something to do in seattle for a rag-tag bunch?

May 20, 2008 4:16 PM

SeattleFilter: picking up my mom & a friend at Terminal 30 on Sunday, then doing something with them and 3 other relatives, including a 10 year old kid. Any suggestions for parking or fun things to do?

I live in Olympia, will be driving up with mr. epersonae, then driving mom + friend to Olympia to their B&B after the day's outing.

mr. epersonae will be driving; he hates driving in Seattle traffic (alas, he is the far superior driver); neither of us is huge on crowds. mom has been to Seattle several times and has seen all the usual touristy places. I have no idea what the 10-year-old is interested in, although I will be asking her mom tonight.

also: should I rent a van/SUV? we have a mid-size/smallish 4-door hatchback, and might be able to borrow a slightly larger car, but I'm a little nervous about trying to fit people and stuff for the ride home. OTOH, when I looked, it was way expensive because of the stupid holiday weekend. is it worth ponying up the extra $$$?

posted by epersonae to travel & transportation (10 comments total)

The Ride the Duck tours are touristy, but really fun and you get to go on a boat ride!

The Seattle Sculpture Park is amazing.

Walking around Fremont is always fun. You can get ice cream and walk over to Gas Works Park for a fantastic view of the city. There is also a street market on Sundays.

posted by scrumtralescent at 4:41 PM on May 20, 2008

I used to sell lamps at the Fremont Sunday market, so I'll second that as a good idea. If the folks selling the clay-oven baked pizza are still vending there, you must try it; quite good. They use apple wood from Eastern Washington for fuel. Not far up the road is Golden Gardens Park. You could easily do both in the same afternoon, especially since you have a vehicle.
posted by Tube at 5:45 PM on May 20, 2008

If you hate driving in traffic, be aware that folk life will be in progress at seattle center, which is right next to the ducks.

There's the museum of flight south of downtown, if the 10 year old likes planes.
posted by nomisxid at 9:40 PM on May 20, 2008

My 11 year old loved the Space Needle a couple years back-very touristy, of course, but it's what she was most excited to do. Is the 10 year old visiting, too, or living locally? Getting on the water is great fun, and I think kids find the ferries fascinating (plus that's very cheap.

I guess I can't answer the question re your car, not knowing how much luggage your mom and friend will with them. If you do decide to rent, I normally find the best rental deals through hotwire.com
posted by purenitrous at 9:53 PM on May 20, 2008

If mom's touristy experiences haven't already included the Underground Seattle tour, it's a fun way to spend an afternoon.
posted by hattifattener at 11:06 PM on May 20, 2008

Let me heartily endorse Folklife. I have many great memories from childhood on: Eating Vietnamese and Ghanaian and Greek food, hearing steel drums and resonator guitar, learning contra dance and Balkan folk dance—not to mention Pete Seeger, taiko drums, didgeridoos, kalimbas, bazaars of wondrous goods from exotic lands, jugglers, blues, Northwest Coast Indian art, beeswax candle making, birch syrup, lacemaking, straw weaving, jazz, hurdy-gurdies, hammered dulcimers ... seriously, if you can't find something fascinating to see, hear, taste, or do at Folklife, you are surely the biggest loser in the world. Even the kid. Especially the kid.

If you are history geeks instead of folk culture geeks, the Seattle Underground tour is pretty neat. (Long story short: Ground level around Pioneer Square was raised by about 10 feet in the 1920s. The original first stories are now basements, and the current sidewalks are a roof over the old ones. It's nitty-gritty history, with lots of humor and an allegedly haunted bank vault.)
posted by eritain at 11:37 PM on May 20, 2008

Shoulda previewed!
posted by eritain at 11:37 PM on May 20, 2008

Whenever I go to Seattle I make the rounds, starting at the Seattle Center. The Pacific Science Center is there, and the Space Needle, and there is a great food court for and early lunch. From there, catch the Monorail to Downtown and walk west to the Pike's Place Farmers Market and Post Alley for great shops, food and the original Starbucks. Feed the seagulls french fries out the window from the top floor of Lowells restaurant inside the market (great view of Elliot Bay and West Seattle, too). From the Market, find the secret elevator, or walk the steps to the waterfront. Walk south. A must-see for kids of all ages is Ye 'Ol Curiosity Shop (free) with Sylvester, the mummified man, the Lord's Prayer carved on a grain of rice, and jars of 2 headed pigs and such. Ivar's on the water for a bucket of steamed clams. Cross the street and catch the trolly to Pioneer Square, where you can really see old Seattle and tour underground Seattle. You are still in the free bus zone so hop on one to take you back to the Center. It should be getting dark by then and you can see the lights of the Center and the Music Experience by then. Fun!
posted by Acacia at 1:38 AM on May 21, 2008

1) Have definitely decided on renting a minivan/SUV, will be doing that today or tonight. Had a lovely conversation with my kid sister who lives at home, and apparently, mom has 8 million bags and her friend, altho traveling with less luggage, is also a quite large person. (Thanks for keeping me informed, mom!) No way in hell will the people and the luggage fit into our car. On the bright side, I found an Enterprise in Seattle that's open on Sunday, so I don't have to rent something down here on Saturday morning.

2) Mom & I have been on the Underground tour, maybe 10 years ago? Mom also specifically said that she was not interested in going to Pike's Place. Kid & her parents live in Port Townsend; I don't know how often they get over here. Depending on her mom's response, I'm thinking either Fremont or Folklife. Altho Museum of Flight might float mr. epersonae's boat, which would sure help things. :)

Thanks everybody for the suggestions! You're helping to make a crazy situation somewhat less crazy, and hopefully more fun!
posted by epersonae at 9:40 AM on May 21, 2008

We went to Fremont, and oddly enough, mostly just hung out at the tables outside of the PCC and chatted. A good time was had by all. Plus I rented a minivan, and mom's keeping it through the rest of her stay in Olympia.
posted by epersonae at 4:46 PM on May 28, 2008