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Map of Seattle.
Map of the neighborhood.

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Hotels
A few hotels we've checked out are listed below. Our criteria were low cost and acceptable quality, but if you don't mind spending a little more, and want to move up in quality, look at our Extended List of Hotels. The prices may not be current, so please check with the hotel directly.

•Moore Hotel & Theatre: $74, 206-448-4852, www.moorehotel.com, Exterior photo, 3D photo of the theatre
•Silvercloud Inn: $109/night. Broadway & Madison. 800-590-1801, www.silvercloud.com, Photo
•Baroness Hotel: $84/night. They cater primarily to families of hospital patients, but do accept all guests. Rooms have a kitchenette w/ stove & dishes. 206-624-0787, www.baronesshotel.com, Photo
•Best Western: $104/night, 206-682-0200, www.bestwestern.com, Photo
•University Inn: $99/night. 800-733-3855, www.universityinnseattle.com

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Getting Around
Seatac airport is located approximately 10 miles south of Seattle. Taxi service is about $30, Greyline buses go to all the major hotels for $8 (tickets are available at the curb at the airport). Metro buses go downtown for $1.50, and you can get a free transfer to any other location. Rental cars are, of course, available at the airport. The city bus system works well for getting around town, and can get you to most locations.

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Things To Do In Seattle:

Ride the ferries. You don't have to use them to go anywhere, you can just walk on, and take them across the water and back. We highly recommend the ride -- it's relaxing, and there are great views. Travel times vary from 20 to 40 minutes one way, depending on where you're going. Don't worry (much) about the schedule, just show up and catch the next one. www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedules/current/index.cfm

Center for Wooden Boats is located at the southern tip of Lake Union. Get on Denny, go north on Fairview, stay in the left lane or you'll end up on I-5, then left just before the lake. The boat center will be half a block up on your right.

The Ballard Locks & Botanical Gardens. Every trip to the Locks should include watching the locks transfer boats between the high and low water levels, visiting the fish ladder, and a walk in the garden.

Art:
• Henry Art Museum (contemporary fine art).
• On The Boards (performance).
• Consolidated Works (contemporary art).
• Fry Art Museum (traditional fine art).
• Seattle Art Museum (well funded, but sometimes uninspired).

Kayaking on Portage Bay & Lake Union. Easy lake paddling past (to the west) eclectic floating homes and yachts of the rich and famous, with vistas of the Seattle skyline in the background; or (to the east) meander through the natural waterways of the Arboretum in Union Bay. Afterwards, enjoy creative Mexican food and a margarita while you watch the boats come and go below. 1303 NE Boat St (Univ. District), (206)545-8570.

Various Seattle neighborhoods:
•Capitol Hill: Main strip is Broadway, but also down the hill on Pine St., and up the hill on Pike St.. Good for coffee/food/shopping days & eves;
•International District: Just south of downtown along Jackson St., has lots of asian food and storefronts. Lively during day, dead in the evenings;
•Belltown: Just north of downtown along 1st, 2nd, and 3rd aves, is good for nightlife;
•University District: Has lots of bookstores, food, cafes, clothing, etc;
•Fremont: The "center of the universe" is a small & funky area with some interesting cafes & shopping;
•Ballard: Skandinavian area with lots of little shops along both NW Market St. and Ballard Ave.

Salsa & Swing Dancing at the Century Ballroom. 915 E. Pine St (& Broadway), 2nd floor, (206)324-7263. Swing is on Sun & Wed eves (lesson @ 8:30, dancing @ 9:00), Salsa on Thurs & Sat eves (lesson @ 9:00Thu 8:30Sat, dancing @ 9:30). There is a 30-minute lesson before dancing begins. www.centuryballroom.com

Pike Place Market. Shops, food, fresh fish, fresh fruit/vegetables, and street performers. Good place to spend a few hours during the daytime. Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Art Museum, and Westlake Center (shopping) are all nearby.

