The beautiful Seattle waterfront has much to offer and you can spend hours strolling here. Privacy Policy | Affiliate Disclosure | Guest Post Guidelines, If you made it this far, I have an easy favor to ask. There are many Freemont Walking tours or you can create your own. The sights you'll discover on Whidbey Island are uniquely beautiful and feature everything from untamed beaches to the quaint Oak Harbor. PIN and save for later! For a part of this trip, the rainforest of north Washington is replaced by almost desert-like plants of middle Washington. Youll get into Vancouver right around 12 pm, just in time for lunch. Day 6: More of the Pacific Rim and driving to Nanaimo. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Leaving: Vancouver. Courtesy ofSPARK Museum of Electrical Invention. Additionally, in the highly unlikely event that you dont see a whale, Seabreeze will take you out again the next day, thus greatly increasing your chances of actually seeing the whales. Getting around downtown on foot is very doable, though there are some steep hills. <>. Seattle has a big reputation. Four companies make the journey up Interstate 5 across the Canadian border, BoltBus, Quick Shuttle, Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway. Granville Island is another absolute must do in Vancouver. We found it cheaper for the four of us to fly into Seattle and drive to Vancouver than to fly into Vancouver. This is a popular ski area in winter, but you can still ride the gondola even if youre not skiing. Two of Washington's best art communities are found along the road between Seattle and Vancouver: La Conner and Fairhaven. This central northwestern region of North America offers many attractions for transient travelers, including plenty of places to shop for produce, browse the art, take scenic drives, and even gamble. We already have this email. The museum feels badly done, with few exhibits appealing to a general audience. It works especially well for kids who are sensitive or allergic to bites. The pass is valid over a generous 9 days of use so its ideal for a vacation of a week or more. After youve explored the nearby Olympic sculpture park on the waterfront, I suggest one of twooptions. But you can decide that once you are here. On day 4, we will drive to whistler (would take a ride in Peak to Peak Gondola). If solo travel is not your cup of tea (or you just dont love planning aspect) a number of companies offer really great tours for the region. This is much closer to Whistler but probably a better price. All of these cities are very casual, while you can dress up if you want to, youre not likely to encounter a situation where any kind of dressing up is required. The train leaves at 5.45 (be sure to book tickets at least a few weeks in advance as they go quickly) but I was able to get to the station early and score a great window seat. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. . The ride, which leaves several times a day, only takes about 90-minutes, but once you dock a t the ferry terminal, its another hour on public transit to downtown Vancouver. I would say its only worth it if its good enough weather to see the view. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93151540', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Seattle forum for things to do. did you do that yet? Enjoy that for lunch after you explore the gardens (get a reservation). To get a good idea of what you can expect to see, read until the end and familiarize yourself with this . Originally settled by the Dutch, this quaint city features all sorts of Netherlands-inspired art, architecture, and foods. There are plenty of clubs and bars to hit in the area if you are so inclined. This German-influenced town is a bustling little metropolis with tons of shops, restaurants, and hotels. However, at this point, Id like to diverge with the common opinion and argue that the Space Needle is not a must and a bit of a waste of time. Alternatively, the city also hosts a number of Dutch-themed events throughout the year. They do docent led tours every hour, I think, so maybe time your visit for one of those. Grouse and Capilano are in the city. If youre driving for your Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle trip, give yourself plenty of extra time for traffic, border crossings and ferry waits. The island is basically one large shopping area, complete with a fresh market, restaurants, souvenir shops, artisan shops and much more. The bridge is inside of a family-friendly nature park (entry to the park and therefore the bridge is paid). Airlines. Also, any suggestions on Seattle? Besides the cool industrial abandoned gas plant, a famous Seattle site, here you will be able to see the Seattle skyline in all its glory. And so, I settled on a seven-day trip that combined some of the best urban and natural highlights. Now, its time to tour the Freemont neighborhood. 