If arriving by air, located about 15 miles from     downtown     Seattle  the  Sea-Tac International has several options for getting into town.  The end of the baggage claim area has waiting taxis for about $30, Lincoln Continental transfers are available for $50, Gray Line buses stop at all the major downtown hotels (wait your turn for yours) for $8.50 per person, and the city buses get even cheaper - not the best deal. 
                                                                     

Arriving by car can let you have a heavy traffic experience fairly soon upon arrival since the city has water on east and west sides, allowing only two entrances into the area. 

With good taxi and bus service, one can get around in the city to the major attractions without a problem, and without a car.    There is also the Waterfront Streetcar which is great for tourist.  Parking downtown can be a problem, and expensive. Car rental is subject to an unbelievable $18.3% surcharge tax!  Picking up the car at the airport adds another 10% for a total of 28.3%!!!  Hotels are taxed at    $15.6 – but remember they have   to  pay for a  baseball stadium . 

This is a seafood lover’s haven!  Oysters, clams, mussels, crab, every type of salmon one can imagine, black cod, monkfish, and halibut, steelhead, and seafood soups- all available at every twist and turn in the city!  Coffee is perhaps the “certified drink” of Seattle.  Most intersections will have a choice for you. 

Places to see and things to do:

Seattle Center for music

Lake Union for beautiful sailboats, kayaks, and seaplanes.  Dining, kayak rentals, all available here. 

Mount Rainer

http://www.museumofflight.org/

Pike Place Market

Safeco Field Ballpark

Seattle Aquarium

Seattle Center- The artistic area 

Various Ferries

Space Needle- The symbol of the city from the 1962 World’s Fair

Woodland Park Zoo

Enchanted Village and Wild Waves- amusement park

The various bridges downtown and north-side have walkways and make for romantic views

Emerald Downs- horse-racing

Olympic National Park

Some good tour operators:

Grey Line

Seattle City Tour

See Seattle Walking Tours 

After Dark Entertainment:

Showbox

Crocodile Café

Doc Maynard’s Public House

J&M Café

Tini Big’s Lounge

Seattle is a “three days” city for sure!  One could easily spend a week in the city and surrounding area, but it would take a good three days to see the city’s “best places to visit, dine, and experience.”  Don’t forget this is “damp country.”  Happy Traveling

Great Seattle Travel Links:

http://www.concierge.com/destination/seattle?mbid=google

http://www.cityofseattle.net/

http://www.concierge.com/destination/seattle/photos/album