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Things To Do Outside of Seattle:

Snoqualmie Falls, approximately 25 miles east of Seattle on I-90. www.snoqualmiefalls.com

Olympus Spa (women only), a one-of-a-kind experience (get the body scrub). In Tacoma, approximately 20 miles south of Seattle. www.olympusspa.com

San Juan Islands. A drive and a ferry ride away, plan to spend one or two days. www.guidetosanjuans.com

Mount Rainier National Park. Drive southeast for a couple hours, and you'll see the 14,410 ft active volcano with beautiful views, lots of amazing waterfalls, old growth forests, day hikes, etc. Walk right up to a glacier.

Strawberry Festival on Vashon Island. A 30 min ferry ride from downtown, July 9, 10, 11 - Some highlights include: The Grand Parade, the Classic Car parade, the K2 Fun Run, Kiwanis Pancake breakfast, music throughout the day and fabulous food & vendor booths to pour over. www.vashonchamber.com/visitor/visitor_strawberryFestival.htm

Whitewater rafting is available on ten (!) northwest rivers within a one or several hour drive. A couple of tour companies are www.riverrecreation.com and www.orionexp.com.

Forks Logging and Mill Tour (and here). An impressive tour that you will not forget, but it'll take a little work to see it. A ferry ride plus a three hour drive (four hours total travel), the tour starts at 9am, Mon, Wed, and Fri. You can also see the beautiful Hoh rain forest (12 feet of rain annually) in the Olympic National Park, and the also-beautiful Pacific Northwest coast near La Push. Reservations for the tour are recommended: 1-800-443-6757. www.forks-web.com/fg/visitorscenter.htm

Maryhill. If you're driving southeast from Seattle, at the Oregon border about halfway across Washington, there are some interesting things to see. An impressive full-scale replica of Stonehenge; the Maryhill museum with this country's largest collection of original Rodin sculptures, 250 chess sets, and peacocks walking the grounds; then about 10 miles north is the Goldendale Observatory State Park (with a 24.5 inch telescope, open to the public).

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Some Favorite Restaurants:

Coffee:
•Vivace Espresso (Broadway & Denny on Capitol Hill)
•Victrola Cafe (on 15th Ave. btwn Harrison & Republican on Capitol Hill)
•Top Pot Cafe & Donuts (Summit & Mercer on Capitol Hill, or 5th & Lenora in Belltown)

Breakfast:
•Hi-Spot (34th & E. Union)
•Kingfish (19th & Mercer on Capitol Hill; Sunday only, opens at 11am)
•Crave (just north of 12th & Pine on Capitol Hill)
•Varsity (one block uphill from Gasworks Park; a standard diner-type place, but good. The park is spectacular, too)
•Dish (on Leary Way, just east of Ballard)
•B&O Cafe (Belmont & Olive, on Capitol Hill)

Lunch:
•Vios ($$, 19th Ave E. & Aloha)
•Thai Tom ($, 47th & University Ave in the U-district)
•Flowers ($, all you can eat vegan buffet, 44th & University Ave in the U-district)
•Than Brothers Pho ($, if you've never had pho before, it's noodle soup w/ beef or chicken or tofu. Broadway & Mercer on Capitol Hill)
•Elysian Brewery ($$, 13th & Pike St on Capitol Hill)

Dinner:
•La Carta de Oaxaca ($$, 5431 Ballard Ave)
•Assimba Ethiopian ($, Martin Luther King Blvd & Cherry)
•Macciavelli ($$, Pine St & Melrose, near I-5 btwn Capitol Hill & Downtown)
•Elysian Brewery ($$, 13th & Pike St on Capitol Hill)
•Kingfish ($$, 19th & Mercer on Capitol Hill; Mon, Wed-Sat)
•Monsoon ($$$, 19th & Mercer on Capitol Hill)
•Palace Kitchen ($$$$, 5th & Virginia downtown)

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Webcam:
We've got a camera on our roof to give you a live view of Seattle, although it's not always pointed at anything interesting.
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Roof Cam