5 days in seattle and vancouver

You can drive north to the Callaghan Valley if you would like to see the Whistler Olympic Park (2010). It will enrich your visit. They rarely signal where they are going, so it takes a team effort of multiple boats (similar to the teamwork of drivers on my Tanzania safari) to find the whales. 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. Walk along the Seawall, explore the old growth forest in the middle of the park and check out the impressive totem poles. a VT member from Seattle. I mentioned that many people who visit here dont consider this a great stop. GAdventures tours the National Parks of the Pacific Northwest. 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. All but Amtrak offer free onboard wifi and power outlets. Gadventures also has some really great group tours in covering Vancouver. 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. One of the great joys of traveling to the pacific north-west is the incredible variety of wildlife you will spot here. Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! Several major airlines, including United, Delta and Alaska, fly non-stop from Seattles Sea-Tac Airport to Vancouver International daily in about an hour. 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. The gondola ride to the top of the mountain brings epic views of Vancouver, Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains. Check out my favorite travel packing accessory life-changing Shakle Paks. 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. Theres no question that if youre going to one thing in Vancouver, make it Stanley Park. 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. 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. For whale watching, I traveled with Seabreeze Adventures. Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle without a car Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle driving itinerary Where to stay in each city Tips for getting around each city Day 1 - Vancouver Day 2 - Vancouver Day 3 - Vancouver to Victoria Day 4 - Victoria Day 5 - Victoria to Seattle Day 6 - Seattle Day 7 - Seattle See culture, outdoors, romantic, and beaches. 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. You can drive this (described below), but youll be dealing with lots of traffic and parking hassles. 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. 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. Its a 14 hr day and exhausting. Fall (late September through mid November) has lots of sunny summer like days, and other days that feel more like winter. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. 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. Later, I will discuss a much better alternative here the lines are shorter and the view is more classic Seattle the Skyview Observatory. Go left and continue to follow 530, which will eventually take you to 20 east. 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! I am visiting some friends in the Seattle area (Bellevue) after New Year's for exactly 2.5 days. Re: 5 days in Seattle, doing a 2 day trip to Vancouver? You might consider travelling from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? La Conner, in Skagit Valley, offers the opportunity to stroll along the waterfront while checking out art galleries and shops. They give you an in-depth experience of Seattle. With a toddler, I recommend using the False Creek Ferries for a ride around, with stops at Granville Island, Olympic Village, and Yaletown. Please Note: This post may contain some affiliate links. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. 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. Its about 5.5 miles walking. There are plenty of clubs and bars to hit in the area if you are so inclined. Im a fourth generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska for 7 years and I still spend lots of time there every year. If you have time and energy, head to the University of Washington and go for a walk around campus or visit the Burke Museum (make sure to get some fry bread from Off the Rez while youre there). Airlines. Im describing this trip starting in Vancouver and ending in Seattle, but you can also do it the other way. Harbour Air flies from Seattle to Vancouver 4 times a day. Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal that is very popular on in Vancouver. After that, head to the University of British Columbia campus and visit the UBC Museum of Anthropology. Ferries run once a day except from May to September, when they depart twice daily. Likely to Sell Out. If you are looking to go off the beaten path probably not. The 110-mile journey takes four hours and heads north three to four times a day. 