Seattle & Vancouver trip recommendations?

[Rocket]

Hi, guys.

I'll be travelling for the first time to the Seattle area this summer with my 2 daughters -- 21 and 15 -- and was wondering if any of you had been there and had any recommendations.

i.e. favorite hotel or restaurant; things you think my daughters might be interested in seeing, etc.

We're also thinking of going up to Vancouver for a 1 or 2 day trip as well.


Thanks for any tips/suggestions.

Rod

[Dr. Foosball™]

I hear they have a quain little coffee shop in Seattle, can't think of the name right now....bring an umbrella.

Things to see: Space Needle, Ballard District, Pioneer Square.

[Rocket]

Thanks.

Sounds like there's about as much to do in Seattle as there is in Dallas. :)

[BigWave]

Thanks.

Sounds like there's about as much to do in Seattle as there is in Dallas. :)

No comment on that comparison, but being a native Seattleite, I do have a large list of things for you to do/see. First off, you should know that Seattle is bordered by the Cascade Mountains in the East and the Puget Sound in the West. Even further West of the Puget Sound are the Olympic Mountains. To see the Puget Sound and the Mountains all in the same view is an absolutely stunning sight! The Cascade Mountains are obviously famous for skiing (not in the summer though), Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. As far as Seattle itself:

1) Space Needle. Nice to see, but the restaurant up top is very subpar. I wouldn't waste your time there. A ride up to the top would suffice. The Space Needle is located at the Pacific Science Center. All kids dig the Pacific Science Center. Paul Allen opened some fancy Rock Museum near there called the Experience Music Project...not as good as the one in Cleveland, but certainly the best on the West Coast. Plus, it has some interactive stuff that kids would have fun with.
http://www.pacsci.org/
http://www.emplive.org/

2) Pike Place Market. This is the oldest continuously operated farmer's market in the US. It'll celebrate it's 100th anniversary on August 17th. The fish market is the biggest draw...the fishermen there are often seen throwing large salmon around. The first Starbucks is also located nearby: it's nothing special though, just another Starbucks really.
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/frameset.asp?flash=true

3) Ballard. This is the scandinavian quarter of Seattle and the borough that I come from. The Ballard Locks are pretty cool. There are a couple of good fish 'n' chips stands near by in case you get hungry. One is called Totem House and the other is called Lockspot. Another amusing fast food joint in Ballard is Zesto's (6416 15th Ave. N.W., Seattle, WA 98107). It's old school: hand-dipped shakes, great fries and the burgers are OK. I think it was built in the 50's...a large 1950's Chevy is on top of the building, so Zesto's is hard to miss. My fave bakery in Seattle is Larsen's, which is actually located in a suburb of Ballard called North Beach. Larsen's is a Danish bakery and produces the best danish that I've had outside of Denmark. The owner is Danish (duh!) and apprenticed in Copenhagen, before starting his business. Mr. Spots Tea House is the best place for tea in Seattle and is located in downtown Ballard. Mr. Spots is the name of the owner's lost cat. The chai there is spicy, not sweet. Ballard Seafood Fest is July 28th and 29th. Some history: Ballard used to be its' own city until 1907, when it was annexed by Seattle...another 100th anniversary here.
http://www.seattle.gov/tour/locks.htm
http://www.larsensbakery.com/
http://www.chaihouse.com/
http://www.seafoodfest.org/2007/vendors.shtml

4) Fish 'n' Chips: Best Fish 'n' Chips on the West Coast! Here's a list of my fave places to go:
A) Spud Fish & Chips - go to the one on Alki (2666 Alki Ave SW). They serve breaded and battered fish, in case you have a preference. Alki is also the location of many other good restaurants, plus the beach is nice. This place has been around since the mid 1930's, so they know what they're doing. There's also one on Greenlake and in Kirkland, but the one on Alki is best.
B) Totem House Fish & Chips - for great home-made breaded fish. (3058 NW 54TH St). This place has also been around since the mid 1930's. One location.

