things to do in Seattle/ gift for boy
 

Okay, double duty thread here, it's all related.

1) What's there to do in Seattle? I'll be there next week, and depending on which flight Jason (the new guy!) puts me on, I'll probably have Friday to bum around on my own while he's at work. I'll be right near the ferry, and i'll probably have one of his cars at my disposal, so getting around isn't a huge deal. I'll have lunch with a KD, most likely, already talked to a sister in our yahoogroup about it. But what are the must sees for my first visit to Seattle?

2) Second question, he's getting me my ticket out there, i'm staying at his house, etc. Any ideas of something nice I can do in return (no- NOT that! although we'll see....)? I don't know him well enough and don't want to freak him out with some sort of meaningful gift. He's moving in a few months, so nothing for the house. Maybe just take him to a nice dinner while we're there??????

Thanks guys. You GCers are awesome, there's always an "expert" on everything on here!

I always go to the Pike Place Market when I'm there. Its a habit my mother ingrained in me since I was little. The Seattle Underground tour is another fun tourist-y thing to do, as well as going up the Space Needle.

Here's an idea, Dani:

http://www.signaturewines.com/specia...sword=beatarmy

I checked out the wines available for shipping to Washington state and they offer 4 bottles of assorted variety for $69.00. Not sure what your price range is, but I thought I'd run it by you

You're going NEXT week, right? You could have it shipped to his place :)

I don't think you need to be a USNA Alumni Association member to order, but if you do, and you want to order, I can give you John's member number.

Re: things to do in Seattle/ gift for boy
 

Okay, if you have access to a car, go to the KD house at UW! http://students.washington.edu/kappad/
Also, make sure you check out the shopping centre that is close to the Greek Row (it's just down the hill from there, called "University Village")

Go to Pike Place Market (right downtown).

Go up the Space Needle (you can take the monorail from Westlake Centre..so convenient).

Belltown is a groovy neighborhood (may I recommend Tia Lou's restaurant).
Tia Lou's
2218 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98121

They have some nice shopping malls downtown (one is right across from Old Navy, called
Pacific Place
600 Pine Street
206-264-1195

I ate here...it was good:
Palomino
1420 5th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101


The Experience Music Project is supposed to be highly regarded but I have never been there: http://www.emplive.com/

If I think of more stuff, I will post again!

Visit Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
It is about 15 miles north of Seattle in Woodinville. It is absolutely beautiful there and tons of fun to visit. They have wines for sale that you can only get at the chateau. They also have concerts and special dinners that are a nice treat. When I lived in Seattle the Bellevue Rep. Group used to do Shakespear in the grass at the Chateau every Thursday night. It is one of my favorite summer memories. Columbia Winery and RedHook Brewery are close by as well.

Visit Snoqualmie Falls
You can hike up to the falls or putt around in town (where Twin Peaks was filmed). The falls are gorgeous and it's only a one mile hike. The Salish Lodge is gorgeous if you can get in for dinner.

Visit Bridle Trails Park
I used to live on this park just outside Bellevue. It is so pretty at this time of year (although you may want to take allergy medicine before you go if you suffer from environmental allergies). You can rent horses nearby and ride on the horse trails in the park.

Visit Pacific Place for Great Shopping
Definitely the best shopping in Seattle. Pike Place market is the coolest open market with neat vendors, as mentioned above. I would check it out as well.

If you want more info let me know!

Laura

thank you so much guys! those are some great ideas.
Still not sure how much free time i'll have on my hands.... i think he may have off on Friday now.... and i'm still waiting to find out my flight info. Drives me a bit nuts b/c i'm one of those people who really wants to have plans all ready to go way ahead of time.

But those sound like great ideas!

EMP is so overrated. Don't waste your time there!

Everyone has given you great advice. My biggest suggestion is that if you'll only be killing a day or two, don't spend your time any one day driving around different parts of town. If you go to Pike Place and Pacific Place shopping, for example, don't try to cram in a trip up to the University district, too. You'll spend too much time in traffic.

And if you go to Snoqualmie Falls, don't stop at the restaurant that was in Twin Peaks. They have huge signs up saying they were in the movie and they have great pie, but it is pretty mediocre food.