Pacific NW Bucket list

[Wawannabe]

I am moving to WA state this weekend.
Gonna ask here for your favorites in the greater Seattle area. I'll use it as a sort of bucket list of to do stuff. You can too!
Interests:
I am a foodie so that is a big one...
Camping/trails...
Sea side...
Mountain side...


I have always wanted to experience Pike Place Market. Hope it is all I have heard!
Thanks for your time and your "vote"!

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Dim Sum at Harbor City in the Chinatown area

[Wawannabe]

16. Mmmm!

Sounds yummy!
Thanks!

[pnwest]

2. NOT the greater Seattle area, but if you're going to the coast

you MUST do the Westport Art Festival on Aug 19-20. FANTASTIC 2-day art festival, with music and a beer garden, in an unspoiled little fishing town, 18 miles of raw beaches, charter fishing, not one but TWO great wineries and a microbrewery.

Just so happens that the day after the festival, on Monday morning, there is a solar eclipse taking place. Washington should have about 90% visibility - the path of 100% is in Oregon.

"Going to the coast" is a thing for landlocked Seattle-ites, if you're going to head out this summer, go check out that festival!

http://www.westportartfestival.org/

edited to add: Oh, and surfing, too!

[LisaM]

4. Oooh......

I'm going to look into that.

[pnwest]

5. You will love it!

[LisaM]

6. I went to the Irish music festival in Ocean Shores in 2015

and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I keep trying to find a way to get back to that area. (We couldn't make the festival this year, but I'm going to try next year and I think they changed the name to Celtic Music Festival). The main sponsor is a restaurant in Ocean Shores called Galway Bay that is not to be missed.

[pnwest]

7. I keep meaning to get out to that one, too...

[Wawannabe]

17. OK

This is what I am talkin about. Gems!
Lovely!
Thanks!

[customerserviceguy]

70. Westport is indeed great

They now have their own microbrewery!

[pnwest]

81. And two wineries :) The Smokin' Cannon

Porter at the brewery is really, really good!

[LisaM]

3. Ferry rides!

The San Juan Islands, about an hour and a half north, are really worth the trip. Bellingham, a city just south of the Canadian border, is another fun place. Pike Place Market is very fun; I shop there during my lunch hours a lot.

You can ride a ferry over to Bremerton or Bainbridge Island, and you'll see some amazing views coming back (you used to be able to just walk on and do a round trip, but since 9/11, you have to get off and then back on).

It's really worth going up on the Space Needle at least once on a beautiful day. I also like going up during the holidays at night and looking at all the lights and decorated boats down below.

I can't take seafood myself, but my friends really like the Steelhead Diner, which is really near the market. The food scene shifts a lot. Most places are expensive, and the chains have really hit downtown, but there are fun places to get lunch in the Market itself.

For day hikes, not too challenging, Mt. Si and Tiger Mountain are both close by and fun.

Welcome!

[Wawannabe]

18. All your info sounds great!

Thank you so much!

[rogerashton]

8. Been a long time, but,

Going a little beyond the Seattle area, again --

Drive on the Mukilteo ferry, just south of Everett, and drive up to Coupeville on Whidbey Island. Bit of an art colony, and has been for a long time. At the north end of the island, Deception State Park has a lot to offer, including a memorial to the Works Progress Administration, which created a lot of it. Or, just west of Coupeville, take another ferry -- the Keystone ferry, and I understand you now have to reserve for it -- to Port Townsend. Nice little town, and you have the whole Olympic Peninsula ahead of you.

Just a sample, really.

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. On the other side of the Cascades, is Eastern Wa.

I used to drive from Seattle to the Grand Coulee Dam and back again, on a long weekend. The drive is great, the dam is historic.
There is also a place called Dry Falls..look it up....in that area, much like the Grand Canyon, except when the river and falls were running, it was 10x as big. Has a nice little museum that tells how the falls formed.

another superb, not to be missed, drive is over the North Cascades Highway, when it is open late spring to late fall, with some of the most breath taking mountain views in the country. I never got tired of a weekend trip on that drive.

