Seattle Residents - Your Advice is Needed

[volcanicweather]

So, I'll be going to Seattle for the first time ever over Labor Day to visit a friend. Seattle residents, I ask you, what would be the "can't miss" things in the Seattle area as a tourists, or just something you think is really awesome about the city you live in which isn't in the "tour books"?

I'm pretty open-minded to any activity, but as a resident of Minneapolis it's always good to get an insider viewpoint to try to minimize looking like the tourists I see Downtown frequently.

Oh, and I'll probably be going to PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) for a day, I know there's another thread, but I think most people think it's about the crappy TV station. So this thread can benefit others going to Seattle/PAX as well.

Thanks in advance.

[Mizango]

Bring Khamsin gifts. Only then will be bless your trip.

[alt]

Off the top of my head:

Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.

Although when I first saw the Space Needle years ago I was sorta like, meh. When it was first built it was the tallest building in Seattle (not to mention its weird shape). But now its dwarfed by the sky scrapers all over downtown...

Could think of more but gotta go to work.

[Vuitton]

-Underground tour of the old city in Pioneer Square district
-Uwajimaya & Kinokuniya in International District
-Pike Place Market
-Space Needle
-Experience Music Project (EMP)
-PAX @ EXPO
-"Ride the Duck" amphibious vehicle tour of Seattle (I see tourists on these all the time!)
-Woodland Park Zoo
-Seattle Aquarium
-Argosy (sp?) cruise tour of Puget Sound / Lake Washington / Lake Union
-Ferry ride to Bainbridge and back (very pretty if weather is nice)

I'll try and think of more.

[Fhqwghads]

If you're into famous dead people Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Lee are buried here.

[Khamsin]

Well, the Space Needle is pretty cliche and is in all the tour books, but to be honest, it does give you a really great view of the area and most buildings have stuff on their roof. There's helicopter pads on the news stations, and some places just have logos/names on their roofs. You can also see out into the water, and across the entire city despite not being the tallest vantage point anymore.

You could also go clubbing, haha. Pioneer Square if you wanna be trendy and wait in long lines, or Neighbors if you want a gay bar. There's also various other clubs that are more laid back and have stuff like live music night, places to sit, etc. in other areas further from downtown.

You could try a coffee or tea shop, like Mr. Spots Chai House, if you want a cozy place with comfy furniture (armchairs, sofas, etc) and tea/coffee/food, and open mic night on Thursdays (I think). You'd have to check the calendar for bands. There's other places like it, too, but its part of the Seattle atmosphere.

You could check out library (fancy building), or the mall, or whatever. Or just walk downtown at night and look at the sparkly sidewalks.

[Vuitton]

Well, the Space Needle is pretty cliche and is in all the tour books, but to be honest, it does give you a really great view of the area and most buildings have stuff on their roof. There's helicopter pads on the news stations, and some places just have logos/names on their roofs. You can also see out into the water, and across the entire city despite not being the tallest vantage point anymore.

You could also go clubbing, haha. Pioneer Square if you wanna be trendy and wait in long lines, or Neighbors if you want a gay bar. There's also various other clubs that are more laid back and have stuff like live music night, places to sit, etc. in other areas further from downtown.

You could try a coffee or tea shop, like Mr. Spots Chai House, if you want a cozy place with comfy furniture (armchairs, sofas, etc) and tea/coffee/food, and open mic night on Thursdays (I think). You'd have to check the calendar for bands. There's other places like it, too, but its part of the Seattle atmosphere.

You could check out library (fancy building), or the mall, or whatever. Or just walk downtown at night and look at the sparkly sidewalks.

Mr. Spots Chai House is in Ballard isn't it? Or is there one in the University District?

Belltown has the Alligator for live shows.
Capitol Hill has Chop Suey and Neumos for live shows.
Downtown has the Showbox and the Triple Door.

If you want a list of the trendy bars:

Capitol Hill:

The Chapel (straight/mixed - cocktail lounge)
The Honey Hole (straight/mixed - bar)
The Rosebud (straight/mixed - bar)
The Cha Cha Lounge (straight mixed -bar)
The War Room (straight - hip hop club)
The Baltic Room (straight/mixed - club)
Neighbors (gay/mixed & techno/dance club)
R-Place (gay & top 40 hip hop club)
Purr (popular gay bar)
Sugar (gay bar)

Belltown:

Viceroy
Venom

Downtown:

Purple
W
Alibi Room
The Library (not the actual seattle library)

There are a bunch more but I can't think of them off the top of my head atm. It really depends on the scene/crowd you want. All of Seattle's bars cater to different crowds, so it just depends on what you want to be around.

You can go to the indie rock bars, the gay dance bars, the hip hop clubs, the trance clubs, the bougey cocktail lounges, the wine bars, ect ect...

[volcanicweather]

Thanks all for the quick and detailed replies! Keep them coming =)

Looks like I have quite a few things to look up on google...

Also in response to Vuitton's comment, I'm more into the metal and electronic music scenes but also enjoy gay bars and clubs, although the friends I'll be with would probably prefer something with a metal or underground hip-hop vibe.