1N Victoria For the Peak 2 Peak gondola vs Sea to Sky gondola, have a look at the reviews. Check the city's events calendar to see if you'll be in town during one of these special annual celebrations. The city bus takes about an hour to get there and on a tour bus it will be more like 30-45 minutes. Another option is to head to popular Capilano Bridge Suspension Park, which is near Grouse Mountain (get there by Seabus to North Vancouver then city bus). After searching for some time we saw two killer whales hunting for a meal. Your email address will not be published. This does not include travel to Vancouver Island or other places, just the ciy. In Seattle, we are also thinking of seeing Mount Rainer and Cascade falls, along with Pike Place market, downtown etc. Vancouver, British Columbia. The Victoria Clipper ferry which is a foot ferry that whisks you from Victoria to downtown Seattle goes right from the Inner Harbor. Chuckanut Drive is Washington's original scenic byway, which runs 20 miles from Burlington to Bellingham along the shoreline of Samish Bay on Washington State Highway 11. Day 6, we would be flying out of Seattle. Gadventures also has some really great group tours in covering Vancouver. Im describing this trip starting in Vancouver and ending in Seattle, but you can also do it the other way. If you are looking to go off the beaten path probably not. There are so many things to do in Seattlethat you could spend weeks there, but youll want to squeeze in a side trip to explore all theamazingthings to do in Vancouver as well, including parks, museums and restaurants. There is a great full-service restaurant at Catalano Park, and its the perfect place to have lunch before finishing your exploration for the day. Finally, tonight, there is one more stop to make before leaving town. >>. Some great dining options at each of these locations, so this would be a good option to find some dinner. I hope you have enjoyed your first day in Seattle, we will get to explore this city much more at the tail end of your trip. If youve got a schedule to keep, stay up-to-date on wait times on the, Washington State Department of Traffics website, It is possible to travel by ferry from Seattle to Vancouver if youve got time to explore Victoria and Vancouver Island. In a car, its a quick shot up I-5 from Seattle to the Canadian border and on to Vancouver. Sherrys Sweet Shoppe (which is much more than a candy shop) is a popular spot to stop, but all the other restaurants are just as good. If youre up for a car free adventure, a week in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattlle is a great place to start. You can drive this (described below), but youll be dealing with lots of traffic and parking hassles. Now, turn back towards where you came from and begin to walk towards pier 66. Walk along the Seawall, explore the old growth forest in the middle of the park and check out the impressive totem poles. Day 4: Vancouver, Seattle to Vancouver via Amtrak Day 5: Seattle, Start Cascade Mountain Loop Day 6: Cascade Mountain Loop Day 7: Finish Cascade Mountain Loop, Seattle. If you want to have a reservation prior to arrival, take a look at the large and beautiful Colonial Creek campground which rests right on lake Diablo. Mention code 15939781: Cruise Line: Princess Cruise Line: Duration: Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Because of that, and the ride time to Anacortes, we'd recommend staying at least a few days in the San Juan Islands. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Larrabee State Park and Golden Ears Provincial Park, as well as Whidbey and the San Juan Islands. When you dock in Swartz Bay, youll board the bus again to get into downtown Victoria, which takes about an hour in typical traffic. It would make a 5 hour trip from Seattle to Victoria and a 4 hour trip from Victoria to Vancouver the next day. Reservations for a vehicle on the Coho ferry are necessary. Visit Seattle, Olympic National Park, and Vancouver. I will write more about this topic later, but for now, lets get back to the waterfront. Go to the beach, have some ice cream at Cows, enjoy the watching the mountain biking, walk around Lost Lake, etc. We dropped our rental car off right at the airport, said our goodbyes, and started planning for our next girls trip! Granville Island is full of shops, restaurants, produce stands and art. Spring is still winter in the mountains with deep snow until late June. That might be an alternative for you, so you have more time in Whistler for other activities. Killer whales live in small pods and this pod had two members, and possibly others who were hiding nearby and waiting for the successful hunt completion. Besides driving, buses offer the most flexibility for travel between Seattle and Vancouver, especially if youre on a budget. As Ive spoken before, try to stick to smaller boats and you will have a better experience overall. If, on the other hand, you want to hit all the major attractions City Pass makes sense. Whats the weather like in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle? These majestic creatures are fairly quiet and stealthy, they are after all, hunters. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. For myself, I made it right out of the alley after taking just a few snapshots and to the water. Alternatively, head over to Canada Place for FlyOver Canada for epic views no matter what the weather is doing. For extra fun, ride the foot ferry around false creek and to and from Granville Island. I live her and I go there frequently! The most famous room, the glasshouse, is a fantastic place for vacation pictures, the diffused light and glass flowers put you right into an Alice in Wonderland for the social media age atmosphere. We sadly also cannot do (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Hop the. Tulalip Resort Casinolocated next to the Seattle Premium Outlets at I-5exit #202is a full-service resort destination, with upscale lodging and dining, meeting facilities, and a spa. in B.C.will get you from town to your flight and vice versa in 30-40 minutes for under six bucks. There is also the Audain Gallery. This park is a fantastic place to visit for a day. Once you get back to center, I suggest going out to dinner in Gastown. Vancouver, British Columbia. 