Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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Wow. Looks like we will have ourselves a small force parading around Seattle! I think people need to start posting that they intend to come along on a Wednesday/Thursday tour!
I haven't put together an itinerary yet. The safe bet would be to hit the waterfront on Thursday morning, and do Pike Place Market, maybe the Seattle Aquarium and/or a Harbor Tour, and also try and hit Pioneer Square and the Underground Tour.
Hugo and I did this, and it was quite a task to cram all that in, AND make it back in time for the Meet and Eat. I'd say that doing the market all morning, and then walking down the waterfront to Pioneer Square and taking the Underground Tour would be enough for one day.
Now, Wednesday, we went Pacific Place, rode the monorail to the Seattle Center, and went up in the Space Needle, did the SciFi Museum/EMP, then hit a nice Thai restaurant for lunch, and returned to walk through the Pacific Science Center and take in an IMAX film. That's an option. OR we could hit up a Seattle neighborhood instead....maybe Capitol Hill, Ballard, Fremont? Or we could do the Locks, and the Zoo?
Possibilities are GREAT and NUMEROUS!
I think people need to start posting that they intend to come along on a Wednesday/Thursday tour!
You already know my intentions in that regard.
I'd say that doing the market all morning, and then walking down the waterfront to Pioneer Square and taking the Underground Tour would be enough for one day.
I think I would prefer this itinerary. And, if I make it back next year, maybe we can do some of the other stuff on another organized tour. You need to start charging for your tour guide services, Tim!
My two-cents,
--Neil
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Wow. Looks like we will have ourselves a small force parading around Seattle! I think people need to start posting that they intend to come along on a Wednesday/Thursday tour!
I haven't put together an itinerary yet. The safe bet would be to hit the waterfront on Thursday morning, and do Pike Place Market, maybe the Seattle Aquarium and/or a Harbor Tour, and also try and hit Pioneer Square and the Underground Tour.
Hugo and I did this, and it was quite a task to cram all that in, AND make it back in time for the Meet and Eat. I'd say that doing the market all morning, and then walking down the waterfront to Pioneer Square and taking the Underground Tour would be enough for one day.
Now, Wednesday, we went Pacific Place, rode the monorail to the Seattle Center, and went up in the Space Needle, did the SciFi Museum/EMP, then hit a nice Thai restaurant for lunch, and returned to walk through the Pacific Science Center and take in an IMAX film. That's an option. OR we could hit up a Seattle neighborhood instead....maybe Capitol Hill, Ballard, Fremont? Or we could do the Locks, and the Zoo?
Possibilities are GREAT and NUMEROUS!
I am down for all of it. I will bring 500 bucks and hope that is enough.
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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So is everyone invited to these tours? If so I might show up wednesday night instead of thrusday afternoon.
Tam
Tam, everyone who wants to come is welcome! I'm not wrangling a tour bus or anything. Either we take a fleet of vehicles into the city, or we meet at a park and ride and take the bus in.
Hugo and I took the bus last year. I hate messin' with parking.
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Georgetown could be a decent/fun option as well, if anyone likes comic books, Fantagraphics is down there (Love and Rockets, R. Crumb anyone?) I just got done with a project on them. Also there are a couple decent restaurants and quite a few bars mostly in walking distance on the strip. I'm not up to date on music events, but its not uncommon for some kind of show/band to be playing. There is a train station here you can catch from Westlake, and if you like to walk, its walkable, if not there are buses/cabs ect.
If you were hitting up Sites in Seattle in general, parking is well... parking but most places have rates that are not entirely terrible in downtown, and downtown is kind of like a little nexus, lots of stuff.
I'd also be glad to answer any questions/offer suggestions and such for anyone interested.
As far as cash, Zux, I think 500 would go a pretty long way for sure.
look forward to seeing everyone!
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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Hmm, Tim. Is there a Wednesday tour or is it a Thursday? Confused. Been awhile since the details were written about.
At this point, Thursday is all I can manage.
The basic plan is to head down to Pike Place Market in the morning, walk along the waterfront and see stuff there, and make our way down to Pioneer Square for the Seattle Underground Tour. There is the International District too, if people want to do that.
Lessons taken from last year, giving Hugo the grand tour, were that we won't be able to fit EVERYTHING in on one day, and still make the Meet and Eat at 6 without rushing the whole day. Probably looking at several hours at the market and Post Alley, an hour or two walking the waterfront (some people may opt to go in to the Seattle Aquarium then, too), and then a couple hours for the underground tour and surrounding Pioneer Square, before heading back to Bellevue for dinner.
I anticipate travelling by bus. I can take a good bus from Redmond to downtown, and from the hotel, one can walk about a mile to the Bellevue transit center and catch the 550 express down to Westlake Center, and then walk down to the market.
Money-wise....bring cash for the market, for foods and stuff. The aquarium (if you so choose) is $17 for adults, $11 for kids. The underground tour is $15 for adults, $7-12 for children/teens.
So, $50 minimum if you are just looking and eating light fare...$100 if you plan on buying neat stuff from the market (like smoked salmon!).
