[PSUSMU]

Hey PNWers, I'm flying out to visit a significant other for a long weekend (arriving Thursday evening, departing Monday night).

She lives near Matthews Beach and we'll be renting a car. She's only lived there for a couple months.

Things I'd like to do:
Olympic National Park - maybe a short hike
Pike Place Market obviously
My brother says the Space Needle isn't worth checking out?
We'll be driving up to Vancouver for an overnight, so maybe suggest some things worth checking out on the way. Also, a route through Olympic Nat'l Park on the way up?
I'm a foodie, so I'd like to try Pike Place Chowder, Piroshky Piroshky, etc.?

I'm really looking forward to it. I've always wanted to see the PNW, and I think I'll really enjoy it out there. Thanks!

[PSUSMU]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

[obert]

There is a Stanley and seaforts in Tacoma, best place I have ever ate and I have lived here my entire life.

http://www.stanleyandseaforts.com/

Space needle is cool just to go to the top and look out, there are better places to eat.

[jm3as]

hopefully you'll catch this nice streak of weather we are having by the time you get here. the space needle is nice, but no need to go up it. the view from down below is awesome.

definitely hit up pike place, lots of history down there. bellevue on the east side is the ritzy area, expensive shopping, nice cars, etc. go further up north from i-5 and swing by the U district. UW is around the corner, great spots for quick eats and cheap shopping. There is also capitol hill, between the u district and downtown seattle.

its a great younger crowd/hipster area. lots of fun pubs/bars, shopping, small town feel. great great place to wander. you can swing by the marysville premium outlets, probably the biggest and nicest here in washington, i think its exit 202, about 30 min north of seattle. great stores, theres also a big tulalip casino across the parking lot. newer, and nicer, if you're planning to roll some dice real quick. other than that, take in the awesome scenery that washington has. you'll have a chance to see the city, go thru the flats, and down into the mountains before you hit canada.

enjoy it!

[atown88]

Originally Posted by PSUSMU

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Lol I didn't even see this thread!

Space needle is cool, especially if you're into attractions. I mean, you're already in Seattle, might as well! Gotta go to the top though...

You should eat some Dick's Burgers! (Cash only)

Pike Place Market is pretty cool. You're probably going to have to buy your lady some flowers there. And they sell some really good donut holes there too!

The drive up to BC is pretty long, especially if there's a long line at the border.

As far as your Olympic National Park adventure, it is located on the other side of the Puget Sound so you'd have to take a ferry over there, so you probably couldn't do that the same day as your BC trip. I've heard it was a good hike though. If you'd like to stay on the Seattle side of things, you can hike Mt. Rainier! About the same distance from Seattle, but more south as opposed to West.

[PSUSMU]

Originally Posted by atown88

Lol I didn't even see this thread!

Haha jk.. thanks for the replies!

[Dave_NW]

Most anywhere you go right now is a good time. Stay on the west side of the Cascades, because we're having wildfires on the east side - visibility and air quality are greatly reduced right now.

If you opt for the Vancouver run, be sure to bring your passport - you'll need it to get across the border.

Starting from Seattle, the Olympics with a hike makes for a really long day - best done as a two-day trip. I'd save that one for another time.

A great day trip right now (if the weather is decent) is to head north from Seattle on I-5 to Highway 20 westbound (Exit 230.) Check out the town of Anacortes, then drive to Whidbey Island, across the incredible Deception Pass bridge, then down the island, and take the ferry from Clinton back across Puget Sound to Mukilteo, then south back to Seattle. It's a great drive on good roads, and passes some awesome scenery.

Enjoy your trip!

Dave

[rentonrider]

Welcome!

If you like cuban sandwiches try http://www.paseoseattle.com. The Caribbean Roast is amazing! I've only been to the Fremont location though... Speaking of Fremont, go check out the Fremont troll http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fremont_Troll. Then head down to Pike Place and visit the first Starbucks. And while you're at pike place, there's a bakery (forgot the name) but it's nice inside. It should be cold out so walk in and order an almondine croissant.

[atown88]

Originally Posted by Dave_NW

Most anywhere you go right now is a good time. Stay on the west side of the Cascades, because we're having wildfires on the east side - visibility and air quality are greatly reduced right now.

If you opt for the Vancouver run, be sure to bring your passport - you'll need it to get across the border.

Starting from Seattle, the Olympics with a hike makes for a really long day - best done as a two-day trip. I'd save that one for another time.

A great day trip right now (if the weather is decent) is to head north from Seattle on I-5 to Highway 20 westbound (Exit 230.) Check out the town of Anacortes, then drive to Whidbey Island, across the incredible Deception Pass bridge, then down the island, and take the ferry from Clinton back across Puget Sound to Mukilteo, then south back to Seattle. It's a great drive on good roads, and passes some awesome scenery.

Enjoy your trip!

Dave

Welcome to the forums Dave! lol

[jeremicium]

Just told another guy this in another thread...download the BMW Ultimate Drive app for your smartphone. People have uploaded 127 suggested fun-to-drive locations in the Seattle area.

As for other activities, if you like asain try uwajimaya market, its an asain market/food court set up with lots of authentic foods to try. If you're looking for steak, The Met is generally considered the premiere steakhouse, but I think Daniels Broiler on Lake Union is the best steak in town. The last two times I went to The Met I pulled in to the Valet behind Ferraris. Another member suggested Stanley and Seaforts. I've been there, hell I worked there when I was in high school, amazing view, but I don't feel it is on the same level as The Met or Daniels Broiler.

Mount Rainier is about two hours from Seattle. There are some decent twisty roads on the way to the main entrance, being a 14,000+ foot high mountain, its one of the tallest peaks in the states...worthwhile trip

Dave_NWs suggestion for the drive north of Seattle is certainly a good one.

Warning, beware of I-5. Bad traffic, asshead cops, bad washington drivers.

Enjoy your trip.

[Dave_NW]

Originally Posted by atown88

Welcome to the forums Dave! lol

Thanks! Hope to learn a lot from you guys.

Dave