What is some cool stuff to do in Seattle?

Seattle. What fun stuff to do and where to shop?

• I'm going to Seattle for vaca in a couple weeks. I looked on the internet for fun things to do with my friends but there are just so many things to do. I don't have much time so I need to know what we should do. Suggestions? Also what are some good clothing shops. Which mall should I go to? Thanks!

• Answer:

  There are a lot of things to see and do, but fortunately the main downtown area is fairly compact so it is fairly walkable. If you get tired of walking there are lots of easy public transportation options including free buses within a "ride free" area on buses on the surface streets and in the bus tunnel. Another great free transportation resource is the #99 Metro bus. It runs a continous loop southbound along the waterfront and then northbound up 1st Avenue. You can walk as far as you want and then hop on the bus to get back to the main "downtown" area or your starting point: http://metro.kingcounty.gov/cftemplates/show_map.cfm?BUS_ROUTE=099&DAY_NAV=WSU Here are what I consider the top things to see: 1. The Pike Place Market: http://www.squidoo.com/Seattle-Pike-Place-Market 2. The Space Needle: http://www.squidoo.com/seattle-space-needle and Seattle Center - the Seattle Monorail is a quick and easy way to go the 1 mile between Westlake and the Seattle Center: http://www.squidoo.com/seattle-monorail 3. The Waterfront - Just wander around watching the port activity, eat at great restaurants, shop, take a ride on the ferry to Bainbridge Island: http://www.squidoo.com/seattle-ferry-to-bainbridge and enjoy the Olympic Sculpture Park: http://www.squidoo.com/seattle-olympic-sculpture-park 4. Pioneer Square - the Seattle Underground Tour, Gold Rush National Park Museum, etc. 5. Clothing Shops: - Within a 2 or 3 block area around Westlake Center there is the flagship Nordstrom's, Macy's and numerous other major national retail chain stores in freestanding buildings and many more smaller shops on the streets and inside Westlake Center and Pacific Place. Since you can find most of these stores in any mall or major city in the US, I'm not sure how much of your limited time you will want to waste shopping for things you can get anywhere. I would recommend spending most of your shopping time in the Pike Place Market or Waterfront shops that have more things that are unique to Seattle. Here is a link with more information to help you plan your trip: http://www.squidoo.com/visit-seattle-washington