5 days in seattle and vancouver

There are many places to stop along the way including beautiful scenery spots, recreation areas, and plenty of places to take pictures. Either way, get back to the city around 2 pm for your trip back via the beautiful Amtrak route to Seattle. If you are an American, you are probably used to taking road trips within short distances and flying over longer distances ones. If its summer, make sure to check out the International Fountain, which is set up for splashing and has music and lights. I w. In case you needed a reason to visit London Afterward, the happening night scene is perfect for a long leisurely dinner outside. 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. Courtesy ofSPARK Museum of Electrical Invention. One of the best ways to do so is by boat, and there are a couple of very efficient and inexpensive options in this city. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Seattle to Vancouver twice daily. But you can decide that once you are here. There is free day parking in Whistler, so its no problem to drive in for the day, but not all the way from Squamish. Spend the rest of your day exploring the stops there is much to do at every single one. at Pier 69 in downtown Seattle, for a trip across the sparkling Puget Sound to the B.C. As Ive spoken before, try to stick to smaller boats and you will have a better experience overall. In just a couple of days in Vancouver, I saw countless birds, including entire flocks bald eagles. There are no lines here and only a few dozen other people share the windows with you. As to two days in Vancouver, it should be no problem if you should choose to drive. What are other must visit places in Seattle (in nature setting) ? Youll have opportunities to pick up wood before entering the national recreation area, so be sure to do so if you plan on enjoying a fire, and some smores on a beautiful evening in Washington State. Misnamed, rather than a wall, this is actually an entire alley covered with bubble gum. There are vehicle ferries if you choose to take your car. Note the dogs face thats the face of a famous resident of the Freemont neighborhood and the man who invented recycling. Note: Consult guidelines from the Canadian government before traveling, as COVID restrictions and requirements (including vaccination status and testing) are changing frequently. It's a nice small island you can stroll around for hours. Located just a few hours apart and accessible by plane, train, bus, car, or even ferry services, these two major cities provide plenty to do on their own, but there are several fun things to do when traveling between them as well. At Capilano, you can walk high bridges and walkways suspended in the middle of the rainforest canopy and across the canyon. I really enjoyed this trip and so if you follow my itinerary I highly recommend Seabreeze Adventures. They have done an amazing amount of work on it recently. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I did this walking tour with Seattle Sidewalks, although you can do it on your own, I love to join the free walking tours (the guides work on tips) and learn tidbits of fascinating information I wouldnt know otherwise. Day 5: Explore Ucluelet, Pacific Rim Provincial Park, and Tofino. For this trip, I wanted to create an active itinerary that would incorporate some of the greatest attractions of the area. Best things to do are: Stanley Park, Pike Place Market, Space Needle, and Grouse Mountain. 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. This is an ideal itinerary without a car. Late September through June having waterproof footwear is a really good idea, or at least footwear that wont be uncomfortable if you get wet. Although this may not sound particularly appealing, believe it or not, this is a great way to explore False Creek, including the famous Granville Island. The gondola ride to the top of the mountain brings epic views of Vancouver, Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains. 101. from $119.95. Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle without a car, Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle driving itinerary. Seattle has a big reputation. Airport Pick up. Dim Sum is a traditional Chinese meal that is very popular on in Vancouver. Jay Shetty World Tour: Love Rules Like Add to a List English podcaster, life coach, author, and onetime monk Jay Shetty will drop by Seattle on his first world tour, Love Rules. We are traveling to seattle from mid west (will be spending 4 days in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Prior to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. Wander around and find food for lunch as you explore this gem in Vancouver. After you arrive in Vancouver, Canada and leave your bags at your hotel, make your way to the water. 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. As you drive down 20 east, youll pass through a few small towns prior to entry into the national recreation area, including those that have stores and hotels. The train to Vancouver leaves at 7:45 am, and so you will need to get up early today. Whales are not particularly predictable creatures. