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We didn't know if enough people are travelling to make it worthwhile to set up room blocks, but here are three hotels within walking distance to where our boat is docked in the South Lake Union area of Seattle. If these don't suit your fancy, any downtown area hotel will also give you easy access to the wedding festivities.
The Silver Cloud Inn at South Lake Union is across the street from the lake and a short walk from the dock where you will board the Virginia V. It is at the very end of the South Lake Union Street Car line, which will take you into the retail core of downtown.
The Marriott Residence Inn is about as close as you can get to the party. It's on the street car line, and just a couple blocks away from the dock.
The Marriott Courtyard is on the other side of the lake from your other two recommened hotel options, but still an easy (and probably more scenic) walk to the wedding site. This hotel is not on the street car line proper, but it is only a couple blocks away from a station. It is also on a bus line can take you to several different Seattle neighborhoods.
We want to make sure you are prepared.
Yes, even though it's on a boat, we're going the whole nine yards and getting all dolled up - and we'd appreciate it if you did too!
Yes, we have a reputation for wet and dreary here, but in July you'll have a good chance of seeing Seattle's best kept secret - the sun! If you're planning to spend extra time in town to see the sights, you'll be most comfortable in lots of layers.
Even though we are crossing our fingers for nice weather, there is always a chance it will rain here.
As much as we love the babies, they probably won't have a good time at our party, and will likely make it harder for you to enjoy yourselves as well. Allow yourselves the luxury of a babysitter, and come live it up with us on our wedding day!
We think it is so awesome that you're making the trip out here to help us celebrate our marriage, so we want to help you make the most out of your trip. Seattle's a really cool city, if you've got the time you might want to stay the weekend and see the sights!
Crazy billionaire Seattle resident (there are a few!) Paul Allen convinced us to build a street car line that runs between the south end of Lake Union and downtown retail core. If you're trying to get from a downtown hotel to the wedding, or from a hotel near the lake to downtown shopping, this is a really easy way to do it, without having to worry about parking - or how much you have to drink. It's $1.75 for a one way ride, but you can also use tranfers from any Metro bus.
There are lots of fun and tourist-y things to do at the Seattle Center! The monorail doesn't really go anywhere you can't get on a bus, but it's kind of cool to ride. Check out Paul Allen's other pet project, the Experience Music Project, and the Science Fiction Hall of Fame, where Kyle and Astrid once went on a date. It's totally worth it to go to the top of the Space Needle for the veiw, but since the elevator ride costs an arm and a leg, you might as well eat while you're up there. Also visit the Pacific Science Center - if you want something fun to do at night, check out one of their fabulous laser shows.
Your best bet for shopping in Seattle is downtown. We've got the big Nordstrom and Macy*s department stores, a giant, three story Gap (and Astrid's current place of employment), a trendy upscale mall, and a sweet REI with a huge climbing rock, as well as a host of other shops. You also must check out Seattle's famous Pike Place Market, where you can find lots of awesome produce, local crafts, and even visit the very first Starbucks. There are also several malls in the Seattle area, but trust us, downtown shopping is way more fabulous.
The Seattle Art Museum downtown and the Asian Art Museum in Volunteer park are cool places to visit. The downtown museum was recently remodled, and put in a neat restaurant at the downtown location. Exhibits cycle through, and often cost extra, but there is always the permanent collection which includes some really awesome Pacific Northwest Native American art. Also a part of SAM is the Olympic Sculpture Park, which is very beautiful and free to the public.
One of Astrid's very favorite Seattle places, the Woodland Park Zoo is one of the leading zoos for conservation and education efforts in the country world universe. Check out the Siamangs (aka gibbons), Astrid's favorite animal. Appropriate for this occasion, as they mate for life! Unfortunately, we lack Kyle's favorite Pandas in Seattle, but we will go visit them for you on our honeymoon in San Diego.
While not quite as cool as the zoo, the Seattle Aquarium is still a pretty fabulous attraction. Besides your run-of-the mill fish, you can see tons of huge marine mammals, and experience the wonders of a tide pool petting zoo.
Go see a Mariners baseball game at Safeco Field in SoDo. The Mariners are playing the Boston Red Sox July 21 - 23, and if you come into town early, you can root for the Cleveland Indians July 18 - 20. (With Kyle's birthday celebration we'll probably be at at leat one if not all three of these games.) Unfortunately, the Mariners are out of town the weekend following the wedding, taking on the Blue Jays in Toronto.