Is Seattle a public transportation-friendly city? How is the weather during new year? Is late Dec or early Jan a good time to visit Seattle?
2006-10-31 16:06:50 · 11 answers · asked by thelle 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Seattle
Is it convenient to take public transportation (bus or train) to Vancouver? If yes, roughly how long is the ride, how much is the ticket, must see/do in Vancouver, and another other suggestions.
2006-10-31 17:56:33 · update #1
I'm going to try and answer your question in parts:
Suggestions as to things to do
Pike Place Market - The Pike Place Market is a great place to wonder around, buy handmade souvenirs, get a snack, and see the very first Starbucks, etc.
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org
Pioneer Square is home to the famous "Underground Tour" that leaves from Doc Maynards on the the corner of Yesler & 1st. It's a great tour that takes you under the city and teaches you about the history of Seattle in a very entertaining way! Also in Pioneer Square, there are many antique shops and other unique shops and restaurants...
http://www.pioneersquare.org
Riding on a ferry - it's a true Seattle experience! The view of the city from the boat is excellent (bring your camera!) and the cost is a quarter of what you would spend on one of the Argosy Cruises. You can walk on as a passenger and the return trip is FREE! Here's a schedule:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedules/current/index.cfm?route=sea-bi
The Waterfront has many shops and seafood restaurants. This is also home to the Seattle Aquarium, which is undergoing some renovations right now, but might be fun to visit anyway...
http://www.seattleaquarium.org
North of downtown is Seattle Center, home to the Space Needle. Since it's the landmark that Seattle is best known for, I'd highly recommend a stop there, even though it is a bit spendy. http://www.seattlecenter.com
http://www.spaceneedle.com
Public Transportation:
If you are staying downtown, the bus is pretty convenient, as they have the "Ride Free Zone" downtown and even if you board a bus downtown, you can be in most neighborhoods within a 1/2 hour. Here is their website:
http://transit.metrokc.gov/
Weather
The weather is probably going to be cold, with temps in the 30's & 40's most days. Also, it'll be dark and gloomy on most days. Our daylight hours are substantially cut back in December & January. Drizzly, so wear a hoodie or bring an umbrella (although if you want to look like a local, you'll forgo the umbrella).
Good times to visit Seattle
December & January are probably the least desirable months to visit Seattle overall, mostly because of the weather. You probably won't be able to see the mountains while you are here, bbecause of cloud cover...and the mountains are beautiful. Still, Seattle is a beautiful city all year long, I just hope you get the chance to come back and visit in the summer when it's even more beautiful!
Vancouver:
There is an Amtrak train that goes between Seattle and Vancouver everyday. We went a few months ago and it took about 3.5 hours to get there and cost $74 a person. Vancouver is a great city, bigger than Seattle, but similar in many ways. I'd recommend visiting Gaslight District (their historic district), Chinatown, Stanley Park and Granville Island.
HAVE A GREAT TIME!
2006-11-01 03:58:09 · answer #1 · answered by seattlecutiepie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on what you are into but Seattle has plenty to offer.
There are plenty of clubs, bars, restaurants in the Belltown and Pioneer Square areas of town (music and food for every taste). The Pike Place Market and the Waterfront have plenty to offer for a day of walking. You can also look into what is playing at Benaroya Hall (if you are more into classical).
Visit some of the "unique" architecture of the area (Seattle Public Library, Experience Music Project, Safeco Field) or take the Underground Tour in Pioneer Square and learn about the seedy underbelly of the founding fathers of Seattle.
Given the time of year, I don't think you'll be wanting to do a day hike up into the hills (might be a little too chilly). You may be able to take a whale watching trip at this time of year or short of that just take a trip with Argosy Cruises around Lake Union and Lake Washington.
Woodland Park Zoo is one of the better zoos in the country and is quite reasonable admission wise. You can take a bus to the zoo from downtown.
As for transportation, Seattle has struggled with growth over the past 30+ years. Seattle has a very extensive bus system (that will take you basically anywhere through the Seattle-King County Metro Area) but the area is really playing catch up in the areas of light and heavy rail. We really know how not to get things done when it comes to improving our traffic situation.
As for weather, Seattle is a gorgeous place to visit but can be pretty cold in the winter months. Not like the midwest or northeast (10s and below zero) but can still get somewhat bitter (lows in the 20s/30s and highs mostly in the 40s). At these times, it is sometimes the most beautiful time to visit (clear skies and cold really allows for you to see the beauty of the Puget Sound area).
If you are looking for a hotel, I recommend using a service like PriceLine or Hotwire (you can get some really good prices especially last minute).
At least you know, you won't be for want of coffee while in Seattle. A coffee shop on every block (at least one).
2006-11-01 00:41:07 · answer #2 · answered by John J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Weather's not too bad in Western WA, prolly about 40 degrees F and a bit damp. Go to Seattle Center and ride the monorail to Westlake and check out the mall. Walk down to Pike Place and go through there, its a trip. Laser light show at the Science Center. Go up the Space Needle if you get the chance and there will be fireworks New Years Eve. Winter is really pretty mild considering how far north you are. There are buses, but I never really rode them when I lived up there.
2006-11-01 00:14:57 · answer #3 · answered by jambo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to Pioneer Square, the Space Needle, the EMP (Experience Music Project), Pike Place Market, and don't forget the strip clubs like Deja Vu (across the street from Pike Place).
Seattle is very public trans friendly (parking REALLY sucks).
The weather during Dec/Jan is the worst: Cold, rainy, and sometimes snow. DRESS WARM!
2006-11-01 00:30:30 · answer #4 · answered by misschaos489 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seattle is reasonable for public transportation, but mostly in the downtown area. Unfortunately you are visiting during one of the least "weather friendly" times of year....UNLESS you like rain and snow, in which case - enjoy!
The Space Needle is popular, the islands (like Whidbey Island) are a nice excursion if you want to take the ferry across the sound with a car or bike, snow skiing as you head up North into BC, lots of great clubs and music scenes, and if you're a rock&roll fan, you could visit the memorial for Jimi Hendrix in Renton (Greenwood Park Cemetary)
Have Fun!
2006-11-01 00:20:23 · answer #5 · answered by jr 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will be raining cats and dogs both in Seattle and Vancouver. Take the Victoria Clipper to Victoria -
they get less rain. In Victoria - be sure to eat at The Blue Crab.
2006-11-03 01:05:53 · answer #6 · answered by fatsausage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OMG Seattle is GORGEOUS!
Mt. Rainier, Pike Place Market, the harbor, Microsoft company, Gates' house, trip to Vancouver or other place in BC....um, yeah...have fun!
2006-11-01 00:09:29 · answer #7 · answered by bansri47 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To do in Seattle - First carry your guitar. Second wear a flanel shirt and old jeans. Third go to a coffee shop and drink a chai or other warm beverage. It helps if you have to hitchhike to the coffee shop. Talk about San Francisco, the IMF and how the space needle is overrated. You will fit right in.
2006-11-01 00:24:46 · answer #8 · answered by ea_villeneuve 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Boat cruise, sea fishing, space needle, submarine ride for octopus viewing.
2006-11-01 00:29:01 · answer #9 · answered by Genius 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
dont go to seattle got to mawii in hawii every thig there ends with a ii
2006-11-01 00:09:52 · answer #10 · answered by wierdow 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