Seattle area recommendations

[sickrubik]

The missus and I are headed to Seattle in early March to attend a family wedding and I'm starting to research places to hit while there. She's been there before while I have not. Does the hive-mind have any recommendations? There is a slight chance we hope to Canadia for a day or so.

[Goumindong]

The missus and I are headed to Seattle in early March to attend a family wedding and I'm starting to research places to hit while there. She's been there before while I have not. Does the hive-mind have any recommendations? There is a slight chance we hope to Canadia for a day or so.

http://bathtubginseattle.com/

[sickrubik]

I kept reading that link as "Bathtubbing Seattle" and was wondering what you were suggesting.

[Hawkbit]

It really depends on what your goal is.  If you're headed to the market area, check out the Alibi room: http://seattlealibi.com/.  Bathtub gin is cool, too.  Let me know your interests and we'll point you in the right direction. 

Ballard is a cool neighborhood.  If you like game shops, go here: http://www.cardkingdom.com/.  I like the Ballard locks, can sit and watch boats/salmon all day. http://www.seattle.gov/tour/locks.htm

Are you looking to get out into the mountains?  That's a weird time of year and some of the passes may be closed.  Weather's been weird the past year, so it's hard to predict what it will be like.  I'd bank on 45 degrees and light rain.  However, we're far behind our average rainfall totals so who knows?

[sickrubik]

I'm in California, so I understand the rain woes. Yeah, the time of year is weird, but that's when the wedding is! If we decide to stay with a family member, we'll probably be in Bothell, but renting a car to get around.

My main interests on this trip would be breweries/brewpubs (have a few already), but open to spirits/distilleries and other neat eateries. Additionally cultural stuff and geek related pursuits. Planning on going to EMP and possibly the aquarium, though I know nothing about it. Zoo seems like it could be hit and miss depending on the weather.

[Goumindong]

Alibi Room is p decent too. Bathtub Gin is right next to the larger local food/restaurant area and makes a great aperitif which is why I suggested it. The Alibi room is right below the Market, while Bathub Gin and the restaurants on First Avenue are a bit further away. So if you're going to the market, either works depending on your walk load.

A really really nice night might be something like going to the market and doing the whole tourist sightseeing stuff. Then heading north to Bathtub Gin for an apertif then ending up at the Black Bottle for dinner.

Might look something like this. There are also a number of venues in the area (The Showbox, The Triple Door, The Paramount) if you're into seeing shows. Also close to the aquarium.

I would stay on the north side of the city because there isn't all that much south, especially past the Stadiums. Though you might go on a tour of the http://www.westlanddistillery.com/ if you're into whiskey. [Also, Radiator Whiskey in the market and the Whiskey Bar are other good places for a drink if you're into whiskey]. I would suggest Freemont or Elysian brewery if you're into that. Pike Place brewery is eh, pyramid is out of the way and a bit big.

Washington Arboretum and Gasworks park are good on any day if you like parks. Gasworks is less nature and more museum of old gas equipment. If its sunny the best places for a sunset are probably Golden Gardens or the park at the end of the Market.

I kept reading that link as "Bathtubbing Seattle" and was wondering what you were suggesting.

[Surlyboi]

Purple Wine Bar in downtown Seattle and Phoenecia in Alki Beach, West Seattle The bar in the W in downtown is pretty solid too with a a decent selection of locally sourced liquors.

[Goumindong]

Purple Wine Bar in downtown Seattle and Phoenecia in Alki Beach, West Seattle The bar in the W in downtown is pretty solid too with a a decent selection of locally sourced liquors.

The bar in the W is expensive, its selection of locally sourced liquors isn't that great compared to places in the Market/Belltown and basically isn't worth it. Go to Sun Liquor/Tavern Law. Or basically any place that looks decent near Belltown/the Market/Capital hill.

I've never been to Phoenecia(not ever in Alki) or the Purple Cafe(though there is one downtown so i should go)

[Soln]

+1 for CardKingdom and I would also recommend Blue Highway Games in Queen Anne.  If you are near the EMP for a visit, that shop is 10mins away in a great neighbourhood. 

[schild]

The wife says the following (lived there for a decade):
If you go to Card Kingdom, right up the road on Ballard Ave is a tapas bar called Ocho which is "one of her favorite restaurants in Seattle." If you want a Burger, there's a restaurant called King's Hardware that is awesome.

Go to Pike's Place. Obviously. Get mini doughnuts from the people who look like they should be in Portland.

Go to Queen Anne if you want to go for a nice walk and look out over the city/ocean.

