Heading to Seattle and Vancouver what should I do?

Question

We are leaving in a week and will be there for about a week. We will start in Seattle and then onto Vancouver. What are some of the essentials that should be visited that are not the normal stuff and most likely not in a guide book. It can be anything cool: pubs, entertainment, hikes, stores, food... Anything interesting but please not just names give me the why.

Thanks Yahoo Answer World!

Answer 1

Definitely check out the EMP (Experience Music Project)  in the Seattle Center...well worth it, especially if you're a music lover!! :)  And while you're in the Seattle center...tons of other things to do..museums, shops, foods, etc.  Have fun!

Answer 2

If I were you, I would check out the Arboretum.  It's a beautiful and stunning example of what the Northwest has to offer.  It's right on the shore of Lake Washington, not only does it offer beautiful scenery, but there are trails, a botanic garden and a beautiful introduction to Seattle.  You can also rent canoes and kayaks and paddle around the inlets off of Lake Washington.  It really is a fun place to go.

I would also recommend Alki Beach in West Seattle.  Not only is it a great beach to visit, it gives you a stunning view of the Seattle cityscape.  You can see all of downtown, the marina, pier, etc.  It really is my favorite place to go for a spectacular view of the city.

Although it's very touristy and cliche, I would recommend going up the Space Needle, but only if it's a clear day.  The view from up there can't be beat. If you're here mid-week, it's not that crowded either.

A great pub/bar to go to for an afternoon drink is Kell's Irish Pub in Pike Street Market.  If you can get a table outside, you have a perfect view of the bay.  I know Pike Street is another big "to-do" for the guide books, but Kell's is tucked away a little bit, so midday it's not that crowded.  Only at night does it start to get a little rowdy.

If you like riding bikes, I would highly recommend spending a day riding the Burke-Gilman Trail.  You can pick it up over by Gasworks Park (which is another great place to hang out and see another great view of the city) and ride it all the way to Bothell on the Eastside (suburbs East of Seattle on the other side of the lake).  It's a wonderful way to see what's on the other side of Lake Washington and it's a fun, easy ride.

One thing we did a couple of summers ago that was really fun was take a hot air balloon ride.  It takes you over a couple of the cities on the Eastside and you can see out to Lake Washington and beyond.  I don't remember what the name of the company we used was,  "Over the Rainbow" www.letsgoballooning.com, but it was so much fun and so beautiful.  Plus at the end of our ride, we had a champagne toast.  It was really cool.

A really wonderful restaurant in the neighborhood where I used to live is called Coastal Kitchen.  It's on 15th Ave. E. in Capitol Hill.  Not only does it have exquisite seafood, but it also has a special menu for the featured country of the month, so it could be Moroccan, French or Peruvian.  It's just a great example of Seattle's many great restaurants.  Then, for dessert you can go to B&O Espresso which is by far the best dessert boutique in the city.  It's on Olive Way, just down the road from Coastal Kitchen.

Well, that's all I can really think of for now.  I hope that helps.  Have fun!

I don't know Vancouver as well, but one thing you've got to do there is ride bikes around Stanley Park, there's nothing like it.  Also check out Granville Island (I think that's the name).  Anyway, have fun!

Answer 3

My daughter recently moved back to Washington. She and her family went to visit Mt. St. Helens and particularly the Ape Caves.  She said it was pretty awesome.  Here is a link to some info if you are intested in that kind of stuff

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/recreation/ape...