For extra fun, ride the foot ferry around false creek and to and from Granville Island. For fresh oysters, stop by Pike Place Market or Taylor Shellfish Farms in Seattle or take a ferry ride to Vancouver Island for the Fanny Bay Oyster Bar. We also recommend stopping by La Conner Seaside Gallery, Caravan Gallery, Blackfish Gallery, and Cassera Arts Premiers for even more great art. Here too, I would argue: skip this well-known attraction. 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. 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. Sometimes the excursions can get canceled and if they are canceled due to bad weather, you still have another day to try again. There are plenty of clubs and bars to hit in the area if you are so inclined. After breakfast, we will go to Funko Everett. Privacy Policy | Affiliate Disclosure | Guest Post Guidelines, If you made it this far, I have an easy favor to ask. Feb. 27, 2023 at 1:55 pm Updated Feb. 27, . Ive done this plenty of times and Google Maps works great to navigate the transit transfers and timing Another option to get from Vancouver to Victoria is to take the BC Connector, which costs more but theres less for you to figure out. For Vancouver, not counting your travel days no more than 2 or 3 at the most. 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/. Make sure to explore all the piers, so if you are facing the water, start out by going left, which will take you to the amusement park, the aquarium and other attractions on the lower piers. Best things to do are: Pike Place Market and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Walk up all the stairs at pier 66 for a fantastic view (great sunrise shots can be had from here if you are into photography). answered on 3/28/09 by. We are traveling to seattle from mid west (will be spending 4 days in (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. The monorail takes you from downtown to Seattle Center where youll find the Space Needle and Chilhuly Gardens and Glass. If youre driving, youll need to take the BC ferry back to Vancouver OR the Coho ferry to Port Angeles. Visit Seattle and Vancouver. <>. Make sure to have a reservation for your vehicle for the ferry. Then we will proceed to Vancouver via one of the most beautiful train rides in the region and explore this smaller, urban center just over the Canadian border. Make sure you dont miss Rogers Chocolates and Munros Books as well as Murchies Coffee and Tea. a hotel to stay for the night your last chance is in Marblemount. I am visiting some friends in the Seattle area (Bellevue) after New Year's for exactly 2.5 days. The sights you'll discover on Whidbey Island are uniquely beautiful and feature everything from untamed beaches to the quaint Oak Harbor. 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). With free wifi, power outlets at each seat, and far more legroom than your average airline, the journey is not just comfortable but convenient. The Amtrak Cascades route, which takes you from Seattle to Vancouver must be booked in advance, I suggest at least a couple of months in advance for this popular route. Now, walk along the ship canal where you will see houseboats and past the lake to the famous abandoned gas works complex. For the best prices, I price compare Hotwire and SkyScanner Auto . Now, turn back towards where you came from and begin to walk towards pier 66. You are located very close to Seattle now so at this point get back to highway 5 which will get you back to Seattle in time to return your car by 12 pm. Check out my weekend getaway ideas!Always practical, accompanied by beautiful photography and a bit of history, my goal is to help you create and fulfill the ultimate travel bucket list. Please Note: This post may contain some affiliate links. On day one, I suggest you pick a place to stay close to the Pike Market, as this will make a great base for exploring both the market and the waterfront. Next to whale watching, the most famous attraction in Vancouver is almost certainly the Catalano Bridge. 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. Many streets in the neighborhood are closed to traffic on weekend nights and the entire area turns into one big bar. I spend my evening at pier 66 watching (and photographing) the sunset. These majestic creatures are fairly quiet and stealthy, they are after all, hunters. It's a nice small island you can stroll around for hours. The birthplace of companies such as Starbucks and Microsoft, this urban oasis has much to offer. As you have a car, you should look for something outside of central Whistler where you can park. Note the dogs face thats the face of a famous resident of the Freemont neighborhood and the man who invented recycling. Otherwise, you can probably find a place to stay for the night in one of the many available campgrounds, especially on a weekday. Check out the remnants from the 2010 Olympics at the nearby Olympic Village and have dinner in Yaletown before heading over to English Beach to watch the sunset (or do the sunset before dinner depending on the time of year). 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. Created by a user from United States. I strongly recommend booking a hotel in the downtown area in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle if you are doing your trip without a car. 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. The bubble gum smell here is very strong, so this stop is definitely not for the squeamish. However, the trip from Seattle to Vancouver runs along a beautiful waterfront route, with the speedy border crossing and a bit of old-world glamour to boot. If youre driving, be ready for lots of traffic, parking hassles and get ferry reservations. Instead, you could go to Bowen Island for a shorter ferry trip, or just do Stanley Park and the Aquarium, which will take all day in nice weather. We already have this email. 