Seattle, An Exciting Rail Destination

I planned this rail expedition with 4 nights in Seattle, Washington, at the Best Western Pioneer Square Hotel, a $5 taxi ride from the King Street Amtrak Station in Seattle at 77 Yesler Way.  (www.pioneersquare..com)  (206) 340-1234.  When I tried to book the hotel through Best Western's national number, they said only two of the four nights I wanted were available.  I called the hotel directly and found that they had rooms available, and at a better rate than the national number!  Keep this in mind, if you get "we're full" from a national hotel chain's national number, call the hotel directly,  there might be rooms.

We booked a handicapped room for the first night at $134.10 plus tax, but it had only one double bed, and the room was very small.  We upgraded the following 3 nights to a corner room with two double beds and it was a very large room...actually it had room for two more double beds!  This 'city view' room was $170.10 a night plus tax.

We enjoyed dinner at the French Restaurant, Cafe Campagne, where an evening meal turned into a delightful three-hour event.
After dinner, you can still walk through the Market.	It will be empty of vendors and people, but the neon signs will still be on against a black sky.

Wine Tasting

You will have to 'get out of town' to wine taste.  We decided to go tasting on Sunday when few tasting rooms are open.  Our hosts found two excellent wineries open on Sunday, and just across the street from each other:  Columbia Winery and Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Columbia's barrel room has chandaliers!  A nice gift shop accompanies the tasting room (right).

Where to eat in the country.

On our way to wine tasting, we spotted a sign, "Armadillo BBQ," which was too tempting to pass up as our lunch stop.

They cater and use a classic GMC pickup to pull a cooker to the site.  Their company motto is stated at the right, and I'll give them credit for meeting their goal.  We selected Combination Plates, so I feel qualified to make such an evaluation since we sampled everything they made.

A Washington State Ferry ride.

Within 2 blocks walk from the Pioneer Square Hotel is the Seattle Washington State Ferry dock, Pier 52.  When you walk one short block west from the hotel, you will see Pier 50, walk north (right) another block and you are at the ferry building.  The quickest way to experience a sample ferry ride is to buy a ticket to Bainbridge Island, about a 35 minute ride one way for about $14 round trip.  There you can walk into town, about 4 blocks, to shop and dine.  Then, take the ferry back for a great view of the Seattle skyline.

Most routes have a car ferry which also has a full deck for walk-on passengers and for drivers of the vehicles.  They have a cafeteria.  You can go out on the open deck in front or back, and to the top deck for 360 degree views.	Fire boat next to Ivar's fish restaurant as we left for Bainbridge Island.
Soon the Seattle Space Needle, located north from downtown, comes into view.	If you choose to stay inside, there are large picture windows for viewing the ride to Bainbridge Island.

After reaching Bainbridge Island, as you walk off the ship, you can see the vehicles off loading.	Nice small downtown with shops, restaurants, and all the necessary stores for an island.
Beautiful view of Seattle returning to Pier 52.	Other tours leave the waterfront for city tours as well.

Pioneer Square, Where Seattle Began

Signature walkway in Pioneer Square	Totem Pole near the walkway.

	Many forms of transportation in Seattle, many are green.