Watch out Seattle, I'm coming to get you

[yesno]

I will be in Seattle very briefly from about Wednesday April 13 until Saturday April 16.

What are the things I should make sure to see in this brief time?

I like walking around and looking at stuff such as water and geology.  I also like buildings, record stores, and bookstores.

[not that clay]

I will be in Seattle very briefly from about Wednesday April 13 until Saturday April 16.

What are the things I should make sure to see in this brief time?

I like walking around and looking at stuff such as water and geology.  I also like buildings, record stores, and bookstores.

We had a pretty good conversation over here:
http://friendsoftom.com/forum/index.php/topic,7262.0.html

Seattle doesn't have Powell's but we do have an insane downtown library.
 
If you like movies, books, and Hoarders then Cinema Books is just for you.

For the water part maybe take the ferry over to Bainbridge? Or rent a kayak in Union Bay or Lake Washington? Sailing lesson at the Center for Wooden Boats?

I am totally stumped on the geology part. You mean like, "check it out, the cascade subduction zone"? Or like rock climbing?

[yesno]

I will check that other thread.  For some reason I didn't see it when searching for "seattle."

I mostly meant that I like looking at nature stuff.

My fear when visiting cities is that I'll somehow miss entire cool neighborhoods.

[senorcorazon]

Yes, this thread was a champion. Here's a map that was thrown together as part of it: http://goo.gl/maps/sy3z

It's almost time for FOT to write city guides.

[not that clay]

It's almost time for FOT to write city guides.

2012 Best Show premium!

[buffcoat]

Again, I recommend the Underground Tour.  Kitschy, amusing, slacker/hippie presentation (I know you all like that).  Plus you get to feel like you're in that old Scooby Doo episode.


Now if only they'd start doing tours of the old haunted Ice Cream Factory, led by the Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry Phantoms - I would pay up to $8.00 for that.

[fonpr]

I recommended that!

[senorcorazon]

Again, I recommend the Underground Tour. 

If you have a good guide, you'll learn the origins of the term "the crapper"

[fonpr]

Again, I recommend the Underground Tour. 

If you have a good guide, you'll learn the origins of the term "the crapper"

I have a picture of it!

[not that clay]

I mostly meant that I like looking at nature stuff.

My fear when visiting cities is that I'll somehow miss entire cool neighborhoods.

I got so hung up on thinking about the BEST nature stuff that I forgot to reply! Rats.

There were some gardens on that map. Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island is pretty great but it's a little bit of a hassle getting there and back. If you're in Ballard check out the Ballard Locks. If you're around Capitol Hill check out the Washington Park Arboretum. Definitely go to the conservatory (tropical plants) in Volunteer Park if you're on the hill. It's free and not far from 15th Ave E and Pike/Pine neighborhoods.

Have fun!

[mackro]

Again, I'm late to a "I'm in Seattle" thread.

Tonight, Wire is playing Neumo's in Capitol Hill.

As far as nature stuff, it's a bit out of the way, but if you drive to 100th st. and Holman Rd., or take the 28 bus up there (make sure the bus says "Northgate" or "Broadview" if you do), there's a south entrance to Carkeek Park. It's right next to a QFC supermarket, so you can stock on water, trail mix, or what not. I happen to live right near there, and sometimes walk there during my lunch break on Thursdays, my work-at-home day. Anyway, it's a great escape from all the urban stuff, and you really feel like you escape when go inside it, even though you're right in the city.  On the waterfront end of Carkeek Park is this tiny little beach looking out toward Bainbridge Island and, if not so cloudy, the Olympic Mountains.

But if you have a car, you might as well go to Discovery Park, which is west of Magnolia and Queen Anne Hill. There are tons of trails there, and the end has a really nice view of Puget Sound.

But if you're here Saturday ie Record Store Day, The Stranger has a great rundown of what's going on. If you want to meet Peter Buck or Duff McKagan, you're in luck: http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2011/04/12/this-saturday-is-record-store-day

[yesno]

Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions.  I saw a lot of stuff that was walkable from downtown Seattle.  I also made it down to Georgetown via bus and to Bainbridge Island; however, being without a car I wasn't able to get to the Ballard or Ravenna neighborhoods. 

Lots of great food, coffee, record shops, book shops, and rain. 

The public library is one of the best examples of modern architecture; the Experience Music Project, one of the worst.

[mackro]

King County Metro is confusing and takes a while to get used to, understandably.  Ballard can be reached via bus from downtown directly in several ways though: the 15, 17, and 18.  Ravenna is trickier, but you can get pretty close via the 16 or 26 or most of the 70s buses. It's too late now, but next time you come through, or if anyone else reading this is about to visit, now you (and they) know.

Glad you had fun!