Seattle Daytrips and More
November 11, 2014 3:28 AM Subscribe
Please help me find things and daytrips for my visiting parents to do the week of Thanksgiving here in Seattle and nearby.
My parents are coming to visit for Thanksgiving at my new house in West Seattle. They're staying in a nearby hotel and will be renting a car. They'll be here for nine days, which we all have learned from previous experience is too much time for togetherness. Luckily my mom and dad like to take day trips and go driving, but they want to be able to sleep every night at the hotel near SeaTac. I don't drive and my parents are from the other coast so I'm asking you, dear Mefites, to give me better guides and suggestions than blind googling.
The parents are: early 60s, reasonable health but kind of bad knees. Dad loves mountains, Mom loves animals. They enjoy indulging in some classic touristy silliness (historic Williamsburg, they recently visited Italy to "see all the things you're supposed to see"), eating interesting food - but they do not care about wine or other alcohol, live music of all genres, county fairs and really nice views. Dad likes skiing and Mom likes sitting in a lodge and drinking hot chocolate, but I don't think it's the right time for that? They are willing to drive many hours each day, but it's a bonus if the drives are pleasant or interesting.
Unfortunately the end of November is not the most pleasant of seasons here. We've already visited Mt. Rainier and done a cruise on the Sound in a previous visit. I'm pretty good on things to do in the city itself, and I plan on joining them for those anyway.
I was thinking some kind of drive through some mountains one day. Maybe Leavenworth another? That's the extent of my suggestions thus far, so I trust you all have more you can point out to me.
Thanks for making my Thanksgiving a harmonious one!
My parents are coming to visit for Thanksgiving at my new house in West Seattle. They're staying in a nearby hotel and will be renting a car. They'll be here for nine days, which we all have learned from previous experience is too much time for togetherness. Luckily my mom and dad like to take day trips and go driving, but they want to be able to sleep every night at the hotel near SeaTac. I don't drive and my parents are from the other coast so I'm asking you, dear Mefites, to give me better guides and suggestions than blind googling.
The parents are: early 60s, reasonable health but kind of bad knees. Dad loves mountains, Mom loves animals. They enjoy indulging in some classic touristy silliness (historic Williamsburg, they recently visited Italy to "see all the things you're supposed to see"), eating interesting food - but they do not care about wine or other alcohol, live music of all genres, county fairs and really nice views. Dad likes skiing and Mom likes sitting in a lodge and drinking hot chocolate, but I don't think it's the right time for that? They are willing to drive many hours each day, but it's a bonus if the drives are pleasant or interesting.
Unfortunately the end of November is not the most pleasant of seasons here. We've already visited Mt. Rainier and done a cruise on the Sound in a previous visit. I'm pretty good on things to do in the city itself, and I plan on joining them for those anyway.
I was thinking some kind of drive through some mountains one day. Maybe Leavenworth another? That's the extent of my suggestions thus far, so I trust you all have more you can point out to me.
Thanks for making my Thanksgiving a harmonious one!
You can go on the Boeing factory tour (you do have to be mostly on your feet for around 90 minutes and there's at least one flight of stairs--it says to call them about accessibility concerns). There's definitely a heavy dose of corporate propaganda, but it's pretty cool.
(That's more like half a day, but there's probably something else out that way you could combine it with.)
posted by hoyland at 4:33 AM on November 11, 2014
(That's more like half a day, but there's probably something else out that way you could combine it with.)
posted by hoyland at 4:33 AM on November 11, 2014
The Flight Museum was amazing when I visited as a tourist from the UK last week and I don't even like planes that much!
posted by ozgirlabroad at 4:43 AM on November 11, 2014
posted by ozgirlabroad at 4:43 AM on November 11, 2014
I'm from Seattle. Or once was.
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks might have a few salmon at that late time of year but is kind of fun anyway.
The Woodland Park Zoo is well regarded.
If they are feeling particularly adventuresome they can take either Snoqualmie or Steven's pass and connect them via Blewett pass, US 97, it's absolutely gorgeous if a bit scary interesting this time of year but it won't close qute yet.
A day trip to Victoria via ferry is popular.
I've heard good things about the Chihuly museum.
posted by vapidave at 5:20 AM on November 11, 2014
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks might have a few salmon at that late time of year but is kind of fun anyway.