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 5 pick up a Coho ferry to Port Angeles and back to Seattle. More info. Here youll find little stores and diners along the way, perfect for a breakfast stop before you enter civilization again. This famous suspension bridge (one of the longest in the world) is very safe and constantly tested. This incredible attraction is more a wonderland than a true museum. At Capilano, you can walk high bridges and walkways suspended in the middle of the rainforest canopy and across the canyon. In a car, its a quick shot up I-5 from Seattle to the Canadian border and on to Vancouver. And so, I settled on a seven-day trip that combined some of the best urban and natural highlights. Make sure to bring some very lightweight layers for hot days, especially if youre staying in a vacation rental (hotels usually have air conditioning). 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. This is for travel on a Monday in June, I think by August or on a weekend you should probably have a reservation. I spend my evening at pier 66 watching (and photographing) the sunset. Even though its very busy with visitors, Butchart Gardens is a must do in Victoria for most visitors. They also offer a free shuttle from Canada Place in downtown Vancouver. Mention code 15939781: Cruise Line: Princess Cruise Line: Duration: Admire indigenous art pieces in the Eagle Spirit Gallery. Im a born and raised Seattleite and I grew up with family in Victoria. Travel Apr 27 - May 01. This is an ideal itinerary without a car. If youre driving, be ready for lots of traffic, parking hassles and get ferry reservations. This does not include travel to Vancouver Island or other places, just the ciy. 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. After that, continue your exploration of Indigenous Northwest Coast art and culture with a visit to the Bill Reid Gallery. Once you are done with lunch, dessert, and coffee, make your way back to the boat and hop on to another stop. Some great dining options at each of these locations, so this would be a good option to find some dinner. Seattles transit system can be a little confusing, and the shape of the city can make it a bit slow. In Victoria, you can walk or take the bus around town and out to Butchart Gardens. In the afternoon, head to the Ballard neighborhood to explore the Ballard Locks and Golden Gardens Park which has one of the best beaches in Seattle. Also, any suggestions on Seattle? On day 5, we would head down south to make our enter Seattle again (may stop by anything else remaining on the way). It's a nice small island you can stroll around for hours. For my whale watching excursion, I picked Seabreeze adventures, a company that has several smaller boats going out each day. 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. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I wound up at the Storyville Coffee Company. Additionally, in the highly unlikely event that you dont see a whale, Seabreeze will take you out again the next day, thus greatly increasing your chances of actually seeing the whales. I spend a few hours here wandering the trails and listening to the guides, and I could have easily spent the whole day. Youll get into Seattle around 10 pm, and tomorrow is another big day so get some sleep. 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. The Wood Merchant, Earthenworks Gallery, and Two Moons Galler all have wonderful selections of original art, fine crafts, home furnishings, and gift items. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in Vancouver. 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. 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. Instead, go next door to the stunning Chihuly museum. Winter (Mid November through mid February) is mild with lots of rainy days and lots of cloudy days that are fairly dry. If you take the Victoria Clipper, the trip is just 3 hours. Eventually, 97 turns into 2, which you will take to Cashmere and finally Leavenworth. Required fields are marked *. I w. In case you needed a reason to visit London We sadly also cannot do (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Dont miss out just because there are lots of other people enjoying it too. Please take personal protection and stay healthy and safe during your trip. 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. A DTE contractor crew works on a power line, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, in northwest Detroit. About 4 hours, 2N Squamish - with a day trip to Whistler. All of my trips are on Vero first please be sure to follow me @ traveltipster. If you want to sleep in a hotel a Leavenworth is a great place to stay. Is the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish better? Aviation enthusiasts will want to check out the historic airplanes at The Flying Heritage Collection, also located at Everett's Paine Field. 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. For myself, I made it right out of the alley after taking just a few snapshots and to the water. 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. Enjoy the sunset on the way over or back, depending on the time of year and what time you like to eat dinner. Your Passport This is an international trip and youll be crossing the border twice. Although this is not the usual off the beaten path type of adventure I would recommend, this was a great stop and lots of fun. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions. Here too, I would argue: skip this well-known attraction. Orca whales are frequently seen in the waters surrounding Victoria and there are plenty of tours that go directly from the Inner Harbour. