RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Vancouver. Spend one night at Whistler, and then get up in the morning of day 4 and go up the mountain. Its only an hour out of town, so not exactly sure what your plans are here. The museum feels badly done, with few exhibits appealing to a general audience. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Here you can even stroll a working factory floor of a Boeing assembly line a cool experience definitely worth a visit. If you take the Victoria Clipper, the trip is just 3 hours. The space needle is right next door, but I would not recommend visiting here later. Vancouver has the best public transit of any of these three cities. Related: Best 3 day Seattle itinerary from a Seattleite. This does not include travel to Vancouver Island or other places, just the ciy. You can drive this (described below), but youll be dealing with lots of traffic and parking hassles. Feb. 26, 2023 at 6:45 pm Updated Feb. 26, 2023 at 8:45 pm. Im describing this trip starting in Vancouver and ending in Seattle, but you can also do it the other way. Day 4: Drive from Sooke to Ucluelet and explore all the lakes. 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. Afterward, the happening night scene is perfect for a long leisurely dinner outside. A DTE contractor crew works on a power line, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, in northwest Detroit. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Sea to Sky reviews: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g181771-d6025377-Reviews-Sea_to_Sky_Gondola-Squamish_British_Columbia.html, Peak 2 Peak reviews: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154948-d1549388-Reviews-Peak_2_Peak_Gondola-Whistler_British_Columbia.html. If youre traveling with your own car, the drive downtown is about the same length, depending on traffic. 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. It would be the best if you park at the historic site free parking lots . Day 3 Longview - Seattle - 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. Prior to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. Once you arrive, take the elevator up the historic Smith Tower (my favorite view in Seattle) and enjoy a drink and a snack. 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. I live her and I go there frequently! Theres so much wonderful food and there are so many locals selling local products and food. Walk along the Seawall, explore the old growth forest in the middle of the park and check out the impressive totem poles. 5 Days 4 Nights. If you are arriving in the morning as I was, drop your bags off in your hotel and make your way down to the Market, a great place for lunch. We dropped our rental car off right at the airport, said our goodbyes, and started planning for our next girls trip! Outside of rush hours, the trip typically takes 3-3.5 hours but although customs and Border Control is efficiently run, back-ups can slow your journey down. Whatever you are looking for whether its fast and cheap, fancy, fresh, desert or anything in between youll find it on Granville Island. For a cultural day, walk or take the bus or sky train to Chinatown for Dim Sum. 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. If you are looking for a hotel to stay for the night your last chance is in Marblemount. Visiting for two and a bit days, coming in from Vancouver on the Amtrak morning service. The City Pass cost is $99 for an adult and $79 for a child. Check out the Bellevue Botanical Garden or take your family on an adventurous journey to Mount Rainier . This is a good place for lunch or happy hour, with lots of local restaurants and many breweries. Admire indigenous art pieces in the Eagle Spirit Gallery. After youve explored the nearby Olympic sculpture park on the waterfront, I suggest one of twooptions. It sucks out the mosquito (or other bugs) saliva and helps you heal faster. Day 6: More of the Pacific Rim and driving to Nanaimo. Airlines. . If youre not sure about the Space Needle, let me assure you that checking it out from below and taking a photo is totally ok. You definitely do not want to miss Chihuly Gardens and Glass, a gorgeous glass art museum right below the Space Needle with great views of it. Here too is your last chance for a restaurant and a store. Seattle to Vancouver: 7 Things to See on the Road, Seattle to Vancouver Canadian Border Crossings, North Cascades National Park: The Complete Guide, Bellingham and Whatcom County Travel Guide, Why Road Tripping in an EV Slows You Downand Why That's a Good Thing, 10 Top Things to Do on Whidbey Island, Washington, 17 Best Things to Do in Spokane, Washington, 11 Best Things to Do in Sheridan, Wyoming, 9 Best Things to Do in Vancouver, Washington, Getting Around Seattle: Guide to Public Transportation. Make sure you check out the Seattle forum, and read through the top questions there for some other ideas. It seems unlikely you will be in Vancouver before lunchtime, and presumably with a 1.5 year old, you may choose to stop along the way. La Conner, in Skagit Valley, offers the opportunity to stroll along the waterfront while checking out art galleries and shops. Vancouver Island 2 Days Shared Tour including3/4/5 Star Hotel (Mandarin&English) 1. from $287.10. We have some friends there so have not planned much yet. It's a beautiful trip from Seattle to Vancouver, regardless of how you get there. I stayed on Granville street, and if you are here for the weekend and looking for a hot night scene, this is definitely the place to be. May 2, 2023. If you are looking for something different, check out one of the many museums in Vancouver such as the Museum of Anthropology or the Vancouver Maritime Museum and learn much more about the history of British Colombia. There are many Freemont Walking tours or you can create your own. There are dozens of campgrounds here US and private, and several free ones. It includes the visit to Space Needle, Seattle Art Museum and nearby attractions with an approximate trip budget of USD 654. Should you get the Seattle City Pass? In just a couple of days in Vancouver, I saw countless birds, including entire flocks bald eagles. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93153833', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Seattle area questions, ask in the Seattle Forum. You'll be there by lunchtime and you can enjoy the village and the scenery. 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. 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. For many people visiting Seattle, Washington, a quick trip up to Vancouver in southwest British Columbia, Canada, makes for a great addition to their West Coast vacation itinerary. Vancouver, British Columbia. Snow in winter in each of these cities definitely happens, but its a big event that happens once or twice a year, sometimes not at all. I really enjoyed this trip and so if you follow my itinerary I highly recommend Seabreeze Adventures. Required fields are marked *. As an alternative you can take a stroll through the very impressive lobby and have lunch at Murchies instead which is what I do when Im in Victoria. She earned a, Discover Aviation, Science, and Technology at Museums, Pacific Northwest Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum. Whales are not particularly predictable creatures. We will have a rental car for the whole journey. Local favorite galleries include Gallery West, Artwood, and Renaissance Celebration, but newer additions like Whatcom Art Market and Uptown Art Studio also offer great places to shop for unique pieces of art. Whats the weather like in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle? All but Amtrak offer free onboard wifi and power outlets. Orca whales are frequently seen in the waters surrounding Victoria and there are plenty of tours that go directly from the Inner Harbour. Originally settled by the Dutch, this quaint city features all sorts of Netherlands-inspired art, architecture, and foods. 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. I strongly recommend booking a hotel in the downtown area in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle if you are doing your trip without a car. Ill tell you how to make it work both with and without a car. With free wifi, power outlets at each seat, and far more legroom than your average airline, the journey is not just comfortable but convenient. 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. Skagit Valley Casino Resort in the town of Bow is another place where you can enjoy gambling, lodging, and live entertainment at one destination. See culture, outdoors, romantic, and beaches. But all four companies take you from downtown to downtown in 3.25-4 hours several times a day for less than $50. Since London was named the best city for 2023, her, heres to future garden parties and slow weekend, hey there! 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. The island is basically one large shopping area, complete with a fresh market, restaurants, souvenir shops, artisan shops and much more. After youve had your fill, get back in the car and continue to drive down route 20 until you hit route 153. Temperatures are usually in the 40s Fahrenheit during the day, but can be warmer or colder. Day 1: SeattleDay 2: Seattle to Vancouver Via Amtrak, VancouverDay 3: VancouverDay 4: Vancouver, Seattle to Vancouver via AmtrakDay 5: Seattle, Start Cascade Mountain LoopDay 6: Cascade Mountain LoopDay 7: Finish Cascade Mountain Loop, Seattle, Please Note: This post may contain some affiliate links. Around 11 pm, check out of your hotel and start making your way to pick up the rental car of your choice. Seattle has a big reputation. We sadly also cannot do (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I've been a tour guide for many years in both Alaska and Washington and am a field editor for the Milepost. I'm Jennie. One of the great joys of traveling to the pacific north-west is the incredible variety of wildlife you will spot here. Please, Best Things To Do in the Palawan, Philippines, 10 Best Things To do in Coconut Grove, Florida, How to grow your account on Vero a guide for artists, Sao Miguel Azores, Portugal The Complete Guide, Review of NordicTrack s22i Bike A Stuck-In-Pandemic-Limbo Travelers Perspective. Please note: This blog post may contain some affiliate links. If you're fascinated with how things work, you'll love the museums and visitors centers found along the route between Seattle and Vancouver. 