Best time to take these gorgeous drives over the passes, and to use the ferries to see places, is before June and after Sept. when the tourists have gone home. Esp. avoid Whidbey Island ( I used to live there) in tourist season. Whidbey has one 2 lane road, from end to end, and you have not learned patience until you are in a long line of cars and RVs coming off the ferry and driving up the Island at 40 miles an hour. We used to go by "ferry time" everyone had a schedule and we planned our errands around the that.
There is so much to see, and to do, in Puget Sound, you can never be bored.
If it weren't for the lack of sun, I would be there still.

Hope you find your dream spot!!

[Wawannabe]

19. Used to live in Missoula

May take 90 from Sioux Falls all the way. I haven't done the part btwn Spokane and the west coast.

Thanks!

[jmowreader]

41. Try this

Day 1: Sioux Falls to Sheridan, Wyoming. It's a nice, convenient waypoint with quite a few hotels.

Day 2: Sheridan to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. There are a LOT of hotels on Appleway - the street that runs parallel to I-90. All of them are at least decent.

Day 3: Drive west on I-90 to Exit 277 - Spokane Airport and Davenport. This will put you on US 2, and it'll take you over Stevens Pass - a route much more scenic than I-90 offers.

[Wawannabe]

47. I arrived on June 1

But will be checking out Stevens Pass soon. I believe that Gold Bar is near there and I am taking my gold pans up to find a stream to play in!

[jmowreader]

49. PM me your e-mail address

Our production manager likes to pan for gold, and he'd be happy to tell you where he goes.

[Wawannabe]

50. Sweet!

I Luv DU! Will do.
And thanks for the match up!

[Wawannabe]

59. Forgot to say that

I stayed in Coeur d'Alene on my last night. I like the area and had visited while living in Missoula. Lake, forest, mtns, skiing - has a lot to offer!

[jmowreader]

63. It was a lot nicer before the Redoubters moved in

I grew up in this area and came back to it. Thanks to the huge influx of right-wing ex-Californians who came up here to wait out the end of the world, the natives can no longer afford to live here...and the politics are extreme, to say the least.

For example: We have a small city bus system in Coeur d'Alene. The people who run it want to make a few changes: they want to start charging fares (the Coeur d'Alene Tribe has footed the bill up to now, and they can't afford to any longer) and they want to build a transit center in this big strip mall complex we have called Riverstone. You'd have thought the city council recommended building Jeffrey Dahmer a house next to a grade school. OMG bus stations have Crime Around Them! OMG there are going to be Rapists and Murderers! By the time they were done, I had a fire engine on order to solve the epidemic of hair fires that had befallen our lovely burg. Apparently no one got the message the crime around a bus station was there LONG before the bus station!

[cilla4progress]

51. I live in the Entiat Valley in eastern Washington,

North of Wenatchee, which is on the Columbia River on the way to Lake Chelan, 3rd deepest lake in the US. Orchard and vineyard country. Ponderosa Pine forests and high peaks with mountain lakes. Worth dropping some of your tourism dollars here! 😉

[Wawannabe]

58. Sounds awesome!

Thanks!
Wine and cider! Yum

[Coventina]

10. Oh so jealous! I grew up in the Green Lake area of Seattle.

Some of my favorite Seattle things:

The Locks

Gasworks Park

Ivar's Salmon House (best Seafood in Seattle, IMHO)

The drive up to Snoqualmie Pass (where the original Twin Peaks was filmed).

The Olympic Rainforest (on the peninsula)

Ferry boat rides (doesn't matter where)

Seattle Art Museum (one of the best Asian art collections outside of Asia)

A ride on the monorail!!

Seattle Center!! The old World's Fair grounds with the Space Needle, Science Center, lots of fun stuff!!

I could go on and on.

I miss Seattle so much!!!



On edit: typo

[Wawannabe]

20. There there

Don't cry!

Lovely list. I will have much fun tackling this one!
Thanks!

[LisaM]

27. I think the Asian Art collection is now in Volunteer Park.

Which is also a fun place.