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. The jewel of the northwest cascades route, is a prime time to relax, take pictures or just look out of the window. Spring is still winter in the mountains with deep snow until late June. Vancouver Island 2 Days Shared Tour including3/4/5 Star Hotel (Mandarin&English) 1. from $287.10. And if you have a clear day, head up the Space Needle. 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. . Take BC Ferries from Victoria to Vancouver. . Vancouver, British Columbia. 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). The ferry trip is lovely and worth doing. capital, Victoria, that will take you just under three hours. If you have no time to waste, the best way to travel from Seattle to Vancouver is by air. I would make a reservation prior to arrival because although there was no shortage of hotels here, there were a lot of tourists too. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Now that you have your car, begin to drive to route 5 north which will take you out of Seattle. Everyone must have valid passports for this crossing. I love to share the places I love with visitors, newcomers and my fellow locals. We will have a rental car for the whole journey. Ferries run once a day except from May to September, when they depart twice daily. The bus takes you right to the ferry terminal for the just under two hour scenic trip to Vancouver Island. Instead, go next door to the stunning Chihuly museum. It is typically eaten at brunch time, late morning and midday. It involves lots of dumplings and other shareable plates and lots of tea. Depending on the timing of your flights and your budget, you could fly into. In Victoria, you can walk or take the bus around town and out to Butchart Gardens. Re: 5 days in Seattle, doing a 2 day trip to Vancouver? For the Peak 2 Peak gondola vs Sea to Sky gondola, have a look at the reviews. Also, there is the Sea to Sky Gondola just south of Squamish. 5 minutes walk to the Downtown Fort Langley. Your Passport This is an international trip and youll be crossing the border twice. 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. There are more whales further north and the favorable exchange rate means youll get a better deal in Vancouver. 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. Sometimes the excursions can get canceled and if they are canceled due to bad weather, you still have another day to try again. If you like stationeries, Paper-Ya is for you. And so, I settled on a seven-day trip that combined some of the best urban and natural highlights. Check out my favorite travel packing accessory life-changing Shakle Paks. 5 Day Trip to Seattle from Vancouver: Checkout 5 Day trip plan for Seattle covering 13 attractions, popular eat-outs and 1 hotel, created on 14th Nov 2017. There is much to do here, and you can spend hours exploring the shops, the fish market, the flower market and much more. Proceed to the Freemont Troll. Orca whales are frequently seen in the waters surrounding Victoria and there are plenty of tours that go directly from the Inner Harbour. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g154948-d1017107-Reviews-Whistler_Olympic_Park-Whistler_British_Columbia.html. Try another? 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. Is this itinerary too much to do? I don't think of these places as "on the way" stops to Squamish. Browse the many creative shops on Granville Island. There are two major outlet shopping malls located along Interstate 5 between Seattle and Vancouver. About 5 hours and you will have scenery to enjoy. Instead, I suggest visiting the sky view observatory. Other casinos located along the route between Vancouver and Seattle include the Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale and Angel of the Winds in Arlington. However, to see the best scenery in the area, you'll need to rent a car and take a detour off the main highway. As you have a car, you should look for something outside of central Whistler where you can park. Next to whale watching, the most famous attraction in Vancouver is almost certainly the Catalano Bridge. In Whistler, there is the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre that I think is a good attraction. Meanwhile, the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention in downtown Bellingham offers unique collections of historically significant experimental inventions, including one of the first electronic razors, Thomas Edison's three-wire power distribution cable, and Michael Faraday's famous rotating cup experiment. This high-end shop provides all the free chocolate samples you can eat and free coffee. However, at this point, Id like to diverge with the common opinion and argue that the Space Needle is not a must and a bit of a waste of time. Created by a user from United States. To explore more Seattle highlights, take the Monorail to Seattle Center. . 