Christmas in Seattle?

Question

I am new to Seattle from Chicago, IL and I'm just wondering what there is to do for Christmas. Do any stores downtown do window displays? Are there carriage rides in the city (we really wanna do this, so that'd be great if there were!)? This is our first Christmas away from home and we can't go home this year, so I'm trying to find things similar to ease the homesickness. My boyfriend and I are thinking of Christmas dinner at the Space Needle. Any other suggestions for things to do after that??? Thanks!!!!!!

Answer 1

1. Yes there are carriage rides in the city. Pick up the carriages in front of Westlake Center. And dress warmly! They'll have blankets but it will still be cold. I'd also stop by before Christmas day to see if they will be operating on Christmas day if that's your intent.

2. There is also a carousel in Westlake Park (Across the street from where you get the carriage rides). In the past rides were free, with a suggested donation. Nordstrom and Macy's will have window displays. Nordstrom usually has their Santa sitting in the window, and it's fun to see the kids all dressed up for the holidays.

3. The Sheraton Hotel will have a gingerbread "house" display in the lobby. Each creation is designed by a local architecture firm and made in collaboration with the chefs at the Sheraton. Viewing is free, with a suggested donation to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

4. The Fairmont Olympic always decorates up one room as the "Teddy Bear Suite" for Christmas. I don't remember if this is free or not, but it's a Seattle Tradition.

5. The Pacific Northwest Ballet puts on a fantastic production of "The Nutcracker", with many local children performing each year. The costumes and set were designed by Maurice Sendak ( of "where the wild things are" fame).

6. Argosy Cruise lines does a cool thing each year - the Christmas boats. Most nights in December they offer a "Christmas Cruise" on board their boats with local choirs singing Christmas carols. The cool part of it is that they make their destinations the local waterfront parks in the Northwest, and broadcast the singing over their sound system. Many of the parks will have a bonfire. Other local boat owners will decorate their boats with Christmas lights and accompany the Argosy boats for a boat parade and caroling. If you go to one of the parks the whole thing is free! Again, dress warmly, bring a thermos of cocoa. You can go to the Argosy cruise line for their schedule as they visit different parks each night.

As for Christmas day itself, my best suggestion is to go to the Zoo! It's open on Christmas day, will be extremely empty, allowing for some great opportunities to get up close and personal with the animals. One of my best visits to the zoo was on a sub-zero day in winter a couple of years ago. The zookeepers were all over the exhibits working to keep the animals warm and happy, and we really enjoyed learning what they do to help the animals, and more about the animals themselves.

Hope that gives you some ideas!

Answer 2

The Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma (only about 40 miles from Seattle) has a GREAT Christmas Lights display every year. What they do is decorate the land (where the animals aren't kept) with huge Christmas light displays. It is a big hit all around the area. They open it up directly after Thanksgiving and have it going until after New Years.

There is "Candy Cane Lane" in Seattle that is full of Lights and delights of Christmas.

There is also Leavenworth...it is a drive, but it is GORGEOUS during the Christmas season! It is in the middle of the mountains and is a German styled quaint little town. They have WONDERFUL German food too and they go ALL out for Christmas.

Answer 3

Yes, there are Christmas display's in Seattle

The Macy's downtown at 4th and Pine (it's across from the Westlake center) is owned by the same parent company as Marshall Field's - they rotate the Christmas window displays between their stores - you might recognize them. Right outside the Macy's there are carriage rides available. Macy's also sponsors a holiday parade downtown Friday, November 23 at 8:45 PM -it's lot's of fun.

As for other things:
Keep in mind - the Space Needle is the most expensive restaurant in Seattle.
While you are at the Seattle Center there is a tiny skating rink open in the Fisher pavilion as part of Winterfest. It's not Skate on State but it's still enjoyable. But expect very little to be open on Christmas day.

Answer 4

We're spending Christmas in Leavenworth, which is a Bavarian village about an hour and a half east of Seattle in the mountains. It's absolutely gorgeous with all the Christmas light displays and the town is usually covered in snow for Christmas. It's an amazing, magical place, great for kids and families. It's like stepping back in time. There are sleigh rides, a hill to tobaggan (sp?) down, a very quiet and friendly mature town, not for rowdy partiers at all. Check out www.leavenworth.org. The people who work there at the chamber are super helpful and can tell you all about every place to stay.

Answer 5

Drive up to Vancouver B.C.

"December 8 to January 1
Christmas at Canada Place
"Deck the Halls," presented by Canada Place Corporation and the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre brings holiday magic to the heart of Vancouver's waterfront. From December 8, 2007 to January 1, 2008 take a stroll down the Holiday Promenade and view the historic Woodward's Windows, thousands of twinkling lights and larger than life holiday décor.."

I lived in Everett, WA for five years and my wife and I always went up there. It's one of the best Christmas displays I've ever seen.

Answer 6

Hi! I have no answer to your question, however, my husband and I are new here from Champaign, IL, so if you find something out or even need some new friends from IL, feel free to email me.

Answer 7

not every christmas , but when it does snow , it's always on the news , and people can't drive in the snow

Answer 8

you could go see the Nutcraker or The Christmas Carol!

Answer 9

Take the Victoria Clipper to Victoria! You will love it.