We went a few months ago and loved it so we are heading back next weekend for a long weekend getaway. Last time we went to Pike's Place Market, took a drive out to Snoqualmie Falls and Leavenworth, had an AMAZING dinner at The Herb Farm, and spent a day in Victoria, BC, Canada. We love good wine and good food and want to see more nature this time. Any other suggestions would be great.
Go to the San Juan Islands. You can take ferries, the Olympic peninsula was nice, but I really loved the Islands themselves.
I went to a real good Indian restaurant while I was there. Name escapes me, however. Some help I was...
http://sanjuansafaris.com/ It looks like you will just miss the whale watching season. We sat on the shore at the state park on San Juan Island and were able to see orcas. Mount Rainier is another beautiful place to visit. http://www.visitrainier.com/index.php?&gigpag=dining
I visited Rainier in April a while back and there was still a ton of snow. Probably depends on the year, but just as an fyi. Definitely freaking gorgeous, though. I love the PNW.
San Juan Islands Orca Whale Watching Tours Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, Washington, near Seattle. Orca Whale Watching Season 2010: April 3 to October 23
My wife is the sous chef at Cafe Juanita, which is one of if not the best fine dining experience in the great Seattle area. If you like good food and wine, you should really go there. The food is outstanding, their wine list is extensive, and the service is top-notch (nominated for a James Beard service award this year). Please make sure to mention that Lauren's husband recommended it. They might throw out an extra course.
One of my favorite cities. Wife took me there for my fortieth.......set us up in a corner suite at Hotel 1000, and we did a great meal at the Herbfarm as well. Some of the things I recall most fondly were meals at Monsoon and the Tamarind Tree and visiting the Locks and driving out to Dungenoss Spit. If you like that area, food and wine, and you want more outdoorsey stuff as well, I'd also recommend (not to take anything away from Seattle) visiting Vancouver/Whistler as well. Great restaurants, and a superb outdoor activities. Also, Portland is pretty awesome too, and the Willamette Valley is awesome........probably what Napa and Sonoma were like before they turned into wine disneyland.
Good thread, I'm heading there for a few days in early april. May have to check out the Orca watching tour.
Bumping the thread for some more advice. I'll be there all day Labor Day and most of Tue, my flight leaves at 10 PM. I've been there many times just to fly and drive to Vancouver, but this time I'm finally going to check out the city. I don't know what took me so long. Right now I'll check out Pike's Place and considering the Duck Tour and EMP. I'm wondering what are the 'must see' recomendations. I'm also open to more dining spots, specifically regional food, anything from street vendors to foodie destinations. If there's more stuff to do I'll consider going there Sunday to get more time in. I'm still looking for hotels. I imagine I'd like to get a place downtown and we can walk most places. Is that feasible and safe?
We drove around the olympic peninsula last time. and it was very nice. you can do it under a day too.
look up Lunchbox Laboratory and go eat their burgers and shakes. their tater tots are also amazing. they only serve until they run out of food, so might want to go early. you won't be disappointed if you like some unique burgers with high quality ingredients.
Do it. I don't consider myself the whale-watching type, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see a whale swimming in it's natural environment. It's a whole-day commitment, but it was the highlight of our Seattle trip. We left from Anacortes, which is quite scenic in itself.
