{"id":11845,"date":"2017-01-05T06:06:23","date_gmt":"2017-01-05T06:06:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dabacon.org\/pontiff\/?p=11845"},"modified":"2017-01-05T06:06:23","modified_gmt":"2017-01-05T06:06:23","slug":"seattle-for-qipers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dabacon.org\/pontiff\/2017\/01\/05\/seattle-for-qipers\/","title":{"rendered":"Seattle for QIPers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/stationq.microsoft.com\/qip-2017\/\">QIP 2017<\/a> is coming to Seattle, hosted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/group\/quantum-architectures-and-computation-group-quarc\/\">QuArC<\/a> group at Microsoft, January 16-20 (with tutorials on the 14th and 15th). If you have some spare moments, maybe you arrive early, or maybe you are planning for the afternoon off, here are some ideas for things to do around the wonderful city I call home.<br \/>\n<b>Be a Tourist!<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Take a trip up to the Seattle Center (approximately 1 mile walk from Hotel). \u00a0There you can take a ride to top of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceneedle.com\">Space Needle<\/a>\u00a0($22), which has some great views when it is sunny (ha!). \u00a0Music or Star Trek fan? \u00a0Check out <span style=\"text-decoration: line-through\">Paul Allen&#8217;s collection of toys and memorabilia<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mopop.org\/\">Museum of Pop Culture<\/a>\u00a0($30), which has two very geeky exhibits right now, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mopop.org\/at-the-museum\/current-exhibits\/star-trek-exploring-new-worlds\/\">Star Trek<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mopop.org\/at-the-museum\/current-exhibits\/indie-game-revolution\/\">Indie Game Revolution<\/a>. \u00a0Or if you are secure in your ability to not knock over stuff worth more than it&#8217;s weight in gold, check out the Chihuly Garden and Glass\u00a0($22, combine with a trip to Space Needle for $36). \u00a0Kids and family in tow? \u00a0Can&#8217;t go wrong with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pacificsciencecenter.org\/\">Pacific Science Center<\/a>\u00a0($27.75 adults, $11.75 kids) and the <a href=\"http:\/\/thechildrensmuseum.org\/\">Seattle Children&#8217;s Museum<\/a>\u00a0($10.50).<\/li>\n<li>Visit <a href=\"http:\/\/pikeplacemarket.org\/\">Pike&#8217;s Place Market<\/a> (about 0.5 mile walk from Hotel). \u00a0See them toss fish! \u00a0Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Original_Starbucks\">original Starbucks<\/a>\u00a0(sssshhh it was actually the second). \u00a0Like your politics off the chart? Check out <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leftbankbooks.com\/\">Left Bank Books<\/a>\u00a0which has a seriously <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leftbankbooks.com\/sp.php\">eclectic collection of books<\/a>. \u00a0While you&#8217;re at it, if you&#8217;re playing tourist, you might as well walk on down to the waterfront where you can take a ride on the <a href=\"http:\/\/seattlegreatwheel.com\/\">Seattle Great Wheel<\/a> ($13) or check out the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seattleaquarium.org\/\">Aquarium<\/a>\u00a0($50 ouch) (we had a party there a few years back, yes we ate Sushi in front of the octopus.)<\/li>\n<li>Architect buff on the cheap? \u00a0Check out the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.spl.org\/locations\/central-library\/cen-plan-a-visit\">Seattle Central Library<\/a>\u00a0(a little over a half mile from Hotel). \u00a0Sculpture buff on the cheap? \u00a0Walk around the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.seattleartmuseum.org\/visit\/olympic-sculpture-park\">Olympic Sculpture Park<\/a>\u00a0(little over a mile from the Hotel). \u00a0These are in completely different directions from the Hotel.<\/li>\n<li>Museums? \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.seattleartmuseum.org\/visit\/seattle-art-museum\">Seattle Art Museum<\/a> has a nice collection ($25) but my favorite these days is the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mohai.org\/\">Museum of History and Industry<\/a>\u00a0(Little over 1 mile walk, $20). \u00a0The MoHaI is located in south Lake Union, a location that has been transformed dramatically in the last few years since Amazon relocated to the area. \u00a0Count the number of cranes!<\/li>\n<li>So it turns out the Seattle you see today was built over the top of the Seattle that used to be, and, while I&#8217;ve never done it, everyone I know who has done it, loves the S<a href=\"http:\/\/www.undergroundtour.com\/\">eattle Underground Tour<\/a>. \u00a0Note that if you combine this tour with reading about earthquakes in the PNW you might give yourself some anxiety issues. \u00a0Seattle is in the middle of boring a long tunnel under it&#8217;s downtown to replace the gigantic monstrosity of the viaduct, sadly I don&#8217;t think there are any tours of the tunnel boring machine, Big Bertha.