2014 Magical Mystery Tour of Seattle! (Wed/Thurs prePAX adventures)

punzie

2014 Magical Mystery Tour of Seattle!
Twitter: @PAX_MMT

Who: You! And me. And other PAX peeps. AKA your future friends.
What: Visit interesting places in and around Seattle.
Where: Schedule posted below.
When: The two days before PAX: Wed 8/27 and Thurs 8/28. Traditionally runs from 9am to 5pm but you don't have to do the whole thing. (Follow the twitter feed for live updates of where we are.)
Why: See something of Seattle other than the convention center and your hotel. And do it with cool people!
How: Seattle's public transit.

Schedule (subject to change until I say otherwise)
Wednesday:
09:00a meetup at Pike Place Market (under the giant sign at the end of pike st)
09:30a travel time
11:00a Beoing factory tour
12:30p travel time
02:30p lunch @‌ Lunchbox Laboratory
04:00p travel time
04:30p Shorty's pinball bar (21+)
05:30p dinner break
07:00p travel time
08:00p Underground Underworld Tour (21+)

Thursday:
09:00a meetup @‌ Pike Place Market (under the giant sign at the end of pike st)
09:30a Aquarium
10:30a travel time
11:00a Harbor Cruise
12:00p travel time
12:30p lunch @‌ Westlake Center
01:30p travel time- Monorail!
02:00p EMP/SciFi Museum
03:00p Seattle Center

*You probably want to buy a CityPass if you plan on doing all of Thursday. The aquarium, harbor tour and EMP are on all the pass and you'll then get into the Pacific Science Center and Space Needle for free.

You don't need the rest of this post anymore. I'm just saving it behind this spoiler tag so I have it for next year.

Spoiler

Voting
Is all done. Please wait while the data is processed *beepboop*

Potential stops:
Here is the current list of places we may visit. Read them over, visit the websites, form an opinion, discuss their merits in this thread. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SUGGEST NEW DESTINATIONS! (New suggestions will go in the idea pool for next year.)
(Items in bold are places we went last year.)
-Add-a-Ball

Spoiler

What: Vintage arcade. From the website: "We have the largest collection of vintage coin operated arcade machines in the city, along with a stunning line up of pinball machines."
Price: free to enter, pay to drink/play
Hours: 4pm - 1am
Website: http://add-a-ball.com/
Additional Notes: 21+

-Alki Beach

Spoiler

What: A long beach strip that runs from Alki Point to Duwamish Head on Elliott Bay. There are picnic tables, a bathhouse housing an art studio, and a restroom at the south (Alki Point) end of the beach, and there you'll find the monument to the arrival of the first white settlers on November 13, 1851.
Price: Free!
Hours: 4am - 11:30pm
Website: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=445

-Archie McPhee's

Spoiler

What: A toy shop for the weird and unusual.
Price: Free to enter
Hours: 10am - 8pm
Website: http://www.archiemcpheeseattle.com/

-Ballard Locks

Spoiler

What: Locks between Puget Sound and the freshwater canals. Do you like boats? Or watching fish climb ladders?
Price: Free!
Hours: anytime
Website: http://www.seattle.gov/TOUR/locks.htm

-Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Spoiler

What: Learn about some innovative philanthropy.
Price: free!
Hours: 10am - 5pm
Website: http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Visitor-Center

-Boehms Candies

Spoiler

What: 45 minute tour of a chocolate factory sampling opportunities.
Price: $4
Hours: 10:30am, 1:00pm, and 2:00pm
Website: http://www.boehmscandies.com
Additional Notes: Tours by reservation only. People with disabilities may have trouble (stairs, gravel walkways, etc), but they will do factory-only tours for those with mobility concerns.

