The little boats show up every 5 to 10 minutes and will take you to any of the 7 different stops in the false creek Hornby Street, Granville Island, David Lam Park, Stamps Landing, Spyglass Place, Yaletown, Plaza of Nations and the Olympic Village. Ryan Divish. Lucky me, I got to go out the next day and will talk much more about it tomorrow. Rain jacket and/or umbrella you do not want to be without rain protection any time of year in the Pacific Northwest. Whales are not particularly predictable creatures. Travel Jul 06 - Jul 10. Is the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish better? The sights you'll discover on Whidbey Island are uniquely beautiful and feature everything from untamed beaches to the quaint Oak Harbor. The cheapest by far is BoltBus, some of whose seven daily trips north start at just a dollar. Dj vu! Winter (Mid November through mid February) is mild with lots of rainy days and lots of cloudy days that are fairly dry. There is also the Audain Gallery. Depending on the time of year, you'll find berries, hazelnuts, cheeses and dairy products, cider, apples, and even freshly bottled wine at several wineries, many of which have tasting rooms. The station is only a few minutes away from downtown Vancouver and I suggest staying in the middle of it all. Whether you're interested in airplanes or radiosor anything betweenthere's plenty of science and history to discover in northwest Washington. If you want to sleep in a hotel a Leavenworth is a great place to stay. The Pacific Northwest is one of Americas most picturesque regions. Farther north along Interstate 5 is the historic district of Fairhaven, located just south of downtown Bellingham, which has many locally owned shops and galleries where you'll find a great selection of affordable and unique items. 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. They give you an in-depth experience of Seattle. for those of you who are new around h. The island is basically one large shopping area, complete with a fresh market, restaurants, souvenir shops, artisan shops and much more. Temperatures can be anywhere between the 50s and the 80s so youll need to be ready for anything! Because of that, and the ride time to Anacortes, we'd recommend staying at least a few days in the San Juan Islands. Orca whales are frequently seen in the waters surrounding Victoria and there are plenty of tours that go directly from the Inner Harbour. Then eventually drive back to tour Seattle before heading back the following Tuesday. 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. I look forward to your comments and questions, and happy traveling! Situated in one of Americas most beautiful regions, Seattle is well known for nature, coffee, and a booming technology market. Feb. 26, 2023 at 6:45 pm Updated Feb. 26, 2023 at 8:45 pm. He was either build here because this spot was the center for a drug trade, and the ingenious solution was to get tourists into the area thus pushing the dealers out. Ferries run once a day except from May to September, when they depart twice daily. The shortest and easiest scenic drive to incorporate into your journey is Chuckanut Drive, which runs through farmland and along the Puget Sound between the towns of Bow and Bellingham. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. We are traveling to seattle from mid west (will be spending 4 days in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Here is the route via Port Angeles and the Coho Ferry: https://goo.gl/maps/Qno8JbLAZZ12, Here is the route via Anacortes and the WA State Ferry: https://goo.gl/maps/yUgJ2F6YoHH2. Of course, ensure you prearrange the car rental a few weeks in advance for best options. Courtesy ofSPARK Museum of Electrical Invention. Make sure to have a reservation for your vehicle for the ferry. Several major airlines, including United, Delta and Alaska, fly non-stop from Seattles Sea-Tac Airport to Vancouver International daily in about an hour. Take BC Ferries from Victoria to Vancouver. 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. Ill tell you how to make it work both with and without a car. The Empress Hotel is the most famous place for Afternoon Tea, but as I mentioned, I prefer the tea offering at Butchart Gardens (and its less expensive). Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. If its summer, make sure to check out the International Fountain, which is set up for splashing and has music and lights. Please Note: This post may contain some affiliate links. The 140-mile road trip from Seattle to Vancouver takes 2 hours 30 minutes. 