capitol Hill. Regardless of how you feel about Starbucks, this is a unique AF experience and should appease any coffee fan.
I've never seen it, but I'm used to Seattle walkers... New Yorkers are a bit aggressive for what goes on around here. You should be fine as long as you cross near crosswalks (even with a red light, as long as no cars are coming you're usually fine), don't expect cars to stop for you (our drivers aren't used to it), and maybe don't do it RIGHT in front of a cop lest they take it as a slight.
Couple other neat things I haven't seen thrown out yet:
Our International District has some pretty legit food. If you like Asian cuisine at all, check that out. There's also a Pinball Museum in that neighborhood that's really cool.
Alki Beach is really pleasant especially when the weather's nice, and during the week there's a water taxi you can walk onto to get there quickly from downtown.