[ismnotwasm]

11. Try "Bongos" by Greenlake Park in Seattle

Great food. It started out as a trailer kitchen by a guy and his wife. Cuban/Caribbean food. Funky and fun.
http://www.bongosseattle.com/menu/


Another good one--very Seattle- is Portage Bay cafe, with their motto "Eat like you give a damn"--also by Greenlake park

http://www.portagebaycafe.com

A fun diner is Luna Park cafe--standard but good diner fare, with a fun atmosphere in West Seattle

http://lunaparkcafe.com

Also in West Seattle, Easy Street Records cafe, which is a cool as it sounds. This one has long lines sometimes. Food is ok, atmosphere is priceless

http://easystreetonline.com/Cafe

Places to go? Seattle Art museum, pike place Market just opened its expansion. There are parks and hiking all over the place.

[Wawannabe]

21. Thanks!

Foodies rule!
I always check out the food scene on vacation. Usually bring food items back as souvenirs too. Lol. Candied smoked salmon was a great one from southern OR coast!

[Ilsa]

12. Take the scenic drive along the northern part

of the Olympic Peninsula along Crescent Lake, visit the Hoh Valley (a rain forest), and drive down to Kallaloch Inn on the Pacific coast and dine at their restaurant, watching the sunset over the Pacific.

We backpacked in the Olympics near Heart Lake, saw the Blue Glacier. Best vacation ever, pre-kids.

[Wawannabe]

22. I always take the scenic route

So Thank you very much for the awesome tip! Woohoo!

[SonofDonald]

28. Yup, Crescent Lake Drive

Take a car that likes corners, and if the top comes down it's better still.

[customerserviceguy]

71. Yes, the 101 loop

around the Olympic Peninsula will take you to so many wonderful places. There are the hot springs up on the northern part of the Peninsula, but they do smell like sulfur, and I have to say, I prefer the Berkeley Springs in West Virginia for the skin conditioning experience without the aroma!

[Wawannabe]

79. Are these hot springs

Clothing optional??


I took my 13 yr old son to one on Lolo Pass MT a number of years ago. The person who told me about it didn't give me the 411 on the optional clothing deal. We walked into the clearing outta the woods and there stands a buck naked man in the creek peeing. My son was like WTH?
I was a little rosy cheeked -tried to act normal but we left pretty quick!
Damn long walk to have to turn right around.

Son is grown now and back in MO but always good to know before you go!

[customerserviceguy]

83. I don't think so

Haven't been there in quite awhile. But, yes, you're right, its best to know what to expect!

[Aristus]

13. If you like cultural diversity, spend some time in the University district

of Seattle.

The variety of world cultures represented along University Way (known, for some reason, as "The Ave&quot , is mind-boggling. Restaurants, retailers, gift shops, bookstores, music stores, etc. Fun, interesting, diverting, and everywhere, the stimulating energy of youth, openness, progressive ideas, etc.

I had such a wonderful time there when I attended UW. Get into the habit of referring to the University of Washington as 'U-Dub.'

For interesting drinking, pick a brew-pub at random, then pick one of their brews at random. You will rarely be disappointed.

[Wawannabe]

23. Great idea!

U-Dub's on my list!
Thanks!

[Wawannabe]

36. Re: U Dub

I learned today on my way back from PIKE PLACE MARKET (woo hoo! 1 down) that you can rent a canoe from the U and take into Lake Washington. My roomie took me downtown. He says he has taken dates there. Sounds cool too.

[Aristus]

39. Sounds like fun.

Canoeing into Lake Washington. Or paddle through the ship canal into Lake Union, and then out into Puget Sound if you're interested in a workout.

[customerserviceguy]

72. Yes

Parking can be a PITA, but The Ave has always contained wonderful experiences. I went to the U-Dub about forty years ago, and every time I come back, it's a refreshing new incredible time.

[SeattleVet]

14. OK, let's see...

Some of my thoughts. I've lived in Seattle since 1992.

Space Needle? OK to try once, just to say you did it, but for a better view head down to the Smith Tower and take (one of the last manually-operated) elevators to the top. Less $$$, fewer people, and a great view of downtown and both mountain ranges (Olympic and Cascades).

Gold Rush National Park. One of the smallest National parks in the system...they moved to a larger building a few years ago. Great way to learn about the history of that era.