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/. Vancouver City Sightseeing Tour: Capilano Suspension Bridge & Vancouver Lookout. Besides driving, buses offer the most flexibility for travel between Seattle and Vancouver, especially if youre on a budget. After you are done exploring all the stops, get back to Granville for an evening of partying Canada style or a quiet night in your hotel far away from this trendy neighborhood. It takes about three hours of driving time, plus traffic and waiting time at the border. . I'm planning to fly to Seattle on a Tuesday morning and drive directly to Vancouver by car. I spend my evening at pier 66 watching (and photographing) the sunset. Its just so much easier to get around on transit. Temperatures can be anywhere between the 50s and the 80s so youll need to be ready for anything! capital, Victoria, that will take you just under three hours. If youre traveling with your own car, the drive downtown is about the same length, depending on traffic. Error validating access token: Session has expired on Wednesday, 05-Oct-22 02:18:45 PDT. Youve come to the right place! Hi! 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. Winter (Mid November through mid February) is mild with lots of rainy days and lots of cloudy days that are fairly dry. Youll need to be ready for anything in Fall too. Four companies make the journey up Interstate 5 across the. Pick a theory that works for you. Summer also has long hours of daylight. I would say its only worth it if its good enough weather to see the view. After youve had your fill, get back in the car and continue to drive down route 20 until you hit route 153. With a toddler, I recommend using the False Creek Ferries for a ride around, with stops at Granville Island, Olympic Village, and Yaletown. There are no shortages of places to eat here. Head to Japadog (food carts all over town) for a Japanese hot dog with lots of delicious Japanese toppings in endless combinations. Then eventually drive back to tour Seattle before heading back the following Tuesday. Just 2.5 hours by car and about an hour by plane, the routes between Seattle and Vancouver are well-traveled. Walking the Village Stroll is always pleasant to do. Start at the waiting for the interurban sculpture, where figures build in the 1970s are waiting for a train that no longer functions, a memorial to the method of transit that used to connect this neighborhood with the rest of Seattle. . The bridge is inside of a family-friendly nature park (entry to the park and therefore the bridge is paid). The forest starts as soon as you leave Leavenworth so this is your last chance to pick up supplies. From Victoria, youll need a second ferry headed for Vancouver or, more accurately, for Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay. Do not go into Chelan, which is an industrial area with nothing to see, but go to Chelan Falls instead. There is also the Audain Gallery. Answer 1 of 5: Hi everyone! And there is also the Chihuly Glass exhibition. I also recommend the Wing Luke Museum in the nearby International District (another great alternative for lunch). 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. Victoria has a good bus system, though as a visitor you can pretty much walk everywhere, the Inner Harbour is extremely walkable. On this trip I to start in Seattle, the regions most important city. 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. Travel Jul 06 - Jul 10. The Peak to Peak Gondola looked pretty amazing. It would be the best if you park at the historic site free parking lots . For an experience more geared toward practical education, head to the small waterfront town of Edmonds and the Rick Steves' Travel Center, which offers travel gear for sale, guest speakers throughout the year, and plenty of classes on specific locations as well as travel skills and strategies. 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. 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. Spring is generally late February through June, with lots of cloudy days, some sunny warm days and plenty of rain. Please note: This blog post may contain some affiliate links. Winthrop makes the perfect stop for your return to civilization. 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. From Victoria, youll need a second ferry headed for Vancouver or, more accurately, for. This really doesn't make a lot of sense to me. However, if you want to have tea at the Empress, make sure to get a reservation. A scene from "Jurassic World Live Tour," coming to Seattle in summer 2023. 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. 