This post is primarily for DAG and Linda. We are in the process of planning a trip to Seattle next year (you know me, always planning ahead). We would appreciate input from you guys as to places (hotels) to stay, and things to do and see. We are primarily interested in the Boeing aircraft factory, Space Needle, Fish Markets, good restaurants (sea food), etc. We are planning to "pick your brains" in July. All recommendations appreciated!!!

wendell- we will talk in july and see what we can put together for you.you are going to have to rent a car.

We anticipated renting a car (no problem), however; not knowing our way around, we would appreciate a city map. If you would be so kind as to bring one with you to Vegas, we would appreciate it - and re-imburse you. Thanks.

Wendell, if you go to your local Barnes and Noble bookstore, you will find that they carry an amazing selection of maps. They often have fun maps that are not regular street maps, but cater to the tourist with the major roads, points of interest, and only detail the area that your would be interested in. These maps are usually plastic coated and are easy to travel with. There is actually competition for the tourist map industry, so you might find 2 or 3 or more different ones, all with great info and plastic coated. You might even want to buy 2 of them, so Maxine will have something to do while you look at the other one.


Of course the bookstores would have books that act as city guides too. I find them less attractive as most of that can be found on-line.

wendell-with both of you looking at maps who is driving?<G> i'll look at barnes and noble myself and see what they have and i'll check with you before i buy anything

When I was first getting my feet wet with Vegas, there was a great group of travel books with maps called "Access (city name)" They where great. Althogh I must admit, I haven't looked at travel maps in a long time at Walden books. Guess I need to expand my horizons more?

One of my favorite travel sites is www.frommers.com ... just plug in Seattle, and you can get quite a bit of info.

Do you (or a friend) belong to AAA? Free maps and travel guides are available there.

I would recommend staying in the downtown Seattle area. There are many fine hotels there but the prices can be a little cost prohibitive. I believe it's the Edgewater that is actually built out over pudget sound. The pic of the Beatles fishing out of their hotel room was taken there. There is also a Marriott along the shoreline there that is very nice.

We went cheap after an Alaskan cruise as stayed at the Springhill Suites, which is a little north of Downtown. It was a nice room and they offered a shuttle service that would take you to Westlake Mall, the convention center and the Space Needle. I was NOT overly impressed with the shuttle service at Springhilll Suites when when we were there.

There are several very nice restaurants on Lake Uniion, many with views. I believe the name of the restaurant we ate at there was Chesters Crab House. Very good food, good service, nice atmosphere and I felt the prices were reasonable. Most of the rest of the restaurants we ate at were chain restaurants with the exception of one "tea room" which was in part of the old "underground." It was an interesting place and served good sandwiches and coffee (Seattle seems to be all about the coffee). Unfortunately I can't recall the name. If you do the underground tour I'm certain one of the tour guides will point you that direction. That's how we found it ourselves.

In the downtown area you won't really need a car. Most things are walkable (IMO) and if you're feet get tired, most of the downtown area is in the bus systems "free zone." I found the bus drivers very helpful in telling me which bus to take and where to get off. Of course, I've always found people willing to tell me where to get off at.

We waited until we got to town and then I rented a car. There are several locations downtown and the prices were reasonable. I only rented a car for the time days I needed it and we dropped it off at the airport location (no additional charge) rather than take a taxi, town car or shuttle service to the airport. It was much more convenient for us to do it that way.

Mt. Rainer is a wonderful day trip but I really wish we had spent at least one night out there and spent two full days exploring all there was to see. Next time I plan on doing that. We found the undergound tour interesting and worth the money. They told a lot about the history of Seattle. Don't buy the books they recomend (Son's of the profits was one of them). I did not find them particularly well written or a very good read. We did not go to the Space Needle. Wife felt that was just a little to touristy and we've done the Strat in Vegas. The restaurant at the top of the needle doesn't generally get very high marks for food or service but it's the experience and the view people agree makes it worth it. Personally I'd rather have better quality food and service. I can get the view without the restaurant.

Hey guys - many thanks for the input.