Aircraft related things to see in or around Seattle.

Ok so in my never ending quest to find the American dream this year I'm off to the Northern part of your glorious country.I'll be camping in Yellowstone starting from the middle of June for a week.Then a couple of days drive along I90 with over night stops in Missoula and Spokane ending up for the last week in Seattle (probably staying near lake Sammamish,but not confirmed yet).

Apart from the very obvious Boeing tour at Everett,what else is there to see that's aircraft related on the trip across the country,and of course when I get to Seattle?

More to the point is the hidden gems that aren't in the guidebooks such as Connies used as roadside cafes?

a reply to: Imagewerx

Talk to Sammamishman. He knows the area and can tell you. There's quite a bit though. There's the museum at Boeing Field, plane spotting at Moses Lake, etc.

a reply to: Imagewerx

If your stopping in Spokane and intend on going to Everett, I'd suggest taking U.S. 2 instead of I-90.That highway is more scenic and arrives right in Everett. Otherwise, a quick right turn in Monroe on Wash, 203 will take you right back to I-90 and a short trip west and you'll be at Lake Sammamish.

The Museum of Flight at Boeing Field is worth a day of your time. Also, I don't know if they offer tours, but the newly expanded 737 assembly plant is at Renton and worth exploring. The History and Industry Museum at the south end of Lake Union is also worthwhile (and next to as seaplane base) If you get here in early August, the Blue Angels will be here for Seafair.

And if you want to take a ferry boat ride from downtown Seattle, I'll host you for a day. Just PM me.

a reply to: Imagewerx

Oh boy do I. So your going to be near lake Sammamish? My user name isn't Sammamishman for nothing you know. Lol.

The Boeing museum of flight is a must see. That will take you at least a full day. Drive around Boeing field too, you never know who or what is visiting at the time.
You can't get into the 737 plant in Renton but it is worth a drive around.
Next is Paine field and the Boeing plant tour. Just remember they don't allow photographs on the tour so don't get your hopes up of getting those killer inside plant shots.
The tour starts at a small museum that is worth a walk through and they have a observation deck that is a great place to plane spot what's going on at Boeing. That can take a day as well. For both Paine and Boeing fields you will want your short and long lens.
At the time of year your planning on coming, you will have a good chance of seeing the MRJ testing at either Boeing field or over at Moses lake ( Boeing's testing area).
On the military side, there is a military parking area next to the Boeing museum that usually have several P-8's and AWACS parked there.
JBLM is about 40 min south of Seattle ( depending on traffic) that should have C-17's floating around.
You will also be driving past Fairchild AFB near Spokane so keep an eye out for KC-35's.
If you've got time, a drive over to Whidbey Island NAS is worth they trip. There, you might get to see Growlers and P-3's as well as some breathtaking scenery.

When the time gets closer, send me a message, we'll go for a drive.

Be sure to check out Paul Allen's flying heritage collection in Everett, also they were building ME 262's there at Paine field a few years ago. I don't know if the program is still active or not but its worth poking around.

The Museum of flight restoration center is there as well. Officially they discourage impromptu tours but if you seem like you know your way around they will let you poke around.

Have fun!

All of the above are best bets for the aircraft enthusiast, but depending on your time constraints, there is also the Arlington airport about another 20 mins north of Everett. Experimental craft airport and also many private owner/collector aircraft are kept up there.

Wish you a great journey.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Imagewerx

Talk to Sammamishman. He knows the area and can tell you. There's quite a bit though. There's the museum at Boeing Field, plane spotting at Moses Lake, etc.

Thanks Zaph.It'll be worth a visit to Moses Lake just because it's got such a cool name compared to airfield names in the UK.

a reply to: Imagewerx

Check your messages.

originally posted by: nwtrucker
a reply to: Imagewerx

If your stopping in Spokane and intend on going to Everett, I'd suggest taking U.S. 2 instead of I-90.That highway is more scenic and arrives right in Everett. Otherwise, a quick right turn in Monroe on Wash, 203 will take you right back to I-90 and a short trip west and you'll be at Lake Sammamish.

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't want to end up in Everett,not that early in the trip anyway.More scenic does sound better though.

originally posted by: schuyler
The Museum of Flight at Boeing Field is worth a day of your time. Also, I don't know if they offer tours, but the newly expanded 737 assembly plant is at Renton and worth exploring. The History and Industry Museum at the south end of Lake Union is also worthwhile (and next to as seaplane base) If you get here in early August, the Blue Angels will be here for Seafair.

And if you want to take a ferry boat ride from downtown Seattle, I'll host you for a day. Just PM me.

Thanks for that.I was originally planning on an early August visit to see the air display and powerboat racing on Lake Washington,but I don't like the crowds associated with the busy holiday season so changed it to a couple of months earlier instead.

Thanks even more for the offer of hosting,I may well take you up on it and will let you know sometime soon.

a reply to: Sammamishman

I guessed you might be local from your user name.I'll be staying (hopefully) right down in the South Western tip of the lake,is there still reasonably quick access to all of the Seattle area from here as I always try to stay as far out of the town/city as possible?