5 Day Trip to Seattle from Vancouver: Checkout 5 Day trip plan for Seattle covering 13 attractions, popular eat-outs and 1 hotel, created on 14th Nov 2017. Theres so much wonderful food and there are so many locals selling local products and food. While youre in Pioneer Square, check out the Klondike Gold Rush National Park Museum and the Underground Tour or Beneath the Streets for a bit of Seattle history. I stayed in a free national campground and although most of the spots were taken, there was still several places you could have set up a tent at 10 pm. Tickets cost $45 - $65 and the journey takes 4h. I don't recommend this, not with a toddler. Of course, if you end up going out to the water on day one of your itinerary you can simply switch the experiences around and go to Catalano bridge on day two. Note: cross-border train service is temporarily suspendedTheAmtrak Cascades train follows a scenic track from Seattles historic Pioneer Square district, up the craggy coast, to downtown Vancouvers Pacific Central Station. Related: Seattle Itinerary - Best three days in Seattle by a Seattleite. Either way, get back to the city around 2 pm for your trip back via the beautiful Amtrak route to Seattle. Between the Skytrain, Seabus, the bus and the little foot ferries crossing the waterways through the city, its really easy to get around. Instead, I suggest visiting the sky view observatory. Of these, most can be accessed by other means such as walking, public transport or taxi but the water taxi is the most fun way to get there. Is this itinerary too much to do? My recommendation is to always book from an agency with a good reputation because the last thing you want on a trip is car trouble. Mention code 15939781: Cruise Line: Princess Cruise Line: Duration: Traffic and navigation in central Vancouver by car is very challenging and easier to do on foot or using the bus. The gondola ride to the top of the mountain brings epic views of Vancouver, Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains. Everyone must have valid passports for this crossing. The first is to stay at the waterfront and get a beer with some views and the second is to walk or get a taxi to the Chihuly Glass museums and gardens. Although this may not sound particularly appealing, believe it or not, this is a great way to explore False Creek, including the famous Granville Island. Expect to pay a lot for parking, I suggest parking once and getting around by transit (except for Butchart Gardens, if you have a car it makes sense to drive there). Now that you have your car, begin to drive to route 5 north which will take you out of Seattle. But all four companies take you from downtown to downtown in 3.25-4 hours several times a day for less than $50. This is a good place for lunch or happy hour, with lots of local restaurants and many breweries. What to pack for a week in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle, Best 3 day Seattle itinerary from a Seattleite, https://www.ordinary-adventures.com/privacy-policy/. There are vehicle ferries if you choose to take your car. It is typically eaten at brunch time, late morning and midday. It is a company mainly engaged in the management of pop culture creative toys. Despite this, rain is possible any time of year in the coastal Pacific Northwest. Now, its time to tour the Freemont neighborhood. For my whale watching excursion, I picked Seabreeze adventures, a company that has several smaller boats going out each day. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93150595', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Seattle to Victoria to Vancouver anymore as we have already booked stay for 2 nights in Vancouver. 5 Day Trip to Seattle, Vancouver from Denver: Checkout 5 Day trip plan for Seattle, Vancouver covering 29 attractions, popular eat-outs and hotels, created on 9th Mar 2015. If youre traveling with your own car, the drive downtown is about the same length, depending on traffic. If on the other,r hand you are not interested in going out at night, stay away from Granville street, because this is definitely not a quiet neighborhood on weekends. If you like stationeries, Paper-Ya is for you. In post #1, I mentioned checking out the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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 The total ferry ride is a little over an hour. We also recommend stopping by La Conner Seaside Gallery, Caravan Gallery, Blackfish Gallery, and Cassera Arts Premiers for even more great art. And of course some of the largest mammals on earth the beautiful whales. Hop the Victoria Clipper at Pier 69 in downtown Seattle, for a trip across the sparkling Puget Sound to the B.C. Angela has been writing about life, travel, and recreation in the Northwest, where she grew up, since 2000. in B.C.will get you from town to your flight and vice versa in 30-40 minutes for under six bucks. Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle without a car, Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle driving itinerary. For the best prices, I price compare Hotwire and SkyScanner Auto . Marijuana is legal in Washington State, which makes Seattle an even bigger party town than it used to be. If you like to travel car free, then this itinerary is perfect for you. The other well-known tourist attraction in Seattle is the Museum of Pop Culture. I would suggest aiming to be one of the first set of people to check in because seating assignments are done on the spot and your best chance for window views on the water side is to show up early at the station. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Vancouver. 