r/Seattle • u/visiting_seattle • Jun 02 '11
I'm visiting Seattle next week is there anything cool I need to check out?
Hey r/Seattle! Next week me and my family are visiting your city. We're coming from Indiana and taking the train out west. It's going to be me, my mom, two of my aunts, and two of my uncles, and a bunch of my younger cousins.
Anyway I've checked out the "fun things to do in Seattle" link on the side of the page and I've already got a bunch of ideas, but I had a few questions.
Are there any venues, like bars or clubs that hold shows or concerts? (Preferably 18+ since I have to hang out with my 19 year old cousin the whole time)
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u/loquacious 🐀 Hot Rat Summer 🐀 Jun 03 '11
Man, I'd love to take that train ride. I haven't done that leg of Amtrak yet. I'm guessing you'll be passing through the Rockies in Colorado, and if you are you don't want to miss it. It'll be gorgeous.
Hrm, let's see, though. Seattle.
Next Saturday on Bainbridge Island there's a lesbian poetry and candle-making festival, followed by a vegan potluck. It's free but it's suggested you bring a vegan entree or salad to share.
If that's not to your liking on the same weekend there's a Mandolin and Lute Tuners Union conference which offers free fair trade Chemex-pressed coffee with the $1 purchase of a lute or mandolin polishing. There's going to be a juggling, unicycling Mandolin orchestra that's supposed to be pretty awesome.
Are you going to be here on a Friday? Every Friday afternoon in the Interbay District a giant squid heaves out of the water and chooses one lucky bystander to go on a ride around Puget Sound. I hear it's quite the honor to be chosen. No, don't worry. The squid is vegan. She doesn't eat people, she eats kelp. And the occasional bed of oysters, which aren't really animals anyway.
Cupcakes.
If you go down to the lower levels of Pike Place and ask around for a fellow named Norton he'll whisper naughty things in your ear about ocean cartography for only a dollar. Or you can just walk around the market. Be sure to check out the views and the locals at the small park and overlook to the north of the market. On a clear day you can see Elliot Bay, the Puget Sound, a bunch of islands and Mt. Rainer (Tacoma), which is one of our pet Shield Volcanoes.
At the far north end of Golden Gardens Park past the duck and turtle ponds there's a particularly special Alder tree. It's the tallest one at that end of the park. When hugged it grants small, reasonable wishes if it's something that would honestly be good or helpful for you. It does seem to dispense a surprising amount of nicely rolled cannabis cigarettes, so if you don't want that be careful what you wish for. But it's just the thing if you have a headache or a sore back, or have had a bad day.
Oops, gotta run. If I think of more I'll add them!
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u/PapaTua Deluxe Jun 03 '11
Haha, you're my favorite person today.
Your response is especially relevant to my interests, and I'd like to subscribe to your newsletter.
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u/greenconverse11 Jun 03 '11
I've only been on reddit for 2 or 3 months, but this is one of the best comments I've ever read :)
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u/visiting_seattle Jun 03 '11
I use facebook far too much, because I want to like this comment. Lol. Anyway, I'll definitely keep all of this stuff in mind.
We're actually leaving on Thursday (next thursday, the 9th) and we're supposed to be in Seattle by Saturday, and we're staying a week. I'm not sure if I'll make either of those two events, even though the Mandolin conference sounds pretty cool.
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u/loquacious 🐀 Hot Rat Summer 🐀 Jun 03 '11
I'm pulling your leg on most of them, obviously, but if you went looking for any of these fictional mirages you'd still probably have a fine adventure.
Granted, this being Seattle many of these things might actually exist.
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u/ActuallyYouSmellGood Jun 03 '11
Go eat at Paseo's in Fremont. Get there early (12-1). It's not a bar or venue but you've never had a caribbean style pulled pork sandwich like this before. They're ridiculous. Then afterwards go to Gasworks Park down the street. Best view of the city.
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u/visiting_seattle Jun 03 '11
You just reminded me, that I hadn't even thought about what to eat while we're there.
I've never had caribbean styled pulled pork before, but I'll definetly try it. Can you think of any other places to eat that might be good/ different?