[01101010]

Jesus Goum...   

http://forums.f13.net/index.php?topic=23804.0

[Surlyboi]

Purple Wine Bar in downtown Seattle and Phoenecia in Alki Beach, West Seattle The bar in the W in downtown is pretty solid too with a a decent selection of locally sourced liquors.

The bar in the W is expensive, its selection of locally sourced liquors isn't that great compared to places in the Market/Belltown and basically isn't worth it. Go to Sun Liquor/Tavern Law. Or basically any place that looks decent near Belltown/the Market/Capital hill.

I've never been to Phoenecia(not ever in Alki) or the Purple Cafe(though there is one downtown so i should go)

This summer was my first time there in 21 years and back in '92, I was sleeping on a friend's floor, going to shows and working at a Starbucks. I was only there for a long weekend this year, so those were the only things that stood out to me. The farm-to-table scene you guys have got out there is pretty solid.

[Goumindong]

Next time you come try and get to "The Walrus and Carpenter" if you're into oysters

edit: Local 360 isn't bad either, but pretty different compared to W&C

[Hawkbit]

I would skip the West Seattle recommendations.  I live there and work downtown; you'll spend 90 minutes in transit.  Most of the cool stuff is downtown or in the neighborhoods north of it.  I would strongly suggest picking a neighborhood or two that has a lot of what you want to see.  That way you can just park in one spot and walk around.  Most neighborhoods have a ton of stuff to do all within walking distance. 

However, if you find yourself in West Seattle, you'd do yourself a disservice by not visiting The Beer Junction: http://www.thebeerjunction.com/ and Beveridge Place Pub: http://www.beveridgeplacepub.com/  I live two blocks from Beveridge Place and strongly recommend it, though you won't leave sober. 

If you go south of downtown at all, please to go http://georgetownbeer.com/.  Lucille is my favorite Seattle beer. 

In Fremont, Brouwer's is cool, huge beer selection: http://www.yelp.com/biz/brouwers-cafe-seattle  It's pretty close to the Google, Adobe an Tableau offices.

And yes, the mini-donut place in Pike is insanely good.  Working three blocks from there has not done me any favors.  If you're at the market, I strongly suggest a sandwich from Michou http://www.michoudeli.com/.  I go there for lunch once a week, $3 for a delicious half sandwich is unheard of price-wise.

EMP is a great experience.  We have season passes and go every few months.  I think the primary exhibit when you're here will be a LEGO exhibit.  I wasn't a Nirvana fan, but their exhibit on that is amazing.  http://www.empmuseum.org/at-the-museum/upcoming-exhibits/block-by-block-inventing-amazing-architecture.aspx

[sickrubik]

Brouwer's is probably #1 on my list of places I've compiled, beer related. Elysian for breweries.

Thank you so far for all the recommendations.

[Hawkbit]

Elysian has really good food, too.  The one by the stadiums is okay, but the one in Capitol Hill area is great. 

[Lightstalker]

You are basically staying right on top of the Red Hook Brewery.  Sure they are huge now and therefore not cool but they've got a fun (cheap and beer filled) tour and a decent restaurant/pub (especially after the tour). 

Since you are only 15-20 minutes from Redmond you could swing by the Mac and Jacks and Black Raven Breweries.   Mac and Jacks brews something like 25k barrels per year, while they'll offer you samples and have a few items laid out in their shop they are really all about brewing so it isn't a very flash experience.  You go to Mac and Jacks to buy a growler, a CO2 tank for your home keg, or brewing supplies / questions.  Black Raven, on the other hand, is new, tiny (3500 bpy) and has high production values in their tap room (seats 100).  You go to Black Raven to meet friends and colleagues after work to drink interesting beers.  

[sickrubik]

I'll drink bigger craft beer makers if they make good beer. I drink plenty of Sierra Nevada, Lagunitas, etc. I've just never liked Red Hook. If they DO do tours, we might head there though. Elysian seems to not do tours. Boo.

[WayAbvPar]

Mac (of Mac and Jack's) is my dad's cousin  

If you hit the Market, check out the tea shop, and at least sample the Market Spice tea. I love that stuff. In fact, I am going to go up and put the kettle on so I can have some now!

Aquarium is cool, especially if you have kids. Might check out the Museum of Flight as well (it is a bit south of downtown, but not too bad). Paseo makes some damned good sandwiches (the Seaview Ave location is out near the Locks if you find yourself in the neighborhood. Also less crowded/better parking than Fremont). Golden Gardens Park is a good spot to eat your sandwiches if  the benches outside are too full (about a mile down the street).