-Boeing factory tour

Spoiler

What: A tour of an airplane factory. See how planes are built.
Price: $18 ($20 at the door)
Hours: 8:30am - 5:30pm, tours on the hour (last one at 3pm)
Additional Notes: 25 miles north of Seattle. No one under 4ft tall. Handicapped people require advance notice so they can make proper accommodations.
Website: http://www.futureofflight.org/

-Bullitt Center

Spoiler

What: 1 hour tour of the greenest commercial building in the world.
Price: $5 (+$1.17 service fee)
Hours: Wed, 4pm
Website: http://bullittcenter.org/

-Chocolate Indulgence Tour

Spoiler

What: 2 hour guided walking tour of several local chocolatiers with tastings.
Price: $50 (+$0.99 ticketing fee)
Hours: 11am and 11:30am
Website: http://www.savorseattletours.com/tours/chocolate/
Additional Notes: Pricey and walking-intense. Max of 16 people per tour.

-Duck Tour

Spoiler

What: Tour Seattle by land and water on a WWII amphibious landing craft! (90 minute tour)
Price: $28 plus tax
Hours: 9:20am - 7pm from Seattle Center, 9:30am - 6pm from Westlake Center
Additional Notes: Boats are NOT wheelchair accessible: must be able to walk up 8 steps (with handrails on both sides) onto boat.
Now Strip Search approved.
Website: http://www.ridetheducksofseattle.com/

-EMP/Sci-Fi Museum

Spoiler

What: Museum for music, pop culture, and science fiction. Current exhibits include Icons of Science Fiction, The Lure of Horror Film, and Block by Block: Inventing Amazing Architecture.
Price: $22 ($18 online)
Hours: 10am - 7pm
Website: http://www.empmuseum.org

-Fremont

Spoiler

What: The most artsy part of Seattle. Visit the Fremont Troll, Statue of Lenin, the Rocket, universal signpost or just do some shopping.
Price: Free!
Hours: anytime
Website: http://www.fremont.com/
Additional Notes: Conveniently, there's a geek meetup and BBQ Thursday night before PAX: http://fremont.com/event/fremont-geek-meet-bbq-cook/?instance_id=21992

-Full Tilt Ice Cream

Spoiler

What: An ice cream parlor with pinball machines.
Price: Free to enter, pay to eat/play.
Hours: 12pm - 11pm
Website: http://fulltilticecream.com

-Gas Works Park

Spoiler

What: public park on the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant, located on the north shore of Lake Union.
Price: Free!
Hours: 6am - 10pm
Website: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=293
Additional Notes: construction in the park starts on August 18th. Probably not the best year to visit this one.

-Greenlake

Spoiler

What: Park with tennis court, basketball court, bike/jogging paths, and a view of the lake.
Price: Free!
Hours: anytime
Website: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=307

-Ice Cream Cruise

Spoiler

What: 45 minute narrated tour of Lake Union.
Price: ~$30
Hours: call to schedule
Website: http://www.seattleferryservice.com/
Additional Notes: They changed this to be on Sundays, so we'd have to charter a special tour, hence the price. Ice cream, coffee, and soft drinks are $2-$4 each.

-Japanese Garden

Spoiler

What: 3 1/2 acre formal garden designed and constructed under the supervision of world-renowned Japanese garden designer Juki Iida. Tours available.
Price: $6.00
Hours: 10am - 7pm
Website: http://www.theseattlejapanesegarden.com/
Additional Notes: Group tours available with advance notice and guide reservation fee.

-Lakeview Cemetery

Spoiler

What: The resting place of Bruce and Brandon Lee.
Price: Free!
Hours: anytime (?)
Website: http://www.lakeviewcemeteryassociation.com/

-Monorail

Spoiler

What: The nation's first full-scale commercial monorail system, it runs between downtown Seattle and Seattle Center.
Price: $2.25
Hours: 7:30am - 11pm
Website: http://www.seattlemonorail.com/

-Mount Rainier

Spoiler

What: Visit the scenic outdoors. Would take a whole day, but the views and nature are amazing.
Price: $15 per vehicle or $200 flat rate for the group if we rent a bus
Hours: Anytime. Museums and visitor centers have varying hours.
Website: http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm
Additional Notes: 1.75 hour drive from downtown Seattle. Not accessible with public transit.

