To Do List

For those of you who want to take advantage of experiencing Seattle, my bro Chad helped come up with a list of sweet things to do while you're in town. Just click the orange link to pull up the web page.

Seafair: An annual festival in Seattle since the 1950's, highlights include hydroplane races and the Blue Angels. Lucky you, our wedding happens to fall on the same weekend!
Space Needle a Seattle landmark, the Space Needle was built for the 1962 world fair. If you want to be fancy you can eat at the restaurant up top, or you can just buy tickets there to ride up to the observation deck (you'll get a fantastic view of the Northwest). Tickets are about $18 for adults, although there are discounts for seniors and kids. Or you can always just go visit the gift shop. :)
Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
is adjacent to the Space Needle (you can't miss it with it's crazy architecture); is a museum exploring the history of popular music (includes a guitar gallery) and science fiction.  Fun facts: it was founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. And the Seattle Center Monorail literally runs right through it.
Pacific Science Center is also in the same vicinity as the space needle. They have an IMAX, but I personally recommend a laser show.
Pike Place Market is another Seattle staple. The lower levels consist of unique shops (jewelery, ethnic food/candy, cigars, comic books, etc.) and restaurants, and the upper level consists of fresh produce, crafts, and fishmongers.
1st Starbucks is located just across the street from the Pike Place Market. The original store was opened in 1971 and maintains it original look as it is located in a historic district.
Shopping includes northgate mall, westlake center, and my personal favorite, downtown.
Seattle Aquarium is located on Pier 59, it's a great family activity
Ride the Duck! This bus/truck/boat is a fun way to tour Seattle both on land and in water
Kayaking for the outdoorsy people...see Seattle from the water by renting kayaks
Comedy/Improv: One of my favorite things to do in Seattle is to go see an improv show (at one point in my life I had 4 comedian's singing an Irish Jig about Amber who is a student and plays the piano...). There are a few improv options, but this link is for one located downtown, right near pikes place market.
Fremont Troll: A large troll under a bridge which was sculpted by local artists is clutching an actual Volkswagon Beetle.
Ferry to Canada: take the ferry from Seattle to Victoria (each way is approx. 3 hours). Don't forget your ID!
 Or for a shorter trip to Bremerton (approx. 1 hour), click here, or other cruise (with dinner) options, click here
Golf : Though there are many golf course options, the scottish style golfing (i.e. next to the sea) option at Chambers Bay in University place is sweet because it is open to the public and has hosted the U.S. Amateur in 2010 and is scheduled to host the U.S. Open in 2015.
Mt. Rainier is my favorite part of Washington, but the drive from Seattle is a little over 2 hours.

Helpful visiting tip: When downtown and looking for advice on where to eat, shop, or play, just ask a Downton Ambassador. You will find them dressed in blue and yellow: they are an on-street concierge team for visitors. For immediate questions, reach a Downtown Ambassador by calling (206) 441-3303. (source: http://www.downtownseattle.com/SeattleVisitorTips.php#)

However you choose to spend your time, we hope you have a fabulous, memorable weekend in the beautiful Northwest!

Hot Eats

Everyone's got to eat, so in case you need  a few suggestions, my brother Chad helped me compile the list of Seattle's Favorites:

Elliott's Oyster House  on Pier 56 is the place to go for fresh, amazing seafood
Metropolitan Grill is the place to go if you're looking for a great steak house
Red Mill Burgers: “One of the 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die" according to Oprah Show & GQ Magazine
Salumi: The store front has amazing take-out sandwiches...according to Anthony Bourdain in his article "13 Places to Eat Before You Die" 
Top Pot Doughnuts has been featured on the cooking channel and the travel channel. Oh, and President Obama picked up some doughnuts there, which he called "outstanding." If you just get one, get the Old-Fashioned Glazed

Let's make it a vacation

There are many hotel options available for those of you interested in staying in Seattle for the weekend. We do have a block of rooms at a pretty sweet lodge, however, for those of you who really want to see the best of the Pacific Northwest. Cedarbrook Lodge was rated #1 hotel by TripAdvisor for 2011 (out of 53,000 hotels in America--not too  shabby). Aside from the awesome fact that the lodge is located on 18 acres of natural restored wetlands, the lodge offers complimentary breakfast, complimentary self parking, free wi-fi, free shuttle service to Sea-Tac Airport (it's only 5 minutes away from the airport) and Seattle Link Light Rail, floor to ceiling windows, fly casting (how often do you see that at a hotel?)...I could go on--but you can just check it out for yourself here.

When booking online go to the quick reservations and click on check availability, please put our code PJWB in the far left box under Group Code along with the dates of stay and then hit continue.  The Wedding Block rates ($159 per room for up to 2 guests per night, $20 for ea. additional guest per night for up to 4 guests per room) will show up for you to book. We have the block for Thursday and Friday, but the code will allow you to receive the special rate for up to 3 days before or after those days. If booking for Saturday, however, we encourage you to book as soon as possible as it is Seafair that weekend, and the hotel will likely sell out.

You are also able to call their central reservation number at 877.515.2176 and book under the Pelesky-Johnson Wedding Block with the same code of PJWB.

Please note that reservations must be made by July 5th to receive the special rate.

All the presence we need

We have been so blessed with everything we need, we certainly do not want or need any gifts. We appreciate the tremendous sacrifice you each are making to travel to our wedding; your presence is all we need. For those of you who insist, however, we are registered at zgallerie.com and Target.

Gifts may be sent to us at:

1738 Phelps Avenue

Fremont, NE 68025

....and they will be waiting for us when we get back :)