What Types of Things Should We Incoroporate Into Our Visit to the Area? (Seattle: lodging)

[ladyjuliek]

Is Edmond / Kirkland considered the "country?" What about campgrounds, are they open all year long? And can you use fire there? Can you really get anywhere in Seattle in under a half hour like the books say, and thus, could I live in the outskirts and country as you mentioned, but have easy access to the city? We may be planning a trip to 'see' what it's like. I wonder what types of things we should incorporate.

[scirocco22]

(moderator bump ...mistakenly locked for some reason)

[jabm67]

Edmonds and Kirkland are most definitely NOT "country". Suburb or Sprawl is more the category. There may be places you can camp (legally), but I'd be moderately surprised.

[Tina Faust]

I could go on and on about this topic... Spend a day downtown and visit the waterfront, Pike's Place and Pioneer Square. The aquarium is pretty neat and the Space Needle (at Seattle Center) is nice for great views.

Kirkland and Edmonds are not the country - but very nice cities to visit and walk around. Edmonds is on the Puget Sound side of waterfront and Kirkland is waterfront to Lake Washington.

If you get a chance to do a harbor cruise (depending on time of year you visit and the weather), there is nothing more beautiful than the Seattle skyline by water.

You might also consider hopping on a ferry to visit any of the islands.

I recommend Wallace Falls if you are into hiking and Snoqualmie Falls if you aren't. Wallace Falls is a traditional forest hike with ups and downs and Snoqualmie you can see a few short steps from the parking lot.

For a fantastic breakfast experience, I recommend going to Maltby Cafe just outside of Snohomish; order a cinnamon roll for appetizer - but be sure you have people to share it with! Their raisin bread is outta this world! Be ready for a wait though - it's a popular place!

Snohomish is a neat town to walk around - it's an antique shop mecca but also offers a nice walk along the Snohomish river.

Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island is nice - but the views from the bridge connecting to the mainland is awesome.

If you like wine; Washington is the 2nd largest exporter of wine! There are many great wineries near the Seattle area to tour. Chateau St. Michelle is a nice one - and right down the street is the Red Hook brewery which offers tours as well.

I live in Lake Stevens, considered the outskirts or country, and I wouldn't want to commute into Seattle for work - but getting there for fun only takes about an hour. I can be in Lynnwood during rush hour in about 45 minutes - but downtown Everett is close (within 20 minutes) as is the Everett Waterfront (not as impressive, yet, as Seattle). There are many bars and restaraunts there and the Everett Events Center has lots of things to go see as well.

Most of the time fires are allowed at campsites and you'll want to check about ones you are interested in staying at being open all year long.

Seattle, or the Puget/North Sound area offers a plethora of things for the visitor or resident to do and explore - it all depends on the type of activities you are interested in. We love it here and wouldn't trade this for anything!


Web links to some of things mentioned above:
Whidbey & Camano Island's Washington Official Tourism Website for island getaways, lodging accommodations, art and relaxation
Deception Pass State Park (page 1 of 2)
Wallace Falls State Park (page 1 of 2)
Welcome to Pioneer Square
Seattle Center - Create your Seattle Center Experience!
Pike Place Market
SnoqualmieFalls.com - Official Web Site
Comcast Arena at Everett Events Center
Everett Waterfront in Everett
http://www.seattleaquarium.org/
Washington Wines and Winery | Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
Redhook