FROM ATLANTA TO...SEATTLE, WASH.

One city, three price points: Weekend in Seattle, Wash.

For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Sunday, March 29, 2009

BUDGET

Getting there

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images.travelnow.com

The Pioneer Square Hotel is within Seattle’s 30-block historic district and a short trip from the city’s large and colorful Pike Place Market.

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www.museumofflight.org

Some of the world’s most famous aircraft can be seen at the Museum of Flight. Tours also include the Boeing plant and the Future of Flight Aviation Center.

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www.fourseasons.com/seattle

This guest room at the downtown Four Seasons Hotel fronts Elliott Bay. Other rooms at the hotel offer views of Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains.

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American, Delta and USAirways offer round-trip rates from Chattanooga starting at $238 on trips through May 31. A 10-day notice is required. Rates start at $99 each way from Birmingham.

Stay

The Pioneer Square Hotel is in a historic district and minutes from the more than 300 shops and restaurants of Pike Place Market. Guest rooms start at $140. 77 Yesler Way, 206-340-1234. Save more at www.seattlesupersaver.com.

Eat

Get your java at Zeitgeist Kunst and Kaffee, a coffeehouse that serves up baked goods. 171 S. Jackson St., 206-583-0497, www.zeitgeistcoffee.com. Troiani offers small plates, appetizers and desserts from $1 to $9. 1001 Third Ave., 206-624-4060, www.troianiseattle.com.

Experience

Seattle’s role in the 1897 stampede to the Yukon gold fields is preserved at Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Admission is free; www.nps.gov/klse. Take a one-hour harbor cruise; $19.95 adults; $7.81 children 5-12. www.argosycruises.com.

MODERATE

Getting there

AirTran starts nonstop daily service May 5 starting at $139 each way. A 10-day notice is required. Round-trip on Delta begins at $639 with a 21-day advance.

Stay

Stay in a classic guest room at the historic Mayflower Park Hotel. Prices start at $179 and include a full American breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi and valet parking. 405 Olive Way, 206-623-8700, www.mayflowerpark.com.

Eat

On Sundays, May through October, enjoy a two-hour brunch cruise past the landmarks of Lake Union and Lake Washington with live narration. Adults $49; $25 ages 5-12. 2501 N. Northlake Way,

www.waterwayscruises.com.

Experience

The Museum of Flight, home to more than 80 of the world’s most famous airplanes and spacecraft. Adults $14; $7.50 ages 5-17. 206-764-5720, www.museumofflight.org. Take a four-hour Gray Line tour of the Boeing assembly plant and the new Future of Flight Aviation Center. $52.32 adults and children. www.graylineseattle.com.

SPLURGE

Getting there

Give a one-week notice for a nonstop, economy-class Delta flight, from $1,239.

Stay

The new downtown Four Seasons is a short stroll to the Seattle Art Museum and Pike Place Market. Guest rooms feature Puget Sound, Elliott Bay or mountain views. Stay two nights through June 30 and get a complimentary third night, from $365. 99 Union St., 206-749-7000, www.fourseasons.com/seattle.

Eat

Go gourmet through Pike Place Market and at specialty shops and restaurants on a three-hour walking tour; 2 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, $65.

www.savorseattletours.com.

Experience

Expand your Northwest adventure with a round-trip cruise and overnight stay in Victoria, British Columbia. Watch for Orca whales through Puget Sound, past villages and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Through April 30, $162 per person includes a cruise with continental breakfast and an overnight at the Fairmont Empress. www.clippervacations.com.

Maerz is a retired travel consultant. Look for her daily deals on ajc.com/travel.

Have a city you want to read about? E-mail svanatten@ajc.com, and put “weekend in” in the subject line.

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