I was going to ask about photos in the Boeing plant as although it says no on the Boeing website,I've seen photos on Flickr etc taken inside by day visitors?

And definitely yes on taking a drive.

originally posted by: Drunkenparrot
Be sure to check out Paul Allen's flying heritage collection in Everett, also they were building ME 262's there at Paine field a few years ago. I don't know if the program is still active or not but its worth poking around.

The Museum of flight restoration center is there as well. Officially they discourage impromptu tours but if you seem like you know your way around they will let you poke around.

Have fun!

Thanks I will do that,just to find out why they were making ME262s in North America a few years ago.

originally posted by: ronjer
All of the above are best bets for the aircraft enthusiast, but depending on your time constraints, there is also the Arlington airport about another 20 mins north of Everett. Experimental craft airport and also many private owner/collector aircraft are kept up there.

Wish you a great journey.

Thanks I've got a whole week there,so will hopefully see as much of it as possible.It's not going to be all aircraft stuff though,gotta see all the touristy stuff as well.The Seattle Underground fascinates me so will definitely give that a look.

a reply to: Imagewerx

Yeah, sounds like you will be in Issaquah. Definitely away from the dense city but still gives you easy access to just about everywhere via I-90. That's about 20 min. from down town Seattle, Boeing field and Renton with no traffic. About 40 min. from Paine field. Depending on the time of day add 10-15 min. to each for traffic. (Seattle is in the top 5 worst traffic areas in the US.)

I suppose you could sneak a cell phone into the tour but you'd be kicked out if they saw you with it. They don't search you but they do ask that ALL electronic devices don't come and you can rent a locker to store the stuff you can't take.

From Issaquah you'd also be about 20 min from Snoqualmie falls. Worth the trip if you like waterfalls. This is also the place to be if you like big trees, we've got a few of those too.

originally posted by: Sammamishman
a reply to: Imagewerx

Yeah, sounds like you will be in Issaquah. Definitely away from the dense city but still gives you easy access to just about everywhere via I-90. That's about 20 min. from down town Seattle, Boeing field and Renton with no traffic. About 40 min. from Paine field. Depending on the time of day add 10-15 min. to each for traffic. (Seattle is in the top 5 worst traffic areas in the US.)

I suppose you could sneak a cell phone into the tour but you'd be kicked out if they saw you with it. They don't search you but they do ask that ALL electronic devices don't come and you can rent a locker to store the stuff you can't take.

From Issaquah you'd also be about 20 min from Snoqualmie falls. Worth the trip if you like waterfalls. This is also the place to be if you like big trees, we've got a few of those too.

Sounds like the perfect base to experience Seattle from in that case,and yes it will be in Issaquah and should just about have a lake view.

Waterfalls and big trees do float my boat,so will have to make the trip along to Snoqualmie while I'm there.

So has anyone else got any suggestions for things to do and see while I'm up in the Yellowstone and Seattle areas please?

a reply to: Imagewerx

If at any time your on I-82 from Ellensburg to Yakima, you'll go by the Yakima training grounds. Army Striker units out of JBLM and Army Ranger units train there. You can also see a decomitioned CIA ECHELON satellite listening site from the freeway. They still have the large sat. dish there.
If you can make the trip, over to the Olympic National Forrest is the place to see the BIG old growth trees. Also if you have a day to burn and the weather cooperates, a drive down to Mount Rainier or Mount St. Helens is awesome.

Well, I was waiting but it's time to say...about in and around Seattle...my heavens yes....before ya go into the museum or Paine.....get your young selves a tummy full of Ivars....there...I feel better now.....except....yes except one thing.

I haven'''''''''t had any seafood from Ivars in.....let me think....dang since 2005.....it's an outrage.... FLAGG

originally posted by: Sammamishman
a reply to: Imagewerx

If at any time your on I-82 from Ellensburg to Yakima, you'll go by the Yakima training grounds. Army Striker units out of JBLM and Army Ranger units train there. You can also see a decomitioned CIA ECHELON satellite listening site from the freeway. They still have the large sat. dish there.
If you can make the trip, over to the Olympic National Forrest is the place to see the BIG old growth trees. Also if you have a day to burn and the weather cooperates, a drive down to Mount Rainier or Mount St. Helens is awesome.

Thanks again,I'll do my best to see as much of that lot as possible.What about the Seattle underground,worth half a day or so without sunlight?

originally posted by: GBP/JPY
Well, I was waiting but it's time to say...about in and around Seattle...my heavens yes....before ya go into the museum or Paine.....get your young selves a tummy full of Ivars....there...I feel better now.....except....yes except one thing.

I haven'''''''''t had any seafood from Ivars in.....let me think....dang since 2005.....it's an outrage....

FLAGG

Thanks I might have a look but I'm not a big fan of seafood I'm afraid.