Vacationing to Move (Seattle: renting, neighborhood, taxi)

[weash]

My husband and I currently live on the east coast but think we might be west-coasters at heart. We are taking a vacation to Seattle in a few weeks to check out the area; although we will check out some of the regular tourist spots (Market, Aquarium, Underground Tour) we are also looking to do a few interesting things that perhaps only the locals know about as we are thinking about moving to the city and want to get the full experience.

Does anyone have any suggestions for spending the day like a Seattle local and getting the full experience?

Thanks!

[Hemlock140]

Real Seattle includes the Troll, we have been here 20 years and never get tired of seeing it. Also, burgers at Dick's Drive in. There are several but we like the one on 45th in Wallingford. Though it's not in Seattle and a few hours away by car and ferry, I recommend to all visitors a trip to Hurricane Ridge, for the best of the NW beauty.

Fremont Troll - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Visiting Hurricane Ridge - Olympic National Park

[Ira500]

Climb the water tower in Volunteer Park.(Capitol Hill)
Go to the top of the Smith Tower(Pioneer Square)
Go to Ballard and walk down Ballard Avenue and Market Street.
West Seattle! West Seattle! Park near Salty's and walk to Alki.

[tobester]

Sit forever at a four way stop while waiting for the other person to make the first move. Must be polite!

[weash]

Thanks everyone, these are great suggestions and we did want to make it up to see the Troll for sure but I should say we aren't planning on renting a car while we are there so we will need to get everywhere either by foot or by bus.

Is there an easy way to get to Alki beach from downtown not using a car?

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by weash

Thanks everyone, these are great suggestions and we did want to make it up to see the Troll for sure but I should say we aren't planning on renting a car while we are there so we will need to get everywhere either by foot or by bus.

Is there an easy way to get to Alki beach from downtown not using a car?

Water taxi from the downtown Seattle waterfront will get you to Salty's. The heart of Alki is about a ten minute walk from there.

[MichaelinWA]

Seattle Tours

Consider going on a guided tour like this early in your visit. It will take you to places that might be tough to get to on foot by bus or on foot, and you can always go back and explore things that you like on your own. I actually used this operator before moving here years ago and thought it was a good value and experience. Much better than the Duck Tour in terms of seeing different areas and learning about the city.

Regarding West Seattle and the water taxi, consider visiting the West Seattle farmers market, which operates on Sundays, year-round. Metro buses 56 and 57 connect to the Water Taxi and can get you to West Seattle's downtown.

In terms of other things that locals like to do, be sure to log onto city-data.com and complain about the weather.

Originally Posted by weash

Thanks everyone, these are great suggestions and we did want to make it up to see the Troll for sure but I should say we aren't planning on renting a car while we are there so we will need to get everywhere either by foot or by bus.

Is there an easy way to get to Alki beach from downtown not using a car?

[homesinseattle]

Get lost in the International District and absolutely go to the Wing Luke museum
Stroll the vibrant Pike/Pine area of Capitol Hill
Go to a PCC and feel the natural foods vibe/take in one of the many farmer's markets
Watch the sunset and play beach volleyball at Golden Gardens
I second the Fremont Troll, visit the Lenin sculpture too.
Run around Green Lake. Take a walk in the old growth forests of Seward Park
Visit the Seattle Asian art museum at Volunteer Park.
Eat amazing obscure ethnic food: Ethiopian, Korean, Cambodian, Filipino, Somali, Indonesian, Middle Eastern.
so many more, if you like my list message me and I'll give you loads more

[Adrian71]

Fremont is a delightfully quirky neighborhood. I second (third?) the troll, but don't miss the rest of the surrounding area while you're there. Also get up to Kerry Park for a spectacular view of the skyline.

The bus tour is a great idea -- we saw a lot of Seattle that way when we came out here on vacation.

[mrman78]

Originally Posted by Ira500

Water taxi from the downtown Seattle waterfront will get you to Salty's. The heart of Alki is about a ten minute walk from there.

And if you don't feel like walking both ways, there is a free shuttle from the pier to Alki (and another one that goes into the heart of West Seattle, I believe).