A-Z: A Handy Summary of Practical Information
A
Accommodations
The highest concentration of hotels is Downtown, though they are on the luxurious side. More economical choices can be found in the surrounding areas of Pioneer Square and the International District, Capitol Hill, or South Lake Union. All of these areas are within easy reach of the main sights, and are easily accessible by public transportation. However, many folks will tell you that although Pioneer Square and the International District are fun to visit by day, they usually aren’t the best spots for lodging. If you want to get away from the tourist areas, you may prefer to stay in another Seattle neighborhood in a Victorian B&B or smaller hotel, to get a different feel of the city. It’s from these cozy B&Bs that you can wander to local coffeehouses with the morning newspaper, and rub elbows with the locals to really get a sense of the city. There are a number of chain hotels that offer good value for money near Sea-Tac Airport, but you trade location for price, since the airport is 13 miles south of Seattle.
Addresses
In Seattle, avenues run north–south, while streets run east–west. Streets and avenues can be designated with numbers or names. When trying to locate an address, be sure to note whether the address includes directionals (north, south, east, or west). For example, E Madison Street or Queen Anne Avenue N will indicate the location in the east or north part of town.
Admission charges
Fees to most attractions range from $10 to over $35, with reduced fees for children and seniors. On the first Thursday of the month, many museums have extended evening hours and offer free admission.
Most festivals at the Seattle Center are free, except for Bumbershoot, which charges a hefty admission price (more for the Platinum and Gold passes). The Seattle City Pass card allows you to visit five of the most popular Seattle attractions for $79 ($59 for kids); it’s available at www.citypass.com/seattle.
B
Budgeting for your trip
It is best to research your trip in advance and look for internet discounts for hotels and attractions. Keep in mind the 9.6 percent sales tax added to all purchases.
When dining out, a glass of house wine costs around $6–9, and a beer $4–6. To get more bang for your buck, take advantage of the happy hour offerings at many restaurants and bars. An entrée at a budget restaurant will be about $10–15, at a moderate restaurant $20–25, and at an expensive restaurant $35 and more.
Accommodations will set you back $100 or less for a budget option, $100–200 for a moderate hotel, and $200 plus for room in a deluxe hotel.
A taxi to and from the airport is in the region of $45–55 plus tip. At the time of writing, a single bus fare within Seattle was $2.75 during peak times, and $2.50 during off-peak.
C
Climate
The temperature in western Washington (west of the Cascade Mountains) is usually mild. Daytime temperatures range from 70–79°F (21–26°C) in summer and 41–48°F (4.5–9°C) in winter.
From October through April, Seattle gets 80 percent of its annual quota of rain. In summer, Seattle is frequently covered by some form of marine mist or fog in the morning that dissipates by the afternoon. Seattleites, on average, receive the sun’s light and warmth uninterrupted for the whole day only about 55 times a year.
Snow tends to stay in the mountains, which keeps skiers and almost everyone else happy, but because of quirky weather patterns you can sometimes find yourself in a hail shower on one side of town while the other side of the city experiences clear skies and a rainbow.
What to wear
A raincoat or umbrella are mandatory from October through April, and a warm coat, hat, and gloves are recommended for November through February. In spring and fall it’s advisable to dress in layers, due to the frequently changing conditions. Sandals, shorts, skirts, and light clothing are appropriate for summer, though do bring a light jacket. Seattle is a casual place, and jeans are acceptable at most places.
When to visit
Late May to September brings the best weather, least rain – and the most visitors. July and August are the warmest and busiest months. For winter sports enthusiasts, the nearby mountains usually offer decent skiing...