-Museum of Flight

Spoiler

What: One of the largest air and space museums in the world.
Price: $19 (or $16 in a group of 10 or more).
Hours: 10am -5 pm
Website: http://www.museumofflight.org/

-Museum of History and Industry

Spoiler

What: Largest private heritage organization in the State of Washington. MOHAI collects, preserves, and presents the rich history of the Pacific Northwest.
Price: $17
Hours: Wed 10am - 5pm, Thu 10am - 8pm
Website: http://www.seattlehistory.org/
Additional Notes: they currently have an exhibit about chocolate.

-Old Ballard Liquor Co

Spoiler

What: Tastings at a distillery owned by a fellow PAX forumer.
Price: free!
Hours: 4pm - 8pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/OldBallardLiquorCo

-Olympic Sculpture Park

Spoiler

What: Outdoor sculpture Park on the Waterfront.
Price: Free!
Hours: sunrise - sunset
Website: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/olympic-sculpture-park

-Pacific Science Center

Spoiler

What: Science! Geared a bit to the younger crowd.
Price: $19.50 IMAX and planetarium cost more.
Hours: 10am - 6pm
Website: http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/.

-Pier 57 Ferris Wheel

Spoiler

What: Big Ferris wheel on the edge of Puget Sound.
Price: $13 plus tax
Hours: 10am-11pm
Website: http://seattlegreatwheel.com/

-Pike Place Market

Spoiler

What: A Market. Wander around, do some shopping, watch the fish throwers, marvel at the gum wall. This is always our meetup place, so you're practically guaranteed time to walk around.
Price: Free to visit.
Hours: 6am - 1:30am
Website: http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/frameset.asp?flash=true

-Pioneer Square/Historical District

Spoiler

What: Seattle's original downtown.
Price: Free to wander.
Hours: anytime, but not suggested after dark
Website: http://www.seattle.gov/tour/pioneer.htm

-Public Library

Spoiler

What: A library. With some cool architecture.
Price: Free!
Hours: 10am - 8pm
Website: http://www.spl.org/

-Qwest Field (now CenturyLink Field)

Spoiler

What: 90 minute tour of this football and soccer stadium.
Price: $12
Hours: 10:30, 12:30pm & 2:30pm
Website: http://www.centurylinkfield.com/tour-centurylink-field/
Additional Notes: Arrive ~30 minutes early. Groups need advance warning. No tours August 28 (game day). Tour can be wheelchair accessible.

-Safeco Field

Spoiler

What: 1 hour tour of Mariners home stadium.
Price: $10
Hours: 10:30, 12:30, 2:30
Website: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/sea/ballpark/safeco_field_tours.jsp
Additional Notes: Group tours/rates (20+ people) available with advance notice. No tours August 27 (game day).

-Seattle Aquarium

Spoiler

What: An aquarium. Otters, octopi, fish, anemone, etc.
Price: $21.95
Hours: 9:30am - 5pm
Website: http://www.seattleaquarium.org/
Additional Notes: Group rates (20+ people) available if purchased in advance.

-Seattle Art Museum (downtown location)

Spoiler

What: Culture! Look at the art!
Price: $19.50
Hours: Wed 10am - 5pm, Thu 10am - 9pm
Website: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/
Additional Notes: Group rate (10+ people) with advance purchase.

-Seattle Asian Art Museum

Spoiler

What: Culture! Look at the art, Asian-style!
Price: $7
Hours: Wed 10am - 5pm, Thu 10am - 9pm
Website: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/asian-art-museum
Additional Notes: Group rate (10+ people) with advance purchase.