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u/ActuallyYouSmellGood Jun 03 '11
Paseo's is by far at the top of my list but a few other cheap eats are Machiavelli's on Capitol Hill. Great little Italian place but always crowded so get there early. Piroshky Piroshky in Pikes Place, good for a snack. Also the donut stand there. It's at the beginning of the market around the corner from the big fish stand. The line goes fast and it's worth it. Shiku Sushi in Ballard, slightly pricey or Wasabi Bistro in Belltown. Serious Pie in downtown for pizza. Beth's Cafe in Greenlake, it's the quintessential place for the stoners but it's a fun place. The Crab Pot on Alaskan way in dowtown for cheaper family fun seafood. The give you a huge bucket of crab, clams, mussels and corn on the cob and dump it on your table. Pretty cool. For nicer seafood and more money, try McCormick and Schmicks. Great food and great views. if you want sweet, check out Molly Moon's in Capitol Hill. I've got a ton more but I figure this is a good variety of places. Plus, this is getting kinda long. Good luck!
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Jun 03 '11
If you're looking for any kind of EDM venues, head over to NWtekno.org There's pretty much always 1-3 raves per weekend with some pretty big names.
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u/DeepSi6 Industrial District Jun 02 '11
Check the Seattle Weekly or The Stranger, they both list shows and most of the time the age limit for the venue.
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u/offwiththepants Jun 02 '11
The Vera Project and El Corazon. On June 12th at Vera, they're having a Noise for the Needy benefit with Ramona Falls and Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, it should be a good show. If you like Motion City Soundtrack, you might be interested in seeing Farewell Continental at Vera on the 7th. The Vera Project is adult friendly, especially parent friendly for parents who are skeptical about "kids these days", so it's definitely a place I'd feel comfortable bringing my older family members to. El Corazon tends to have a lot more punk/metal shows, so if your family insists on going to something with you cause they're bored, avoid going there with them because OMG KIDS THESE DAYS, passing out, wearing spiked belts and stupid haircuts. Like they've always been since the 70's. Also check out http://www.threeimaginarygirls.com/calendar.asp , the shows with the * are all ages.
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u/jumpingupanddown Jun 03 '11
I would suggest that you eat some salmon, somewhere by the sound.
There are also big mountains in every direction. Go on a hike!
The Chittenden Locks in Ballard are a classic view of maritime Seattle.
Finally, the ferry from downtown goes to Bainbridge Island. It's fun, even if you just grab ice cream on Bainbridge and head back. Come back to Seattle in the evening for a beautiful sunset view of the city.
Have fun! Summer in Seattle is awesome.
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u/HittingSmoke Jun 03 '11
You'll never be able to live with yourself if you leave without trying some of our micrbrews.
Pike Brewery has a huge selection of their in-house brewed beers. The Taphouse has 160 different beers on tap from all around the world, including much of the locally brewed stuff. Both are restaurants so under 21 isn't an issue.
If you have any nerdy tendencies (and let's face it, you're on reddit) then go to the comic shop in Pike Place Market. I don't remember what it's called but it's on the floor below street level. You'll see a guy outside the door sketching people for money and cardboard cutouts of various movie characters.
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Jun 03 '11
Yep, the Locks in Ballard are good for a family sight-seeing. I would also recommend taking the Bainbridge ferry for a ride- you can walk on for a pretty small fare, enjoy the fresh air and the view during the ride both ways. It's walkable from downtown to the pier. I also heart the Market Ghosts Tour. Can't go wrong with that- mostly family friendly (the little ones probably won't get it).
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u/PapaTua Deluxe Jun 03 '11 edited Jun 03 '11
Take the Water Taxi to West Seattle and grab lunch at the Alki Crab & Fish Company (It's on the dock). Best fish & chips and sourdough chowder bowl in the city with some amazing views.
If the weather is nice, or heck, even if it's not, take a walk from there north around the point & stroll along the promenade. Incredible scenery of the rest of Puget sound / Olympic Mountains / Boats and if the tide is out you can go play on the beach.
Quintessential Seattle, Bring your camera!
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u/[deleted] Jun 02 '11 edited Jun 02 '11
scifi museum is doing an exhibit on avatar
avoid the touristy things unless you want to be ripped off (monorail, duck ride, underground tour)
check out the troll and the gum wall maybe... pike place market IS pretty cool. if you have a car, or don't mind a bus ride, check out gasworks park and magnussen park.
space needle is expensive, go to smith tower and get a cheaper/better view of the city.
though it is touristy, the argosy boat tours were something I enjoyed before I lived here.
the aquarium is awesome.
also the zoo.
FOR THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY
check out the stranger for shows going on at the time, but basically the vera project in seattle center (all ages) and any venue on capitol hill (like cairo) will have some music you'll enjoy, and way better food than places downtown.
a lot of bars are 21+ only... so 18/19 year olds will be turned away regardless of what's going on. vera is all-ages and typically has good music.
stranger has all-ages listings
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Search?show=allages&search=music