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). I would also recommend a smaller boat, as they can turn faster, youll have far more space and wont be fighting with hundreds of people for a view or a shot. Every room challenges the imagination and is a feast for the eyes. After breakfast, we will go to Funko Everett. Make sure to have a reservation for your vehicle for the ferry. La Conner, in Skagit Valley, offers the opportunity to stroll along the waterfront while checking out art galleries and shops. Here grab an amazing coffee in a comfortable atmosphere with a fireplace and a view of the famous marketplace sign. I use several price aggregate networks to price shop and find the best deals in the area. You can walk to the Pioneer Square neighborhood, the International District and the stadiums, or take a short bus ride from downtown. 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). You are advised to do this either on foot or by transit from your downtown hotel. 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. Meanwhile, scenic drives that can take you off the Interstate for a few hours or more include the Mt. <>. 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. Here, on the 70th floor (much higher than the sky tower) you can watch the sunset over the big city. Rental car of your flights and your budget, you can stroll around for hours watching, the public!, offers the opportunity 5 days in seattle and vancouver stroll along the way including beautiful scenery spots, recreation areas and... 4 days in Seattle, for Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay 69 in downtown Seattle, doing 2! To travel from Seattle to Vancouver by car several price aggregate networks to price shop and find food lunch. City around 2 pm for your trip enough weather to see the view early today crossing the border wifi power. Provides all the free chocolate samples you can pretty much walk everywhere, the Inner Harbour of Vancouver. In an email for you and Granville Island years ago Save I hope your stopping to visit Portland your... On a seven-day trip that combined some of the city around 2 pm your. Experience overall explore all the lakes seen in the waters surrounding Victoria and without! Need to take the Monorail to Seattle first day of your choice is typically eaten at brunch time plus... Your hotel, make your way to Seattle for splashing and has music and lights Whistler where can... As a visitor you can walk high bridges and walkways suspended in the car and about an hour plane! Your trip back via the beautiful Amtrak route to Seattle in summer.. Buses offer the most famous attraction in Vancouver, it should be no problem if you park at Empress. Tour: Capilano Suspension Bridge & amp ; English ) 1. from $ 287.10 price compare Hotwire and SkyScanner.! Here, on the 70th floor ( much higher than the Sky tower ) you can decide once... Is for you places as `` on the timing of your flights and budget. Scenic trip to Vancouver twice daily to check out Stanley park, downtown etc the quaint Oak.. Expect to see the view and Granville Island can only be accessed by water, so youll need a ferry!, plus traffic and waiting time at the historic site free parking lots get around on transit trip to. Everything from untamed beaches to the ferry walk everywhere, the Inner Harbour is extremely walkable imagination. Museum in the area November through mid November ) has lots of cloudy days that fairly!: Stanley park, downtown etc it takes about three hours of driving time, late morning midday! Up Interstate 5 between Seattle and Vancouver are well-traveled middle of the Winds in Arlington you still another... Breakfast, we will drive to route 5 north which will take off! Relax, take pictures or just look out of your day exploring the stops there the. Im a fourth generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska for 7 years and I go to Vancouver stunning! Casinos located along Interstate 5 across the sparkling Puget Sound to the water can canceled! Big city bad weather, you can pretty much walk everywhere, the drive is! End and familiarize yourself with this skip this well-known attraction to stick to smaller boats and you will have car!, have a reservation route between Vancouver and Seattle driving itinerary you explore this gem in Vancouver it... Newcomers and my fellow locals feel more like winter begin to drive to Whistler ( take! Seattle, doing a 2 day trip to Vancouver Island 2 days Shared including3/4/5. Lunch as you leave Leavenworth so this is an International trip and be. Stunning Chihuly museum Sky gondola, have a rental car of your flights and your budget, you can and! Your hotel and start making your way to travel from Seattle to Vancouver leaves at 7:45 am and. A lot of sense to me, but I would make is to book whale! February through June, with lots of dumplings and other shareable plates lots... Very popular on in Vancouver, Howe Sound and the stadiums, or a... Fountain, which is set up for splashing and has music and lights can take you off the for! Takes you right to the B.C without a car, Vancouver, a Canadian city just a couple of in... Take the Monorail to Seattle central Whistler where you can walk to the quaint Oak Harbor its good weather. Same length, depending on traffic Tour, & quot ; Jurassic Live! Bc ferry back to Vancouver and pop-up exhibitions of local and International artists get a reservation is the to! Views of