If a trip to Seattle is in your future, we have some ideas to help you experience the city like a local from people who know. We turned to our own travel planning associate, Rebecca Sanders, who recently returned from Seattle and two seasoned hotel executives for their favorite things to do in Seattle.
One of the many perks of using CIRE Travel for travel planning is that we include our personal knowledge of your destination along with the airfare and accommodations. Whether planned far in advance or spur of the moment, our travel planners suggest and even arrange activities that make your trip all the more memorable.
Seattle Sightseeing in Three Days with CIRE’s Rebecca
Exploring Seattle for a long weekend? On behalf of CIRE Travel, I had just three days to try and take in all that Seattle has to offer, but was up for the challenge. My first stop was the famous Seattle Center for the Space Needle, the EMP Museum, and riding the monorail from the 1962 World’s Fair.
My favorite part of the Seattle Center was the Chihuly Garden and Glass, which includes a large collection of famous glass artist Dale Chihuly. I wasn’t very familiar with his work before visiting the garden, but I couldn’t resist the colorful works of art that transported me to a world of whimsy and make you forget about the gray skies and rain.
Day two included a drive to Everett, about 30 minutes from downtown, to visit the Future of Flight Aviation Center and tour the Boeing facility. It was so interesting to learn about how planes come together and actually see it happening before my eyes. If you ever want to feel small, head over to the huge Boeing building where employees use bicycles to get around! We saw 737s and the new Dreamliner being built from nothing into finished products.
On day three, I hopped on a ferry to Bainbridge Island. Taking the ferry provided a unique view of the Seattle skyline. Bainbridge is a great island with a number of cute shops. After a delicious crepe lunch, I took in the Bainbridge Island History Museum. The Museum, which focuses on a variety of island history, has a large exhibit on the Japanese-American incarceration during World War II.
Making the experience truly unique was meeting and talking with a Bainbridge Japanese-American resident who had been living on the island prior to expulsion and returned after the war was over.
The perfect ending to my visit to Seattle was the clouds clearing just enough for me to see Mt. Rainer on the ferry back to downtown.
Things to See and Do in Seattle
By Troy Thrall, Director of Sales and Marketing, Inn at the Market
What is your new favorite restaurant? Well of course I love Chan and Café Campagne, which are located at Inn at the Market. However, I must say that I love Matt’s in the Market! I always send the “foodies” there. It’s not a place that you stumble across. It is on the third floor in the market so it overlooks Pike Place Market.
What makes Seattle a great business travel, leisure travel and group travel destination? There is something for everyone. Seattle is so walkable, and you can spend three days here and never need a car. Very often our business travelers bring a spouse to enjoy the city.
What exhibit or special event are you looking forward to in 2015? We are very excited for the Pompeii Exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, running February 7th through May 25th. This fall the Seattle Art Museum will have an exhibit of Impressionism from the National Gallery of Art.
As a local, what is your favorite thing to do on weekend morning? This is easy, a ferry ride. Grab a coffee and a snack from the market, walk down to the waterfront and take the ferry to Bainbridge. Takes 35 minutes. You can walk around downtown Bainbridge or take the ferry right back to Seattle. On the return trip the view of downtown is amazing! You see Seattle the way it was meant to be seen – from the water.
Where is the one place you always take friends and family who come to visit you? Pike Place Market, of course.
Top Seattle Spots
By Crystal Bauer, Director of Sales and Marketing, Hotel Ändra
What is your new favorite restaurant? My new hot place to go is the Tom Douglas cooking school located in Hotel Ändra called Hot Stove Society. It has fabulous cooking & cocktail classes. A group for specialty classes or team building events can also book it for events.
What makes Seattle a great business travel, leisure travel and group travel destination? Great city action – museums, waterfront, food and entertainment; major sports attractions; AND we are just a hop, jump and skip to many outdoor activities. You can be on an island in one hour. You can be in the mountains in 30 minutes; and wine country starts just over the mountains, or go to Woodinville near Seattle to several tasting rooms for our Washington wines.
What exhibit or special event are you looking forward to in 2015? Has to be the Pompeii Exhibit at the Pacific Science Center from February 7th through May 25th.
As a local, what is your favorite thing to do on weekend morning? Walk on Alki beach and have breakfast at Marination. The place provides a great view of downtown Seattle. Or if you are staying at the hotel, LOLA breakfast is fabulous and you are so close to everything downtown like Pike Place Market, Pacific Science Center, Space Needle, EMP, a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, Seattle Art Museum, the Aquarium the list goes on!
Where is the one place you always take friends and family who come to visit you? Pike Place Market and The Ballard Locks are my go-to Seattle must-sees for my guests. It’s always a great place to take a group.
Where in the World Do You Want to Go?
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