Seattle recs And car question

[Shreddingbetty]

We're going to Seattle this Friday and will be there 3 full days. DH has a conference so 6 y/o DD and I will be mostly on our own. 
Looks Like there is lots of stuff to do there and I've been checking out things but also looking for recs since we won't be there that long. Probably will do children's museum and there is something on Sunday morning where you can tAke a little trip on a boat at the lake?. The troll also looks cool.
What restaurants do you recommend? We love pretty much anything and it doesn't have to be particularly kid friendly. 
Lastly, we will be close to the conference center. Should I rent a car? I think there is some sort of a shuttle from the airport but what about in town? Sounds like there are mostly just buses and not sure how much walking DD will put up with (she will put up with 1-1.5 miles each direction, under probably a little protest. Looks like the weather will mostly be decent. 
Thanks for your help!

[flex]

I suggest you post these questions on the Seattle board. I'm sure you'll get scads of feedback.

[PandaPear]

So, you're probably staying downtown, then? If so, you can grab the Link light rail from the airport to downtown - super easy.

For boat rides, the "Ride the Ducks" is a good way to see Seattle - if they are up and running (their was a major accident awhile back). Personally, I would take the water taxi to West Seattle and walk around the beach area there or take a ferry over to Bainbridge Island. Easy access from Downtown for both - longer walk or quick uber/cab/bus ride. Pacific Science Center and the Space Needle are a quick and easy ride on the monorail from downtown.

As for restaurants in the general area, here are my recs: Heartwood Provisions, Tavolata, Branzino, Radiator Whiskey, Serious Pie, Taylor's Oysters, El Gaucho, Steelhead Diner (in Pike Place market), Cafe Campagne, Le Pichet.

Great restaurants in other neighborhoods (bus/cab/uber/car): Staple & Fancy, How to Cook a Wolf, Quinn's, Zoe, La Carta de Oaxaca (casual but love), Stoneburner, Ocho, Shiku Sushi, Mamnoon, Stateside, Marination Ma Kai, Skillet, 8 oz burger.

Enjoy!

[Shreddingbetty]

Jun 6, 2016 22:56:12 GMT -5 flex said:

I suggest you post these questions on the Seattle board. I'm sure you'll get scads of feedback.

Thanks I will, didn't even realize there was a Seattle board  

[Shreddingbetty]

Jun 6, 2016 22:58:06 GMT -5 PandaPear said:

So, you're probably staying downtown, then? If so, you can grab the Link light rail from the airport to downtown - super easy.

For boat rides, the "Ride the Ducks" is a good way to see Seattle - if they are up and running (their was a major accident awhile back). Personally, I would take the water taxi to West Seattle and walk around the beach area there or take a ferry over to Bainbridge Island. Easy access from Downtown for both - longer walk or quick uber/cab/bus ride. Pacific Science Center and the Space Needle are a quick and easy ride on the monorail from downtown.

As for restaurants in the general area, here are my recs: Heartwood Provisions, Tavolata, Branzino, Radiator Whiskey, Serious Pie, Taylor's Oysters, El Gaucho, Steelhead Diner (in Pike Place market), Cafe Campagne, Le Pichet.

Great restaurants in other neighborhoods (bus/cab/uber/car): Staple & Fancy, How to Cook a Wolf, Quinn's, Zoe, La Carta de Oaxaca (casual but love), Stoneburner, Ocho, Shiku Sushi, Mamnoon, Stateside, Marination Ma Kai, Skillet, 8 oz burger.

Enjoy!

Thanks!

[InBetweenDays]

Personally I'd skip the Children's Museum and do the Pacific Science Center. You could also do the aquarium on the waterfront, and do the Great Wheel which is right there.

Not sure if this is what you're thinking of, but you can rent little boats on Lake Union through The Electric Boat Company. Or you could do an Argosy Cruise from Lake Union to the waterfront or vice versa (it takes you through the Locks which is pretty neat).

Another fun thing would be to take the monorail from Westlake Center to Seattle Center. There is a fun, big, new play structure there that is right under the Space Needle.

It could be a pain to have a car in Seattle (I feel like the streets can be hard to navigate if you're unfamiliar with the area), but our public transportation isn't great. So depends on how far you're willing to walk or whether you'd be ok taking a cab/uber.

[candreco]

We went when DD was not quite six, and she loved Pike Place Market, the Seattle Underground tour, the aquarium and waterfront, and Ballard Locks. We were staying at a hotel near the conference center, and walked to most stuff, though she and DH did take the LLR to Pioneer Square for the underground tour.

I've found the bus system in Seattle to be pretty user friendly (I used to go almost monthly for work), particularly with Google Maps to find buses and stops, and Link Light Rail is great for getting from the airport to downtown and going N-S.