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). La Conner, in Skagit Valley, offers the opportunity to stroll along the waterfront while checking out art galleries and shops. Day 6, we would be flying out of Seattle. Orca whales are frequently seen in the waters surrounding Victoria and there are plenty of tours that go directly from the Inner Harbour. After youve had your fill, get back in the car and continue to drive down route 20 until you hit route 153. The total ferry ride is a little over an hour. We uncover the best of the city and put it all in an email for you. Alternatively, if youve already done the Chihuly, museum consider the Boeing factory tour. If you are looking for a hotel to stay for the night your last chance is in Marblemount. As you keep going east on 20, you will eventually make your way out of the Ross Lake National recreation area. Day 5: Explore Ucluelet, Pacific Rim Provincial Park, and Tofino. Washington State is home to over 33,000 farms, so you'll have no shortage of options to choose from when driving between Seattle and Vancouver. If youre driving, youre likely going to start and end in either Seattle or Vancouver and you can drive between them at the beginning or the end on Day 1 or 7. GAdventures tours the National Parks of the Pacific Northwest. The city bus takes about an hour to get there and on a tour bus it will be more like 30-45 minutes. Seattle has a big reputation. Its about 5.5 miles walking. The lines at the tower are huge just to pick up tickets, the wait is about 45 minutes. Im describing this trip starting in Vancouver and ending in Seattle, but you can also do it the other way. Even though its very busy with visitors, Butchart Gardens is a must do in Victoria for most visitors. Originally settled by the Dutch, this quaint city features all sorts of Netherlands-inspired art, architecture, and foods. If you prefer traveling without a car, then this itinerary is absolutely ideal for you! Do not go into Chelan, which is an industrial area with nothing to see, but go to Chelan Falls instead. I booked my trip for day one, and unfortunately, it was canceled due to high winds. Summer also has long hours of daylight. Grace Theme by Lovely Confetti, Snowshoeing in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, A Weekend in Charleston: 3 Day Itinerary , to everyone who needs this today Required fields are marked *. Last updated: [wpautoterms last_updated_date]If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us. All of my trips are on Vero first please be sure to follow me @ traveltipster. In a car, its a quick shot up I-5 from Seattle to the Canadian border and on to Vancouver. There are two major outlet shopping malls located along Interstate 5 between Seattle and Vancouver. Im so glad to have you along on the journey to experience your best adventure in Washington, Alaska and Western Canada! There are more whales further north and the favorable exchange rate means youll get a better deal in Vancouver. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154948-d1017107-Reviews-Whistler_Olympic_Park-Whistler_British_Columbia.html. 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. The Victoria Clipper ferry which is a foot ferry that whisks you from Victoria to downtown Seattle goes right from the Inner Harbor. Don't forget to find Cows in the Village for ice cream. 1N Victoria Some Michigan residents faced a fourth straight day without power as crews worked to restore electricity . Your email address will not be published. We found it cheaper for the four of us to fly into Seattle and drive to Vancouver than to fly into Vancouver. Squamish is a great spot for adventure tourism, and its very scenic, but it just doesn't look like a worthwhile stop for your group. Having fulfilled your mission of a successful whale watching experience its time to start heading back to Seattle. 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. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. It takes about three hours of driving time, plus traffic and waiting time at the border. So you are planning to use Squamish as your base for Whistler? It includes the visit to Pike Place Market, Seattle Aquarium and nearby attractions. The cheapest by far is BoltBus, some of whose seven daily trips north start at just a dollar. This is also an opportunity to go to Grouse Mountain and Capilano Canyon if you like, as these places are only 20 minutes from central Vancouver. This famous suspension bridge (one of the longest in the world) is very safe and constantly tested. The caf car is available as soon as you board, so this is a good place to eat if you havent had a chance to do so yet. There are many Freemont Walking tours or you can create your own. I would say its only worth it if its good enough weather to see the view. They give you an in-depth experience of Seattle. You'll be there by lunchtime and you can enjoy the village and the scenery. I don't know that I would do (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Wander around and find food for lunch as you explore this gem in Vancouver. 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. Temperatures are usually in the 40s Fahrenheit during the day, but can be warmer or colder. 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 first is to go right and follow the Cascade Mountain Loop, this is the shorter trip that will take about a day. Winter days are short with the sun setting around 4pm. 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. Grouse and Capilano are in the city. Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. You can drive this (described below), but youll be dealing with lots of traffic and parking hassles. Head up to the Space Needle if you want to see another great view from an iconic building. The City Pass cost is $99 for an adult and $79 for a child. There are also several forest trails nearby if you want to get more walking or hiking in. Dj vu! Finally, tonight, there is one more stop to make before leaving town. Proceed to the Freemont Troll. 101. from $119.95. Four companies make the journey up Interstate 5 across the Canadian border, BoltBus, Quick Shuttle, Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway. After you wake up, proceed on route 2 and you will exit the forest within just about 40 to 50 minutes. After that, another line inside will take 45 minutes to get to the elevator to actually go up. Alternatively, go even further off the beaten path by taking a ferry from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island then driving north on Highway 525 and Highway 20 to rejoin I-5 near Burlington. 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. There are museums, fine restaurants, plenty of unique local traditions (flying fish anyone) and a great party scene. If you like stationeries, Paper-Ya is for you. In many paid US campgrounds, you can drive in, fill out a self-registration form, deposit cash into an envelope and pick an unoccupied campsite. To find the best produce, check out the 21 Acres Center in Woodinvillejust a few miles northeast of Seattleor visit Bellewood Acres in Lynden, Washington. Aviation enthusiasts will want to check out the historic airplanes at The Flying Heritage Collection, also located at Everett's Paine Field. Are you finding that things are significantly cheaper in Squamish to make this worth your while? Id recommend having lunch there also and then making your way down to Pioneer Square. If youve got a schedule to keep, stay up-to-date on wait times on the Washington State Department of Traffics website. Ive been to these places many times, love them dearly and cant wait to share it with you. Baker Highway, Semiahmoo Spit, and the North Cascades Scenic Highway. 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