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About Susan J

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Susan J., budget traveler extraordinaire, inherited her Yankee frugality from her mother and it has served her well on trips across the US and the UK. Whether scoping out the nightlife scene or searching for that perfect pair of shoes, Susan loves writing and travel. She has lived outside of Seattle, Washington, and in Boston, Massachusetts and Albuquerque, New Mexico. She recently returned from a trip to Hawaii, where she made full use of her Go Oahu Card!

Blog posts written by Susan J

Experience a Seattle Cruise

November 12th, 2007 by susan j

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Argosy Cruises
Photo uploaded by Go Card USA

One of the best ways to experience the rugged beauty of Puget Sound is by boat, and Seattle’s marine climate means that temperatures are mild even in November and December, usually hovering in the 50’s. Argosy Cruises offers several different cruise options, combining breathtaking views with delicious food or family fun. Here’s an overview of some upcoming cruises:

Thursday, November 22
Argosy’s Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise on Elliot Bay includes a seated 4-course dinner, live music, and an arts and crafts area for kids. Choose from entrees like a traditional roast turkey, wild Chinook salmon, butternut squash ravioli, or baked stuffed double pork chop.

Saturday, November 24
The Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise features an interactive dinner theater mystery. Enjoy a 3-course dinner as you try to track down the culprit in this uproariously entertaining evening!

December 1 - 23
The Christmas Ship Festival is a 58 year old Seattle tradition. Each night the ships sail to different waterfront communities, and onboard choirs serenade the crowds gathered on the shores. It’s the largest holiday floating parade in the world, and a great way to get into the holiday spirit!

Planning a trip to Seattle? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Seattle Card.

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Seattle Hotel Guide

November 5th, 2007 by susan j

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Hotel Max, photo courtesy of Hotels.com

Whether you’re bringing the family for a weekend of Seattle sightseeing or you’re doing business at the Seattle Trade Center, Seattle has just the right hotel to fit your needs. All of our picks are conveniently located downtown so you’ll have easy access to all of Seattle’s best attractions.

For those with kids… The Westin Seattle welcomes kids with a special goodie bag as part of the Westin Kids Club. Amenities include a heated indoor pool, a complimentary 24-four fitness facility, and three different restaurants. The Space Needle® and the Pacific Science Center are just two of the nearby attractions.

For those with pets… Hotel Monaco offers a pet-friendly package so you and you pooch can travel in style. You can even treat your dog to a monogrammed Hotel Monaco dog coat (a portion from each sale goes to the King County Human Society). If you choose not to bring a pet, the hotel will lend you a pet goldfish for the duration of your stay and the housekeeping staff will take care of it for you.

For the business traveler… the Sheraton Seattle Hotel has over 1,200 guest rooms and 47 meeting rooms. The Sheraton also features an indoor whirlpool and heated lap pool, copy/printing services, valet parking, and dry cleaning. The Underground Tour and Pike Place Market are nearby.

For the artistically inclined… Hotel Max offers the perfect mix of comfort and cutting edge art. Decorated with more than 350 original paintings and photographs by emerging artists from the Northwest, the Hotel Max experience is anything but ordinary. If you’d like to soak up even more culture, the Experience Music Project and 5th Avenue Musical Theatre are located nearby.

Planning a trip to Seattle? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Seattle Card.

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Happy Halloween!

October 31st, 2007 by susan j

If you’re visiting Seattle and still don’t have plans for Halloween, then it’s not too let to get in on the action later tonight. About.com has a list of resources for finding a costume and otherwise getting into the Halloween mood. You might also check out the Seattle Time’s Spooky Events list. Happy Halloween!

Planning a trip to Seattle? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Seattle Card.

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Spooky Seattle

October 22nd, 2007 by susan j

Legend has it that the Seattle Museum of the Mysteries is haunted by resident ghost Peter Alexander Dunnovitch. Situated in Seattle’s Capital Hill area, this is the state’s only paranormal science museum.

Every Saturday and selected Fridays from 10 pm to midnight, brave souls can visit the museum for a “Haunted Lock-In” featuring antique ghost poke and a tour of Seattle’s first post-prohibition bar. Saturdays during October the Museum also offers the Capitol Hill Ghost Tour at 5 pm. This two hour tour includes stops at the Harvard Exit Theater, Lakeview Cemetary, and other historical sites around Capitol Hill. On Wednesday, October 31, the Seattle Museum of the Mysteries hosts a special Halloween seance.

Planning a trip to Seattle? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Seattle Card.

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EMP opens “American Sabor” exhibit

October 17th, 2007 by susan j

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Havana / Madrid club souvenir photographic print frame given to guests, circa 1950s, courtesy of Johan Kugelberg.

Since it opened to a flurry of attention in 2000, Seattle’s Experience Music Project has brought popular music to life with interactive activities and special exhibits. The EMP is at it again with the opening of a new exhibit called American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Culture. This 5,000 square foot bilingual exhibit is the first of its kind.

American Sabor explores the role of Latinos in American popular music focusing on five major cities: New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio and San Francisco. Through film clips, hands-on activities, and over 100 artifacts spanning six decades, visitors learn about the diverse contributions made by Latino musicians.

The EMP is conveniently located nearly several other other Seattle attractions including the Space Needle®, Pacific Place Shopping Center, and the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame. Read more about the new exhibit in a Seattle Times article called Hot Salsa, Cool Congas.

Planning a trip to Seattle? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Seattle Card.

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Try a Slice of History at Pike Place Market

October 15th, 2007 by susan j

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Photo uploaded by PunkJr.

The Seattle Times recently reported that the historic Pike Place Market appears on the American Planning Association’s 10 great American neighborhoods. If you’re planning a trip to Seattle, then Pike Place should definitely be on your list of things to see. In fact, this bustling market is often called the “Soul of Seattle” and celebrated its 100th anniversary this past summer.

Planning a trip to Seattle? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Seattle Card.

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Spotlight on 5th Avenue Musical Theatre

October 10th, 2007 by susan j

Seattle is known for being the birthplace of famous brands like Starbucks and Amazon.com. But it’s also the home of several Broadway-caliber theaters, too. In fact, Seattle audiences got to see the world premieres of The Wedding Singer and Hairspray at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Musical Theatre before either of the musicals opened on Broadway.

5th Avenue Musical Theatre’s next production, Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, opens on Friday, October 19 for a four week run. Into the Woods weaves together the stories of Rapunzel, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstock, and other favorite fairy tale characters into a modern musical examining personal responsibility and fidelity. It also includes the gorgeous ballad “No One is Alone.”

Want to know more about Seattle’s performing arts scene? The Seattle Times recently published a fall arts preview highlighting other cultural happenings in the area, so check it out.

Planning a trip to Seattle? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Seattle Card.

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Crab-o-Rama!

October 8th, 2007 by susan j

10112007-crab.jpgPhoto uploaded by mamamusings.

The 6th annual Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival is scheduled for the coming weekend, October 13 and 14. Named for the Washingtonian village of Dungeness and set on the Port Angeles City pier and the Red Lion Hotel, the festivities include live musical performances, craft booths, and even a “grab a crab tank derby.” This event is a must for seafood lovers!

Planning a trip to Seattle? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Seattle Card.

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Welcome to the Go Seattle Card Blog!

October 4th, 2007 by susan j

If you’re planning a trip to Seattle, then you’ve come to the right place. From The Space Needle® to Safeco Field, we plan to pack this blog with tons of tips, tidbits, and other travel planning resources to help you see and do everything Seattle has to offer. Bookmark this page and check back for updates on restaurants, tours, attractions, and more!

Planning a trip to Seattle? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Seattle Card.

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