Erika & Ed
Things To Do
zulily Sample Sale (7/21) at Seattle Children's administration building
Stop by the zulily sample sale 9am-4pm on Sat 7/21 for a great selection of women's and children's apparel, shoes, housewares and more. The admin building is at the SE corner of 70th and Sand Point Way, parking lot entrance off of 70th -- note this is a different location than the hospital. Cash and credit cards accepted. Please bring your own bags. Free parking. zulily generously donates product samples in support of Seattle Children's Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research
Pike Place Market (& waterfront sites nearby)
It's iconic for a reason! Yes there's the fish throwing, one of the restaurants featured in the movie Sleepless in Seattle, and the original Starbucks -- and now with a recent remodel, valet parking (?!) But better still are the beautiful views, and so many other offerings to explore, all the vendor booths at and below the market, plus near by original Sur la Table store, Ed's favorite World Spice Market www.worldspice.com, one of Erika's favorite bookstores www.leftbankbooks.com, and so many great restaurants (Café Campagne, Matt’s, Steelhead Diner, Pink Door). And after you're done at the market, walk down the steps to the waterfront to ride the Great Wheel seattlegreatwheel.com, go to the Aquarium www.seattleaquarium.org, or get on the ferry to Bainbridge Island www.wsdot.com/ferries/schedule.
Olympic Sculpture Park (& all things Seattle Art Museum, a.k.a. SAM)
Photos don't really do the Olympic Sculpture Park justice -- you have to visit in person to appreciate the size and impact of the sculpture in this beautiful outdoor location. And in the summer there's free outdoor yoga there, which is one of Erika's favorite Seattle things ever. Check out all the Seattle Art Museum locations -- OSP just described, main museum a few steps from Pike Place Market, Asian Art Museum up in Volunteer Park. And the "Summer at SAM" schedule of activities should be up closer to the party date.
Seattle Center (Space Needle, Glass Garden, MOPOP)
One ticket now gets you into both Chihuly Glass Garden and Space Needle. The former Experience Music Project (EMP) now Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) is at the Seattle Center as well -- and there's a Marvel comics exhibit plus all the music history. You can take the monorail either to/from Westlake Center downtown to Seattle Center, which can be fun. Restaurant at the glass garden "Collections Cafe" also decent.
Seattle Public Library Downtown & Columbia Tower
The downtown branch of the Seattle Public Library is a can't miss for bibliophiles and architecture buffs. There are cards available at the entrance to help take a self-guided tour (and don't miss the discount book shop). Visit to library is good to pair with a stop by Columbia Tower, across the street, where you can go up to the 73rd floor observatory for a spectacular view www.seattlesouthside.com/listing/columbia-center-sky-view-observatory/1604/
Discovery Park & Other Hikes
Discovery Park is about 20-30min drive from U District. Great hiking trail with water views and a lighthouse. A walk / picnic at the park and a stop by the Ballard Locks on the way to or from makes for a nice outing. The Burke Gilman Trail www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/burke-gilman-trail runs through the U District and is so busy with bikes and skaters it's no longer my favorite for walking - but Seattle is now littered (literally) with rental bikes www.limebike.com on every corner, so easy to grab a bike and cycle the trail. Washington Trails Association site is a good resource for choosing other hikes http://www.wta.org. And you can download self-guided city walking tours here: www.gpsmycity.com/gps-tour-guides/seattle-609.html
Waterfront Activities Center & other things at / near UW
If you want to get out on the water, the UW Waterfront Activities Center rents canoes and rowboats to the public (UW students and faculty get a discount but it’s open to everyone). Also nearby there’s a great Mexican restaurant, Agua Verde aguaverde.com, by the lake and you can sit outside and also rent kayaks and paddle boards there. The UW campus is beautiful to walk through, especially the Suzzallo Library www.lib.washington.edu/suzzallo, and the Henry Art Gallery henryart.org , and Burke Museum www.burkemuseum.org. The University Bookstore is independent, not run by UW, but is great www.ubookstore.com See www.washington.edu/visit/ for planning resources.
Ballard Locks (note re: Boeing and Museum of Flight tours)
Ballard Locks are fun to see, and the grounds are a beautiful grassy park (check out concert schedule). My dad, a pilot and engineer, had a standard Seattle tour for visitors -- Museum of Flight www.museumofflight.org/, Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder, and Boeing tour www.futureofflight.org/boeing-tour-seattle. Those are all great sites for anyone with engineering / aeronautical interests. Though if heading out to the Locks, visiting the Nordic Heritage Museum http://nordicmuseum.org/ in its brand new space would be easier geographically, and Shilshole Beach / Golden Gardens just a little further down the road www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/golden-gardens-park
Restaurant Round Up
Ah, the ridiculous abundance of Seattle restaurants! Note above on one fav + review sites. Brand name chef places (www.tomdouglas.com, www.mariahinesrestaurants.com, www.ethanstowellrestaurants.com, www.relayrestaurantgroup.com, www.thechefinthehat.com) mostly live up to the hype. You can order Douglas coconut cream pie at Lola; they'll get it from Dahlia Lounge (a.k.a. date location in Sleepless in Seattle). Or stop by Dahlia Bakery & order pie bites at counter. Great: Bastille, Blueacre Seafood, Brimmer & Heeltap, Canlis, Copine, La Isla, Ocho, Pablo y Pablo, Poppy, Stoneburner, Westward. Brunch: Portage Bay Cafe (3 locations). Sandwiches: Bakery Nouveau, Bavarian Meats, Beecher's Cheese, Paseo, Salumi. Pizza: Veraci (Ballard & Wedgewood). Veggie (& best Thai of any kind in Seattle): Jhanjay (Wallingford & Ballard). Upscale Vegan: Harvest Beat. HH + view: Six Seven at Edgewater Hotel & AQUA by El Goucho (both on waterfront). Creative diner/comfort: all www.chowfoods.com locales.