-Seattle Center

Spoiler

What: In addition to the big things already on this list (EMP, Pacific Science Center, Monorail, Space Needle), there are a number of smaller museums, gardens, and shops. (Like the Chihuly Garden and Glass.)
Price: Free to wander, some spots (like the museums) have their own admission prices.
Hours: Outside is always open. Shops and museums will have their own individual hours.
Website: http://www.seattlecenter.com/

-Seattle Harbor Tour (Argosy Cruises)

Spoiler

What: 1 hour narrated tour of the harbor.
Price: $23.75
Hours: 11am - 6:30pm, departing every 75min
Website: http://www.argosycruises.com/publiccruises/harbor.cfm

-Shorty's Pinball Bar

Spoiler

What: Full service bar with pinball and arcade machines.
Price: Free to enter, pay to eat/drink/play.
Hours: 12pm - 2am
Website: http://www.shortydog.com/
Additional Notes: 21+

-Smith Tower

Spoiler

What: Once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, you can now visit the observation deck for 360 degree views. And you get to ride an old-fashioned manually operated elevator. (Less famous than the Space Needle, but also significantly cheaper.)
Price: $7.50
Hours: 10am - 7pm
Website: http://smithtower.com/observe/observation-deck-info-calendar/

-Space Needle

Spoiler

What: Icon of Seattle. Go up and look down on all the little people-ants.
Price: $24
Hours: 8am – 12am
Website: http://www.spaceneedle.com/

Additional Notes: Group rates (15+ people) available.

-Theo Chocolate

Spoiler

What: 1 hour tour of a chocolate factory with samples.
Price: $10
Hours: 10:30am - 4:30pm, departing every 30 minutes (except 1:30)
Website: http://www.theochocolate.com/
Additional Notes: Max group size for private tour is 25. No one can wear any perfume or cologne, must wear closed-toe shoes. Not recommended for children under 7.

-Underground Tour

Spoiler

What: 90 minute tour of Seattle's old city streets, now under the current ones.
Price: $18
Hours: 9am - 7pm
Website: http://www.undergroundtour.com/
Additional Notes: There is also the debauchery-filled adult version of the tour at 8 or 9pm. 21+, $25, 1 cocktail include with admission.

-University of Washington

Spoiler

What: A college. Tour the campus, or take in one of the museums and exhibits. Arts UW, Burke Museum, Henry Art Gallery, The Jacob Lawrence Gallery, Meany Hall for the Performing Arts, UW Botanic Gardens, UW Libraries Exhibits, Gallager Law Library, UW Fish Collection
Price: Free to wander, but some exhibits may have a fee.
Hours: Varies depending on what you want to see.
Website: http://www.washington.edu/discover/visit

-Walking Tours

Spoiler

What: walking tours of various Seattle areas.
Price: free! (pay what you want)
Hours: Pike Market 9:30am & 2pm, Seattle101 11am
Website: http://seattlefreewalkingtours.org/

-Wing Luke Asian Art Museum

Spoiler

What: Nation’s only museum devoted to the Asian Pacific American experience
Price: $12.95
Hours: 10am - 5pm
Website: http://www.wingluke.org/home.htm
Additional Notes: Includes all-day pass to gallery exhibitions & guided tour of the 1910 Historic Hotel and Yick Fung Company.

-Woodland Park Zoo

Spoiler

What: A zoo. Makes faces at the animals.
Price: $18.75
Hours: 9:30am - 6pm
Website: http://www.zoo.org/

punzie

I'm super late (rl is HARD sometimes), but I'm working on this RIGHT NOW! Voting should be up in a couple hours.

zerzhul

2013 huh?

punzie

zerzhul wrote: »

2013 huh?

Pfft. everything in it is wrong right now.

DustyStarr

So, how exactly would we all be coordinating this? Like, would we have a meeting place to start, and then work from there?

punzie

We do have a meetup in the morning (Pike Place Market) and go from there. The schedule is posted in advance and updates are given out via twitter so people can join up later if they like.

punzie

Updated all the info on the potential stops and added the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
And put up the voting: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1bE7yk4OFOoEousTlokfqrmeFkeuimSYefVCAqY79G6Q/viewform?usp=send_form Fill out the form to let me know where you do (and don't) want to go. I'll tally votes this weekend and draft up the schedule.

