Coming to Seattle

[Nii]

Hi folks,

I new to this forum (must say how great it is) and was wondering if anyone can offer any advice on some good quality, inexpensive hotels/inns in and around the Seattle area to stay in during mid December. I'm really looking forward to visiting Seattle and have always wanted to since I was about 15.

Any advice on things to do while I'm there?

Thanks.

Nii.

[sickbadthing]

I would try places like Travelocity, Expedia, etc. first and compare prices. Winter prices are typically lower than summer prices but I don't know how geting a room near Christmas affects that. Avoid motels on Aurora except down by the Seattle Center. There is a ton of touristy crap here. When you get off the plane, just go over to a kiosk that has magazines and brochures for all the touristy crap.

[levislade]

The College Inn (http://www.collegeinnseattle.com) is a very affordable bed and breakfast type place (shared bathrooms, etc.) in the University District, which is an interesting area to stay in. I have had friends stay there who were pleased with it.

Have fun on your visit!

[Jupiter]

If you want a real taste of Seattle from locals try the 11Th Ave Inn. It's right in the middle of a Seattle neighborhood that's filled with shops, restuants, people and places.

Those corporate behemoths all look the same and feel the same no matter where you land.

http://www.11thavenueinn.com/

http://www.11thavenueinn.com/images/calandersonpark.jpg

[Nii]

Thanks guys.

As I'll be travelling alone, are there any good places to meet people? Are Seattlites friendly? I was in Chicago last year and found the Chicagoans a riot!

[Ladibug]

You're opening up a big can of worms asking if Seattlies are friendly. That's a pretty regular conversation around these parts. I think the general opinion is that we're really not that friendly. At least not in the southern hospitality way.
I think you just have to crack the ice a little bit to get to that friendly place. I don't know, I've lived here all of my 29 years, so it's hard for me to say. I feel like everyone is genuinly nice to me, just not chatty I guess.
If you're under 25 or so, the University District will be a good area to meet people around that age.
I've stopped going out with the intention of meeting people, but if I were going to I'd start with the U-dist and Capitol Hill. Although, I find that Capitol Hill can be pretty aloof.
Those are just my opinons though.

[Jennifer Maerz]

Cheap, convenient places to stay in town: the Ace Hotel (http://www.theacehotel.com/) is pretty budget-friendly, and Summerfield Suits (http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/SEAPP/main.wnt) is your typical corporate family hotel but they can have cheap rates...and they're located pretty conveniently....10th and Pike, which is right between Capitol Hill and downtown.

As for stuff to do, the Stranger's big holiday bash is Fri Dec 16th..it's open to the public and only $5 to get in (all the money goes to charity...NW Harvest)....plus four awesome local bands (Common Market, Wheedle's Groove, Band of Horses, Fruit Bats) and DJ Curtis and Dina Martina and a ton more...should be lots of fun, even if the Stranger does cut my paycheck.

[Jimmy Flame]

You can always head to the Funhouse or the Monkey Pub or Ballard ave. for a good time too! OowWWw!!

[amykate]

Try Noc Noc, a friendly bar/dance club downtown, Second Ave between Pike and Pine Streets. I've met several of my close friends at Noc Noc. It's different music/crowds on different nights, but never hokey, the staff are always gracious, the drinks are cheap and stiff, and people don't think you're weird if you strike up a conversation. You do have to have the balls to talk to people, though. I'm tired of shy/akward people telling me that people aren't friendly in Seattle. People are discriminating (they tend to stay inside their own social scene/age range) but no stranger's ever been rude to me when I'm genuinely interested in havng a conversation. I've been here for the better part of 27 years.

Noc Noc's not in a great part of town--take a cab rather than walk around down there if you're alone at night.

[Aputer4]

You're opening up a big can of worms asking if Seattlies are friendly. That's a pretty regular conversation around these parts. I think the general opinion is that we're really not that friendly. At least not in the southern hospitality way.
I think you just have to crack the ice a little bit to get to that friendly place. I don't know, I've lived here all of my 29 years, so it's hard for me to say. I feel like everyone is genuinly nice to me, just not chatty I guess.
If you're under 25 or so, the University District will be a good area to meet people around that age.
I've stopped going out with the intention of meeting people, but if I were going to I'd start with the U-dist and Capitol Hill. Although, I find that Capitol Hill can be pretty aloof.
Those are just my opinons though.


Sounds like things have changed since I left Seattle a little while ago (grin, 1962) ---- Seattle is my Home Town - welll, where I almost grew up (Born in Buckley - ran away to Seattle nearly as soon as I could walk) ....

Whatever - while I lived there - nearly 16 years - well, 13 - spent 3 of them years in the Army --- I thought Seattle was the friendliest place anywhere --- course it mighta helped that I like to talk and would do so to anyone unfortunate enough to be close enough whether I knew them or not .....

Heck, sometimes I even went so far as to give them a chance to talk too ....

Grin - such a great life .....
Pat