The jewel of the northwest cascades route, is a prime time to relax, take pictures or just look out of the window. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Vancouver. This hole in the wall is always packed with diners, and their classic sandwiches are a must try while in Seattle. If you prefer traveling without a car, then this itinerary is absolutely ideal for you! Despite this, rain is possible any time of year in the coastal Pacific Northwest. The lines at the tower are huge just to pick up tickets, the wait is about 45 minutes. 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. 5 days later, some in Michigan still lack power . Cruise Line: Holland America Line. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93137662', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Grouse Mountain and the Peak 2 Peak. There are also several forest trails nearby if you want to get more walking or hiking in. Whatever you are looking for whether its fast and cheap, fancy, fresh, desert or anything in between youll find it on Granville Island. 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). It's located about 2-3 hours from Seattle, and reservations are recommended. 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. 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. These majestic creatures are fairly quiet and stealthy, they are after all, hunters. >>. More info. 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. What other activities can we do in Whistler (keeping in mind we have parents in 60s and a toddler with us)? Grab coffee and a donut for breakfast like Vancouverites do and head to Stanley Park. If youd prefer to explore some of Vancouvers natural wonders, take the Seabus to North Vancouver and then the bus to Grouse Mountain. I don't think of these places as "on the way" stops to Squamish. Your email address will not be published. I leave my car at home if Im planning to be spending time in the city. Also, any suggestions on Seattle? The bubble gum smell here is very strong, so this stop is definitely not for the squeamish. 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. 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. Highlights: Visit Seattle (Space Needle), Vancouver (Stanley Park), Banff National Park (Columbia Icefield, Lake Louise, Sulfur Mountain Gondola Ride), Jasper National Park (Athabasca Glacier), Kamloops (Sunmore Ginseng Factory), Okanagan (Okanagan Lake). You say you are driving from, I presume, a central Seattle hotel and coming to Vancouver that day. 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. If youre driving for your Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle trip, give yourself plenty of extra time for traffic, border crossings and ferry waits. They do docent led tours every hour, I think, so maybe time your visit for one of those. La Conner, in Skagit Valley, offers the opportunity to stroll along the waterfront while checking out art galleries and shops. Vancouver has the best public transit of any of these three cities. Harbour Air flies from Seattle to Vancouver 4 times a day. I found little to do here and the only exhibit I actually wanted to visit Star Trek was closed. Whether you're interested in airplanes or radiosor anything betweenthere's plenty of science and history to discover in northwest Washington. Gadventures also has some really great group tours in covering Vancouver. 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. The Pacific Northwest is one of Americas most picturesque regions. Alternatively, you may use, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g181771-d6025377-Reviews-Sea_to_Sky_Gondola-Squamish_British_Columbia.html, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154948-d1549388-Reviews-Peak_2_Peak_Gondola-Whistler_British_Columbia.html. capital, Victoria, that will take you just under three hours. Here, take 153 to route 97 which will eventually take you all the way through Chelan Falls. United States - 2.5 Days in Seattle! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Driving from Seattle to Vancouver: 2 hours and 45 minutes with optimal road conditions Seattle to Vancouver Train: 4 hours and 30 minutes Seattle to Vancouver Bus: 4 hours and 40 minutes Regardless of the transportation you're going to need to wake up early to do this properly. 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. 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. This really doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I don't recommend this, not with a toddler. There are many places to stop along the way including beautiful scenery spots, recreation areas, and plenty of places to take pictures. I would make a reservation prior to arrival because although there was no shortage of hotels here, there were a lot of tourists too. Most exhibits are fairly narrow and the only appeal to people who are very familiar with this specific franchise, for instance, a fantasy exhibit which is primarily lord of the rings based. After you check into your hotel, take a walk around the Inner Harbour and have dinner in view of all the boat and float plane activity. 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. Several major airlines, including United, Delta and Alaska, fly non-stop from Seattles Sea-Tac Airport to Vancouver International daily in about an hour. After that, head to the University of British Columbia campus and visit the UBC Museum of Anthropology. You can join one of a dozen free walking tours here ask your hotel for a recommendation. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. 