Parking at Qwest Field
December 16, 2008 3:04 PM Subscribe
I'm driving from Vancouver to Seattle this weekend to see the Seahawks play the Jets at Qwest Field. Where is the best place to park looking for a balance of economy and convenience? Plus is there anything that is do not miss with the stadium food vendors?
And on-topic:
Parking is cheaper the farther you are from the field, these are usually $5-10 lots on 6th Ave between Airport Way & Royal Brougham:
posted by jpeacock at 3:49 PM on December 16, 2008
Parking is cheaper the farther you are from the field, these are usually $5-10 lots on 6th Ave between Airport Way & Royal Brougham:
posted by jpeacock at 3:49 PM on December 16, 2008
Keep in mind that the usual $5-10 parking lots in the area raise their rates to $20-25 (and up) on game day. However, here's my pro-tip: there's a stretch of Airport Way S just north of Royal Brougham that has free street parking. You'll need to get there early (e.g.: say around 10:00 or 10:30 a.m.) to grab a spot, but it's free all day. You can head into the International District for dim sum while you wait for the game.
PS: The train was actually quite comfortable, at least when I took it a few years ago. It's just infrequent, running only once a day each way. However, Amtrak does run buses three or four times a day.
posted by mhum at 4:31 PM on December 16, 2008
PS: The train was actually quite comfortable, at least when I took it a few years ago. It's just infrequent, running only once a day each way. However, Amtrak does run buses three or four times a day.
posted by mhum at 4:31 PM on December 16, 2008
Sunday is a free street parking day, but it'll be tough to nab a spot. I recommend a pay lot underneath I-5 on South Jackson Street. The walk to Qwest Field is all downhill. As for the way back, well, grab a post-game kielbasa from a street vendor (they all discount after the game) and enjoy a stroll.
posted by llin at 4:50 PM on December 16, 2008
posted by llin at 4:50 PM on December 16, 2008
Slightly off-topic but everyone here is doing the snow freak out thing right now. Seattle doesn't do snow very well. (People with real snow and real cold just think of this as another left coast thing.)
Even more off-topic: the train from Seattle to Vancouver is a great ride with pleasant scenery. I highly recommend it. Only one train a day though. (That should improve before the Olympics.)
posted by Wood at 5:32 PM on December 16, 2008
Even more off-topic: the train from Seattle to Vancouver is a great ride with pleasant scenery. I highly recommend it. Only one train a day though. (That should improve before the Olympics.)
posted by Wood at 5:32 PM on December 16, 2008
Are you coming from Vancouver, BC, or Vancouver, WA?
If you're from Vancouver, WA, I'm guessing there's not an amazing variety of Asian foods in your hometown (which is certainly the case in Vancouver, BC). The International District is right near the stadiums and there's a ton of terrific food there. A fellow MeFite turned me onto a blog about restaurants in the ID, http://msg150.com, which is full of good recommentations.
posted by Sublimity at 5:35 PM on December 16, 2008
If you're from Vancouver, WA, I'm guessing there's not an amazing variety of Asian foods in your hometown (which is certainly the case in Vancouver, BC). The International District is right near the stadiums and there's a ton of terrific food there. A fellow MeFite turned me onto a blog about restaurants in the ID, http://msg150.com, which is full of good recommentations.
posted by Sublimity at 5:35 PM on December 16, 2008
If you don't mind some good ol' public transportation, I would recommend parking under the West Seattle Bridge or on the lower portions of SW Avalon Way in West Seattle (for free) and then take the #21/22 bus to Qwest Field. That particular bus runs along 1st Avenue past Safeco Field and Qwest. For the cost of bus fare ($1.50) you have reasonably easy to find parking (and West Seattle is pretty cool, too!). It's super-easy to get to this area of West Seattle and the bridge via I-5 north or south.
Here's the King County Metro Trip Planner site - it can assist you with route schedule and stop locations based on your desired times of departure and arrival.
Have fun at the game. I'm envious :)
posted by karizma at 8:09 PM on December 16, 2008
Here's the King County Metro Trip Planner site - it can assist you with route schedule and stop locations based on your desired times of departure and arrival.
Have fun at the game. I'm envious :)
posted by karizma at 8:09 PM on December 16, 2008
I also recommend taking the train. The Amtrak Cascades trip is very pleasant - they have a food car, there's stunning scenery (especially if you're coming from Vancouver, BC), and they also show a movie during the trip. Also, the Seattle stop, King Street Station, is *right next to* Qwest Field, which is where the Seahawks play. (Seriously - you exit the station, look left, and there's the stadium.)
For food, you'll be 2 blocks from Uwajimaya, a huge Asian grocery store that has it's own deli and cold prepared food section. They also have a food court featuring other Asian vendors, selling everything from bulgogi to deep fried bananas to cream puffs.
posted by spinifex23 at 9:34 PM on December 16, 2008
For food, you'll be 2 blocks from Uwajimaya, a huge Asian grocery store that has it's own deli and cold prepared food section. They also have a food court featuring other Asian vendors, selling everything from bulgogi to deep fried bananas to cream puffs.
posted by spinifex23 at 9:34 PM on December 16, 2008
I have to respectfully disagree with spinifex23--the food court at Uwajimaya is notoriously horrible. The good news is that Uwajimaya is surrounded by dozens of other good Asian restaurants. Check out MSG150, in which a group of tech workers systematically review all of the restaurants in the International District. If you like pho, Pho Bac is probably the best in the city.
posted by HotToddy at 10:14 PM on December 16, 2008
posted by HotToddy at 10:14 PM on December 16, 2008
Two points: the best pho and numerous other incredibly scrumptious Vietnam dishes in Seattle (IMHO) is right there on First Ave, about a 15 min. walk so. of the stadium. It is Pho Cyclo, on the east side of First, across from the huge parking lot for Sodo Center (with the big Starbuck logo on the side of the bldg.). CHeck for their hours at their website. Perhaps they are "never on Sunday" ... not sure. Second: Karizma's idea of driving directly to W. Seattle and parking on Avalon Way, then catching the 21/22 bus going up First Ave is excellent. Go to King Co. Metro website and find the SUnday schedule giving nearest checkpoint time, so you don't wait for 25 minutes or so. (Depending on your schedule, you might just get off the bus near to Pho Cyclo; then eat, then walk to stadium.) When you leave the stadium to get your bus going back to W. Seattle, walk south a ways on First Ave to get out of the mad rush of cars, who mostly all want to go north or onto those freeway entrances, so a bit south on First Ave will clear you away from all that.
posted by yazi at 11:00 PM on December 16, 2008
posted by yazi at 11:00 PM on December 16, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
I've only fantasized about taking the train from Seattle to Vancouver, but that may be a more convenient option for you (taking the train from Vancouver to Seattle). I don't know if the schedules are convenient for you, but the Amtrak station in Seattle is literally in the Qwest Field parking lot. It doesn't get any more convenient than that!
And Seattle downtown is very accessible from Qwest Field, so unless you're planning on driving elsewhere the train could be a great option.
(Assuming the train doesn't totally suck, I've never taken a west coast train)
posted by jpeacock at 3:44 PM on December 16, 2008