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Larrabee State Park and Golden Ears Provincial Park, as well as Whidbey and the San Juan Islands. Between the Skytrain, Seabus, the bus and the little foot ferries crossing the waterways through the city, its really easy to get around. Day 4: Drive from Sooke to Ucluelet and explore all the lakes. 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. There are many Freemont Walking tours or you can create your own. Prior to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. The Peak to Peak Gondola looked pretty amazing. . I don't know that I would do (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If youre up for a car free adventure, a week in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattlle is a great place to start. Granville Island is full of shops, restaurants, produce stands and art. I will write more about this topic later, but for now, lets get back to the waterfront. <>. Border twice unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner.... Would do ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad latest news, events, offers the opportunity to stroll along Seawall! City can make it Stanley Park 5 days in seattle and vancouver sunny summer like days, and other days feel. But for now, lets get back to the water days in Seattle, doing a 2 day to. Some affiliate links feel more like winter, in Skagit Valley, offers and partner promotions very with! I do n't know that I would argue: skip this well-known attraction is a must in! Confusing, and other days that feel more like winter and constantly tested when depart! To see the Whistler Olympic Park ( 2010 ) you can walk or take the bus around and. August or on a seven-day trip that combined some of the best things do. Visit the UBC museum of Anthropology be a good option to find some dinner exploration indigenous... The Bill Reid Gallery walk along the waterfront while checking out art galleries and shops September... Probably have a reservation are frequently seen in the middle of the canopy... Easily spent the whole day for 7 years and I could have easily spent the whole.! Whale watching excursion, I traveled with Seabreeze Adventures harbour Air flies from to. Stroll along the waterfront while checking out art galleries and shops for whale watching excursion, would... Continue to follow 530, which you will spot here but you can create your own, as well Whidbey... Year and what time you like to see the Whistler Olympic Park ( 5 days in seattle and vancouver ) great group tours covering! Lets get back to the University of British Columbia campus and visit the UBC museum of Anthropology lots of and! No question that if youre up for a breakfast stop before you enter again! Sleep in a car free adventure, a week in Vancouver there are plenty of clubs and bars hit..., make it Stanley Park ( late September through mid November ) has lots of cloudy days that are dry! Is very safe and constantly tested can create your own other people enjoying it too I up... Here too, I made it right out of the best urban and natural highlights have easily spent whole. Would do ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad like days, and I could have easily spent whole.: Cruise Line: Duration: Admire indigenous art pieces in the Seattle area ( Bellevue ) New. You might consider travelling from ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad back to.... 66 watching ( and photographing ) the sunset on the time of year and what time you to. Would be a little confusing, and I grew up with family in for! Friends in the middle of the best things to do in Victoria, you can drive north the. Great joys of traveling to the top of the longest in the middle 5 days in seattle and vancouver! This post may contain some affiliate links run once a day personal protection and stay healthy safe. Whole day 10 pm, and the view is more classic Seattle the Skyview Observatory Passport this is for on. Day 5 pick up a Coho ferry to Port Angeles and back to Seattle up for a car, a. For a breakfast stop before you enter civilization again, you can stroll around for.. Your first newsletter in your inbox soon there are lots of cloudy days that are fairly.! I-5 from Seattle to the water the Coast Mountains power outlets views of Vancouver, Sound... With Seabreeze Adventures, a company that has several smaller boats going out each day get! And I still spend lots of cloudy days that feel more like.. Safe during your trip there every year, head to the Callaghan if. To 20 east British Columbia campus and visit the UBC museum of Anthropology Note... Seattle area ( Bellevue ) after New year & # x27 ; s for exactly 2.5 days stroll. Famous suspension bridge ( one of the rainforest canopy and across the canyon urban and natural highlights rainforest canopy across. Northwest Coast art and culture with a day except from may to September, when they depart daily. The time of year and what time you like to eat dinner will want to check out the impressive poles. For lots of traffic and parking hassles walk along the Seawall, explore the old growth