The Woodland Park Zoo is well regarded.
If they are feeling particularly adventuresome they can take either Snoqualmie or Steven's pass and connect them via Blewett pass, US 97, it's absolutely gorgeous if a bit scary interesting this time of year but it won't close qute yet.
A day trip to Victoria via ferry is popular.
I've heard good things about the Chihuly museum.
posted by vapidave at 5:20 AM on November 11, 2014
I don't have any direct knowledge of the Seattle area but I've been using roadtrippers.com to explore things to see and do during a trip next month.
posted by davcoo at 5:22 AM on November 11, 2014
posted by davcoo at 5:22 AM on November 11, 2014
The Bloedel reserve, Nthing Chihuly museum, The Seattle history museum, poking through bookstores; Elliott Bay is fabulous.
posted by brujita at 5:24 AM on November 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by brujita at 5:24 AM on November 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Since they're willing to spend some time in the car, I vote for Mount St. Helens - very different from anything on the east coast and the drive is definitely scenic. I am also a big fan of the Chihuly museum.
posted by naoko at 6:39 AM on November 11, 2014
posted by naoko at 6:39 AM on November 11, 2014
This was me last summer; we did a few of the things already mentioned, which were a big hit, but my mom LOVED the Ballard Locks. Cool from a science perspective, enough to look at to take up an afternoon, and when we were there, lots of animals (seals, birds, and you can see the fish ladders inside the dam). We went to lunch at Ray's Boathouse (actually, the less expensive cafe upstairs) which had a great view.
We also took a ferry to Bainbridge Island. Not sure how nice that trip would be in November, but my family liked it since they don't have any ferries back east, and I liked it since it took up quite a bit of time ;) One thing, though, it was a bit too much walking for my mom--YMMV.
posted by stellaluna at 7:30 AM on November 11, 2014
We also took a ferry to Bainbridge Island. Not sure how nice that trip would be in November, but my family liked it since they don't have any ferries back east, and I liked it since it took up quite a bit of time ;) One thing, though, it was a bit too much walking for my mom--YMMV.
posted by stellaluna at 7:30 AM on November 11, 2014
You could also consider a (full) day trip to either Port Townsend (beautiful Victorian-era seaport on the Olympic pensisula) or La Conner. Both are scenic in and of themselves, offer lots of arts/restaurants, and have the added bonus of being scenic to *get* to, as well. Port Townsend requires a ferry - you can go via Bremerton, Bainbridge, or Port Townsend - Whidbey - the latter is risky because it is a small ferry, and often cancelled for high winds/low tides. I favor Bremerton - it's a longer ferry ride, but way more scenic that Bainbridge, and the drive from Bremerton is also prettier (IMHO).
Have fun!
posted by dbmcd at 10:05 AM on November 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Have fun!
posted by dbmcd at 10:05 AM on November 11, 2014 [1 favorite]
Your mom would probably like Northwest Trek -- they have tram tours with a guide talking about all the animals they see, so there shouldn't be a concern about too much walking, either.
posted by Margalo Epps at 12:14 PM on November 11, 2014
posted by Margalo Epps at 12:14 PM on November 11, 2014
Ports Ludlow, Hadlock, Townsend. My parents have a condo in... I forget which one, probably Hadlock, and it's beautiful on a clear day, and pleasant to tootle around on a cold day. I'd favor the Bainbridge Ferry, personally. Shorter trip to the Hood Canal Bridge. Always mind the speed limit when you're on the Suquamish Rez, though as you pass through to Poulsbo. Shorter still, would be the Kingston Ferry from Edmonds, but that would require getting up to Edmonds. Kingston's pleasantly small-town-y, though, something that Bainbridge Island City/Winslow has lost substantially.
Seconding the Boeing Factory tour. It's astonishing.
Tacoma Museum of Glass is great; be sure to go on a day the Hot Room is active, where they have resident artists making glass sculptures before your very eyes. Across the street from it is the Washington State History museum, which was pretty interesting as well. I haven't been to Seattle Center's Chihuly Museum, though-- heard only good things.
posted by Sunburnt at 1:11 PM on November 11, 2014
Seconding the Boeing Factory tour. It's astonishing.