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. That depends on what you are looking to do while in Seattle. Of course, ensure you prearrange the car rental a few weeks in advance for best options. Nothing wrong with Squamish for this purpose, IMO, and if your accommodation is booked you are now double checking your itinerary and asking for suggestions for things to do. Fall (late September through mid November) has lots of sunny summer like days, and other days that feel more like winter. Afterward, the happening night scene is perfect for a long leisurely dinner outside. This was work commissioned in Soviet-occupied Czechoslovakia, and its actually a subtle protest piece. This is for travel on a Monday in June, I think by August or on a weekend you should probably have a reservation. Or he is here to highlight the beauty of the bridge. To explore more Seattle highlights, take the Monorail to Seattle Center. Have a leisurely morning with breakfast at your hotel, or take a walk on one of Vancouvers amazing trails before catching your bus to the ferry. PIN and save for later! Around 11 pm, check out of your hotel and start making your way to pick up the rental car of your choice. 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. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 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 Spring is generally late February through June, with lots of cloudy days, some sunny warm days and plenty of rain. I scored prime seating by coming in around 7:00 and then walked a couple of blocks to find a coffee shop to have breakfast. 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. May 2, 2023. 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. Thanks for subscribing! So unless you are coming in looking for a specific thing (and before you purchase tickets be sure to check at the cash register that it is open, I was not told Star Trek was closed) I would advise skipping this stop. Even if you are not normally a museum person I would still recommend a stop at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum (free entry with the Seattle City Pass). Privacy Policy | Affiliate Disclosure | Guest Post Guidelines, If you made it this far, I have an easy favor to ask. Here grab an amazing coffee in a comfortable atmosphere with a fireplace and a view of the famous marketplace sign. I've been a tour guide for many years in both Alaska and Washington and am a field editor for the Milepost. There are two major outlet shopping malls located along Interstate 5 between Seattle and Vancouver. Airport Pick up. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93137592', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Seattle) and then leave for Vancouver on the 5th day. If you take the Victoria Clipper, the trip is just 3 hours. Admire indigenous art pieces in the Eagle Spirit Gallery. 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. 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. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) OR Woodland Park Zoo, Chihuly Garden and Glass OR Pacific Science Center. 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. Feb. 26, 2023 at 6:45 pm Updated Feb. 26, 2023 at 8:45 pm. 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. Go left and continue to follow 530, which will eventually take you to 20 east. I really suggest camping out in the Okanogan forest if you have the chance to. The Victoria Clipper ferry which is a foot ferry that whisks you from Victoria to downtown Seattle goes right from the Inner Harbor. Note: Consult guidelines from the Canadian government before traveling, as COVID restrictions and requirements (including vaccination status and testing) are changing frequently. Here too, I would argue: skip this well-known attraction. Here youll find little stores and diners along the way, perfect for a breakfast stop before you enter civilization again. However, after they finally caught prey (we believe it to be a seal) there was quite a celebration with a several water leaps and overall joy. 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. . Temperatures are usually in the 40s Fahrenheit during the day, but can be warmer or colder. Four companies make the journey up Interstate 5 across the Canadian border, BoltBus, Quick Shuttle, Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway. We found it cheaper for the four of us to fly into Seattle and drive to Vancouver than to fly into Vancouver. Re: 5 days in Seattle, doing a 2 day trip to Vancouver? Vancouver, British Columbia. Farther north (exit #229) you'll find The Outlet Shoppes at Burlington, which offers bargain shopping opportunities at such retailers as Jones New York, Pendleton, Corningware, and Carter's Childrenswear. If you like stationeries, Paper-Ya is for you. It even costs less than the space needle, and of course, you will get classic Seattle pictures featuring the needle. For the Peak 2 Peak gondola vs Sea to Sky gondola, have a look at the reviews. Visitors hoping to experience more of Dutch culture can stay at The Mill, which is located inside a functional windmill, or dine on some delicious traditional pastries at the Lynden Dutch Bakery. For a cultural day, walk or take the bus or sky train to Chinatown for Dim Sum. 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. 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. 8-Day Pacific Cruise to Vancouver 5-Day Mexican Rivera Cruise from Los Angles Explore Santa Barbara, California. After that, continue your exploration of Indigenous Northwest Coast art and culture with a visit to the Bill Reid Gallery. Since London was named the best city for 2023, her, heres to future garden parties and slow weekend, hey there! Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal that is very popular on in Vancouver. This journey takes 3 hours plus any possible border delays. 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. After you wander the market a bit, make your way to the nearby Post Place alley and check out the famous chewing gum wall. Youll get into Seattle around 10 pm, and tomorrow is another big day so get some sleep. <

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