Any sights to see near the Amtrak station?

[ksullivan1800]

Hi-

At the end of May we are flying into Seattle and taking the Amtrak Cascades up to Vancouver. Our flight lands at 1pm and we plan on taking the Light Rail to the train station - but the train to Vancouver does not leave until 6:50pm.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions of what we could do with the roughly 4 hours of free time that we will have? Any fun sights within walking distance of the Amtrak station? We can check our luggage in at the station so that won't be an issue. FYI, our 6 yo son will be with us on our adventure.

 

We've been to Seattle before so we don't feel the need to visit the major sites again (Pike Place Mkt, Underground Tour, Space Needle, etc..).

 

Thanks!

[zephyr17]

Pioneer Square is within easy walking distance, although walking down Jackson to First can be a little skeevy. Although since you've been on the Underground Tour, you've been to Pioneer Square.

 

Another option is go back to the International District station and take the light rail or bus (tunnel is used by both) up the the Westlake station and you'll be in the heart of the downtown shopping district.

 

If you feel you've got the time, you could take a ferrry across the Sound and back. Wonderful views of Seattle from the ferry. The ferry to Bremerton takes 1 hour each way. You could just take the same boat there and back. Coleman Dock (the ferry terminal) is within walking distance.

[Gardyloo]

Walk two blocks to Uwajimaya, the fantastic pan-Asian grocery and department store - http://www.uwajimaya.com

 

Buy some cool Asian snacks for the train and/or have a late lunch at the Asian food court - various Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Hawaiian... then have a look at the cool fish section and play "name that vegetable" in the produce section.

 

If time permits, you might also look at the Wing Luke Museum - http://wingluke.org - very interesting place.

 

Then walk back to the station and badda bing.

[Casagordita]

Smith Tower is a highly-underrated Seattle sight. It was Seattle's first skyscraper, and for a long time, the tallest building west of the Mississippi. The view is still great and the ride up to the Observation Deck in a funky old elevator, complete with uniformed elevator operator, is an attraction in itself.

 

The Klondike Gold Rush Museum is also worth a visit. It's great prep for your Alaska excursions--you can learn about the role Seattle played in the furor, and then see where all those gold-mad people were headed.

 

If you're a baseball fan, and there isn't a game on, Safeco Field offers ballpark tours.

 

And if you want a world-class lunch, and you're here on a Tuesday-Friday, get in line at Salumi. They do fabulous things with old-school Italian cured meats--well worth the wait! The place was opened by celebrity chef Mario Batali's father, who retired as a Boeing engineer and went to Italy to study the art of preparing meats the old-fashioned way. It's still operated by family members. Foodies flock to eat, and pay homage.

[sherryf]

Walk two blocks to Uwajimaya, the fantastic pan-Asian grocery and department store - http://www.uwajimaya.com

 

Buy some cool Asian snacks for the train and/or have a late lunch at the Asian food court - various Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Hawaiian... then have a look at the cool fish section and play "name that vegetable" in the produce section.

 

If time permits, you might also look at the Wing Luke Museum - http://wingluke.org - very interesting place.

 

Then walk back to the station and badda bing.

 

I second the recommendation for Uwajimaya, especially with a 6 year old. It's truly an adventure, and you can choose some unusual snacks to take with you. Back when my boys were in elementary, our school used to do a field trip to the International district and they always did a scavenger hunt at Uwajimaya. Things like "How many types of live animals can you find in the seafood department?" or "List 2 items from the produce department that you'd be willing to try." It was great fun!

[runnerodb83]

Check out the Seattle Library on 4th and Madison, you can't miss it. It's 10 stories tall and 6 of those stories "spiral" up in accordance with the dewey decimal system and have no stairs.

 

You can also check out the 40th (maybe 42nd) floor of the columbia center for great views at the highest starbucks in the city.

 

Both are free (well unless you buy coffee).

[Vexorg]

There is also an observation deck at the top of the Columbia Tower as well, although there is a fee for that one. Still a lot cheaper than the Space Needle though.

[ksullivan1800]

Hi Everyone-

 

Thank you so much for sharing all of the great ideas. When I posted the question, I wasn't sure what we could find to do for 4 hours and now the questions is how much can we fit in those 4 hours!

 

Thanks again!

[runnerodb83]

Hi Everyone-

 

Thank you so much for sharing all of the great ideas. When I posted the question, I wasn't sure what we could find to do for 4 hours and now the questions is how much can we fit in those 4 hours!

 

Thanks again!

 

Yes, you will find there is a lot to do both paid and free. Downtown Seattle is pretty small, about 6 blocks wide and 16 blocks long. To walk from the Westlake Center Mall which is near Pikes Place (northern limit of downtown propert) to the Amtrak Station/Stadiums which is the southern limit, is about 1 mile. The monorail from westlake will take you to seattle center pretty quick and is $3 or so per person, you can explore lower queen anne neighborhood for some good food. A great eatery in the Market is called Michou, all sorts of paninis, salads, even baked potatos made to order. Expect lines if you arrive near the lunch rush but really fair prices (full sandwich for under $6).

 

Another tip, the north south streets, called avenues, get lower in numerical value the closer to the water, 1st is close to the waterfront, 6th is close to I-5. The streets, east-west, from south to north have a peculiar pattern. Once you are north of Yesler Way (a few blocks north of the amtrak station, when the street grid angles to the NW), the following nmemonic device can be used to tell where you are "Julius Caesar Made Seattle Under Pressure", each letter refers to 2 streets starting with the same letter, ie Jefferson, James, Cherry, Columbia, Marion, Madison, Seneca, Spring, University, Union, Pike, and Pine.

[Sandi3667]

Thanks for the hints on downtown Seattle. No cruise-related trips there in the future, but since we're in Portland, it's a good destination for a weekend Amtrak escape. Hoping to do a car-less Seattle trip in the next year or so.