Toulouse Petit is one of my fav restaurants (at the base of Queen Anne hill just a couple of blocks from the Seattle Center/Space Needle). If they are too busy, you can also get some good food next door at Peso's. They are run by the same folks. Crowd is pretty hipster-ish, but the food in both spots is AWESOME. Drinks are top notch too.

[Ozzu]

Mac (of Mac and Jack's) is my dad's cousin  

If you hit the Market, check out the tea shop, and at least sample the Market Spice tea. I love that stuff. In fact, I am going to go up and put the kettle on so I can have some now!

Aquarium is cool, especially if you have kids. Might check out the Museum of Flight as well (it is a bit south of downtown, but not too bad). Paseo makes some damned good sandwiches (the Seaview Ave location is out near the Locks if you find yourself in the neighborhood. Also less crowded/better parking than Fremont). Golden Gardens Park is a good spot to eat your sandwiches if  the benches outside are too full (about a mile down the street).

Toulouse Petit is one of my fav restaurants (at the base of Queen Anne hill just a couple of blocks from the Seattle Center/Space Needle). If they are too busy, you can also get some good food next door at Peso's. They are run by the same folks. Crowd is pretty hipster-ish, but the food in both spots is AWESOME. Drinks are top notch too.

Not to derail the thread too much, but my wife and I are going to Toulouse Petit today for happy hour. It's our first time there.

I'm curious if this is a jacket/tie affair or more casual than that.

[Goumindong]

Its in lower queen anne. I would be utterly shocked if it were a jacket and tie affair. A google image search seems to confirm my suspicions.

The only place I can think of in Seattle which would really be a jacket and tie affair would be Canlis. Maybe El Gaucho but even that so long as you don't look schlubby you will be fine.

The only places i would definitely be in a jacket and tie for would be Canlis or The Herb Farm. And that i think is less because of dress code and more because if you're dropping that much money you might as well look great. I am sure there are a couple of other places downtown which are snobby enough to require a dress code. But I don't go to those places because its almost certainly not worth it.

[WayAbvPar]

TP is definitely very casual. Especially for brunch (which is my fav meal there).

Make sure to get a cup of the fried chicken gumbo along with whatever else you order. The chunks of fried chicken on top have to be tasted to be believed.

[Lianka]

I second Kings Hardware - it's attached to Rudy's barbershop, so if you need a haircut, it's right there!  Since you might be staying in Bothell, Woodinville has a Purple Cafe and Wine Bar, and tons of wineries & tasting rooms, the aforementioned Redhook Brewery, and a possibly already opened Woodinville Whiskey Tavern & tasting bar across the street from Redhook - if the tasting bar isn't open there, yet, then the original distillery tasting room is just down the street.  Soln can give you more detail as to whether it's worth it, but there is also a Raven microbrewery in Redmond. 

[Goumindong]

Woodinvilles 100% Rye is pretty decent if you're into rye. I haven't had their white or wheat because I am not into that sort of thing.

Oola(Capital Hill) still makes the best gin (anywhere) and its cheaper than Woodinville so no need to change

[Bunk]

If you do decide to head north, try to do it mid week to avoid a border delay. My recommendation for seeing Vancouver on a short stay is to head downtown and grab a day pass for the sea bus. Then just spend the day hopping back and forth: Yaletown, Granville Island, Science World, etc.

This thread has made me realize I've missed quite a few interesting areas in Seattle during my PAX trips.

[WayAbvPar]

If you end up in Woodinville, check out Teddy's Bigger Burgers. It is a fast food place, but definitely several steps above your average chain. All kinds of goodies to put on your burgers, great shakes, cheese fries, etc. It is 35 miles from my house or I would be there constantly 

[Hawkbit]

I haven't been there yet, but their site says they have a Greenlake location. 

[WayAbvPar]

Oh nice! I knew they were looking for franchisees in this area, but didn't know anything new had opened yet. Very cool. I am sure Red Mill is thrilled 

[Oz]

Do the underground tour.  it is awesome/hysterical.  A must do.

[WayAbvPar]

I would probably get a lot more out of it now. I went when i was in grade school on a field trip and it just felt like we were walking around in someone's dank basement.

[sickrubik]

These days dank means something else entirely for people visiting the city. 

[sickrubik]

So, plane tickets booked. Fly out of SFO on Saturday, March 8th and then Fly back on Monday, March 17th. Looks like we'll be in town for the Hard Liver Barleywine Festival. WOO.

[Soulflame]

The underground tour is interesting, but I enjoyed Ride the Ducks more, personally.

[WayAbvPar]

I have always wanted to try that. I see them all over town.

[Hammond]

I had a friend that was a Duck captain so I got to meet some of the people that run it. It is a really fun thing to do but early March might be a tad cold (in the summer it is totally worth it though).