Ravenger

I WILL BE HERE THURSDAY, NEED MY PUNZIE FIX

Solelron

we don't get in till late Wednesday this year Punzie, but we may join in on Thursday for a bit depending on schedule, plus may be my only chance to see you!

vespachica

Is this usually pretty much adults only or are there kids that join?

embraceternity

This sounds like so much fun! This is my PAX roommate's first time in Seattle, and I'd been planning to show her around on Wednesday and Thursday...but joining everyone on this mystery tour sounds like it'd be even more fun than showing her around by myself. I'll vote on places to visit soon, and I can't wait!

Ravenger

@embraceternity This is honestly one of my favorite parts of the entire pax experience. Nothing beats making new nerd friends while questing around Seattle! I would not miss it for the world. Plus, Punzie is the shit

Solelron

If you've never done the MMT, you should totally do it. If you've done it a few times, hopefully they add some new stops..:). Vespachica. Most of the events are kids as well. Usually its the late night breakouts that become adults only.

banghi

Only thing I see off the bat that is 21+ would be Shorty's... But if you are looking for kid friendly stops the list is full of them. Archie McPhee's would be most kids dream toy shop... don't forget to get your JP Patches action figure!

kylechu

I highly recommend the Columbia Center's observation deck. It's a little pricier than Smith Tower, but it's also about three times higher and it's still cheaper than the Space Needle.

Their website's here - http://www.skyviewobservatory.com/

punzie

vespachica wrote: »

Is this usually pretty much adults only or are there kids that join?

I don't ink we've had anyone under 10 on the tour before and most people are adults, but almost everything on the list is kid friendly. The 2 pinball bars (add-a-ball and shorty's) and the nighttime underground tour are 21+. A couple other spots have things you'd have to consider (like walking distance/time or height restrictions). I've tried to make a note of any of those things in my short descriptions in the OP and the websites have more info if you're seeking it.

kylechu wrote: »

I highly recommend the Columbia Center's observation deck. It's a little pricier than Smith Tower, but it's also about three times higher and it's still cheaper than the Space Needle.
Their website's here - http://www.skyviewobservatory.com/

I swear this place doesn't want us to visit. It used to be on the list, but the info on their site was really confusing and hard to find. Then I think it disappeared altogether. I think this site you linked is different than the one I checked in previous years, but it doesn't want to load for me. I'll try it again tomorrow.

embraceternity wrote: »

This sounds like so much fun! This is my PAX roommate's first time in Seattle, and I'd been planning to show her around on Wednesday and Thursday...but joining everyone on this mystery tour sounds like it'd be even more fun than showing her around by myself. I'll vote on places to visit soon, and I can't wait!

Yes, please join us. I'd love to have you Tourist traps are more fun with groups of like-minded people. Plus you'll make a couple new friends you can run into during the show.

Solelron wrote: »

we don't get in till late Wednesday this year Punzie, but we may join in on Thursday for a bit depending on schedule, plus may be my only chance to see you!

Thursday is pretty much guaranteed to be something(s) in Seattle Center. The transportation there is much friendlier to our larger group size that day, and there are just so many options in that one area.

punzie

Every year, I sit here and really hope the Boeing factory tour makes the cut and every year we don't go. Unless people vote against it, I think I'm gonna make that happen this year. Because I'm steering this ship (with varying degrees of accuracy) so I get some say in where it goes
If I fit it in, it'll most likely be on Wednesday.

Solelron

punzie wrote: »

Every year, I sit here and really hope the Boeing factory tour makes the cut and every year we don't go. Unless people vote against it, I think I'm gonna make that happen this year. Because I'm steering this ship (with varying degrees of accuracy) so I get some say in where it goes
If I fit it in, it'll most likely be on Wednesday.

You go Punzie! :)you deserve a Quadruple vote

Kevralyn

A wild MMT thread has appeared!