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Be a Geek!<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.seattletechnicalbooks.com\/\">Ada&#8217;s Technical Books<\/a>\u00a0is in the Capital Hill Neighborhood (bus or\u00a0Lyft). \u00a0It&#8217;s not as crazy as some university town bookstore, but has a good collection of non-standard science and tech books.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.elliottbaybook.com\/\">Elliot Bay Bookstore<\/a> again in Capital Hill is no Powell&#8217;s but it&#8217;s still rather good.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/fantagraphics.com\/flog\/bookstore\/\">Fantagraphics<\/a>\u00a0bookstore and gallery. \u00a0You&#8217;ll know if you want to go to this if you recognize the name.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>See a Show!<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Check out the Stranger&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thestranger.com\/things-to-do\">Things to Do<\/a> page for some good leads. \u00a0See what&#8217;s playing at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thecrocodile.com\/\">The Crocodile<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Get Out and About!<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We&#8217;ve a ton of snow right now. \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.summitatsnoqualmie.com\/\">Snoqualmie<\/a>\u00a0is closest, great for beginners or if you&#8217;re just craving a quick ski or board. \u00a0For the more serious, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mtbaker.us\/\">Baker<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/crystalmountainresort.com\/\">Crystal<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.stevenspass.com\/site\">Stevens Pass<\/a> are all recommended. \u00a0I like Crystal a bit more, on clear days the view of Mt. Rainier is spectacular.<\/li>\n<li>Take a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wsdot.wa.gov\/ferries\/\">ferry<\/a> over to Bainbridge Island. \u00a0This is one of my top recommendations in the summer, but even in the winter it&#8217;s a nice trip. \u00a0(Other summer recommendation is to rent a Kayak and kayak around Lake Union, but it&#8217;s too cold to do that this time of year.)<\/li>\n<li>If you&#8217;re up for a nice stroll, head over to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.wta.org\/go-hiking\/hikes\/seattle-magnolia-area-beach-discovery-park\">Discovery Park<\/a>\u00a0or take a walk on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seattle.gov\/parks\/find\/parks\/alki-beach-park\">Alki beach<\/a> in West Seattle (both require a ride to get there from Hotel, though you could walk down and take the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.kingcounty.gov\/transportation\/kcdot\/WaterTaxi\/WSeattle.aspx\">water taxi<\/a> on weekdays.) \u00a0Closer by to the Hotel, head over to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.seattle.gov\/parks\/find\/parks\/myrtle-edwards-park\">Myrtle Edwards Park<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Neighborhoods<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Seattle\u00a0is a city of neighborhoods, each of which, believes that they have\u00a0their own style! \u00a0Each of these except Belltown or Downtown are a bus, cab, or rideshare away. \u00a0Really there is too much to cover here, but here are a few short notes:\n<ul>\n<li>Belltown: This is the neighborhood just north of downtown where the Hotel is located. \u00a0Used to be sketchy but now has lots of luxury condos. \u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.shortydog.com\/\">Shorty&#8217;s<\/a> is a dive with pinball and hot dogs. \u00a0People seem to love <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tilikumplacecafe.com\/\">Tilikum Place Cafe<\/a>\u00a0though I have not been there. \u00a0If you want a traditional expensive steakhouse, <a href=\"http:\/\/elgaucho.com\/dine\/seattle\/\">El Gaucho<\/a> is great, though I think the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.themetropolitangrill.com\/\">Metropolitan Grill<\/a> in downtown is better (both pricey!) \u00a0Since this is a quantum conference, I would be remorse to not point out that Belltown is the site of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.somerandombar.com\/\">Some Random Bar<\/a>, which I believe has good crab nachos. \u00a0If you crave a sweet donut,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.toppotdoughnuts.com\/\">Top Pot Donuts<\/a> is literally just up the street from the hotel.