5) Coffee: Okay, Seattle coffee is not Starbucks. Get this through your head now! Half of the coffeehouses in Seattle are either Starbucks, Seattle's Best, or Tully's. The other half are independent and they are all interesting to go to and see. Some have good coffee, while others are questionable. Here are my recommendations:
A) B&O Espresso (204 Belmont Ave E) - Best selection of desserts at any coffee house in town. Period. Located in the Capitol Hill Neighborhood. This place also has board games for the kids.
B) Zeitgeist Coffee (171 S. Jackson St.) - Coffee and Fine Art.
http://zeitgeistcoffee.com/
C) Espresso Vivace (901 East Denny Way) - Espresso Scientists. They roast their own beans.
http://www.espressovivace.com/
There are many other places to name, but you'll just have to do a google search if you're interested in others.

6) Seafood: Seattle has the best seafood in the US outside of Alaska, IMHO. Here are some recommendations:
A) Ray's Boathouse (6049 Seaview Avenue NW) - This is the best seafood restaurant in Seattle, so it's probably the best on the West Coast. The menu selection represents what "true" Northwest cuisine is all about. Ray's also sits on the Puget Sound and as such offers a great view of the water and the Olympic Mountains.
http://www.rays.com/new/?p=1
B) Shiro's Sushi (2401 2nd Ave) - located in Belltown, Shiro's is the best Sushi in Seattle, IEO. The baseball player Ichiro is often spotted eating Sushi at Shiro's. The owner trained with the Ginza in Tokyo and is a two-time James Beard nominee for best US Chef. Try to get a seat at the Sushi bar!
http://www.shiros.com/html/about.htm
C) Kisaku Sushi (2101 N. 55th St.) - located on Greenlake. Much more laid back than Shiro's and resonably priced. The Sushi is still great though. Once again, get a seat at the Sushi bar!
http://www.kisaku.com/kisaku/

7) Fremont Troll - An extremely large troll under a bridge in Fremont. One of the troll's hands can be seen grasping an authentic VW bug. There's also a cool statue of Lenin in Fremont, but that's another story. Like every good BigSoccer entry, here's the wikipedia reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremont_Troll

8) Microbreweries - there are quite a few, but here are my recommendations:
A) Hale's Ales (4301 Leary Way NW) - Fremont/Ballard microbrewery.
http://www.halesales.com/
B) Pyramid Ales (1201 First Avenue South) - Brewery right by Safeco field...this is my favorite brewery in Seattle!
http://www.pyramidbrew.com/home.php

9) Music - Seattle has a fabulous music scene. You can literally find performances in every genre on every night (except for maybe Sunday and Monday). The magazine to go to for all Seattle events is a free weekly called "The Stranger". The Stranger is pretty easy to find, but here's their website:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Home

I hope this helps! There's always plenty of stuff to do in Seattle. I hope you have a great trip!!!:)

[Rocket]

Thanks, BigWave!

I'll be sure to check out some of those restaurants you mention -- they sound terrific.

[DeigoRedD]

I've got to say I agree with all of BigWave's pics.

A couple more that I'd add.

The Seattle Zoo - They continue to upgrade exhibits. Its a great way to get in a good walk after a couple of days eating in the area.

If you get to the Northgate area of Seattle (north end of town) and are in the mood for Chinese food definitely stop in to Judy Fu's Snappy Dragon. Their pot stickers are hands down the best I've ever had. This is a must visit for me every time I go back up to visit.

http://www.snappydragon.com/

[SeventhRowScreamer]

Thanks, BigWave!

I'll be sure to check out some of those restaurants you mention -- they sound terrific.
Just keep your girls away from those damned hippies and their mind alterin' drugs!;)
Everyone knows drugs are for dads only.:D

[The Gribbler]

I had some stuff to say, but after Bigwave's post...notsomuch.

He didn't mention the Aquarium though, which was under expansion the when I was there in June of 06, which should be complete by now. Its on a pier and part of it lies outside where you're over the Sound on a pier, yet you're looking into the salt water tank of a sea otter. It was a really neat experience.