Pike Place Market will be pretty much a zoo for the next few months - try to go early on a weekday. I pass through there every Thursday afternoon and just run in, grab what I want from one of the places for lunch, and go back outside to walk to my destination. (A walk through the market at that time of day adds WAY too much time, and way too many elbows in the ribs.)

One of our favorite restaurants - Chiang's Gourmet, at N. 80th & Lake City Way. Not much to look at from the outside, or really, even from the inside (they are getting quite 'worn') but everything we've had there has been amazing. Order off of the Chinese menu, and not the 'Americanized' one.

Mike's Noodle Shop in the International District. Great soups and other specialty dishes. (Lots of other hidden-gem little hole in the wall restaurants in the ID, also; some great Vietnamese places, Szechuan, etc.)

As mentioned by others, Ivar's Salmon House on the lake. Elliot's on the waterfront, especially for their 'Oyster Happy Hour'. The Crab Pot, for one of their dinner feasts for multiple people.

We live in the Greenwood neighborhood, and there are a lot of good restaurants within walking distance. There are several breweries and brewpubs, including Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery (the second fully- licensed co-op brewery in the US.) My wife and I are among the first 1500 founding member/owners, and it has a sort of 'neighborhood front porch' vibe. Kids and well-behaved dogs welcome. No food, but you can bring in what you want or even have deliveries made. 16 taps, and our head brewer and his assistant have come up with some delicious surprises. Several of the brews on tap are from member recipes that won one of our tasting contests, then got scaled up from a 5-gallon homebrew batch to the full 7-barrel brewery batch size. Friendly venue, community oriented.

The Greenwood Car Show is on June 24, and stretches 30 blocks from 67th Street to 97th Street along Greenwood Avenue N. One of the largest shows west of the Mississippi. Everything from classics to exotics to totally off-the-wall, with live music, food, and drink.

Breweries and brewpubs are all over, and most have some wonderfully delicious creations. We stopped at a place last night and I had one of the best stouts ever. Most will give you a taste to help you decide.

The Asian Art Museum, Burke Museum on the UW campus, Seattle Art Museum, and the Museum of History and Industry are very good. The Museum of Flight is amazing - they just opened an Apollo exhibit, and have an unflown F-1 engine (one of the 5 - 1.5 million pound thrust engines on a Saturn V first stage) along with parts recovered from the Atlantic a few years ago by a Jeff Bezos-funded expedition. Some items in the collection are sole-surviving examples, or historically significant. Things like JFK's Air Force One, the first 747 flight test plane, the only remaining D-21 drone that was flown off of a modified SR-71 (the M-21 Blackbird variant), and a British Airways Concorde that set a NY to Seattle speed record when it was flown here on its final flight for donation to the museum. We also have the Space Shuttle Full Bay Trainer. (Instead of a static display that you walk around and look at, you can walk through the cargo bay, or take a tour of the flight deck. This is the trainer that every astronaut that flew on the shuttle used in their training.)

Pacific Science Center currently has a wonderful exhibit of Terra Cotta warriors from Xi'an, China.

I would also have to add the Seattle Aquarium. I've been a volunteer there for 15 years (this coming week!), and it is a world-class facility specializing on local animals, but it also has a very nice tropical collection, marine mammals, and birds. We always try to present a strong conservation message. Local people love and provide a huge amount of support to this facility.

I'm sure others will add to this discussion. Remember - Seattle is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US, and traffic is a continuous nightmare. A trip that used to take 12 minutes a few years ago can be well over an hour now. Leave plenty of time, and be prepared to be patient - it's not really going to get any better, and time soon! Welcome!

[Wawannabe]

24. Wow! Thank you

Thiese are amazing thoughts! Bravo

[All-In]

77. Red Mill Burgers

Phinney

[Wawannabe]

37. Hey Seattlevet

Did Pike Place Market today!
Roomies day off and he took me for a whirlwind tour. I gotta go back!

Glad I checked "my bucket list" so I can come to Greenwood on the 24th!

Thanks again. Your city is brilliant!
Peace!