I AM up for meeting folks on Wednesday at a pub/brewery in Redmond in the late afternoon....I recommend Black Raven Brewery. ;-)
I do recommend the underground tour. real funny tour guide :)
Is there a time table for this? I may be arriving around 12-1 pm on thursday
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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There is simply too much to see in one day. Hugo and I took TWO days to see stuff, and even then....easily could fill 5 days with sight-seeing here. The Seattle area is like that....which is why I live here!
Anyway, I honestly anticipate that our tour group will likely break apart after the market. Some will want to do the aquarium and take a harbor cruise. Some will want to get over to the Seattle Center, and see the EMP/SciFi Museum (very awesome, btw). Some will want to walk down to Pioneer Square and check that out, and then take in the underground tour.
And that's fine. With so many people, everyone is going to have a different idea of what they HAVE to see.
So, I'd say that we'll be in the market all morning, and probably have lunch there (I am having piroshkies for sure). After that, it is up to the group.
I will try to shoot for a 9 AM arrival at the market. I will be heading back to Bellevue by 4:30, though, in order to get to the Crab Pot for the Meet and Eat with ample time.
And I expect at least ONE iPhone, twitter, FB user in the group, so you can all post your statuses and keep tabs on the group's location, I guess.
Mmm... I suppose I'll be arriving a bit late for Pike place visiting... darn!
Anyways I'll just try to catch up with you guys when I get there.
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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Wow, if things like this keep up, I might need to take as much time off for Paizocon and I do for Norwescon. :P Now I need to see if I can talk my boss into letting me have Thursday off as well, so I can meet you all somewhere downtown. :)
Yeah! Any other Seattle locals that would like to join us would be MOST welcome. You can join me in showing off this great city!
I think people need to start posting that they intend to come along on a Wednesday/Thursday tour!You already know my intentions in that regard.
I'd say that doing the market all morning, and then walking down the waterfront to Pioneer Square and taking the Underground Tour would be enough for one day.I think I would prefer this itinerary. And, if I make it back next year, maybe we can do some of the other stuff on another organized tour. You need to start charging for your tour guide services, Tim!
** spoiler omitted **
My two-cents,
--Neil
I'll like to join this itineray as well. I have to be in Seattle ahead of time for business anyway (flying in Monday afternoon) so I can make the 9 am gathering time.
Thank you Tim - very gracious of you to offer to be "tour guide."
I am clueless in terms of geography, is there a landmark we can all meet at, or should we all wear purple golem face masks so we stand out? :)
Ed Pereira
I AM up for meeting folks on Wednesday at a pub/brewery in Redmond in the late afternoon....I recommend Black Raven Brewery. ;-)
I think I can make this. :) I plan to take the harbor cruse on Tuesday afternoon with a co-worker, perhaps drinks on Weds afternoon and the "Tim Tour" on Thursday morning.
Ed
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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I am clueless in terms of geography, is there a landmark we can all meet at, or should we all wear purple golem face masks so we stand out? :)
Commonly, folks often meet at the entrance to the market, near the fish stand where they throw fish, and there is a big brass pig in front.
Which, of course, makes that a sucky place to meet....because everyone else is meeting there too!
Ummmm....let me think here. I would venture to say that we should meet at Seattle's Best Coffee or the original Starbucks? Any locals have better suggestions?
Its official! I'll be up there aaroun 1:00+ pm, so I'll guess I'll have to track you guys down at
FREAKIN' YAY!!!
I would venture to say that we should meet at Seattle's Best Coffee or the original Starbucks? Any locals have better suggestions?
I'll be sans transportation, Tim. So, would it be too much to ask to just meet up at the hotel?
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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I would venture to say that we should meet at Seattle's Best Coffee or the original Starbucks? Any locals have better suggestions?I'll be sans transportation, Tim. So, would it be too much to ask to just meet up at the hotel?
In retrospect....yes, I will come to the hotel to round people up, and then we can depart. I can borrow a minivan for the weekend, so I would be able to transport 5 people.
If I do drive, I will want to get there relatively early (better parking prices and availability!).
In retrospect....yes, I will come to the hotel to round people up, and then we can depart. I can borrow a minivan for the weekend, so I would be able to transport 5 people.
You're awesome. It's true. Totally.
If I do drive, I will want to get there relatively early (better parking prices and availability!).
That's cool with me. I'm an early-bird. And, I'm flying in on Wednesday, so I should already be checked into the hotel.
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We're not going with the group, but we will be sightseeing on Thursday. We absolutely have to hit the scifi museum. I'd love to have a way to keep in contact with the group in case we end up there at the same time. Or will it be obvious - will you all be wearing Golem masks? Maybe use one as a tour guide flag?
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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Actually, I plan on purchasing a Paizo Golem shirt for the very purpose of being completely obvious to PaizoCon folks looking for me.
Anyone from our group going to the SciFi Museum will probably be doing so after 1 PM. That's about the time we will probably start wandering off to the waterfront towards Pioneer Square or the International District.
