What to do in Seattle?

October 10, 2005 12:59 PM

Can anyone give some suggestions of cheap things (like sub-$15) a group of tourists can do in Seattle that are a)very fun and b) very accessible to people with limited English-language skills.

Variations of this question have been asked, but there may be a large group of tourists and they may not be proficient in English and certainly don't want to spend their life savings in Seattle. I've lived here my whole life, but can't really think of any good suggestions.

posted by Slimemonster to travel & transportation (17 comments total)

I like the aquarium there, but can't remember how much admission is. Surely less than $15.
posted by Specklet at 1:12 PM on October 10, 2005

Take a ride on a Washington State Ferry. Walk-on fares start at $6.10 for Seattle-Bainbridge Island round trip. Great views and entertaining people watching.
posted by Carol Anne at 1:28 PM on October 10, 2005

Rent a canoe at the UW Waterfront Activities Center. It's $9/hr per boat. (Obviously best for a sunny day.) There are other canoe touring outfits near the university, but I don't know how much they charge.

Alternately, take a walk through the Arboretum, or Discovery Park. Picnic at Shilshole Park.

Take the group to a farmer's market. There's a market almost every day of the week.

The Frye Art Museum is free.

Take them to see the Ballard Locks(=free), and the fish ladders.
posted by luneray at 1:34 PM on October 10, 2005

Dare I suggest the Market? Free, and you can eat for well under $15.
posted by tristeza at 1:54 PM on October 10, 2005

On the pricier end of your spectrum ($11 per adult) there's the Seattle Underground Tour. You see some interesting basements and have relatively funny people give you a lot of Seattle history over the course of an hour.

Tour Seattle's neighborhoods by bus or car, having a (drink of choice) in each one, where (drink of choice) in { coffee, beer }.

Give yourself a walking tour of the Fremont neighborhood, with its cool statues & such.

On Sunday, take the Fremont Sunday Ice Cream Cruise, which will give you good views all over Lake Union and a bit of city history to boot.
posted by gurple at 2:16 PM on October 10, 2005

On second thought, the Underground Tour would be a pretty lame experience with limited English skills.

What about some parks? Carkeek, Golden Gardens, Discovery, Volunteer....
posted by gurple at 2:18 PM on October 10, 2005

I second the Bainbridge Island Ferry. Try to time it so your return trip is at sundown as the lights are coming on in town -- gorgeous!

And of course the Public Market at Pike St. and First Ave. is free... and a great place to spend an hour or so.
posted by trip and a half at 3:03 PM on October 10, 2005

what about the monorail? to the needle but not up it?
posted by amberglow at 3:14 PM on October 10, 2005

Taking in the sites is always cool (and free):
Some ideas:
1)The troll under the bridge in Freemont
2)Gasworks park in Wallingford
3)There is a view from Queen Anne hill that is also increadible but I can't think of the name of the place right now.
4)Golden Garden's Park in Ballard is a really nice beach that looks out on the sound and on a clear day there is an incredible view of the mountains. Also, they have fire pits and grills there for cooking, and if you are into looking at sail boats, Shillshole marina is near there.

If you are willing to spend some $:
1)Sample some Seattle Espresso (Espresso Vivace on Broadway and Denny in Capitol Hill is a personal favorite)
2)Rent a canoe or kayak, I think the University of washington rents to non-students, and if not a number of places on boat street do. Aqua Verde is an inexpensive resteraunt and paddle club on the north side of lake union.

Also I second the ferry ride... they are a lot of fun.

In general I would suggest things that take in the scenery, particularily given the non english speaking aspect.

As a final note I would recomend the book: Best Places Seattle It was a great resource when my wife and I first moved to Seattle a few years ago.

Good luck, I hope you all enjoy the city.
posted by lucasks at 3:26 PM on October 10, 2005

Maybe you could try out WhirlyBall. Take a look at the pictures under the "Center Info" section, because it is hard to describe if you've never seen/done it. Depending on how many you have in your group, it will be under $15 a person, but it most likely requires a reservation. There are only 15 or so across the country (all independently owned), so it's definitely a unique experience. I've been with the center in Cleveland for 10 years now. It's a great idea for groups.
posted by bwilms at 3:32 PM on October 10, 2005

Just a note: I was up in Seattle last week and the monorail was broken.
posted by trip and a half at 3:49 PM on October 10, 2005

lucasks writes "Taking in the sites is always cool (and free):
"Some ideas:
"...(3) There is a view from Queen Anne hill that is also increadible but I can't think of the name of the place right now."

The name of the street is Highland Drive. Drive north from the west side of the Seattle Center on Queen Anne Ave North, turn left at the street near the top of the hill with the blinking yellow Crosswalk sign: that's Highland. Go 1 or two blocks west, and then look south. You'll get the postcard view of the city: Space Needle, Downtown, Mt. Rainier, all lined up.

The University of Washington campus and the Arboretum are nice too. Or you could drive out to Snoqualmie Falls -- stop and check out the Herb Farm along the way.
posted by Araucaria at 4:37 PM on October 10, 2005

Yeah, Kerry Park is right there on Highland. Just look for the tripods.
posted by kindall at 5:12 PM on October 10, 2005

In Seattle, as you probably know, what is enjoyable to see and do can depend a lot on the weather. Given that it's starting to get colder, and rainy, something indoors might be good. The Frye Art Museum, mentioned above, is both good and free, a rare combination. Another option is the Museum of Flight, which costs $13 per adult for a group of 10 or more. And of course there is MOHI and the Burke Museum
posted by WestCoaster at 5:13 PM on October 10, 2005

the Archie McPhee store in Ballard is loads of fun...
posted by Vidiot at 9:59 PM on October 10, 2005

People can spend hours wandering around the International District and Uwajimaya. Uwajimaya has a large food court inside, as well. One can eat all over the ID for well under $15.
posted by spinifex23 at 10:07 PM on October 10, 2005

The Zoo is pretty cheap. You can get 10% off for a group of 20 or more.

They have a rainy day tour if the weather isn't cooperating.
posted by sevenless at 10:19 PM on October 10, 2005