[SeattleVet]

38. You're welcome!

We'll be at the car show next weekend - not sure where yet, but we will most likely be hanging around the brewery (we're founding member/owners of the Flying Bike Cooperative Brewery just south of N. 87th on Greenwood), and the car show will be right in front.) 2 years ago I staffed a table in front as we were still building out the place, but we were able to give mini-tours of the place and give people membership information).

If you see a 6' guy with a long silver (OK...grey!) beard and ponytail that looks like he's enjoyed a LOT of beer through the years ("6-pack abs? Do you have any idea how may six-packs it took to get an ab like this??&quot , introduce yourself and I'll buy you a pint of our newest IPA!

[cemaphonic]

15. If you're moving, you likely won't have the time, but Folklife is this weekend

Huge folk arts festival every Memorial Day weekend.

For day hikes, there are trails all over the place between Issaquah/North Bend/Snoqualmie. The Mount Si and Twin Falls trails are both pretty spectacular.

And the Pike Place Market is cool. Lots of odd little stores that have been there for decades. The other "touristy" thing that I still love as a long-time resident is the Seattle Underground. The guides always do a great job painting a picture of Seattle back when it was a rough and ready frontier town.

[Wawannabe]

25. Cool

Seattle Underground noted.

[madamesilverspurs]

26. Lucky you!

I haven't done that much around Seattle proper, but I spend the holidays in Pt. Townsend with family, and would totally live there if I could. First time I went there I could have sworn I was on the coast of Maine, it's that gorgeous. Enjoy!


.

[GP6971]

29. Quilcene Music festival

Just west of the Hood Canal Bridge.

http://www.olympicmusicfestival.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-Season-At-A-Glance.pdf

[Lifelong Protester]

30. Went there as a tourist... so...

ride the monorail!

go to the top of the Space Needle.

Visit the Chihuly glass area.

See the Pikes Place market. (Try to go in the early hours of a weekday).

Take the ferry to Victoria, BC.

Go to the Edgewater hotel bar, and have lobster sliders. (the Beatles stayed there)

Hit Kells Irish pub.

See the Seattle Museum of Art.

Enjoy it all!

[Canoe52]

31. Mountains! Artist point at Mount Baker

Our favorite mountain place and what a view. Walk the trail from the parking lot at the top. My wife took over 200 pictures the first time!
A day trip, about 3 hours from Seattle, so pack a lunch.

[jmowreader]

32. If you like barbecue, Pecos Pit is a must

When I went to Seattle in 2013 I was down in the area they call SoDo (south of downtown), which is one of Seattle's three industrial zones. I came upon this little barbecue shack with a huge line...and one bite later realized why they have a huge line.

While you're there, cross the street and hit the Living Computer Museum...Paul Allen's collection of old computers. The last time I went in there he had six mainframes and a LOT of small machines...many of which are on so you can try them out.

[panader0]

33. If you go to Eastern Washington

visit Eastern Washington University in Cheney. My grandfather has a building
named for him there, Kingston Hall. C.S. Kingston was a great historian of the
Pacific Northwest. My mom was born in Cheney in 1908.

[HeiressofBickworth]

34. Seattle is a big movie town

The Seattle International Film Festival is continuing until June 11. 400 movies in 25 days. Its the 43rd year of the largest film festival in the country. If you like movies, it's great! I've been to 12 movies in the last 7 days with tickets to another dozen.

[Wawannabe]

35. That is news to me!

I would rather watch movies than tv!
Thanks!

[dixiegrrrrl]

54. Very sad to find out that 2 of the oldest theaters are closing.

Guild 45th, Seven Gables movie theaters closed indefinitely.
http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/guild-45th-seven-gables-movie-theaters-closed-indefinitely/

[Wounded Bear]

40. Mt St Helens is about 4-5 hours south off of I5...

Has a couple of visitor centers with info on the eruption and the aftermath. It kind of strange driving in how all of the trees are roughly the same height, and the leaves are at similar levels, which gives the forest around there an odd horizontally striped look.

It was one of the best documented volcanic eruption of the modern era and really advanced the science of vulcanology.

[Wawannabe]

44. Thanks!

I do want to see this area.
So much destruction -but growing back!

