Another Visitor To Seattle and Parts nearby

[SoFLFriend]

Hey everyone!
I've decided to take my 14 yr old son on an adventure, and I've chosen Seattle.  I want to stay for a few days,  take in neighborhoods, second hand book stores, thrift stores... fun stuff. 
Then we're going to rent a car and drive up the coast.
Do you know places, we must stop at?  I was thinking of Vancouver and Victoria Islands.

Do you have any suggestions as to neighborhoods?
Do you have a favorite place that you like to take your friends?

We are Trader Joe people, we do love seafood, and we do love fun neighborhoods.
Thanks.
Lynne

[Hawkfan]

Hey Lynne, hope you enjoy your visit to Seattle!

Based on your post, I'd recommend exploring Capitol Hill and Fremont in Seattle.  Fun, quirky neighborhoods with lots of cool little stores.

Since you mentioned second hand book stores, you might consider driving down to Portland.  I'm sure you've heard of Powell's.  In Seattle, there's the Elliott Bay Book store.

If you have to choose between going north to Vancouver or south to Portland though, go north.  There's a lot more to see and do in Vancouver and Victoria, in my opinion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitol_Hill,_Seattle,_Washington
http://www.fremontseattle.com/center_frameset.htm
http://www.powells.com/info/briefhistory.html
http://www.elliottbaybook.com/