<p>I'm going up to visit the UW campus next week and I was wondering if there were any "sights to see" (that are not really publicized).</p>
<p>I really want to get a good feel of what Seattle is like while I'm up there, so please feel free to extend this to hotel, food and shopping recommendations. I'm a bit afraid that after pumping myself up about the school so much, that I'll be disappointed in what I see.</p>
<p>I really like the Alexa hotel because it's smaller and has great service. However if you want your standard high class hotels I'd go with the Westin, because it's right next to the shopping centers, or the W because it's supposed to be really nice.</p>
<p>I think that if you are going to Seattle you have to go to the Public Market because I love the food there. It's kind of a tourist trap but there are some interesting stores and crafts. And there is good shopping just up the road in the Pacific Place/Nordstorms area.</p>
<p>For food I'd go to Tratoria Michelli by the Pioneer Square hotel for Italian. Everyone I've know that has gone there has loved the food, and their brunch is amazing. I also like Ototo Sushi in Queen Anne, which is good for Japanese. If you want to go really fancy I'd say go to the Metropolitan Grill (which I think is better than the Union Square but both are good). I'd also recommend at least one night eating on the waterfront at Ivar's, Elliott's Oyster House or Salty's. </p>
<p>And of course go to the Ave and University Village (as you will be spending a lot of time at those places).</p>
<p>I'd recommend when you get here to pick up a Seattle Weekly (or Seattle Times if you want to be boring) and look at the food reviews and the events calender for more suggestions.</p>
<p>Nice recommendations seaissa.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I checked the weather for next week dreamkissed, and it is supposed to rain like the entire week. Talk about bad timing, this is the first time we've had a lot of rain for awhile so hopefully it doesn't put too big of a damper on your trip. It's supposed to rain all this week, so maybe, just maybe, the rain will cease come next week. Try not to hold the rain against UW because even though the weather is different from say the gorgeous weather in California, you really don't notice it if you live in the PNW and you'll just get used to it if you decide to attend the U.</p>
<p>Thanks for the recommendations seaissa! :):):) I'll keep them in mind while I'm in Seattle!</p>
<p>And Rovee, I'm sure that the rain will be fine. I don't really have a problem with rain even though it really seems that it only rains when I don't want it to...</p>
<p>No problem-- I hope you have a great time.</p>
<p>Haha, well that's good to hear dreamkissed. I hear far too often how "the weather" can make a trip bad, and its good to know that something so trivial as this won't affect your decision about UW. Actually, from your previous posts, you never seemed like someone who would let something little bug them, so kudos to you. Oh yeah, and I know what you mean about having it rain when you don't want it to, but then again, I'm really not a big fan of rain... :-)</p>