<\/li>\n<li>Fremont: Is still an eclectic neighborhood, though not quite as far out as it used to be. \u00a0It&#8217;s annual solstice parade is the only day it is legal to ride your bike nude in Seattle. \u00a0 Tons of places to eat and drink here, I recommend <a href=\"http:\/\/www.brouwerscafe.com\/\">Brouwers<\/a>\u00a0(great beer selection, frites),\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.relayrestaurantgroup.com\/restaurants\/revel\/\">Revel<\/a>\u00a0(Korean fusion, no reservations), and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.paseorestaurants.com\/\">Paseo<\/a>\u00a0(cuban sandwiches OMG delicious)\u00a0but there are a ton more in the neighborhood. \u00a0 Theo&#8217;s chocolate does <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theochocolate.com\/factory-tours\">factory tours<\/a>\u00a0and also supplies a great smell to the neighborhood (along with another smell from the nearby dispensaries!) \u00a0Also if you&#8217;re up this way you can see a <a href=\"http:\/\/fremont.com\/about\/fremonttroll-html\/\">huge troll<\/a> under a bridge, <a href=\"http:\/\/fremont.com\/about\/storyrocket-html\/\">a rocket ship<\/a>, and a statue of <a href=\"http:\/\/fremont.com\/about\/lenin\/\">Lenin<\/a> (who sometimes gets dressed in drag).<\/li>\n<li>Ballard:\u00a0Originally a Scandinavian fishing community, these days it&#8217;s hip as Seattle hip gets. \u00a0Sunday year round<a href=\"http:\/\/www.sfmamarkets.com\/visit-ballard-farmers-market\/\"> farmer&#8217;s market<\/a>. \u00a0When many people think of the Pacific Northwest they think of fish, but really I think where Seattle really shines is in shellfish. \u00a0The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewalrusbar.com\/menu\">Walrus and the Carpenter<\/a>\u00a0is a great place to affirm this claim.<\/li>\n<li>Capital Hill: East of downtown, Seattle&#8217;s most vibrant district. \u00a0Fancy restaurants: <a href=\"http:\/\/alturarestaurant.com\/\">Altura<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.poppyseattle.com\/\">Poppy<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>University District: Lots of cheap eats for UW students. \u00a0In the summer I recommend renting a kayak from <a href=\"http:\/\/aguaverde.com\/\">Agua Verde<\/a>, a Mexican restuarant\/kayak rental joint<\/li>\n<li>South Lake Union: Amazon land, totally transformed over the last few years. I&#8217;ve had good luck at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/republicseattle.com\/menu\/\">re:public<\/a>. \u00a0Shuffleboard at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bravehorsetavern.com\/\">Brave Horse Tavern<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Morning Run<\/strong><br \/>\nI&#8217;d probably head over to the Sculpture park and run up Myrtle Edwards Park: here is a mapmyrun <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mapmyrun.com\/routes\/view\/1047156661\">route<\/a>.<br \/>\n<strong>Seattle<\/strong><br \/>\nEnjoy Seattle, it&#8217;s a fun town! \u00a0I recommend, generally, shellfish, thai food, and coffee. \u00a0Also you can play the fun people guessing game: &#8220;software engineer or not&#8221; (advanced players can score points for Amazon or Microsoft sub-genres). \u00a0Also:\u00a0if you don&#8217;t want to look like a tourist, leave the umbrella at home. \u00a0You know it rains more every year in New York city, right?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>QIP 2017 is coming to Seattle, hosted by the QuArC group at Microsoft, January 16-20 (with tutorials on the 14th and 15th). If you have some spare moments, maybe you arrive early, or maybe you are planning for the afternoon off, here are some ideas for things to do around the wonderful city I call &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dabacon.org\/pontiff\/2017\/01\/05\/seattle-for-qipers\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Seattle for QIPers&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Blog post: Seattle for QIPers","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[63,75],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11845","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-quantum","category-seattle"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dabacon.org\/pontiff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11845","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dabacon.org\/pontiff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dabacon.org\/pontiff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dabacon.org\/pontiff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dabacon.org\/pontiff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11845"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dabacon.org\/pontiff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11845\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dabacon.org\/pontiff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11845"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dabacon.org\/pontiff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11845"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dabacon.org\/pontiff\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11845"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}