On Mon, 30 May 2005 00:02:39 -0700, "CJ" wrote:

Hello,

My wife and I are spending five nights in Seattle between July 4th and July
8th (leaving Saturday, July 9th). Since we're driving in on the fourth, we
basically have the 5th through the 8th as full days to explore. We have to
spend one day on the Olympic Penninsula (fond memories for my wife) and one
day at Orcas Island (long time friend for me). We'll do one day
non-aviation or maybe even cultural. That leaves us one day to do either
Museum of Flight or Arlington.

I guess it depends on what kind of experience you are looking for.
I've been a MOF member since it opened. Given the choice between the
two I'd hit Arlington. Murphy will be there if that is your interest,
they are even giving a seminar on Saturday (sorry, I know that doesn't
help you much).
You should be able to do both if you want. The museum will be open
Thursday night the 7th and is free that night. Your timing will be
good as that only happens once a month. Go to the museum on Thursday
night and hit Arlington on Friday.
Most of the folks there during the week are pilots, the crowds of
locals don't show up till the weekend. There will be quite a few
fly-in aircraft during the week, but the bulk of the planes don't show
up until the weekend. Friday is the best mid-week day. Not much in
the way of military aircraft with the exception of the local Warbird
EAA chapter that brings WW2 planes.
Arlington has been touted as the 3rd largest fly-in in the nation, but
it's a long way behind Sun-n-Fun. The venders tend to only be from
the west coast. Since Oshkosh follows Arlington so closely they skip
us to head there.
Seattle traffic sucks, it's almost number one in the nation, for the
worst. From your hotel the trip to the MOF during off peak traffic
times will take 10 minutes... The trip to Arlington will be a lot
longer. Going during the week will be better, both because of traffic
and crowds. On the weekend you can wait an hour in a line of cars to
get into the fly-in. I would try and miss the rush "hour" if
possible. That would be from 7- 9am, and 4-7pm. You can order
tickets in advance at nweaa.com and the show opens at 8am. The local
town also has a street fair and the airshow runs shuttles there. I've
never been.
The weather might influence your decision, you probably won't bake. I
have to say that Arlington is the coolest fly-in I've ever been to,
and I mean that literally. If it's raining you might want to go to
the museum. I fly in and camp every year and it's usually pleasant.
You should remember that July 4th is the "official" start to summer in
the NW, and even that is an optimistic date...

Have fun whatever you decide!
Dave