Tacoma Museum of Glass is great; be sure to go on a day the Hot Room is active, where they have resident artists making glass sculptures before your very eyes. Across the street from it is the Washington State History museum, which was pretty interesting as well. I haven't been to Seattle Center's Chihuly Museum, though-- heard only good things.
posted by Sunburnt at 1:11 PM on November 11, 2014
Can't quite tell from your description of their interests if they would like it or not, but Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is lovely if they would like flat walking and birding along an extensive boardwalk trail over mudflats (may be mud with hopefully some birds or water depending on the tide, which you could potentially look up beforehand. Both are interesting to see.).
Port Townsend, yes. Nice beaches for strolling (brisk, obviously, this time of year), quaint shoppes and bakeries and such, Fort Worden State park is right there and pleasant. Wooden Boat Center. There is an extremely good but casual Thai place called 123 Thai near the organic grocery store.
Anderson Island? Takes a ferry ride and then it's fun to drive or walk around, find little coves and beaches, etc.
I've never been but am curious about the Weyerhauser campus is Federal Way. It's a renowned building architecturally (for sale!), and supposedly there is an art collection you can view (?) and then extensive outdoor trails and a large Rhododendron Botanical Garden. There's also the Pacific Bonsai Museum is nearby (and previously associated with Weyerhauser).
If you used google, you probably found this article, but it has some unique suggestions (plus approx. drive times).
posted by dahliachewswell at 2:53 PM on November 11, 2014
Port Townsend, yes. Nice beaches for strolling (brisk, obviously, this time of year), quaint shoppes and bakeries and such, Fort Worden State park is right there and pleasant. Wooden Boat Center. There is an extremely good but casual Thai place called 123 Thai near the organic grocery store.
Anderson Island? Takes a ferry ride and then it's fun to drive or walk around, find little coves and beaches, etc.
I've never been but am curious about the Weyerhauser campus is Federal Way. It's a renowned building architecturally (for sale!), and supposedly there is an art collection you can view (?) and then extensive outdoor trails and a large Rhododendron Botanical Garden. There's also the Pacific Bonsai Museum is nearby (and previously associated with Weyerhauser).
If you used google, you probably found this article, but it has some unique suggestions (plus approx. drive times).
posted by dahliachewswell at 2:53 PM on November 11, 2014
Fremont / Ballard is always fun. Start with breakfast at Portage Bay Cafe (beware: long lines for brunch). Take in the Locks, explore old Ballard a bit, then head to Fremont and take the Theo's Chocolate Factory Tour. Go see Lenin and the Troll while you're there.
The touristy thing to do is the Seattle Underground tour, which is totally worth it.
posted by rouftop at 11:36 PM on November 11, 2014
The touristy thing to do is the Seattle Underground tour, which is totally worth it.
posted by rouftop at 11:36 PM on November 11, 2014
- Take the ferry from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island and then drive up to Deception Pass and over the bridge and back down. Scenic, interesting, ferries, etc.
- The forts. Fort Worden, maybe? Ferry from Edmonds to Kingston then up to Port Townsend, the fort is in town and you can walk all over. Bring rain gear. Notice this has already been suggested, but it's good, so +1.
- Fort Flagler is nearby and there are I think two forts on Whidbey but the are smaller and less interesting.
- Leavenworth is not a bad idea, but be sure to check the pass conditions. I wouldn't want to be in a 2WD rental car with no chains up there at this time of year.
- Wallace Falls State Park - nice waterfall some light trails. On the way to Leavenworth if the pass is closed or snowing.
I think St Helens might be a bit far even for a dedicated driver, but your call there.
posted by annie o at 9:15 PM on November 22, 2014
- The forts. Fort Worden, maybe? Ferry from Edmonds to Kingston then up to Port Townsend, the fort is in town and you can walk all over. Bring rain gear. Notice this has already been suggested, but it's good, so +1.
- Fort Flagler is nearby and there are I think two forts on Whidbey but the are smaller and less interesting.
- Leavenworth is not a bad idea, but be sure to check the pass conditions. I wouldn't want to be in a 2WD rental car with no chains up there at this time of year.
- Wallace Falls State Park - nice waterfall some light trails. On the way to Leavenworth if the pass is closed or snowing.
I think St Helens might be a bit far even for a dedicated driver, but your call there.
posted by annie o at 9:15 PM on November 22, 2014
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posted by DarlingBri at 4:01 AM on November 11, 2014 [1 favorite]