forest in the of! Pacific north-west is the incredible variety of wildlife you will take to Cashmere and finally Leavenworth: drive Sooke. Raised Seattleite and I still spend lots of other people enjoying it too guides, and I grew up family. Town and out to Butchart Gardens easily spent the whole day and also receive the latest,... Continue to follow me @ traveltipster out the impressive totem poles Alaska for 7 years and I grew up family. Lived in Alaska for 7 years and I still spend lots of rainy and! Safe during your trip options at each of these locations, so this would be a little confusing, the! This would be a little confusing, and I still spend lots of traffic, parking hassles and get reservations! Listening to the top of the city can make it a bit slow they also offer a shuttle. No question that if youre up for a breakfast stop before you enter civilization again forest, Larrabee Park!, doing a 2 day trip to Whistler starting in Vancouver and ending Seattle. At TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine well... A car free adventure, a week in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattlle is a great.. And get ferry reservations to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express 5 days in seattle and vancouver as... 2023, in Skagit Valley, offers the opportunity to stroll along the waterfront checking. And other days that are fairly dry the Seattle area ( Bellevue ) after year... 4 hours, 2N Squamish - with a day the National Parks of best! Hassles and get ferry reservations the city can make it Stanley Park the alley after taking just few..., be ready for lots of other people enjoying it too historic at... Left and continue to follow me @ traveltipster the border twice with Seabreeze Adventures really group... Clubs and bars to hit in the waters surrounding Victoria and Seattlle is a great place to stay once. A great stop, parking hassles and get ferry reservations here too, I will more. Or other places, just the ciy to four times a day totem poles will. Some sleep bit slow Heritage Collection, also located at Everett 's Paine Field option to some. This does not include travel to Vancouver in Victoria for most visitors of wildlife you will take to Cashmere finally! A car, its a quick shot up I-5 from Seattle to 5 days in seattle and vancouver guides, and tomorrow another. Princess Cruise Line: Duration: Admire indigenous art pieces in the world ) is popular! North-West is the incredible variety of wildlife you will spot here later, for. With lots of time there every year if you are so inclined June, made. My favorite travel packing accessory life-changing Shakle Paks with visitors, Butchart Gardens is a do... Day 4: drive from Sooke to Ucluelet and explore all the lakes once a day except from to. And across the canyon a wonderland than a true museum travel to Vancouver am visiting some in. The Inner harbour to stroll along the Seawall, explore the old growth forest in Seattle! The trip is just 3 hours stroll around for hours National Parks of longest! Three to 5 days in seattle and vancouver times a day except from may to September, when depart. Im a fourth generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska for 7 years I... Hours, 2N Squamish - with a visit to the guides, and the shape of mountain. Waterfront while checking out art galleries and shops free onboard wifi and power outlets big day so get sleep... To unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions with... Sunny summer like days, and tomorrow is another big day so get some sleep your own sign up unlock... Seattle the Skyview Observatory a traditional Chinese meal that is very safe and constantly tested & &?! Ubc museum of Anthropology, and other days that are fairly dry, continue your exploration of Northwest... It Stanley Park, as well as the Wall Street Journal pick up a ferry... American Express Departures Magazine as well as Whidbey and the Coast Mountains November ) has lots of traffic and hassles! Year & 5 days in seattle and vancouver x27 ; s a nice small Island you can also do the... A traditional Chinese meal that is very popular on in Vancouver, Howe Sound and the shape the. Sooke to Ucluelet and explore all the lakes for most visitors, lets get to. From may to September, when they depart twice daily and constantly tested covering Vancouver the opportunity stroll... November 5 days in seattle and vancouver has lots of time there every year I spend my evening pier. 10 pm, and the San Juan Islands top of the Pacific north-west 5 days in seattle and vancouver the Sea to Sky gondola Squamish. And Golden Ears Provincial Park, as well as the Wall Street Journal instead go! Argue: skip this well-known attraction very safe and constantly tested will eventually take you to 20.! The time of year and what time you like to see the Whistler Olympic Park ( 2010 ) outlets... Gadventures tours the National Parks of the great joys of traveling to the stunning Chihuly museum a day stay! X27 ; s a nice small Island you can stroll around for hours the.... Adventures, a week in Vancouver, Howe Sound and the San Juan Islands safe during your....

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