[Vuitton]

Thanks all for the quick and detailed replies! Keep them coming =)

Looks like I have quite a few things to look up on google...

Also in response to Vuitton's comment, I'm more into the metal and electronic music scenes but also enjoy gay bars and clubs, although the friends I'll be with would probably prefer something with a metal or underground hip-hop vibe.

Your friends should like the war room then. (Depending on the night you go.)

http://www.thewarroomseattle.com/

You would like Noc Noc:

http://www.clubnocnoc.com/

Friday varies, but its going to be electronic and/or 80s, and probably industrial
Saturdays they spin Industrial Synthpop
Sunday they spin Industrial and 80s Industrial dance

If you like house music and deep house check out Re-Bar:

http://www.rebarseattle.com/

Its a small club has an underground feel to it. Not many people are aware of it who don't listen to house, but it is always crowded and the music is always great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYU2z...eature=related

Here is a set of Miles Maeda at Re-Bar. It is in four parts.

You should also check out the Last Supper Club for electronic music:

http://www.lastsupperclub.com/

Its not as "underground" as Re-Bar, but they have a lot of great DJs and producers crossing their decks. You'll need to check the calendar to see whats going on. The music on their page is a good indication of what to expect depending on who is spinning.

Oh, another thing you should look into is Electric Avenue. Its every friday i think? Its free, but there is no bar. Its one of the more "underground" type events on Capito Hill. Its in the lower level of the capitol hill arts center.

http://www.capitolhillarts.com/home
http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/402971/
http://electricavenueseattle.blogspot.com/

oh, there is also the See Sound Lounge in Belltown. I forget what genre of electronic music they usually play. Their site gives you 12 samples of their music. So you should go through those and see if you like their sound. Its pretty diverse.

http://www.seesoundlounge.com/

Some of these places can have small to very large cover charges to get into the place. I know one night I went to See Sound Lounge they wanted $15 to get in the door, but it was also past 11:00pm. If you go earlier you'll get in cheaper. The night you go will also dictate cover charge.

A lot of them will be free though as well. So just make sure to research it before you go so you're not surprised at the door.

(None of these are "gay" bars, but Seattle is very "gay" so just expect to have a mixed crowd everywhere you go. Especially in Belltown and Capitol Hill. I don't think many gays go to the Pioneer Square bar/club area, thats predominantly hetero except for Last Supper Club.)

[Azalee]

I have always lived near Seattle, and a couple months ago I did the Underground Tour for the first time. It was highly entertaining, and definitely worth the time spent. The tour guides are absolutely hilarious.

Definitely go to PAX, and if you go on Saturday night and you can see all of the "good" bands. I went to PAX not last year, but the year before, and it was amazing. Be prepared for "nerdfunk" though. Nerds stink.

Other than that, most of the entertaining things to do have been suggested. Woodland Park Zoo is another good place, that zoo is huge.

Have fun, and try to enjoy your stay. ^^

[Correction]

Friday night bands include Jonathan Coulton.

You know, the 'still alive' songwriter.

Also this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfT17jTh3bg

He is a good time in a pink tee shirt with a guitar.

[Vuitton]

http://www.neumos.com/
http://www.chopsuey.com/
http://www.thecrocodile.com/
http://www.showboxonline.com/newwebsite/flashmain.html

Not clubs, but the local venues for live acts. Chop Suey and Neumos usually have something metal. Give their calendars a review.

[Izzy]

Going to Pike Place Market and buying random cheap cool shit from the little stores there was always fun for me.

I also fell in love with the Westlake Center's food court Q_Q. Why are there no Noodle Zones on the east coast ?

[Churchill]

There's also a concert going on Labor Day weekend with tons of bands, I forget the name, starts with a b I think.

I don't know if I'll be in Seattle or Canada that weekend.

[shihei]

Kill yourself because hempfest was last last weekend.

And by kill yourself I mean don't kill yourself because that would be really really bad borderlining terrible.

[Vuitton]

Why are there no Noodle Zones on the east coast ?

This reminds me that Seattle has a new-ish noodle restaurant on capitol hill! I highly recommend visiting for lunch or dinner!

http://www.boomnoodle.com/v2/

I love going there. The seafood curry udon is fucking delicous. The place is so cheap too! All of their seats are super comfy. They use the Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chairs (which can cost anywhere from $700 to $1200 each! The knock offs cost about $300, which is what this place probably used, but still, thats pretty nice seating!)


http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...eL._AA280_.jpg

http://www.dwr.com/product/categorie...e-chair-lcw.do

[Correction]

This reminds me that Seattle has a new-ish noodle restaurant on capitol hill! I highly recommend visiting for lunch or dinner!

http://www.boomnoodle.com/v2/

Ohshi--

I might just eat there every day!

[testdummy]

Samurai noodle for excellent ramen :D

[Eckoku]

pike place is fun

[Azalee]

Bumbershoot is the music festival going on this weekend. www.bumbershoot.org/