[suffragette]

42. Many beautiful parks here

My favorite is Lincoln Park is West Seattle.

So many beautiful trees that even the taste of the air is fresher.

Take the walk through the park down to the beach. This one's a stony beach, with large driftwood serving as natural benches.

[Wawannabe]

46. Tried to go to the beach

Last Sat.
I am sorta near Edmonds so asked apple maps for help...
Try one- ended up at a privatized beach in resi area with tow away zone signs

Recalibrated for try two. Ended up at Ballenger Lake!

Try three was downtown Edmonds area. But by that time ferry traffic was heavy and I was hot under the collar- so I turned the Hummer around and headed for the house!

I think I got a new plan for the beach today. ...After a few chores this a.m.
Thanks for the note!

[suffragette]

48. Here are some options from your area.

I'm not as familiar with parks near Edmonds.

This one looks interesting, with second growth forest and beach access:

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/lunds-gulch-meadowdale-county-park

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g58451-d7108335-Reviews-Meadowdale_Beach_Park-Edmonds_Washington.html

Here's the Edmonds park map:
http://www.edmondswa.gov/visit-a-park-text-15/parks-map.html


Take the Kingston Ferry for a day (or two) trip. Be prepared for lines on a holiday or sunny weekend.

Some options from there:
http://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/99-road-trip-soothing-sights-on-olympic-peninsula/

Visit Suquamish Reservation and Poulsbo.
On the Rez, you can visit the Suquamish Museum and Chief Seattle's gravesite. If you are very lucky, someone might be selling alder smoked salmon out of a cooler near the main store. That's the real deal, completely unlike the boxed stuff.

http://www.suquamishmuseum.org/getting_here.htm

Poulsbo is a touristy Norwegian town, cute and many bakeries selling yummy Danish and baked goods, such as Poulsbo bread.

http://www.visitkitsap.com/poulsbo

Go to Snoqualmie Falls:
http://www.snoqualmiefalls.com/

Edit to add:
Get to know Edmonds. Rick Steves is well known for his PBS travel show and he is based in Edmonds. He's also a solid liberal who was at the forefront of legalizing marijuana.

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-help/visiting-edmonds
Expand the places to eat option for a nice map of downtown Edmonds with local places highlighted.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g58451-d8835783-Reviews-Cascadia_Art_Museum-Edmonds_Washington.html

[Wawannabe]

60. Bonus ! Wow

Thanks for the info on Rick Steves. Will peruse!... tho I was aware about his work with legalization. Really gave me a whole new perspective on the man I watched for many years on PBS. Bigger fan now.

I hope to get a position at Edmonds CC
had a interview and fllw up call. Waiting to hear ...

[suffragette]

66. Best of luck on your interview. And agree, Rick Steves is great.

Also, there are a ton of festivals in the summer.

For example, Fremont held its Solstice Parade today and has a street fair today and tomorrow.

Be aware that parking us a pain at events, especially for a large vehicle.

As dixiegrrl noted, The Stranger is a great resource for seeing what is going on.

http://www.thestranger.com/things-to-do

http://www.thestranger.com/slog

[Floyd R. Turbo]

43. The drive to Vancouver BC is about 2 1/2 hours.

🇨🇦

[Wawannabe]

45. I've got to get my WA driver's lic

And need to get further info on the enhanced id. I heard it acts somewhat like a passport. Just haven't researched. ...I haven't been to Canada since before 9/11 so don't have a passport.
Finally got copy of lease yesterday so I can prove residency. Several admin things on the to do list now.

[customerserviceguy]

73. Enhanced ID's are good for auto travel into Canada

but two years ago, I used my NY enhanced license to go to New Brunswick, Canada, and they still did a 20 minute search of the car. Nothing to find, of course, but it still slowed us down a bit for no good reason.

Second trip a year later, we breezed right through, but at a different border crossing. Maybe it was the luck of the draw.

[Wawannabe]

74. Thanks for the tip!

I bet you are a GREAT customerserviceguy!

[customerserviceguy]

84. I used to be

I'm retired now, and lovin' it!

