One day in Seattle.... (Bainbridge Island, Mukilteo: fit in, shop, gardens)

[sleeptodream247]

Im off to Portland this Tuesday and am hoping to drive up to spend the day in Seattle. What would be the top places to see in the downtown area? Im thinking of going to the Seattle Aquarium and walk around Pike Street Market. Im debating whether it would be worth going to the Space Needle...the weather seems gloomy for a good view from the top. Any info/advice would be appreciated!!!

[cjg5]

Pike Place Market for sure. Go up to the observation deck of the Space Needle if you catch us on a clear day. Smith Tower observation deck is good too! Columbia Tower has a good one, but it's not 360 degrees like the other two. Visit Gordon Biersch for lunch at the top of Pacific Place.

Walk around the waterfront and visit Ye Ole Curiosity Shop. If you are feeling adventurous take the ferry over to Bainbridge Island and walk around the town of Winslow, or just get off and take it back for nothing more than the ride! (Walk-ons are free east bound, but you pay going westbound. I'm not sure if vehicles are still free on the eastbound run or not, but driver and passengers should be. I know last year when I took the ferry from Clinton to Mukilteo I had to pay for the vehicle, but from Vashon Island to Fauntleroy I didn't, so I guess it depends on the route).

If you can make it over that way, Seward Park on Lake Washington is nice too.

Seattle is built on a strip of land that is only a few miles wide (and several miles long) right between two large bodies of water. Puget Sound to the west, and Lake Washington to the east. Between these two bodies of water lies the Lake Washington Ship Canal, which connects Lake Washington (and Lake Union) to Puget sound via the Hiram M Chittenden Locks, located right between Magnolia and Ballard. Since you will be driving, make this a stop on your list. Visit the locks, fish ladder, the gardens on the Ballard side, as well as the visitor center. Park your car on the Magnolia side as it is closer to Downtown Seattle, as well as right next to another location you should visit if you like large parks: Discovery Park, the largest in Seattle. (Also check out Fisherman's Terminal while over that way, also on Magnolia right by the Ballard Bridge).

I realize that all these suggestions are more than can reasonably fit into a single day without it feeling very rushed, but you need not see everything! Just something to build off of.