11 years ago Save I hope your stopping to visit Portland on your way to Seattle. Note: Im describing this day as if you were taking the Victoria Clipper passenger only ferry to Seattle in the evening, giving you most of the day in Victoria. At Capilano, you can walk high bridges and walkways suspended in the middle of the rainforest canopy and across the canyon. SURPRISE . Located near Boeing's humongous Everett manufacturing plant is the Future of Flight Aviation Center, where you can embark on the Boeing Tour to learn about designing and building aircraft through interactive exhibits. Public transitLink Light Rail in Washington andCanada Line in B.C.will get you from town to your flight and vice versa in 30-40 minutes for under six bucks. It includes the visit to Pike Place Market, Seattle Aquarium and nearby attractions. Although most similar statues were destroyed at the fall of the Soviet Union, this one stands because residents of this neighborhood thought it was a resistance piece worth saving. The train is timed to the sunset, so youll watch the light change from day to night over the many lakes and waterways youll pass. The peace-preaching storyteller is a viral hit, with video views in the billions and an online coaching . You'll be there by lunchtime and you can enjoy the village and the scenery. If you are interested in whale watching while on this trip I would suggest whale watching in Vancouver rather than the American side. . Start your day with a crumpet from the Crumpet Shop and spend a bit of time exploring Pike Place Market. While youre in Stanley Park, check out the Vancouver Aquarium and learn all about the animals of the Salish Sea. Those without cars can take the Victoria Clipper from Victoria to Seattle in less than three hours, but taking a car on the other ferries and the additional drive will take most of the day so build in extra time for that. One thing I have never seen in all my travels is the towers of berries prominently on display in the market. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Youll be crossing the border between Canada and the United States, so make sure to have your passport. Summer (July through early September) is generally dry and warm (70s and 80s Fahrenheit) and occassionally hot. Its a truly stunning garden most of the year. If you can't see the top of Grouse Mountain from downtown, I wouldn't go up there at all. Here too is your last chance for a restaurant and a store. It even costs less than the space needle, and of course, you will get classic Seattle pictures featuring the needle. It is possible to travel by ferry from Seattle to Vancouver if youve got time to explore Victoria and Vancouver Island. A scene from "Jurassic World Live Tour," coming to Seattle in summer 2023. All of my trips are on Vero first please be sure to follow me @ traveltipster. When you are done with your meal dont walk to the Starbucks on the corner for coffee, instead, explore one of the gourmet coffee shops in the market. 5 minutes walk to the Downtown Fort Langley. If you want to sleep in a hotel a Leavenworth is a great place to stay. There are also several forest trails nearby if you want to get more walking or hiking in. Now that you have your car, begin to drive to route 5 north which will take you out of Seattle. Seattle Premium Outlets, located in Tulalip at exit #202, offers shops from a number of high-end retailers such as Kate Spade, Ann Taylor, Ralph Lauren, and Coach. Meanwhile, the Museum of Northwest Art and the Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum present unique galleries and exhibits dedicated to regional artists and art programs. 5 days in seattle and vancouver. Register Profile Send me a quote Email this page No ratings yet Add review: Call 877 479-2500 for more information or to book today! The cheapest by far is BoltBus, some of whose seven daily trips north start at just a dollar. Dj vu! 2023 Pacific Coastal Cruise Ports from San Diego If you opt for a cruise that departs from San Diego, your ports of call include the following destinations: Santa Barbara, California After . But all four companies take you from downtown to downtown in 3.25-4 hours several times a day for less than $50. Spring brings the colorful bulb flowers we are known for in the Pacific Northwest, summer has the peak bloom for even more flowers, fall has vibrant fall flowers and fall foliage in the Japanese Garden and the holidays have wonderful holiday decorations and lights. It really doesn't make sense at all. If you have no time to waste, the best way to travel from Seattle to Vancouver is by air. If youre driving, you might tempted to stay elsewhere but keep in mind that traffic in all three of these cities is pretty intense and youll probably be happier parking your car at a downtown hotel and walking or taking transit for sightseeing. United States - 2.5 Days in Seattle! As you keep going east on 20, you will eventually make your way out of the Ross Lake National recreation area. Seattle is a pretty small place, so 3-4 days is plenty, unless you plan on taking a day trip outside the city (hiking etc). There are more whales further north and the favorable exchange rate means youll get a better deal in Vancouver. The route's main draws are Mt. Theres no question that if youre going to one thing in Vancouver, make it Stanley Park. Whether you're interested in airplanes or radiosor anything betweenthere's plenty of science and history to discover in northwest Washington. Im so glad to have you along on the journey to experience your best adventure in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada! < James Morner Son Of Dennis Morgan, Jes Staley Daughter, Maryland High School Basketball Records, Articles OTHER