A scene from "Jurassic World Live Tour," coming to Seattle in summer 2023. As you keep going east on 20, you will eventually make your way out of the Ross Lake National recreation area. Walking the Village Stroll is always pleasant to do. I'm Jennie. A word about the Seattle City Pass. 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. Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. For Vancouver, not counting your travel days no more than 2 or 3 at the most. 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. It takes about three hours of driving time, plus traffic and waiting time at the border. Earlier in the itinerary, I talked about the famous Seattle Spaceneedle. We are thinking of reaching vancouver early morning on that day>>. If you take the Victoria Clipper, the trip is just 3 hours. Because of that, and the ride time to Anacortes, we'd recommend staying at least a few days in the San Juan Islands. Head to Japadog (food carts all over town) for a Japanese hot dog with lots of delicious Japanese toppings in endless combinations. 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. We already have this email. 101. from $119.95. Make sure you dont miss Rogers Chocolates and Munros Books as well as Murchies Coffee and Tea. Everyone must have valid passports for this crossing. Two of Washington's best art communities are found along the road between Seattle and Vancouver: La Conner and Fairhaven. 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. Besides driving, buses offer the most flexibility for travel between Seattle and Vancouver, especially if youre on a budget. October 30th-1st. 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. Angela has been writing about life, travel, and recreation in the Northwest, where she grew up, since 2000. Seattle has a big reputation. After . Ferries run once a day except from May to September, when they depart twice daily. This is a popular ski area in winter, but you can still ride the gondola even if youre not skiing. I look forward to your comments and questions, and happy traveling! 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. In Victoria, you can walk or take the bus around town and out to Butchart Gardens. 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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This was work commissioned in Soviet-occupied Czechoslovakia, and its actually a subtle protest piece. Updated: 4:40 PM PST February 24, 2023. What other activities can we do in Whistler (keeping in mind we have parents in 60s and a toddler with us)? There is much to do in this town, but on the first day, I suggest exploring the area. Several major airlines, including United, Delta and Alaska, fly non-stop from Seattles Sea-Tac Airport to Vancouver International daily in about an hour. If youre traveling with your own car, the drive downtown is about the same length, depending on traffic. If you are so inclined feel free to attach your own but be careful, gum is everywhere and can turn into a rather gross experience. This is an ideal itinerary without a car. All of my trips are on Vero first please be sure to follow me @ traveltipster. I recommend deciding to spend your second day in Vancouver exploring its rich cultural history or its impressive outdoors. Please note: This blog post may contain some affiliate links. 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! Thank you to my friends at Vero Social Media for sponsoring this trip. And finally, back to Seattle where we explore more and learn about this iconic city and its history. SURPRISE . 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. And so, I settled on a seven-day trip that combined some of the best urban and natural highlights. This is a fantastic place to pick up souvenirs of your trip, as I find nobody is ever disappointed at getting a gift of high-end chocolate. Granville Island is another absolute must do in Vancouver. This is much closer to Whistler but probably a better price. But all four companies take you from downtown to downtown in 3.25-4 hours several times a day for less than $50. My favorites were Yaletown for the cool umbrella display (another place for a great social media picture) and the village for the opportunity for incredible evening shots. There are no shortages of places to eat here. 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. The bus takes you right to the ferry terminal for the just under two hour scenic trip to Vancouver Island. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Hop the Victoria Clipper at Pier 69 in downtown Seattle, for a trip across the sparkling Puget Sound to the B.C. 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). A really well reviewed one is the GAdventures tours the National Parks of the Pacific Northwest. Several bus companies make the trip from Seattle to Vancouver, such as Greyhound and Bolt Bus, with prices starting as low as $18 for a one-way ticket. Seattle has a big reputation. Id recommend having lunch there also and then making your way down to Pioneer Square. Mention code 15939781: Cruise Line: Princess Cruise Line: Duration: Summer also has long hours of daylight. In the national forest there are many park camping facilities, and once again I had no trouble finding a place to camp. Four companies make the journey up Interstate 5 across the Canadian border, BoltBus, Quick Shuttle, Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway. Make sure you check out the Seattle forum, and read through the top questions there for some other ideas. The route's main draws are Mt. Victoria is an excellent whale watching destination, the best option of the cities youre visiting on this itinerary. You can find restaurants in every price range at Pike Place Market ranging from cheapest sandwich joint to a high-end seafood restaurant. Day 4: Drive from Sooke to Ucluelet and explore all the lakes. Looking for vacation ideas or travel tips? There are many Freemont Walking tours or you can create your own. Instead of heading up to crowded & touristy (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? And there is also the Chihuly Glass exhibition. 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. I am visiting some friends in the Seattle area (Bellevue) after New Year's for exactly 2.5 days. If you like to travel car free, then this itinerary is perfect for you. The second is the loupe I recommend it the longer way around to Lake Diablo and Ross Lake National Recreation Area. This outlet mall has nicely landscaped grounds and is home to several fast food and snack shops. 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). <
