visiting seattle (Everett, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island: home, restaurants, shops)

[bestnickever]

Hello...My wife and I are heading to BC from Alberta in a couple weeks, and thought we'd spend a couple days in Seattle first, as I've never been before.

My wife wants to shop (obviously) , as for me, I just want to see as much as I can in a couple days. From what I can gather, Seattle outlet stores are great for bargain shopping. Any other recommended?

We'll take a trip up the space needle for sure, and maybe the Boeing plant, time permitting. I'm armed with a new camera, so I'd really like to find some places with great views of the city, water, etc., anything picture worthy!

Could anyone recommend some must see or do places in and around Seattle? I like going off the beaten path a bit in different cities, so doesnt have to be touristy geared ideas. Thanks!

[allforcats]

For landlocked folks such as yourselves, you can have a whole lot of fun taking a ferry -- to Bainbridge Island
Seattle / Bainbridge Island Schedule
or to Bremerton
Seattle / Bremerton Schedule
either of which is fun, non-touristy, and gives you great photos from the water. If you're really lucky, look carefully into the water and you might see big moon-colored jellyfish...

A superb alternative is a visit to Tillicum Village on Blake Island, also across water. A 4-hour adventure leaving by boat from Seattle includes a pleasant cruise on Elliott Bay, fabulous and extensive Native American style salmon and seafood buffet meal, and Northwest Coast dance performance. reserve directly, or through Gray Line tours or through Argosy cruises.
Seattle Attraction | Tillicum Village & Tours | Seattle, Washington Daycation | One of Seattle's Top Attractions | Home of Seattle's World Famous Salmon

The official Washington state tourism site might be interesting for you:
The Official Site of Washington State Tourism: Home Page (http://www.experiencewa.com/v5/home/default.aspx - broken link)
or the official city of Seattle site, a terrific source of information:
Visiting Seattle - Seattle 101, A Guide for Travelers and Tourists

Also, Pike Place Market, a granddaddy of American farmer's markets, is in downtown Seattle and is a whole lot of relaxed fun and contains many, many kinds of food and non-food shops, and restaurants:
Pike Place Market

[bestnickever]

Thanks for the suggestions!

Is there a Navy port in Washington? If so, can you get a close look at some Navy boats?

[seattlerain]

We have several Navy installations here, Bangor Naval Submarine Base in Bangor, where eight Trident submarines are based, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyards in Bremerton, (largest shipyard on the West Coast), Naval Base Kitsap, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, and Naval Station Everett, in Everett.

To the best of my knowledge all of these are closed to the public, but you can tour the USS Turner Joy, which is located in Bremerton.

Click this link for more info: USS Turner Joy|U.S. Naval Destroyer Museum Ship

Bremerton as allforcats suggested can be reached by ferry.