I have to go there later this summer for work. I'm trying to plan ahead. It looks like I will fly in on Sun morning West Coast time, and fly out the following Saturday. I should be free in the afternoons/evenings. And I think we are staying on the south side of the city but not sure on that yet. I will have a rental car as well.
Things to do?
Places to eat?
I prefer non-chain restaurants, and really like the more local stuff.
Any good breweries, speakeasies, moonshine stills? (Hey I am from East TN afterall...)
LOTS of breweries, more than you can shake a stick at in fact. So no worries there. Lots of craft distilleries as well. If you want to run a still legally you can look up "my batch" and use their program. I've never done it, but I hear positive things.
I have a reflux at my house but it's licensed for "fuel only" by the TTB 
I love distilling, but I'm not such a big fan of felonies these days 
Unfortunately, since I got my toyota back I've had ZERO brewing time or money 
I think Fueled by Caffeine is in Seattle, and there are a few of us in Tacoma (not too far away)
Both Seattle and Tacoma have lots of neat restaurants that aren't chains, but I'm afraid I'm better versed in Tacoma than Seattle.
For non-breweries there's the Lane Auto Museum, the Boeing museum, the Space Needle, the Chihuili Glass Garden (amazing blown glass, seriously cool to check out), the Science Museum is pretty cool.
Pike's Market is neat to walk around in, more than a few bars and breweries around there as well.
All of it is pretty much downtown or close to it.
If you had more time on the weekend, there's The Ridge Motorsports complex and Pacific Raceways.
Ferry rides to Vancouver, BC, San Juan, Whidbey, etc. Float Plane rides...
Don't forget the LeMay museum and the LeMay private collection.
If you want to punch out to the sticks there's St. Helens and Ranier (probably head to "Paradise" if you want to go to Mt. Ranier).
"seattle" is a small geographic area separated into smaller geographic areas by water and soul crushing commutes.
Where will you be for work? Once we have figure that out, we can provide better help.
Food nor drink will not be a problem in the city proper. This is a foodie town.
It looks like I will be in Burien?
I suggest taking in a Mariners game if they are in town. We visited there in 2001, and took in two games there. The stadium was brand new or maybe a year old at that time, and we loved it. Safeco field is in my opinion way better than Fenway Park! Nowhere near the history, but a much better place to take in a game. I'm a huge Mariners fan by the way ever since Griffey's playing days.
We also took in an underground tour that was cool, but I'm not sure that is still available. I loved the city, and region in general. We were contemplating moving there, but then 9/11 happened a few days after we got back, and we had our first child about a year later. I guess we're not going anywhere now.
Pike's Market is fun in the touristy sort of way.Oh yeah we went to the Puyallup faire as well(South of Seattle), but that was in September, so probably not an option for you. The Space Needle was a lot of fun. There was a fun music festival there as well when we were there. Saw one of my favorite bands there. Did a drive up to Mount Rainer as well. Well worth the drive. We also did a boat tour of Puget sound that brought us through a lock into the lake in the area(I forget the name, Washington maybe). The house boat from Sleepless in Seattle was on the lake.Did I mention I loved Seattle?!
Burien is directly south of the city and straight west of the airport. I'm on the very south edge of Burien and commute into the city every day (12 miles one way).
Summer is the best time to visit. The weather is fantastic that time of year (60s - 70s during the day, typically pretty dry). Activities really depend on your interests. If you're an outdoorsy type there is no end to possible distractions. If you happen to be here July 4th weekend the historic races are in town. Lots of other good suggestions above too.
Knee High Stocking Co.
Ivar's restaurants (not the fast food windows) are a good local 'institution', one being right on the waterfront below Pike Pl Market.
There is a newer distillery right across the street from the waterfront as well, can't tell you about the Whiskey though, as it wasn't ready when I stopped in last year.
Pike Brewing is right by Pike Pl Market.
Bambino's Pizzeria is good if you're over by the City Center (Space Needle) area.
If you hit up a Mariners game, there is Pyramid Brewing Alehouse right across the street.
If you like wine, definitely head to Woodinville on the "East Side" of Lake Washington. There are literally dozens (around 100 I think) of wineries and winery tasting rooms around the town, primarily concentrated into a few main areas. Red Hook brewery (and pub) is there too, right by a couple of the bigger wineries (Chateau Ste. Michelle, and Columbia) and Woodinville Whiskey just opened a new location right around the corner from them too.
If you're going to be here on the 4th of July you should definitely think about contacting me. My family owns a place about an hour north of Seattle on a small secluded lake. 9-time out of ten it rivals any fireworks show. (plus you can bring your own and partake in the festivities). Beer, food, and place to sleep provided.
(only picture I got, taken in the morning)
I just moved to Tacoma yesterday. took a trip into seattle and walked around. There seems to be plenty to do if you like crowds and hipsters. got some decent seafood at the pike place market.
In reply to AClockworkGarage:
Hey, just in time for three days of rain!
If you see me in my garage on Stevens and N19th swing on in. I got more going on than you can shake a wrench at
In reply to Hungary Bill:
I will do that, sent you a pm.
