What's New: An Online Update for Frommer's Seattle

December 2004 -- If you're planning a trip to Seattle in the near future, you've probably already discovered that Frommer's Seattle is an invaluable planning tool. Here, in this online update to our book, you'll find recent changers, information on seasonal deals, and other up-to-the-minute information.

Construction continues at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (tel. 800/544-1965 or 206/431-4444; www.portseattle.org/seatac), which has been undergoing major expansions and renovations for years now. The new Central Terminal is scheduled to open in spring 2005, so until then, you can expect some inconveniences. Leave extra time for getting through the airport.

As of November 2004, the Seattle Monorail (tel. 206/905-2620; www.seattlemonorail.com) was still out of service due to a fire that took place in the spring of 2004. Hopefully by the time you visit, this fun public transit option will be up and running once again.

Looking for a deal on a downtown Seattle hotel? Check out the "Hot Dates, Great Rates" web pages for the Hotel Monaco (www.monaco-seattle.com/html/hotdates.php) and the Alexis Hotel (www.alexishotel.com/alxhotd/index.php). These web pages were offering rates of $145 to $155 per night for these two luxury hotels. Also note that the well-placed and economical Inn at Harbor Steps has a new web address. You can now check out this hotel at www.innatharborsteps.com. Also note that the Wolfgang Puck Café that used to be in the same building as the hotel has gone out of business. Also, if you're looking for a good deal on a hotel and activity package, check out what's on offer at the Mayflower Park Hotel, 405 Olive Way (tel. 800/426-5100 or 206/382-6990; www.mayflowerpark.com). This hotel always has interesting deals posted on its website.

The biggest recent news on the Seattle restaurant scene is the opening of Tom Douglas's new restaurant Lola, 2000 Fourth Ave. (tel. 206/441-1430; www.tomdouglas.com), which is located directly across the street from his ever-popular Dahlia Lounge. Despite what you might think, it's not named for the Kinks song; it's named for his wife's grandmother. Likewise, the menu is a modern interpretation of the Greek food that was so dear to grandma and grandpa. Once you've tasted the ouzo-splashed kebabs, you may never be able to go back to your old standby Greek restaurant. Lola is in the Hotel Andra and is open daily for breakfast (brunch on weekends), lunch, and dinner.

Good news for seafood lovers. Although Local celeb-chef Christine Keff had to close down Fandango, her Nuevo Latino restaurant, she has expanded the hours at her wonderful seafood restaurant; Flying Fish, 2234 First Ave. (tel. 206/728-8595; www.flyingfishseattle.com), is now open for lunch, Monday through Friday from 11:30am to 2pm. If you're feeling romantic in the middle of the day on a Sunday afternoon, check out the Sunday brunch at Serafina, 2043 Eastlake Ave. E. tel. 206/323-0807; www.serafinaseattle.com), which is one of the most romantic restaurants in Seattle. Brunch runs from 10am to 2pm. You've probably already figured out that my favorite Seattle activity is eating my way through Pike Place Market, and now there's someplace to stop for creamy, fruity gelato. Bottega Italiana, 1425 First Ave. (tel. 206/343-0200; www.bottegaitaliana.com) serves some of the most flavorful gelato in town and is well worth a stop. Even if it's a cold and rainy day, you can always warm up with an espresso.

Football fans will miss the game if they try to find Seahawks Stadium. The NFL's Seattle Seahawks (tel. 888/NFL-HAWK or 206/381-7816; www.seahawks.com) football team's glitzy stadium, which seemed to be one of the last arenas in the country without an advertising tie-in, has been renamed Qwest Field. Same team, same stadium, just a new name on the building.

Tickets for the Seattle Opera's August 2005 production of Wagner's Ring Cycle (Der Ring des Nibelungen) went on sale on November 15, 2005. This multi-night spectacle is only staged every four years, and tickets go quickly. For information, contact the Seattle Opera (tel. 800/426-1619 or 206/389-7676; www.seattleopera.org). Bet you didn't know there were so many Wagner fans out there, did you?

Also, if you're interested in attending a performance by the Seattle Symphony (tel. 866/833-4747 or 206/215-4747; www.seattlesymphony.org), you can now buy tickets online and see what seats you're getting before you actually pay for them.

Outside Seattle

Port Townsend: A Restored Victorian Seaport

The Jefferson County Historical Society History Museum, 540 Water St. (tel. 360/385-1003; www.jchsmuseum.org), is currently undergoing a renovation of the historic building that houses the museum. Beginning in January 2005, the museum will be located at 210 Polk Street. The renovation is expected to last all of 2005.

Olympic National Park and Environs

If you're planning to visit Olympic National Park, there's a great new resort that you might want to consider as a base for exploring the national park. Although staying at Alderbrook Resort, 10 E. Alderbrook Dr., Union, WA 98592 (tel. 800/622-9370 or 360/898-2200; www.alderbrookresort.com), won't put you any closer to the national park than you would be if you stayed in Seattle, the resort boasts a superb setting and feels like just the sort of Northwest lodge you were probably dreaming of when you started planning a visit to the wilds of the Olympic Peninsula. The resort is located on the shore of Hood Canal, which isn't a canal but rather a long, narrow, fjord-like extension of Puget Sound. Alderbrook has a golf course, full-service spa, and an indoor pool, so you might never even make it to the national park. Rates start at $160 for a double.

Mount Rainier

Although you probably won't notice anything different, Mount Rainier National Park (tel. 360/569-2211, ext. 3314; www.nps.gov/mora) is bigger than it was last year. In 2004, the park added an additional 800 acres.

Tacoma

If you're a fan of artist Dale Chihuly's colorful art-glass constructions, then you'll certainly want to plan a day trip from Seattle down to Tacoma, which is Chihuly's home town. There's plenty of Chihuly's work around downtown Tacoma, and one of the best ways to take it in is on one of the 90-minute guided walking tours offered by the Tacoma Art Museum, 1701 Pacific Ave. (tel. 253/272-4258; www.tacomaartmuseum.org). Tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday at 10am and 2pm and cost $10 per person ($8 per person if the tour is not able to visit Union Station).

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Mounument

Mount St. Helens, the volcano that blew its top back in 1980, was back in the news again in late 2004. The volcano began emitting ash and steam and the lava dome deep in the volcano's crater began growing again. All the activity brought lots of visitors to the national volcanic monument and also shut down different parts of the park. If you were hoping to hike into the crater or up to the rim, you'll probably be out of luck for a while. Before planning a trip to the monument, be sure to check first to find out what visitor centers are open and what parts of the park can be visited. For information, contact Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, (tel. 360/247-3900; www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm).