Westlake Center — Attraction in Seattle

Took the 1 line from SEATAC to Westlake Center for a cruise that went round trip from pier 66. There are pay stations at the terminals. You can download the Orca app but it wasn't working for me to add funds to my physical Orca card that I'd ordered ahead of time. Iwas able to load those funds to my card at the kiosk. Cards can be ordered through the orca app and mailed to you for $3 each. Turn around is about 3 weeks. This card is used to scan at the kiosk at the entry to the rail boarding area and at the elevator at the airport. For the most part it was seamless. Navigating the Westlake Center was very difficult. More signage is needed to figure out what street is where since navigation wasn't working properly in my phone. Being underground signal is unreliable. We ended up out on Pine between 3rd & 4th. About 6 homeless were right outside the elevator hanging out and messing around laughing and carrying on like they were drunk. They were surprisingly pleasant though, even gave us directions when one of them recognized when we came out of the underground that we were completely lost.

Ride home was unpleasant smelling due to the homeless man that got on when we did. Urine running down his trash bag, wiping his nose with clorox wipes, pants below his bottom with his bare cheeks showing, completely messed up on something that made him zombie like and slow. The smell filled the entire train car, one end to the other. Feces, body odor and sewer were the combination and it was so strong it was making people nearest to him cough and cover their noses with their shirts. We joked and said perhaps that is the reason so many people in Seattle still wear a mask! I wished i had one at that moment. He was on the train for about 30 min with us. Once he got off, the smell thankfully left with him. He spoke to no one. Didn't cause any trouble at all, thankfully. The rail experience overall was great. There are areas for luggage in the train car, it is shared space with bicycles. The doors to the train open quickly with little time to get in and get your stuff settled. That part surprised me. The time it takes to let people off leaves little time for those getting on with little kids or luggage. You gotta be fast and decisive to...

A Convenient Stop with Room for Improvement. Westlake Center in Seattle offers a convenient pitstop for shopping and exploring downtown. Situated in the heart of downtown Seattle, Westlake Center is easily accessible by public transportation, including the light rail and monorail. This makes it a convenient option for tourists and locals alike.

Variety of Stores: The center houses a variety of stores, from national chains like Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off 5th to local shops and eateries. This caters to diverse needs and allows you to find something for everyone.

Connection to Other Attractions: Westlake Center is close to other popular attractions like Westlake Park and Pike Place Market. You can easily combine your visit to the center with exploring other parts of downtown Seattle.

But Consider These Before You Go:

Limited Selection: Compared to larger malls, Westlake Center has a more limited selection of stores. You might not find the specific brands or variety you're looking for.

Mixed Reviews on Ambiance: While some find the atmosphere pleasant, others say it can feel crowded or dated. Be prepared for a potentially busy and bustling environment.

A few people have concerns about safety, particularly around the surrounding area. It's always wise to be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.

Westlake Center is a convenient option for shopping and exploring downtown Seattle. Its central location, public transportation access, and variety of stores make it a good choice for a quick visit. However, the limited selection, mixed reviews on ambiance, and potential safety concerns prevent it from getting a perfect score.

Who Might Enjoy It: Tourists looking for a convenient stop for shopping and exploring downtown. People on a budget who appreciate stores like Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off 5th. Those who want to combine their visit with exploring other attractions in the area.

Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere: Shoppers seeking a wider variety of high-end or luxury brands. People who prioritize a more upscale or relaxed shopping experience. Those concerned about safety, especially at night or if...

I went here to use the transit... In my opinion, it's confusing to someone that isn't from around Seattle. If you want to use the link lightrail thing (I'm not even sure exactly what it's called) you have to take the elevator down or use the escalator/stairs. Of course with my luck, the elevators weren't working and I had a stroller. Fun. Had to do a balancing & strength act keeping the stroller on one step down the escalator. Deducted a star for that, Pride happening isn't an excuse to shut down elevators, disabled people need those.

Couldn't find a bathroom, had to go into Macy's to use theirs. It shouldn't be that hard to find if they do exist, aka, a sign (more on that).

After using the restroom I had to figure out how to get to the Metro area. There was a button on the elevator for it but you're still in freaking Macy's!! The store is HUGE, 3 levels and there are no signs telling you how to get out to the Metro area. I ended up going back to land level and walked out into the street just to turn the corner and go down the escalator (which is where I had half my struggle, ugh!)

After I traveled all the way to the bottom, I couldn't figure out where to go. Only signs are the ones above the escalators that take you to the loading zone. It wasn't disclosed anywhere that I would have to take something totally different in order to go from Westlake Center to Seattle Center (Space Needle). I had assumed there would be something there.. but nope. So I ended up asking a transit employee for assistance. The link lightrail thing I was told, didn't go there. So I had to go all the way up to ground level again... And then go to the 3rd floor. Which from the Metro level, is the 6th floor. In order to take the Monorail to get to Seattle Center.

We made it. But it shouldn't have been that hard. Took 45 minutes out of our day, which really upset my 7 year old as we were already late getting to Seattle because of...