I'll probably go to some/most of it, but since I'll be training in from Van with the illustrious @MagnusCarter‌ I am not yet sure on schedule.

Steel Fire

punzie wrote: »

Every year, I sit here and really hope the Boeing factory tour makes the cut and every year we don't go. Unless people vote against it, I think I'm gonna make that happen this year. Because I'm steering this ship (with varying degrees of accuracy) so I get some say in where it goes
If I fit it in, it'll most likely be on Wednesday.

Do it. I will totally be there if this happens on Wednesday.

Zombicus

Been to five previous PAX Primes and still haven't been to the Space Needle or been on the Magical Mystery Tour. I'm sure it will be fun experience this year, especially since I'll be in Seattle earlier than usual! Hoping to do this on either Wednesday or Thursday depending on how the Valve Tour turns out.

Thanks for organizing this, punzie.

LexiconGrrl

punzie wrote: »

Every year, I sit here and really hope the Boeing factory tour makes the cut and every year we don't go. Unless people vote against it, I think I'm gonna make that happen this year. Because I'm steering this ship (with varying degrees of accuracy) so I get some say in where it goes
If I fit it in, it'll most likely be on Wednesday.

Pull Rank. Otherwise, what good is it to coordinate if you don't get any perks?

vespachica

Thanks, Punzie!

I am local and have been to most of these places already but I was more curious about the people rather than the places. I have an 8 year old (but she's a child of the internet so that's either awesome or terrible depending on your point of view) and a sullen 15 year old who probably wouldn't go but maybe he'd go just to hang out with other gamers.

Usually I have to work and can't do MMT but this year we are free on Thursday so that's why I'm wondering about it. Thanks for the answers!

punzie

LexiconGrrl wrote: »

Pull Rank. Otherwise, what good is it to coordinate if you don't get any perks?

Hey, sometimes people buy me lunch

vespachica wrote: »

I am local and have been to most of these places already but I was more curious about the people rather than the places.

Ah, well the conversations can definitely be...questionable (ok, out right filthy at times). Expect the same sort of language and conversation you might run into at any given point during PAX. No one should be harassing you or your kids for simply being there though. If you want to talk to other parents who've been on the tour, @macrogeek has brought his surly teen and @abbynormal brought his 10ish-year-old (if memory serves) daughter this past east. They might be willing to give their opinions.

punzie

Do any locals want to help get us from place to place? It's not strictly necessary, but I prefer to have someone else focusing on directions while I play caboose, making sure we don't lose anyone, updating twitter, etc.

punzie

I'm planning on making the schedule tonight so get your votes in now!

Lazorz

Archie McPhee is awesome. My dad used to buy mystery boxes from them when I was a kid and it was always really cool to see all the weird stuff they'd send us. I'd say check it out even if you're only slightly interested in novelty toys.

punzie

Yeah I had to pull everyone out of there the year we went. And the guys at the counter were pretty confused but grateful for the sudden spurt of business

punzie

1. I'm working on the schedule now. Thanks for voting.
2. You should probably read up on and see about acquiring an Orca card. It's the bus pass thingy in Seattle. Getting the card is more difficult than adding money to it, as not many places seem to distribute the actual cards. I'm pretty sure I got one when I took the light rail from the airport to downtown last year. If that's not in your plans, I think you can have one mailed to you (or to your hotel so it'll be there waiting for you- just call the hotel to let them know you're having something sent there). Having a card will be a huge help [on wednesday*] because the bus drivers in Seattle hate when we all jump on their bus at once and everyone is paying cash. Website of info: https://www.orcacard.com/ERG-Seattle/p1_001.do

*we're probably just going to walk/use the monorail on Thursday because it's often just too many people for the bus

Saldek

I'm hoping I can join up for at least part of the tour this year. Thanks for planning this Punzie!

Solelron

Punzie, you should be able to take people by the station below westlaske center before getting on the monorail for those who want to get cards. I think thats where we got ours.

peetsnack

Solelron wrote: »

Punzie, you should be able to take people by the station below westlaske center before getting on the monorail for those who want to get cards. I think thats where we got ours.

