Seattle

[Pooch]

I will be visiting Seattle for a little time pre and post Alaska cruise in late August. How is the airport in Seattle and does anyone have any recommendations for ground transportation...cab or shuttle van company that goes near the space needle? I'm staying at the Seattle Pan Pacific Hotel and they do not provide pickup or drop off service. Silly me...I thought they did.

[MikeFromGardena]

Two recommendations for Seattle, where the airport is relatively compact and easy to negotiate:
1. Take the shuttle bus from the airport for a short ride to the new light rail terminal at Tukwila. Ride the light rail to the end of the line downtown (Westlake Station) and walk over to the monorail. The monorail is a short ride but unique and goes right to the base of the Space Needle.
2. If you go to Emerald Downs -- an easy cab ride from the airport -- play the speed.

[Joel]

Other than the Space Needle, the other "must sees" would include Pikes Place Market. (with the flying fish, original Starbucks, etc.)

We also did the underground tour of Seattle at Pioneer Square, and found that to be quite enjoyable as well..

[Vince P]

Pooch axed, >>>> I will be visiting Seattle for a little time pre and post Alaska cruise in late August. How is the airport in Seattle and does anyone have any recommendations for ground transportation...cab or shuttle van company that goes near the space needle? I'm staying at the Seattle Pan Pacific Hotel and they do not provide pickup or drop off service. Silly me...I thought they did.

Pooch,

I just got back from Seattle - the airport is very clean and simple - even I didn't get lost. However, we rented a car over the weekend because it was easier for a short trip.

We'll be doing the same thing as you in early Sept - Alaska cruise and staying in Seattle for 3-4 days beforehand. I was told to take the "Orange Cab" from the airport to our hotel (Camlin) which is a couple of blocks from Pike's Place Dancer. It's like $35 bucks for the 3 of us and takes us directly to our joint. We're also having the Orange Cab pick us up at our hotel and take us down the street to the cruise pier.

Then we're having an airport shuttle service pick us up after the cruise for like $57 that takes us directly to the airport.
http://www.shuttleexpress.com/index.html

Not sure where the Pan Pacific is but if you're staying near Pike's Place Dancer, there's a monorail that takes you to the Jimi Hendrix/Experience Museum, which is (I think) near the Space Needle and costs like $2.77 each way.

Hope this helps and let me know what good ideas you have in Alaska. I want to do that dog sledding thing real bad.

Vince P

[Vince P]

Pooch,

One more thing. I believe Alaska has daylight 27 hours a day in August according to my barometer, so you’ll be able to read the form at midnight without having to turn on the lights.

Vince P

[Pooch]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look for the Orange Cab most likely. Alaska has sun light that much...OMG. Maybe we will see that Palin chick.

[Joel]

VERY unusual weather in Seattle right now..High of 97 and a low of 70..

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/U ... undeclared

[Thinkinproblem]

Yes, very unusual. Today broke a record that had stood for 118 years. Reached 103 degrees. Ridiculous heat in triple digits all over the Northwest. No rain since mid-May. No rain in the forecast. As lifetime Seattleite, I just don't know what to make of it.