Things to do in and around Seattle

Descendant X

My wife and I are going to Seattle at the end of September. We'll be there for four or five days, and we're trying to get a few things together that we can do. She wants to go to Whidby Island, and we'll likely go downtown to the Space Needle and possibly Pike Place Market, but what are a few other tourist attractions that you good folk can recommend?

Also, can anyone recommend a good computer shop (preferably local) where one might pick up a graphics card at a good price? In Canada I'm paying pretty much $100 more on anything and I need to pick up a good card for Skyrim.

EDIT: We've done the SF Museum and the EMP. And I'll be satisfying all of my nerd needs at Card Kingdom on the 30th.

TychoCelchuuu

Pike Place Market, the Underground Tour, and Gas Works Park are 3 of the top tourist things I would never want to miss. Pike Place at the very least is essential. I don't think there are any good local computer shops, unless you want to trek down to Fry's, but I might be wrong about that one.

grungebox

What do you guys like to do? I like the Pacific Science Center, though it is a little kid-oriented. There's a bunch of cool window-shopping in Capitol Hill to be had which is very close to downtown (and there's another nerd store there as well). I like going to Uwajimaya and International District in general. There's the Arboretum, Asian Art Museum, and Green Lake is nice and pretty. Pike Place is worth going to.

TychoCelchuuu is on point regarding local computer shops. You might be better off having Amazon or NewEgg ship something to your hotel? Not sure...

Thanatos

Personally, I like the view from the Columbia Tower more than the view from the Space Needle. Also, it's only $5 a person instead of $18 a person, and nowhere near as crowded. However, it isn't a full 360-degree view; only about 270-300 degrees. Also, it's only open 10:00ish-5:00ish on weekdays (might be 6:00 or something).

TychoCelchuuu

Ah, yes, depending on where you from, Uwajimaya/International District are great to wander around in (if you're from an Asian neighborhood/city it's slightly less interesting). If you're in to architecture, the public library is worth a look.

tech_hunter

The Seattle aquarium is pretty neat place to go see. Its right on the waterfront, also there are the Duck Tours they seem pretty neat but haven't ever done it myself.

Slider

Discovery Park is absolutely beautiful.

Also, another vote for Gas Works Park.

kaliyama

You could always arrange for newegg to deliver to your hotel.

Descendant X

Yeah, it turns out that I can get the video card for the same price here at a local shop, but thanks for the suggestions.

What is the nerd store that's on Capitol Hill?

shwaip

Get a Cuban sandwich from Paseo (Fremont or Ballard) and visit Kerry park. If you go to Paseo, you should try to get there in the afternoon sometime to guarantee that they have bread left (they'll often sell out by dinner time).

Thanatos

shwaip wrote:

Get a Cuban sandwich from Paseo (Fremont or Ballard) and visit Kerry park. If you go to Paseo, you should try to get there in the afternoon sometime to guarantee that they have bread left (they'll often sell out by dinner time).

If you go on the weekend, they absolutely sell out by dinner. Frequently, they sell out by 2:00.

LewieP's Mummy

Check out the magical mystery tour thread on the PAX Prime pages - there's some really good stuff in there. The SF museum is a must, it has Red Dwarf in it!!

Antithesis

If you want to check out some good local game shops (tabletop, imports, retro, all that variety jazz), there are several quite excellent ones. That I can think of right now:

Pink Gorilla has a store in the University district and one downtown, and specializes in retro/import stuff, things that are hard to get, and things you never thought of before but immediately want one when you see it.

Gamma Ray Games is just generally a dapper place for board games and tabletop stuff downtown.

There is a monorail going between downtown and the space needle/science fiction museum/music project, and it's fairly cheap while being neat to do once. The space needle is dubiously worth it, but the museums nearby are pretty excellent.

Oh, and if you like tea, the Perennial Tea Room is a great place to stop by. It's near the Market, and even if you don't want to buy any loose leaf stuff, they have a few different nice blends every day that you can get a cup of and relax with.

Jebus314

Taking the ferry to bainbridge island is actually pretty fun. A lot of people will actually just ride the ferry there and back. I think it's like 6 dollars a person or something. It's kind of cool to walk around bainbridge a little bit, and Cafe Nola has a pretty amazing sunday brunch.

There's a few speakeasy type bars that I've heard are kind of fun, although I've yet to go to them myself. The list is at the end. I've heard good things about the tavern law one, where you have to get buzzed in by using a phone in the bar.

Definitely go to paseos. Go there, wait in the amazing long line (don't worry it goes pretty quick), and get one of the best sandwhiches you'll ever eat. Possibly try out salumi's as well for their sandwiches/cured meats.

For touristy type adventure you can do the ride the ducks tour. It's actually pretty fun, and you get to go out on lake union, which is always awesome.

Argossy also offers dining, or sometimes themed, cruises on lake washington that are kind of fun, and kind of expensive.

Katarine

I will concur with everyone else who said Gas Works and Pike's Place. I would recommend the Kubota Garden as well, very beautiful place. Go to West Seattle and check out Bakery Nouveau for some of the best desserts (especially chocolate) around.