So you've decided to make the trip. Fantastic! Here's a few suggestions for lodging, eating, and vacationing.
Lodging
We're reserving a block of rooms at the Lake Union Courtyard Marriott for Friday 10/9, Saturday 10/9, and Sunday 10/10. They are under Lepore/Dwyer. Visit this link for driving directions from the airport... or you can take the light rail into town.
If you're planning to come earlier or would rather stay in a different part of town, here's a few places we recommend:
University Inn is classic and affordable, and at the southern edge of the University District, it's the closest hotel to our house on North Capitol Hill.
Ace Hotel is known for "stylish comfort" at a reasonable price. Located in Belltown, it's a stone's-throw from our reception at the Black Bottle.
Sea to Sky Rentals offers apartments and homes in all parts of the city at weekly and nightly rates, for a more 'local' feel.
Eating
It's the most important thing, of course. And breakfast is the best place to start.
Bakery Nouveau boasts the best French pastries in town. It's in West Seattle, close to our ceremony site. And If you stay at the University Inn, there's no excuse not to eat downstairs at the Portage Bay Cafe. With a second location not far from the Lake Union Courtyard Marriott, we may all end up there Monday morning!
Lunching at the Pike Place Market is always an adventure. The crowds shouldn't be too bad in October, so brave the crowds for an English sandwich at the Crumpet Shop or the best grilled salmon in town at Market Grill. Or for something different, make the trek to tiny Thai Tom in the University District; it's worth the wait.
For dinner, of course, we must recommend Machiavelli. Nothing beats the old-school atmosphere of this Italian bar and ristorante. Look closely and you just might see Joanna's picture on the wall. Tom Douglas is king of Pacific Northwest-style cuisine, and for good reason. Any of his restaurants are sure to please... although Palace Kitchen is our favorite. For a late night bite, try the French continental Cafe Presse on the edge of the busy Pike/Pine bar scene on Capitol Hill.
Touring
How to work up your appetite for all those meals, you ask? A few suggestions:
Mt. Rainier National Park, a 2 hour drive from Seattle with the Mountain in view the whole way.
Washington Park Arboretum, 230 rambling acres complete with a traditional Japanese Garden.
Olympic Sculpture Park, built on an abandoned oil field, this gem features some big name sculptors.
Discovery Park, on the cliffs of Magnolia, it's wilderness within city limits... be sure to look for bald eagles.
Non-strenuous must-sees:
Theo Chocolate Factory Tour; if enough people want to see Joanna in a hair net while eating free chocolate, we can arrange a private tour.
Seattle Public Library, our very own Rem Koolhaus masterpiece!
Frye Art Museum, a free museum that mixes 19th century works with avant-garde installations.
