Recommendations on hotels, restaurants and things to do in Seattle

[Guest]

Considering Seattle for New Years Eve. Seahawks vs Steelers and then NYE celebration. Would go in late on12/28 and leave on 1/2. Recommendations on hotels, restaurants and things to do. Not opposed to having a car if necessary. Do they have a ball drop on the Space needle?

[Kimberly]

Parking and traffic in Seattle is a headache, especially around major sporting and festival type events.

You’re interested in two “opposite” neighborhoods but both are easy to reach on public transit - as long as you’re comfortable with city public transit and the environment that often surrounds those terminals.

The stadium games are around the major Stadium Link Light Rail station, just know the trains will be packed and you’ll need to bring patience. But it’s an easy way to get up into downtown. Or you can just walk, again if you’re alert and comfortable in a big city. I recently watched a Mariners game and we walked from the stadium to the Westin downtown in about 20 minutes.

The space needle is on the northern end at the Seattle Center area, which can easily be reached via the monorail from the Westlake Station. I personally wouldn’t recommend walking between downtown and Seattle Center.

This past year if I recall they did a drone show at the needle. I believe T Mobile typically sponsors it.

Hope that helps.

[Kendra]

I might suggest staying at the Edgewater if you want to splash out a bit. Or the Renaissance in the middle of town is a good midpoint between your two events.

Definitely do Pike Place Market one day, and eat somewhere there - Old Stove Brewing, Pink Door, or Matt's at the Market are all good. Honestly Space needle is pretty cool to go up, especially since the renovations last year. Kinda cool to go up and then knowing the fireworks get blown off from there.

Combine that with a visit to the MoPop if you like music or chihuly if you like glass art. Food - Armory is good for lunch or Toulouse Petit is my favorite. Take a ferry to either bainbridge island or Alki.

Smith tower for a cool view and absinthe bar. Rockcreek is a little north of where you'll be, but I love it for seafood. I do NOT SUGGEST UBERING after the fireworks. You will be waiting until 2 am with glitches.

I suggested the Edgewater so you can walk back after the show.

Explore these too: Where do people recommend for sunshine between Xmas and new year?

[Kendra]

Hi there, for those events, you probably can get away with using the light rail and Uber. Parking can be a hassle if you drive, but obviously you can get to farther flung places if you have a car.

You might want to tell us what type of budget you want to splash out on and what activities you enjoy.

[Larry]

There's fireworks at the Space Needle for NYE. I wouldn't even think about driving to the football stadium. Far better to take the Light Rail or even a bus. I also encourage you to take the monorail to the Space Needle. Downtown can be a bit dodgy these days, so while it's not super-luxe, the Maxwell in Lower Queen Anne (aka Uptown) is pleasant and clean and the neighborhood is calm. (I had my wedding party stay there.) It's easy to get to as well. If you do get a car, consider the Museum of Fight. It's great for adults as well as kids.

Also, there are a lot of great restaurants in Ballard along Ballard Ave. If you don't have a car, the bus is relatively quick or you could take an Uber. (FWIW, I lived in Ballard for seven years.)

Also, check out: My partner and I are thinking of going away for New Year’s this year

[Jessica]

On NYE they left off fireworks from the Space Needle.

Definitely just use Uber because parking in that area sucks on game days.