Cheryl

I posted the following on the United States board. So far those that live in Seattle say we should go to Vancouver but others say Seattle has more to offer. I'd like to see if the response is similar on the Canada board.<BR><BR>Message: My husband and I are cruising to Alaska in August from Vancouver and will have 3 days before the cruise to spend in either Vancouver or Seattle. We are flying into Seattle as we got a much better airfare than if we were to fly into Vancouver. We will take a shuttle to Vancouver. We would rather spend all three days touring/experiencing one city rather than not really having the chance to properly see either one by splitting up the three days between the two cities. The question is, would you spend the time in Seattle and just go to Vancouver the morning of the cruise, or would you go directly to Vancouver for the three days?

gary

Listen to your advisors from Seattle. They know. I have to admit to a strong prejudice but Vancouver is a world class cosmopolitan city with strong Asian overtones. Seattle is a very nice prosperous American city with lots of freeways and glitzy shopping malls.<BR><BR>Both cities have beautiful natural settings but Vancouver literally embraces it's Mountains and water while Seattle builds freeways and skscrapers to block access and view. Finally almost 100,000 people live in the heart of Vancouver's core a la Manhatten and at midnight the streets of the West End and Yaletown are crowded with people while at night Seattle's downtown is <BR>virtually deserted .<BR><BR>I'm sure there are some people who will dispute my remarks about Seattle but noone can dispute those about Vancouver. Trust me, unless it pours rain the whole time you're here there's no way you won't be happy you chose Vancouver.

Terri

Gary, you better get over to the American board where they are saying that Seattle is a prettier city in this same thread! Vancouver tourism needs your help!

Gary

Actually I did and like I said everyone's entitled to their opinions no matter how ridiculous.

Tom

Having visited both cities in the past month, I have to admit that I'm partial to Seattle. The food in my opinion is much better. Even in the higher end restaurants, Canadian food tends to be rather bland and uninteresting. How many ways can they prepare a piece of salmon? Seattle offers city life, as well as plenty of outdoor scenery.

Gary

My God Tom - what are you talking about? Vancuver has the highest number of Asian restaurants per capita in the world and virtually every type of European cuisine known none of which feature salmon as a highlite of their menu. Certainly if you come to Vancouver, (or Seattle for that matter), you'd be advised to try West Coast cuisine which includes all sorts of shellfish and fish other than Salmon.<BR><BR>Seattle has some excellant restaurants as well considering the many high earners there but they are, on average, much more expensive than Vancouver's and when it comes to Asian cuisine, (we're talking Chinese and it's 6 varieties), Japanese, Korean, East Indian, South Indian, Vietnamese, Indonesian and on and on) - Seattle doesn't even come close.<BR><BR>To be perfectly fair, and I always am, Seattle does have a few things which are superior to Vancouver, (Pro sports, Live theatre, concerts, etc.), but quality and diversity of restaurants - never.

Jonatahn

Vancouver is the best. Period.

BettyAnn

Vancouver! Vancouver! Vancouver!

Mel

I went to Vancouver and Seattle last year. I thought Vancouver was a much<BR>nicer place that Seattle .Very pretty. Amazing landscapes. Fantastic people. <BR>And great food. Having said that the food in Seattle was pretty good too,<BR>but that was it. Infact, we flew into <BR>Vancouver and we cut our stay in Seattle short to go back to Vanocuver early. That say's it all really.

Terry

Geez . . . well I'm from Vancouver, born and raised, and just recently visited Seattle which I loved - but of course I'm going to tell you to come here! Stanley Park, Robson Street and Granville Island are must sees and right in the city, but there is so much more. The scenery is awesome, the restaurants are great, and the shopping is . . . well what can I say? Terrific. Besides that we are very friendly. We'd love to see you and will make you feel welcome!

gary

Cheryl, have you noticed a trend here? For further convincing, if you still need it, try www.vancouver.hm.

Debbie

Cheryl-I am from Chicago and my husband is from Seattle.The ONLY city that we can agreed upon to retire to is VANCOUVER!It is the ultimate city for outdoorsports,eating,sightseeing,variouscultures,e tc.<BR>Seattle was a nice city 20 years ago but (in my opinion)it has become a yuppy/hippy northern version of California in <BR>various parts of the city.The traffic can be horrible(yes,worst than Chicago's) and it has really become urban sprawl in recent years(just wish that we had bought a house on Lake Washington years ago when it was affordable? Vancouver has so many different areas to experience and you really have to do Stanley Park for a terrific day,etc.Wave to my inlaws as you go through Blaine(the border town into Canada). Have a great cruise!

April

Vancouver, no question.

luke

Do you plan ever making another trip to this area of the U.S. and Canada? I find both cities really wonderful. If not, I would try to take some time to see both cities. If you think that you might go back, I would take the time and spend it in Vancouver, you can base pretty much of what you want to do there from the city. If you like nightlife, I would suggest trying to find someplace to stay in the West End. Last time I stayed downtown not far from Gastown. While I liked the area, very convenient, everything pretty much dies by 10 o'clock p.m. I really love Seattle, it and San Francisco are probably my favorite cities in the U.S. And while there is a lot to do within the city, you miss so much if you don't get the time to explore the outlying areas. That area of Washington state is one of the most beautiful areas in the U.S. My bottom line is do Vancouver now and save Seatlle for a time when you have more time, but by all means make sure you go back.