[defacto7]

52. Mt. Rainer. ...

Enter the park in the White River side, drive to Sunrise. Hike toward the Bouroughs, then the second Buroughs. I worked trail restoration back in the late 70s on that side. No greater view on earth... except one that's up there I'm not going to talk about here.

[Wawannabe]

53. Thanks!

And if you post elsewhere about that other view...send me a link...you got my curiousity up. I have only one idea of what you might be referring to.

[dixiegrrrrl]

56. Be sure to grab copies of The Stranger, a local and excellent newspaper.

It is also online if you want to get a taste of it. I read it even tho I am no longer on the West Coast.

It has a lot of neighborhood info, plus serious news.

there is also online, but I forget where, Google will tell you, a site dedicated to describing each of the neighborhoods in Seattle/Bellevue. VERY informative, excellent way to plan a day trip.

[Mrs. Overall]

55. Spend a weekend in Port Townsend--there's a Steampunk Festival, Victorian Festival, Wooden Boat

Festival (all at various times during the year).

The town is charming and there are some amazing state parks nearby for some gorgeous water-view hikes.

The Victorian homes in the town are beautiful and many of the downtown buildings are historic landmarks.

On edit: And, many artists live there, so there are numerous art galleries, music festivals, poetry readings, etc.

[Wawannabe]

61. Ok!

[bettyellen]

57. My friend Carolynn is the chef at Shaker and Spear-

http://www.shakerandspear.com/


She's super talented and down to earthe- rock and roll and tattoos. I think she also does the bar menu for that hotel too. She worked at The Spotted Pig in NYC and Chateau Marmont in LA before and was offered TV work on the cooking channel but is too grounded for that crap.
When you go, send a note that Betty said hello and thanks for the bong!

[Wawannabe]

62. That food looks amazing

No wonder the tv gig was offered!
Bong msg noted. Lol!

[bettyellen]

64. It helps that she has tons of personality too. She's gotta be thrilled to be in the PNW because

She is absolutely nuts about finding the best purveyors and that's got to be a great place for it. If you go, please explain the bacon on the desert menu, ha ha. Enjoy Seattle!

[Wawannabe]

65. Pig candy!

Bacon for dessert!

Strip bacon
Brown sugar

Dip the bacon in the brown sugar coating both sides liberally. Bake in oven on a rack placed on something like a foil covered cookie sheet. Bake to desired candy stage. I know some like their bacon near burnt or burnt and this works well for that doneness or something a little less crispy.
So freakin good!

[Mz Pip]

67. In the spring

Check out the Skaget Valley Tulip Festival. It's in LaConner about 60 miles north of Seattle.

[Wawannabe]

75. OMG

Baby Holland!
Thanks for the lovely photo to accompany!

[Wolf Frankula]

68. Have a Beer from Every Brewery in the Portland

Vancouver metro area. That's something like 120 breweries IIRC.

Wolf

[Wawannabe]

76. You trying to get me drunk?

I just found McMenemins! Gonna be my happy hour spot for now. Will look up a few lical brews and McMins too when I get down south! Vancouver and Portland will be fun. Good food and good beers are always part of touring a new place!
Cheers! And bottoms up.

[customerserviceguy]

69. Here are my suggestions

For starters, visit the Music Experience Project at the Seattle Center, it's as good as the Rock and Roll Museum in Cleveland, in my opinion.

As for food, my suggestions run on the junk food side, have a maple bar from a Safeway bakery (you can get a Starbucks coffee with that in many locations), and Taco Time is a wonderful fast food restaurant, with quality fresh ingredients in all of its offerings. Dick's is a Seattle classic, find out what makes them popular.

Mount Rainier is a wonderful visit, and I prefer the ocean at the Washington coast, near Moclips, close to the Quinnault reservation. But, even Ocean Shores will give you a pleasant experience, if a bit touristy. The Olympic Peninsula is full of wonderful trails and experiences, but it's a few hours away from Seattle.

If you go through Shelton, Washington, go to Bob's Tavern for the broasted chicken and jo-jo fries, and have a great craft beer from the taps while waiting for your meal!

I envy you...

[Wawannabe]

78. Thanks!

list!

[BigBearJohn]

82. Visit Whidbey Island (30 miles north of Seattle)