Seattle and Vancouver?

Never been to the Pacific Northwest and I'm leaving in a week to go to both cities.

I'm very excited but am looking for some recommendations.

In terms of theatre, I know the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle is pretty well known but Rent is playing while I'm there so unless anyone has stellar opinions of the theatre, I'll probably skip it. Is there any other worthwhile theatre in Seattle?

In Vancouver, Bard on the Beach looks very interesting. Has anyone done that? Any other recommendations?

Beyond theatre of course, I am looking for anything!! Restaurants, museums, things to do, don't need hotel recommendations (I booked those.)

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Bard on the Beach is no fun, really really bad summer stock Shakespeare. Though Merry Wives is interesting as a curiosity.

Unfortunately, theater in Seattle over July/August is usually fairly slim pickings, due to most of the major houses being in the off season, and don't really start up until September. Rent is a brand new self production put on by the 5th Ave though, so there may be some interest to see what's done differently. Our other large theater house is The Paramount, which only hosts touring musicals, and doesn't have anything coming until Wicked in October. they do keep busy with concerts there between shows.

On the play side of things, Intiman Theater is trying to stage a comeback after their financial disaster that had them scrapping last season. They are showing four different shows in repertory (Romeo & Juliet, Hedda Gabler, Miracle! (a new show by sex advice columnist Dan Savage (who what also the subject of the off-Broadway musical, "The Kid")), and Dirty Story by John Patrick Shanley). I've heard pretty good things about the first three shows.

Museum wise, the Pacific Science Center has the last US stop of the King Tut exhibit. If you have any interest in other types of music, the EMP (Experience Music Project) may be of interest. I think they have three exhibits right now on The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Nirvana. Connected to the EMP is the Sci-Fi Museum, and they have three exhibits going on also (Avatar, Horror Movies, and Icons of Science Fiction). The Seattle Art Museum has an exhibit on Australian/Aboriginal art, and their regular collection is pretty interesting also.

Also the Seattle Great Wheel (our ferris wheel) has just opened up on the waterfront, which is a pretty good place to explore in conjunction with Pike Place Market. If you are here during a weekday, it isn't too crowded and touristy.

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If you're under 30, the 5th Ave is selling front row and on-stage seating for $20 on the day of the show.

I'm not usually a big fan of Rent, but I've seen this production and I definitely think it's worth your time.

While in Vancouver, take a day trip to Victoria. Very pretty city and very British. In Vancouver, either do a city tour or go to Stanley Park. Alot to see there, especially totem poles that are very unique. As Elephaba mentioned, go to top of space needle, especially on a clear day. The views are great, especially the mountains. I also took a boat ride in Seattle. Great views and scenery.