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 its summer, make sure to check out the International Fountain, which is set up for splashing and has music and lights. The PNW is known for spectacular national parks, famous urban centers, mild weather and welcoming local residents. Airport Pick up. Harbour Air flies from Seattle to Vancouver 4 times a day. There are vehicle ferries if you choose to take your car. Kenmore Air and Harbour Air offer private charters, allowing you to skip the airport, but both have temporarily paused flights between the two countries. Summer also has long hours of daylight. The Victoria Clipper ferry which is a foot ferry that whisks you from Victoria to downtown Seattle goes right from the Inner Harbor. 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. The bridge is inside of a family-friendly nature park (entry to the park and therefore the bridge is paid). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93151112', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Vancouver on the 5th day. 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. For whale watching, I traveled with Seabreeze Adventures. Check out my favorite travel packing accessory life-changing Shakle Paks. Head to Japadog (food carts all over town) for a Japanese hot dog with lots of delicious Japanese toppings in endless combinations. Also, any suggestions on Seattle? Its a 14 hr day and exhausting. When you are researching your trip to the Pacific Northwest, you will likely read somewhere that a visit to the Space Needle in Seattle is a must (free with the Seattle city pass). On GoTravelTipster.com, you will find one-week vacation itineraries for couples and families. in B.C.will get you from town to your flight and vice versa in 30-40 minutes for under six bucks. Youll be crossing the border between Canada and the United States, so make sure to have your passport. Spend the morning exploring one of Victorias excellent museums, such as the Royal BC Museum or the Maritime Museum and then head to Government Street to check out some of the wonderful local shops. Mount Baker Highwayalso known as State Route 542runs from East Bellingham to Mount Baker, while the North Cascades Scenic Highway stretches over 140 miles from Burlington and Sedro-Woolley in the west to Twisp in the east. There is much to do here, and you can spend hours exploring the shops, the fish market, the flower market and much more. Now, walk a bit over to the Lenin sculpture. Misnamed, rather than a wall, this is actually an entire alley covered with bubble gum. Of course, the mountains are visible from almost anywhere and there is plenty of beautiful lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. Check the BC Connector schedule and fares from Vancouver to Victoria here. 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. The boat, which only holds about 20 people was far more intimate than some competitors, and because you are closer to the water you get a much better perspective. 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. Hi! Meanwhile, scenic drives that can take you off the Interstate for a few hours or more include the Mt. It would make a 5 hour trip from Seattle to Victoria and a 4 hour trip from Victoria to Vancouver the next day. After you wake up, proceed on route 2 and you will exit the forest within just about 40 to 50 minutes. I would suggest coming here an hour or so before the sunset and watch the sky slowly change from blue to red to black, as the lights come on beneath the windows. Otherwise, you can probably find a place to stay for the night in one of the many available campgrounds, especially on a weekday. If you havent eaten yet youll see many little stores advertised along the road, but if you wait just a bit youll make your way into Winthrop, a historical recreation town thats just too cute to pass. However, to see the best scenery in the area, you'll need to rent a car and take a detour off the main highway. And finally, back to Seattle where we explore more and learn about this iconic city and its history. Temperatures can be anywhere between the 50s and the 80s so youll need to be ready for anything! 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. a hotel to stay for the night your last chance is in Marblemount. Sports on TV & radio: Local listings for Seattle games and events ; Gadventures also has some really great group tours in covering Vancouver. Here grab an amazing coffee in a comfortable atmosphere with a fireplace and a view of the famous marketplace sign. If youve got a schedule to keep, stay up-to-date on wait times on the Washington State Department of Traffics website. Amtrak offer free onboard wifi and power outlets one-week vacation itineraries for couples families... Of a Boeing assembly line a cool experience definitely worth a visit the Seawall, explore the old growth in... Between the 50s and the United States, so make sure to check out the Bellevue Botanical Garden take... Now, walk or take your car its summer, make sure to have passport! Science, and waterfalls Discover Aviation, Science, and started planning for our girls... Traveling to the Pacific north-west is the incredible variety of wildlife you will find one-week vacation itineraries for couples families. 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