Things to do in Seattle
Most sites listing the top 10 things to do in Seattle list 30 things, that is how much fun Seattle is.
Below are things that we recommend. Using an app is a convenient way to work out the details of travel
Near the venue by mass transit:
Near the Beacon Hill Station:
A number of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, including Milk Drunk and Perihelion Pub
Columbia City:
About 3 blocks of bars restaurants and shops, including Geraldine’s, Tutta Bella, and the Flying Lion Pub. The #50 bus actually stops in front of the VA and the light rail has a Columbia City stop, both are about a 5 min walk to the area of interest.
Georgetown:
Less gentrified, but with a number of nice bars and restaurants. Bus 60 or 107 will take you from bldg 101 to the Fonda La Catrina, Jules Maes Saloon, Star Brass Works Lounge (the brass does not actually work, but the beer taps do). Donburi Station and Elysian Brewery are a couple blocks north on this street (Airport Way S). Some wine bars are in the neighborhood, with House of Smith being local, rather upscale wines.
A bit further, but still available by Mass transit
Washington Park Arboretum:
230 acres of more than 40,000 plants from around the world with trails to explore and programs for youth and adults.
Accessible by bus route 48, which is close to the Mt. Baker Light Rail Station.
Seward Park:
300 acres of park space along the shoreline of Lake Washington, hiking trails of old growth forest, playgrounds for the kids, and spectacular views of Mt. Rainier on a clear day.
Accessible by bus route 50 going to Othello Station, about a 15-20 minute bus ride from the VA.
Alki Beach/West Seattle:
A popular Seattle beach located in West Seattle, is a 2.5-mile stretch of shoreline known for its history, views, and activities as well as bars and restaurants. Accessible by bus route 50 going to West Seattle, about a 40 minute bus ride from the VA. Also accessible by Water Taxi from Downtown.
Volunteer Park/Capitol Hill:
Volunteer Park is located at the North end of the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
The Pike/Pine Corridor and Broadway have many interesting bars, restaurants, and shops.
Pike Place Market:
An iconic market near the Seattle waterfront, and a main tourist destination that is a little bit complex: https://www.pikeplacemarket.org/ . There are many great restaurants including two Turkish restaurants, Emmit Watsons Oyster House, and other seafood restaurants nearby (Cutters Crab house, Seatown rub, Lola’a a couple of blocks up). Don’t worry too much about directions as getting a bit lost is half the fun and you won’t see everything.
Seattle Waterfront:
Finally, don’t forget to head down to the waterfront to visit the Seattle Aquarium, interesting stores such as Ye Old Curiosity Shop, restaurants like Ivar’s Acres of clams which has a famous fried fish stand outside. It is also possible to take a Ferry Ride from the waterfront to Bainbridge Island (a short day trip).
Seattle has lots of other neighborhoods that are fun to explore such as the U district, Ballard, etc.
**When dining out, particularly in tourist areas, some restaurants have service charges that are added to the final bill and can be quite high. These are usually explained in the menu’s fine-print.
But I HAVE A CAR!!!!
Seattle is about 2 hours by car from 3 National Parks: Rainer, Cascades, and Olympic Peninsula.
Each is great with its own characteristics. Spend some time checking out what you want to do and make sure the trail is open.
Here is a sort of feel for each
Rainer:
The towering mountain seen from Seattle is actually 70 miles away. The theme is hiking and this can be as serious or as (relatively) easy as you wish.
Here’s a good website: https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/washington/mount-rainier-national-park.
**Park entry at Paradise and Sunrise corridors now requires a reservation: https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/timed-entry-reservations.htm
Cascades:
A long, wilder park: there isn’t a specific location.
But there are tons of trails that creep almost into Seattle starting just outside the Park that come in all levels of challenge. To see some Pacific Northwest Greenery on a flat trail, try Redmond watershed preserve. For a bit of an elevation with a cute town nearby (Issaquah), try Poo Poo Point.
Rattelsnake Ledge, Wallace Falls, Oyster Dome, oh, So many! But to be called a Hiker in Seattle, you have to do Mount Si, AKA the thigh burner.
Olympic Peninsula:
Maybe the most magical of all? Ho Rain forest (World Heritage) is the ultimate, but even if you can’t make this 4 hour trip from Seattle (watch our for vampire hunters in the town of Forks), there is a lot to do on the Penninsula. It has cute, historic towns as well (Sequim, Port Townsend, and Port Angeles) and accessible trails: Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, and Mount Storm King Trail range from easy to ”I warned you”.
Reserve your hotel
W Seattle
1112 Fourth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, US
https://book.passkey.com/e/51000845
Renaissance Seattle Hotel
515 Madison Street Seattle, Washington, USA, 98104
Book your group rate for Mini Blood Brain Barrier Symposium
Coast Hotel Seattle Downtown by APA
1301 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA. 98101