STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Yay! Seattle!

Ok, the Space Needle is so not worth it. I don't know how much it costs, but it's basically just a view. Unless you eat there and then it's expensive and terrible.

EMP is ok. I wouldn't rule it out, although it is expensive. They have exibits, which are kind of cool. The best part is this place where you pretend you're a rockstar, and you can play instruments and stuff. Plusthe architechture is just cool. And it's right next to the Space Needle so you can see it even if you don't go in it. I was just looking at their site and it says something about school group visits. You could look into it more, but it says it's only $5 a person then. Also, it's within walking distance.
http://www.emplive.com/index.asp

Seattle Art Museum is cool too and with in walking distance if they would have any interest in that. It's also within walking distance.
http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/

I would take them to Fremont. I don't think it would be too hard to get to by bus. It's just a real cool neighborhood that they could walk around in. There are lots of cool stores and restaraunts and stuff. Here's the website, apparently they have one.
http://www.fremontseattle.com/index.htm

I think the Science Center is real cool. It's right by EMP and the Space Needle. I'm a huge nerd though. They do have laser shows, which are fun.
http://www.pacsci.org/

I'm just throwing out random things now. It could be cool to go kayaking? I love kayaking. My friends and I used to go to this (excellent) Mexican restaurant that also rents out kayaks and go kayaking, then have lunch. It's in Fremont, a little outside the main strip.
http://www.aguaverde.com/

Hmm, I'm drawing a blank. I'll try to think of more things, and I'm sure Luckylily and roxy and others have ideas. Also, pretty much from where you're staying all the way down to the water has a lot of shopping and stuff.


Here's a site for public transportation info...
http://tripplanner.metrokc.gov/cgi-bin/itin_page.pl?resptype=U

Yeah, the space needle can be a bit of a letdown, but if it's a nice day, you have a fantastic view! 

You can also head down the piers where all the ferries run on Alaskan Way.  There are a lot of little shops and tours and stuff that leave from there.  I think the aquarium is also there (although it is pretty small).  You can also grab a ferry to my side of the water and visit places like Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo or Port Angeles.  You could even head to Canada. 

Pike Place Market is also a pretty neat place to see.  and the new public library is AWESOME if you are into architecture.

I'm trying to think of what else you can see, but whenever my friends come visit, we always just go shopping. 

Oh, that area is all definitely doable in one day, and you can probably do the aquarium in less than 2 hours (they even have cute shows with the otter and stuff and I think it's Octopus Week there pretty soon). http://www.seattleaquarium.org/

Since they are younger, they may like http://www.yeoldecuriosityshop.com on the Pier.  It's close to the aquarium and there is like an arcade area near there too http://www.pier57seattle.com/

The museum is also near there (although it is on or near the same street as a bunch of burlesque/adult theater kind of places).

I would recommend Pike Place in the morning/early afternoon only because I hate it in the afternoon.  I don't know why.  I just never have a good time when I go in the afternoon http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/

Also, for you, Nordstrom #1 is on Pine Street, pretty much running perpendicular to Pike Place.  It's the biggest one I have ever seen.  Lot of window shopping at neat places and always a fun place to people watch in that area, too, as well as the Monorail to the space needle at Westlake Center (gets you there faster than anything else, really). 

i have to say that i like pike place better in the afternoon, more activity, more people, but that might be a headache with a big group to keep track of. make sure to visit the underground shops too. the comic/collectible place is pretty cool. also, there's a piroshky place across the street that i highly recommend. yummm.... and la panier, a really nice french bakery....

i second maddie's science center suggestion, but i'm a nerd too. the seattle art museum is cool...oh, i second the public library suggestion, its really nice....

the pier area has alot of little tourist shops...clam chowder place....

shopping: pacific place, a little more ritzy than westlake, pine street, it has bcbg max mara, coach, nicole miller, ann taylor, helly hanson, barnes and noble....its connected to nordstrom too, i think

westlake center: fossil, hot topic, Jessica McClintock, Nine West....it's on pine too

oh, near the convention center, there's a gameworks. and cheescake factory...yum

urban outfitters and anthro are right next to eachother on fifth

there's more...but  i cant rmember....