space needle

harbor boat ride

pike place fish market to watch the guys toss the fish around

underground seattle tour

chittenden locks

kubota gardens

I love Seattle. If you have a day to devote to this, it's fun taking The Victoria Clipper Ferry from Seattle to Victoria, BC ... 3-hr trip each way. We toured Craigdarroch Castle, some gorgeous gardens, strolled around downtown.

I was also going to suggest taking the ferry to Victoria if you have a day. Go to Butchart gardens in Victoria if you have time. Pike Place market is fun but I love markets.

I was there last week for a family get together. We went to ball games, had dinner and drinks at the four seasons (sitting by the fire), played basketball at the Washington Athletic Clubl (I beat my six foot plus brother and father in 4 of 5 games of HORSE), did a lot of walking and shopping, went to Ann Saks tile shop. In the past, we have done the Pikes Place thing, eaten at some fantastic restaurants (I cant remember names-sorry!), gone to the Art Museum downtown. There is a shop near the Art Museum that sells a lot of artists' work that is fun to browse. I think the Art Museum owns it.

Music Museum (right beside the Space Needle)

Tour of Boeing.

Every time we go to Seattle we do the underground tour. I just think it's the neatest thing.

Have lunch here and it's like you went around the corner to France!

http://lepichetseattle.com

If you do have time and want to head out of the City in the great outdoors, try Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park, Paradise at Mt. Rainier or the Cascade Loop. I do like the Bainbridge Ferry, especially returning near sunset as the fading light streams across the city on the return trip. It is the best weather of the year, so be prepared for crowds.

I'll be heading there again in early June.

I always liked going to Ballard. You can see the Locks...

then maybe stop off for dinner or a snack...and watch the sun go down behind the Olympic Mountains. Absolutely stunning!

One thing I always thought was so funny...when we were there many restaurants advertised fresh Maine Lobster and when we were in Maine, many restaurants advertised fresh Pacific NW salmon. I guess the fish are greener...

Recommend The Museum of Flight at Boeing Field, Woodinville wine tasting rooms if you go to the east side and the observation floor in the Columbia tower for an alternative to the Space Needle

We did a day-long waterfalls and wineries bus tour. Lots of fun if you like that kind of activity. I don't remember the tour company we used.

Also recommend the Underground tour. Experience Music Project if you like rock and roll.

Whatever you do, DO NOT lock your rental car keys in the car 2 days in a row. <blush>

Lots of whales in the water now. So many great pictures on our local FB but I'm not sure if it's ok to grab them to share here.¥

I've been looking at hotels in Seattle and it seems that many welcome pets. That's OK for some, but I'm HIGHLY allergic to cats and have very bad reactions to staying in a room where a cat has been. Any suggestions for a hotel that's pet UNfriendly?

It's hard - I hate sharing hotels with dogs...I'd search for boutique hotels - I found this one. El gaucho is a fabulous restaurant, so I'd expect the hotel to be good, but I am not familiar with it...

Inn at El Gaucho

This is a great location...and I read that all Silver Clouds are pet free....
Silver Cloud Lake Union

One more...not downtown, but the U district isn't far..
Hotel Deca

Eat here! http://www.lafontanasiciliana.com/

à la MizGG, Victoria Clipper to Victoria Island. Look for discount coupons, and bring a sweater.

I can recommend Eagles Wings whale watching from Victoria Island. While most of our party had been on whale watches before, my niece had not so we booked this. The orca's put on a show 15' from the boat. We cut the engine and just drifted, and they swam to us! The guides were remarkably knowledgeable, and were familiar with these pods. Some folks were kayaking in the sound and the whales were playing with them. We saw beautiful humpbacks as well, but the orca's were shocking. You couldn't help falling love with them.

I think Marriott Courtyards are pet free. La Quinta's are a zoo.

The PNW is simply majestic. If it wasn't so far from everyone I love, I could definitely lay down roots there.

Enjoy! I think you'll love it!

. We are considering going to Seattle in late September for a family function.. not sure if it will work. Have never been there, but have visited Portland numerous times ( daughter lives there). People are staying at Ballard but when I checked there is no availability. Are there other places you might recommend near that or is that not a convenient area? The trip will be for about 3 or 4 days. Definitely would not mind a little less spendy. thank you

Ballard is in the NW part of Seattle, so if you stay in any place N of downtown (and even downtown Seattle), within the city, you won't be too far. The University District is close, so is Queen Anne, the Lake Union area isn't too far. There are other neighborhoods close by, but not sure there are hotels available. Skip anything around Aurora (a main road also called Hiway 99) or Northgate. Maybe check these places:

Hotel Deca

Watertown Hotel

Silver Cloud Inn - Seattle Lake Union

MarQueen Hotel

I picked these from a list that shows how many miles to Ballard on Trip Advisor, but there are lots more to choose from (just see my caveats above).
Hotels convenient to Ballard

I don't know if a B&B would suit you, but this would be convenient and there are probably more:
green lake guest house

Thank you-also , does it make sense to rent a car or are things somewhat accessible - is traffic ok or would it pay to use public transport or uber for example?

Traffic can be horrendous (but polite :-) depending on the time of day. Using public transit can work, depending on where you are and where you want to go. Parking can be a problem, again depending on when and where. I'd book your hotel first, then figure out where you want to go in Seattle and speak to the people at the hotel about how easy it is to get from here to there via bus. I like to have my own car as long as it has gps, but uber might be a good option. All the hotels I listed are under 4 miles or so to Ballard, if that's where your event will be.

Traffic the end of Sept won't be as bad as in the summer, though. However, one of the main thoroughfares running N and S (the Alaskan Way viaduct which runs through downtown on the waterfront) is scheduled to be closed sometime in the future, while they remove it. It's going to make traffic uglier, but I can't tell when that's supposed to happen. It may be later than 9/16.

We are going to Seattle very soon -- our first time. Here is a list of things from our itinerary!

Pike Place Mkt.

Space Needle

Chihuly Garden & Glass

EMP Museum

Olympic Sculpture Park

Waterfront Park, Seattle Great Wheel

Snowqualmie Falls (we do have a rental car)

Gasworks Park, Fremont area

Underground Seattle Tour

Argosy cruise

Ferry to Bainbridge Island

Sky View Observatory

And we have reservations at these restaurants: Tilikum Place Cafe, Steelhead Diner, Elliotts Oyster House.

Sue, the forecast is for warmer weather but we have been having "Juneuary" it got up to 70 today but it's been a bit chilly! Look like a native and pack your fleece.

You've got a lot of the high points covered. Seattle Art Museum is near the Market if you're interested. The restaurant at Chihuly is great. Another excellent, very NW with an Asian bent restaurant, should you need another suggestion (there are SO many great restaurants) is Wild Ginger, also downtown within walking distance of the Market. Any of the Tom Douglas restaurants are a good bet, too.

Have fun!

Oly, yes, the restaurant at Chihuly is also on my list! Mimou, we will pack our layers! We are going from Seattle to Vancouver, so will need them, I am sure.

All my favie places!

Don't forget Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park (Olmsted-designed)--the original SAM.

Both shopping and eating abound in Pioneer Square (walk down from Public Market) $$$.

The Chihuly restaurant is called Collections Cafe and it is filled with Chihuly's very eccentric collections. Each table has a glass top over a display box with an interesting assortment of items on display. I won't disclose what's there, because it's fun to discover for yourself, but it's really a fun place, with great food!