Upcoming trip to Seattle - Need suggestions

[aphex]

Hey all, planning a trip towards the end of the month to Seattle for a few days for a friends wedding on Whidbey Island. Flying in late Wednesday night and leaving on a red eye back on Sunday Night/Monday Morning. Its our first time to Seattle/Pacific Northwest and while we don't have a ton of time there, trying to plan out a good trip.

Current Idea:
Wednesday - Flight arrives just before midnight, stay at a hotel near the airport
Thursday - Drive down to Mt Rainier/Surrounding area and hike some trails. Drive up to Seattle that evening and stay in downtown Seattle for the night.
Friday - Explore Seattle for the day, then drive up to Whidbey Island in the late afternoon (taking the ferry) for the rehearsal dinner and stay at a cottage on Whidbey Island for the next two nights
Saturday - Explore Whidbey Island & surrounding areas for the day, Wedding at night
Sunday - Drive north off Whidbey Island through Deception Pass and take the long way back to to Seattle, then spend the rest of the day in Seattle followed by a very late flight out Sunday night

For anyone who lives there and/or has been to the area, what do you think? Are we spending enough time in Seattle itself?

 

[Ricemarine]

Geez... long trip you have planned there.

It seems you're more of a nature kind of guy, so what you're doing is pretty darn good. As long as you visit Seattle Center, UW (if it fits your taste), and/or Pike Place... you've pretty much covered most of Seattle right there.

 

[Farmer]

Bring your rifle and hit up some of the 1000 yard rifle courses.

 

[busydude]

PM TridenT, I am sure he will be able to help you.

 

[AreaCode707]

Hey all, planning a trip towards the end of the month to Seattle for a few days for a friends wedding on Whidbey Island. Flying in late Wednesday night and leaving on a red eye back on Sunday Night/Monday Morning. Its our first time to Seattle/Pacific Northwest and while we don't have a ton of time there, trying to plan out a good trip.

Current Idea:
Wednesday - Flight arrives just before midnight, stay at a hotel near the airport

The area around the airport sucks. At that time of day it won't take you long to drive elsewhere; probably worth your while to get a little further away from SeaTac.

Thursday - Drive down to Mt Rainier/Surrounding area and hike some trails. Drive up to Seattle that evening and stay in downtown Seattle for the night.

How heavy-duty do you like your hiking? How far do you feel like driving? Paradise is a bit far but gorgeous.

Friday - Explore Seattle for the day, then drive up to Whidbey Island in the late afternoon (taking the ferry) for the rehearsal dinner and stay at a cottage on Whidbey Island for the next two nights
Saturday - Explore Whidbey Island & surrounding areas for the day, Wedding at night
Sunday - Drive north off Whidbey Island through Deception Pass and take the long way back to to Seattle, then spend the rest of the day in Seattle followed by a very late flight out Sunday night

Go to Pike Place, skip Seattle Center. GO TO THE BOEING MUSEUM OF FLIGHT! It is by far the best attraction in Seattle, IMO. I take out of towners there and every time people wish they could stay longer or come back and spend more time there. It is fascinating even if you are not a flight buff; there are great WWI and WWII history wings that are wonderful if you have even a passing interest in history.

For anyone who lives there and/or has been to the area, what do you think? Are we spending enough time in Seattle itself?

Yeah, totally. There are some nice restaurants if you're into the food scene. The NW has great outdoor activities and you'll be there at a good time of year to partake. If you like hiking and such, spend more of your time doing that.

 

[aphex]

The area around the airport sucks. At that time of day it won't take you long to drive elsewhere; probably worth your while to get a little further away from SeaTac.

Well we figured we would just stick with cheap accommodation for that night and the cheapest we've been coming across is right around the airport. Any rec's on places within 15 mins or so from the airport? We didn't want to head downtown that night if our plan is to drive south the next morning.

How heavy-duty do you like your hiking? How far do you feel like driving? Paradise is a bit far but gorgeous.

Don't mind driving, but would prefer to not have to travel too terribly far since were not out there for too long. Anything within 1-2 hours is fair game I suppose. As for hiking, we've done a few here and there but primarily in Costa Rica (mountain cloud forests & beach jungles) but I think we'd prefer to stick to some of the easier trails, maybe 5-6 miles max RT. Where is paradise? 🙂

Go to Pike Place, skip Seattle Center. GO TO THE BOEING MUSEUM OF FLIGHT! It is by far the best attraction in Seattle, IMO. I take out of towners there and every time people wish they could stay longer or come back and spend more time there. It is fascinating even if you are not a flight buff; there are great WWI and WWII history wings that are wonderful if you have even a passing interest in history.

Duly noted, thanks.

Yeah, totally. There are some nice restaurants if you're into the food scene. The NW has great outdoor activities and you'll be there at a good time of year to partake. If you like hiking and such, spend more of your time doing that.

Def. like some good food, we'll have to explore some good restaurants 🙂

 

[NuclearNed]

Well we figured we would just stick with cheap accommodation for that night and the cheapest we've been coming across is right around the airport. Any rec's on places within 15 mins or so from the airport? We didn't want to head downtown that night if our plan is to drive south the next morning.

Don't mind driving, but would prefer to not have to travel too terribly far since were not out there for too long. Anything within 1-2 hours is fair game I suppose. As for hiking, we've done a few here and there but primarily in Costa Rica (mountain cloud forests & beach jungles) but I think we'd prefer to stick to some of the easier trails, maybe 5-6 miles max RT. Where is paradise? 🙂

Duly noted, thanks.

Def. like some good food, we'll have to explore some good restaurants 🙂

I would consider Paradise to be the main visitor's area for Mt. Rainier. It isn't too far inside the park's interior. Since you have limited time, you should probably spend most of your day there. There are plenty of trails in that area that wander around the meadows and on further up the mountain if you are so inclined. On the way to Paradise, there are a few roadside attractions like Narada Falls and Christine Falls.