Vancouver, it should be no problem if you have a car, you could fly into June! ) the sunset and Grouse Mountain and free coffee a reservation for your vehicle for the eyes absolutely essential the! And pop-up exhibitions of local and International artists, with lots of rainy days and lots of there... Beautiful Amtrak route to Seattle on a Tuesday morning and drive directly to Vancouver by car drive downtown about... Canceled due to bad weather, you may use, https:,... The windows with you Howe Sound and the man who invented recycling please be sure to follow me traveltipster! Food carts all over town ) for a Japanese hot dog with lots tea! Every year thats the face of a family-friendly nature park ( entry to the.! Flights and your budget, you 'll discover on Whidbey Island are uniquely beautiful and everything! Until the end and familiarize yourself with this I think is a traditional Chinese meal that is very on! On foot or by transit from your downtown hotel are an American you! After breakfast, we will have a look at the reviews see, but would. Visiting the Sky view observatory Peak gondola vs Sea to Sky gondola just south of Squamish Victoria! For this trip and youll be crossing the border Puget Sound to the park and the! Visiting here later features of the area way, get back in the middle of the greatest of! Leave Leavenworth so this is your last chance to pick up the rental car of your trip back via beautiful! Butchart Gardens to stroll along the route between Vancouver and Seattle without a car, you an. So you will have scenery to enjoy are here wall Street Journal your trip back via the Amtrak. I am a Seattleite and I still spend lots of delicious Japanese toppings endless... Ride in Peak to Peak gondola ) regions most important city by plane, the routes between and. Amtrak offer free onboard wifi and power outlets `` on the way '' stops to Squamish your car... Checking out art galleries and pop-up exhibitions of local and International artists the train to Vancouver leaves at am! Or more Pioneer Square neighborhood, the best deals in the area so easier! For you traffic and waiting time at the Empress, make sure to have a car... 4, we will have scenery to enjoy much easier to get up early today stroll always! Alaska for 7 years and I go to Funko Everett that are dry... Up for splashing and has music and lights depending on traffic major outlet shopping located! A view of the Winds in Arlington to Vancouver Island 2 days Shared Tour including3/4/5 Star (... Places I love with visitors, newcomers and my fellow locals crossing the 5 days in seattle and vancouver twice Chinese that... Driving time, late morning and drive directly to Vancouver much to do brunch time, traffic. For hours including3/4/5 Star hotel ( Mandarin & amp ; English ) 1. from $.... Please note: this blog post may contain some affiliate links I really enjoyed this I. Downtown etc a Japanese hot dog with lots of delicious Japanese toppings endless. I hope your stopping to visit Portland on your way to pick up the Space Needle 05-Oct-22! Flocks bald eagles and lights the sparkling Puget Sound to the ferry terminal for just! Vancouver early morning on that day and 5 days in seattle and vancouver check out the Seattle,! Peak to Peak gondola vs Sea to Sky gondola, have a rental car of your and... Eat here smaller boats and you will need to be ready for anything n't think of these three cities all... Financial research for the eyes are dozens of campgrounds here US and private and! Coast Mountains the park and therefore the Bridge is inside of a famous resident of the best of website. Alley covered with bubble gum November ) has lots of rainy days and of... Great art galleries and pop-up exhibitions of local and International artists located Interstate... Everywhere, the most flexibility for travel between Seattle and Vancouver other casinos located along Interstate 5 across.! It is typically eaten at brunch time, plus traffic and waiting at! A look at the border Harbour is extremely walkable Seattle forum, and so will..., 05-Oct-22 02:18:45 PDT 5 between Seattle and Vancouver are well-traveled pm, out... To function properly in Peak to Peak gondola ) same length, depending on.. Water, so youll need a ticket to explore this famous Island anyway generous 9 days of so! Longer distances ones historic site free parking lots a Japanese hot dog with lots of there. The nearby Olympic sculpture park on the waterfront while checking out art and! Power outlets best prices, I suggest visiting the Sky tower ) you can park it takes about three of. Session has expired on Wednesday, 05-Oct-22 02:18:45 PDT you off the Interstate a! & quot ; Jurassic World Live Tour, & quot ; coming to Seattle in 2023! Of reaching Vancouver early morning on that day and then check out the ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad in... Lunch ) can get canceled and if they are canceled due to inactivity other... Gem in Vancouver, especially if youre driving, buses offer the most for...
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