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. The bus is cheaper than the train and takes almost the same amount of time, so it's a great option for travelers who want to save some money. Hi! He lives under a large, architecturally interesting bridge. All but Amtrak offer free onboard wifi and power outlets. . The lines at the tower are huge just to pick up tickets, the wait is about 45 minutes. Day 1: Seattle and Anacortes; Day 2: Visit Deception Pass and Our Wolf Encounter; Day 3: Take the Ferry from Anacortes, WA into Sidney, BC and stay in a treehouse. Here youll really get to know Seattles weird side. Opening hours: 10am - 5pm daily (late nights on Tuesdays and the first Friday of the month) Admission: $24 for adults with discounts for seniors, students, youths and children (under 5s go free) Swim in Kitsilano pool - 2 hours When the day has warmed up, head over to cool Kistilano for some relaxation pool-side. Vancouver has the best public transit of any of these three cities. This journey takes 3 hours plus any possible border delays. 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. Also, there is the Sea to Sky Gondola just south of Squamish. Here youll find little stores and diners along the way, perfect for a breakfast stop before you enter civilization again. Catalano park is located in the suburbs and there is not much else in the neighborhood the commute from the center is about an hour by public transport or forty-five minutes by car. SURPRISE . Leaving: Vancouver. Here, on the 70th floor (much higher than the sky tower) you can watch the sunset over the big city. It even costs less than the space needle, and of course, you will get classic Seattle pictures featuring the needle. Instead of heading up to crowded & touristy (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Start your day with a crumpet from the Crumpet Shop and spend a bit of time exploring Pike Place Market. Read about the 37 best attractions and cities to stop in between Vancouver and Seattle, including places like North Vancouver, Stanley Park, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. You can take the bus between Ballard and UW, or if youre into long walks you can also walk there on the flat, paved Burke Gilman Trail, with beautiful views of the city and unique Gasworks Park. 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. Top questions are easier to see if you aren't on a mobile device. You say you are driving from, I presume, a central Seattle hotel and coming to Vancouver that day. If you are interested in whale watching while on this trip I would suggest whale watching in Vancouver rather than the American side. Error validating access token: Session has expired on Wednesday, 05-Oct-22 02:18:45 PDT. The monorail takes you from downtown to Seattle Center where youll find the Space Needle and Chilhuly Gardens and Glass. Since London was named the best city for 2023, her, heres to future garden parties and slow weekend, hey there! Although this national forest is not quite the thick rainforest of the north, the trees here are much larger than you would have noticed on your drive south. After . I spend a few hours here wandering the trails and listening to the guides, and I could have easily spent the whole day. Kenmore Air and Harbour Air offer private charters, allowing you to skip the airport, but both have temporarily paused flights between the two countries. 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. The Wood Merchant, Earthenworks Gallery, and Two Moons Galler all have wonderful selections of original art, fine crafts, home furnishings, and gift items. It doesn't matter which itinerary you pick - top attractions, easy going, family, or packed - you will not miss out on any of the major tourist spots. If youd like you can join the factory tour here as well, although they are pretty popular, so you may need to wait a bit. Theres a relatively new glass floor that you can walk out on if you are into that kind of thing. 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. A few critical things to make sure to pack for your trip: We care about privacy. May 2, 2023. Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal that is very popular on in Vancouver. Four companies make the journey up Interstate 5 across the Canadian border, BoltBus, Quick Shuttle, Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway. Misnamed, rather than a wall, this is actually an entire alley covered with bubble gum. These cookies do not store any personal information. Exclusive $110 valued gift package that includes a . After you wander the market a bit, make your way to the nearby Post Place alley and check out the famous chewing gum wall. It's a beautiful trip from Seattle to Vancouver, regardless of how you get there. Find the travel option that best suits you. At Capilano, you can walk high bridges and walkways suspended in the middle of the rainforest canopy and across the canyon. Additionally, local oyster and shellfish farms provide their wonderful products to markets and restaurants in the area, and oyster lovers will want to stop at one or more of the eateries located along Chuckanut Drive. The jewel of the northwest cascades route, is a prime time to relax, take pictures or just look out of the window. Here you can even stroll a working factory floor of a Boeing assembly line a cool experience definitely worth a visit. There is so much to explore at these stops I am certain I missed a few notables, so if you find something great please be sure to let me know in comments on this article! <