Seattle/Portland suggestions

[Rooster_Ties]

Hi all,

I'm going to be in Seattle, WA and Portland, OR for a couple weeks in June (7th-24th).

Any suggestions of stuff to see, places to go, things to do??

My wife and I are big on museums, historic architecture (late 1800's through the early and mid 20th Century, or (maybe) even more modern stuff than that!!), ethnic restaurants (Thai, Middle-Eastern, Mediterranean), and funky/eclectic neighborhoods.

Jazz-related suggestions are welcome, of course, but we're mostly going to visit some relatives of mine, and see stuff. My wife's not into jazz too much, unless it's just a piano trio. (We are both, however, into classical music, orchestral or chamber.)

Thanks!!!

Edited April 25, 2003 by Rooster_Ties

[Peter Johnson]

Hey Tom,

Ahhh, Seattle. I miss it! I grew up in Portland, and lived in Seattle for a few years after grad school. Now Philly! Ping me offline and I'll give you whatever information you'd like to know--restaurants, recreation, you name it.

pjjohnson@htts.com

P.S. I know, we still need to work out the Jewel in the Lotus trade...we can figure that out while we're at it.

[edited to correct my OWN email address... )

Edited April 26, 2003 by Peter Johnson

[Jazzmoose]

I last lived in Seattle in '72, when I was 14, so I can't really help. My idea of fun at the time was just hangin' in the University district. Come to think of it, that might be fun now. Might run into Aric...

[doubleM]

Mr. Ties, I live in Portland and there are some suggestions that I'd like to make. The best restaurant in Portland that I'm aware of is called the Bombay Cricket Club. Mid-Eastern and some Mediterranean food there, and it rocks! It is on Hawthorne Blvd., which is in a district bearing the same name. It's rather eclectic and cool, IMHO. As far as jazz clubs go, there is a great piano trio that plays on Tuesdays at a place called the Bluemonk. They're called the Ramsey Embick trio. 3341 SE Belmont. I wish that you were coming in May, as I have an art exhibit hanging up there until the end of May. Hmmm....Besides that, I usually take my friends to strip clubs, not being too much of a culture-vulture. More here per capita than anywhere in the U.S., I am told. I can furnish more appropriate couples action at a later time, when I have more of it...if necessary. Hope you have a good time!

[slsmcgrew]

Just a few places that I could think of.

1. Jazz Alley

2. Seattle Art Museum

3. Underground Tour

4. Museum of Flight

5. Pioneer Square

6. Pike Place Market

Visiting Seattle

[catesta]

I was hoping to find Bud Shank in Port Townsend, but I hear he's moved to Arizona.

Right next to soulstation1, I believe.

[Aggie87]

If you have time, a ferry ride out to Whidbey Island is nice, and then the drive across the island (& Deception Pass) is pretty. I think you go up to Mukelteo (sp?) to take the ferry. Of course, it's been about 25 years since I've done this, so Whidbey may be over developed now, for all I know. Beautiful country.

[Johnny E]

Whidbey is not what it used to be, but still nice. Here are a few things for the Puget Sound region:

The Hoh Rain Forest on the Olympic Penninsula:

http://www.nps.gov/olym/edurain.htm

Great trails long and short go right through it.

Snoqualmie falls:

http://www.snoqualmiefalls.com/

And at this time of year the snow is melting and the waterfall is raging!

Best Thai food:

http://www.epinions.com/rest-Restaurants-A...-All-Royal_Palm

Yum Yums

Best Indian food:

http://www.epinions.com/rest-Restaurants-All-Tandoor

Yum Yums

Don't miss 'Ye Olde Curiosity Shop' down on the waterfront:

http://www.yeoldecuriosityshop.com/Merchan...nt/testInd.html

It's right down by the Pike Place Market so you can kill two birds with one stone.

Also, if you've never had Dungeness crab, you must!!! It's the tenderest, tastiest seafood on this great green earth. Here's a good seafood restaurant:

http://www.pontiseafoodgrill.com/

[Rooster_Ties]

Thanks to all for the suggestions!!!

Thanks also, Johnny, for mentioning the Indian restaurant. I completely forgot that Indian is one of our newest "ethnic food" interests. We only just had Indian food for the first time, on our Honeymoon, about 2 years ago - in London and Glasgow.

Supposedly Glasgow, Scottland is "The Curry Capital of Europe" Who'da thunk that!!!

Thanks again for all the great suggestions!!!!!!

[bertrand]

Did you try the curried haggis?

[slsmcgrew]

Here's a couple of items for the Portland Area.

Portland Art Museum

End of the Oregon Trail

[danasgoodstuff]

For Portland I'd add Powell's Books which takes up the entire city block (ours are small, but still) at W Burnside & 10th. Besides lots of books, they have nice walking maps of downtown. A few blocks south on 10th at SW Yamhill is the central library, which also takes up the entire block. And then taking up most of NW Portland is Forest Park, a great way to get away without having to go too far. In Seattle I like Buds Records, an old style jazz shop on Jackson at the south edge of their downtown, which I've always found much more funky/interesting than ours.

[Johnny E]

In Seattle I like Buds Records, an old style jazz shop on Jackson at the south edge of their downtown...

Oh course! Bud's Jazz Records. How could I forget. I guess you take things for granted in your home town. It's in Pioneer square, close to the underground tour - again, kill two birds yada yada. Say hi to Bud for me

[Rooster_Ties]

Great suggestions everybody!! Thanks again!!!

[Rooster_Ties]

Has anybody here actually taken the undergound tour??

I've read mixed reviews of it in two different guidebooks. Not "bad" reviews, but definitely "mixed".

[Johnny E]

I've lived here for 13 years now and have never done it. I'd like to though, although I wouldn't want to be down there during an earthquake that's for sure. Pioneer Square (where it's located) was hit pretty bad in the last one. It's all turn of the century brick buildings down there. Maybe I'll go do the tour next time I have out of town guests. I've heard that it's in such bad shape that they might close it.

Ghost,

That's sounds great! Shoot me a PM when your visit gets closer and maybe we can get together and have dinner or something.

[slsmcgrew]

Has anybody here actually taken the undergound tour??

I've read mixed reviews of it in two different guidebooks. Not "bad" reviews, but definitely "mixed".

I was on the tour years ago. What made it great was the tour guide.