>. 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. This hole in the wall is always packed with diners, and their classic sandwiches are a must try while in Seattle. Our policy is here: https://www.ordinary-adventures.com/privacy-policy/. Theres no question that if youre going to one thing in Vancouver, make it Stanley Park. The casinos in Washington State offer Vegas-style gaming along with good food, live entertainment, and other amenities. Getting ready for your vacay? Orca whales are frequently seen in the waters surrounding Victoria and there are plenty of tours that go directly from the Inner Harbour. Tickets cost $45 - $65 and the journey takes 4h. And if you have a clear day, head up the Space Needle. With a toddler, I recommend using the False Creek Ferries for a ride around, with stops at Granville Island, Olympic Village, and Yaletown. Note: Consult guidelines from the Canadian government before traveling, as COVID restrictions and requirements (including vaccination status and testing) are changing frequently. The other recommendation I would make is to book the whale watching tour for the first day of your trip. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I live her and I go there frequently! In just a couple of days in Vancouver, I saw countless birds, including entire flocks bald eagles. Likely to Sell Out. Harbour Air flies from Seattle to Vancouver 4 times a day. So will have that day and full day the next, flying out late the third day. Should you get the Seattle City Pass? There are two major outlet shopping malls located along Interstate 5 between Seattle and Vancouver. Therefore, I would argue that this is one stop you can skip. 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. United States - 2.5 Days in Seattle! They have done an amazing amount of work on it recently. 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). We are traveling to seattle from mid west (will be spending 4 days in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Here too, I would argue: skip this well-known attraction. 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). This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Since London was named the best city for 2023, her, heres to future garden parties and slow weekend, hey there! Related: Best 3 day Seattle itinerary from a Seattleite. However you spend the day, enjoy dinner at one of the delicious gastropubs in the Gastown neighborhood, and make sure to stop by the historic steam clock at the top of the hour. Proceed to the Freemont Troll. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. On day 5, we would head down south to make our enter Seattle again (may stop by anything else remaining on the way). Leaving: Vancouver. Arrive in Vancouver, BC. You say you are driving from, I presume, a central Seattle hotel and coming to Vancouver that day. Interstate 5 is not only the most direct route between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, it also offers plenty of lovely scenery to enjoy while you driveor even while you relax on a BoltBus. >>. There are intense wind and rain storms from time to time and occasional snow. 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? 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. Make sure to bring some very lightweight layers for hot days, especially if youre staying in a vacation rental (hotels usually have air conditioning). He lives under a large, architecturally interesting bridge. After setting up base, head to Granville Island. 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. All but Amtrak offer free onboard wifi and power outlets. How far is the drive from Seattle to Vancouver, BC? The lines at the tower are huge just to pick up tickets, the wait is about 45 minutes. 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. For dinner, make your way back to the waterfront or to Pike Place. Fall (late September through mid November) has lots of sunny summer like days, and other days that feel more like winter. This does not include travel to Vancouver Island or other places, just the ciy. What are other must visit places in Seattle (in nature setting) ? You can rent a bike for even more exploring. 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. 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. 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. Winthrop makes the perfect stop for your return to civilization. Instead, I suggest visiting the sky view observatory. Seattles transit system can be a little confusing, and the shape of the city can make it a bit slow. I would say its only worth it if its good enough weather to see the view. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. When you leave Victoria to head to Seattle, you can either take the ferry back to Vancouver and go to Seattle that way, or you can take the Coho ferry from Victorias Inner Harbour to Port Angeles and then drive to the Bainbridge Island ferry to take the ferry to downtown Seattle. I will write more about this topic later, but for now, lets get back to the waterfront. Summer (July through early September) is generally dry and warm (70s and 80s Fahrenheit) and occassionally hot. The Pacific Northwest is one of Americas most picturesque regions. I really enjoyed this trip and so if you follow my itinerary I highly recommend Seabreeze Adventures. Hi! Pick a theory that works for you. Its only an hour out of town, so not exactly sure what your plans are here. 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. Even on a budget, the trip tops off at four hours longa steal if you can get in on BoltBus $1 fare. Exclusive $110 valued gift package that includes a . From Victoria, youll need a second ferry headed for Vancouver or, more accurately, for Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154948-d1017107-Reviews-Whistler_Olympic_Park-Whistler_British_Columbia.html. 5 Days 4 Nights. 7 Days - Inside Passage (Vancouver To Seattle) - Vancouver to Seattle aboard Discovery Princess. Other casinos located along the route between Vancouver and Seattle include the Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale and Angel of the Winds in Arlington. About 5 hours and you will have scenery to enjoy. For Seattle, I always enjoy Pike Market. This is an ideal car free trip though you can also do it in a car. Just 2.5 hours by car and about an hour by plane, the routes between Seattle and Vancouver are well-traveled. You are advised to do this either on foot or by transit from your downtown hotel. For the Peak 2 Peak gondola vs Sea to Sky gondola, have a look at the reviews. After you arrive in Vancouver, Canada and leave your bags at your hotel, make your way to the water. Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal that is very popular on in Vancouver. Or he is here to highlight the beauty of the bridge. Misnamed, rather than a wall, this is actually an entire alley covered with bubble gum. 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. One of the great joys of traveling to the pacific north-west is the incredible variety of wildlife you will spot here. The forest starts as soon as you leave Leavenworth so this is your last chance to pick up supplies. The station is only a few minutes away from downtown Vancouver and I suggest staying in the middle of it all. A day trip from Vancouver to Victoria will take 13-14 hours, with 4 hours of that travelling each way and will be restricted to the bus. Make a quick pass by the Freemont rocket, which was supposed to be pointed at city hall but when the installers couldnt figure out how to do it, they just pointed to the sky. train follows a scenic track from Seattles historic Pioneer Square district, up the craggy coast, to downtown Vancouvers Pacific Central Station. It really doesn't make sense at all. I mentioned that many people who visit here dont consider this a great stop. We sadly also cannot do (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. <