It's also a matter of time. Don't want the whole group to wait for a couple of people to get their passes.

punzie

By the time we get to the monorail, we won't need me anymore. We need them Wednesday, not Thursday. But if they're available at Westlake, that's a pretty convenient place for people to pick one up Wednesday morning before the meetup.

punzie

Here's the first draft of the schedule:
Wednesday:
09:00a meetup at Pike Place Market
09:30a travel time
11:00a Beoing factory tour
12:30p travel time
02:30p lunch @‌ Lunchbox Laboratory
04:00p travel time
04:30p Shorty's pinball bar (21+)
05:30p dinner break
07:00p travel time
08:00p Underground Underworld Tour (21+)

Thursday:
09:00a meetup @‌ Pike Place Market
09:30a Walking tour of Pike Place Market
10:30a travel time
11:00a Aquarium
12:00p travel time
12:30p lunch @‌ Westlake Center
01:30p travel time- Monorail!
02:00p EMP/SciFi Museum
03:00p Seattle Center

THIS IS NOT FINAL AT THIS POINT! It will likely be the final schedule, but a) I'm waiting to hear back from the walking tour people and b) I may look at it tomorrow and wonder what I was thinking.

Things of note:
Morning meet ups:
- We'll be meeting by the bronze pig in front of the fish throwers. Walk straight down pike st, towards the water and then head just below the giant pike place market sign.
- The point of the meet ups is to find each other, make a friend, do some button exchanging, take a group photo with the pig, etc. It's not strictly necessary. If you want to go to the first stop and just wait for the nerd herd to arrive, that's ok. But you'll miss out on the wonderful sight of me trying to look put together and social while half asleep and trying to eat a bagel-wrapped hotdog

Wednesday:
- I hope you like busses! The trip to the beoing factory is going to be rough. Bring your coffe and ds, or take a nap on your neighbor. Just don't hate me.
- I'm trying out a "late night" activity. Personally, I find the underground to be a weird mixture of boring and interesting. Maybe the 21+ version is better. And if not, at least it comes with a drink!
- Lunchbox Labs was our spur of the moment schedule change last year and I think everyone enjoyed it. You can order a dork burger and an alcoholic milkshake. I tried to hold a council meeting at our round table complete with fire pit, but they wouldn't light the fire, so it wasn't official.

Thursday:
- I hope you like walking! Not only are we doing a walking tour (assuming the response to my email isn't "we can't accommodate 40 people"...), but then we'll be walking to the aquarium and from there to Westlake Center.

Steel Fire

Oh, I can not say enough good things about the Underground Underworld tour. I went with some folks last year and they are two completely different tours, even though it's the same routes. The day time tour is the history book version, the night time tour is the down and dirty, Seattle as a port-of-call version.

arconic

looks pretty good can't wait! btw whats the capacity on the bus for the boeing tour?

punzie

It's the seattle public transit buses. I don't know the number for seattle, but in Boston, the buses say they seat 39 but you can stuff them much fuller than that. We usually have a small crew on Wednesday (10-15) so I'm not worried about it.

punzie

Oh and Wednesday's dinner break is choose-your-own-adventure style. I'm not leading to a restaurant. Be prepared to break out the yelp, ask a local, or latch onto someone else who has an idea.

Jenny_Spaghetti

Cool. I'll probably join in for Thursday through to lunch then take the afternoon to do a harbour-y cruise-y boaty thing because I suspect I'll have had my fill of walking by then.

Steel Fire

Should we grab tickets for the Boeing tour ahead of time or wait until we get there in case the timing is off?

Porkchop

Depending on how Wednesday night goes flying in and getting to the hotel, I may be interested in Thursday's MMT. I have tickets to the tabletop event at Columbia Tower at 5:00, so may duck out early depending on where the end of the tour is vs. where the tower is.

Sounds fun, regardless of whether I join! Hope you all have fun.