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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I will probably try to make it down there, and one thing I'll be bringing is my Entertainment coupon book, which has a lot of "buy one/get one free" discount tickets for things like the sci-fi museum, museum of flight, Seattle art museum, Argosy harbor cruises, aquarium, the Seattle Bug Safari, etc., plus restaurants and such. I'll have to look and see exactly what coupons are in it, but if any of the other locals have one of these books or can borrow a few coupons from a friend's, we might be able to hook up our out-of-town guests with some price breaks.
I will probably try to make it down there, and one thing I'll be bringing is my Entertainment coupon book, which has a lot of "buy one/get one free" discount tickets for things like the sci-fi museum, museum of flight, Seattle art museum, Argosy harbor cruises, aquarium, the Seattle Bug Safari, etc., plus restaurants and such. I'll have to look and see exactly what coupons are in it, but if any of the other locals have one of these books or can borrow a few coupons from a friend's, we might be able to hook up our out-of-town guests with some price breaks.
Totally awesome! Gimme, gimme, gimme! :-)
If you are planning on doin' lots of sight seeign, I recommend getting the City Pass
Is a lot cheaper that buying the tickets on every site and it has most of Seattle's main tourist places.
Also very recommended is Pike Place's Food Tours! If you are going along with Tim, he's sure a great guide, so you are in great hands :)
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Yeah! Any other Seattle locals that would like to join us would be MOST welcome. You can join me in showing off this great city!
I was thinking I might like to come along to this myself, if you have room for another. I like getting downtown and it would be nice to spend a little time down there.
One of the meetup places we had for PAX was The Crumpet Shop which is right across the street from the Seattle's Best. It's not usually terribly crowded and a very tasty morning snack. Le Pichet(which has got a nice mention in Charcuterie by Michael Ruhlman, but I've yet to see the pork belly confit on the menu) is also close to the market and have a Jambon, Egg, and Gruyere platter that cannot be topped, but it is aggressively french, which may turn some people off.
Also, if there are foodies in the audience that want to do a foodie thing or two,World Spice(which is my spice market and the one featured in an episode of Good Eats) is near the market and Salumi(which would be an awesome lunch spot for omnivorous people) is a hop skip and a jump from pioneer square.
Finally, if you plan on going to the Space Needle AND the Aquarium AND Scifi Museum or Pacific Science Center, get a City Pass. It's like getting into the space needle for free; it's the only way I'll ever go to the Space Needle. You can also eat there and get in for free, but for what you pay and considering the quality of food it's only a slightly better deal.
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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By my count here, looks like we'll have about 12 people for sure, with 4-5 others maybe showing up.
Currently, I'm thinking of meeting up at the hotel with those there at 7:30 or so, and then heading down to the market for early bird parking, and breakfast/coffee items.
I think we will try to set some meeting times and places throughout the day, so that late-comers can opt to join us along the way.
I'll be picking up Hugo from the airport that day Tim, what time and place are you guys doing the meet and eat later on? (or whatever it's called)
OwO *<- happy puppy eyes*
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I'm reasonably certain that our hotel is located nearer the market than the Bellevue, so what time will people show up in the market? And more specifically, what location would that be?
It's still a little nebulous from what I can tell. Seattle's Best coffee right next to the market entrance is probably the best place to meet initially or the crumpet shop across the street. I'm not sure how soon I will show up, but I love going down to the market so I'll likely be there pretty early in the morning. Pretty early for me is around 8ish. =)
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4, Legendary Games
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I'll be dropping off the last kid at school around 9:00, so I could probably be downtown by 9:30 or so. Given the ickiness of parking downtown, I might take the bus, but I can bring my Entertainment coupon book and will remind anybody else with one to bring it.
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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I'll be picking up Hugo from the airport that day Tim, what time and place are you guys doing the meet and eat later on? (or whatever it's called)
The Meet and Eat is at 6 pm at the Crab Pot in Bellevue. Just had a meeting with the manager there....they are ready for us, and very excited to have us!
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Wayfinder, PaizoCon Founder
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I'm reasonably certain that our hotel is located nearer the market than the Bellevue, so what time will people show up in the market? And more specifically, what location would that be?
I am thinking we will be at the market by 8 to 8:30 am.
Now, WHERE we will meet up to start is the question.
I thought the Seattle's Best Coffee or the original Starbucks would be good. There is the Crumpet Shop for light breakfast, or the Le Panier Very French Bakery. Or we can go into the market and have breakfast at Lowell's.
Lots of options here, folks.
As for meeting up at the market, I'd say we'd probably be hitting the lower levels around 10 to 10:30, so if you are hanging out around the comic book store down there, you'll probably see us!
Best bet, though? Follow someone's Facebook posts or Tweets through their phone.
The Meet and Eat is at 6 pm at the Crab Pot in Bellevue. Just had a meeting with the manager there....they are ready for us, and very excited to have us!
Ready for the descending horde!
In terms of logistics, I plan to be in the lobby around 7:30. I'll spring for a cab for a body or two (plus me, of course) if room runs out in Tim's mini-van.
(I'm staying in a hotel about two blocks away that day, plan to leave my bag at my "old" hotel or ask if the PaizoCon hotel will hold my bag until I can check in later on that day.)
Ed
