debbietalk

We're traveling to Vancouver and Seattle this summer. Original plans call for 3 nights in each. We're traveling with 2 senior citizens, 3 teenagers, and 5 adults. What do people recommend we do in Vancouver? So far, we know we want to go to Victoria Island/Butchart Gardens. Where to stay in Vancouver? Is 3 nights too much? HELP ME PLAN PLEASE!!!

Sam_Salmon

IMO you should <b>decide on either Seattle or Vancouver</b> not try to do both especially with such a large and no doubt unwieldy group in such a short time.

BTW-Victoria island is a chunk of frozen rock in the Arctic-you mean <u>Vancouver</u> <u>Island</u>.

wow

I think Debbie meant Victoria on Vancouver Island.

icithecat

Are you planning on renting a ten seater bus to get around or using public transportation?

As mentioned by Sam, your group is rather large to be easily mobile.

A bus/ferry/bus trip from Vancouver to Victoria is about 4 hours each way. See Pacific Coach Lines.

A bus tour of Victoria giving you 1.5 hours in Butchart is 4.5 hours.
See http://www.graylinewest.com/victoria...ing_tours.aspx

Does this sound like a day trip to you?
Your seniors might need 3 nights just to sleep that off.

tovarich

A great thing to do in Vancouver is hire bikes and visit Stanley park.Paul

NorthwestMale

Goodness, I think a large travel group like that will make its own fun wherever you go.

If Butchart Gardens is an absolute &quot;must&quot;... then you should probably hone in on &quot;Seattle AND Victoria&quot;. Otherwise I would do &quot;Seattle AND Vancouver&quot;.

At this preliminary stage you should be making SURE that everyone has the proper documentation. (Passports will be REQUIRED for all adults by then) If by chance anyone in your group has ever had a DUI conviction then he or she is not allowed to cross into Canada, etc.

You do not one one little factor to cause a group of 10 to have to make drastic alterations all because of one person.

If it were me, I would stick with &quot;Seattle and Vancouver&quot; because land travel is so much easier. (I've lived 85 miles from Victoria all my life, and have been there once in 35 years... (twice total))

In summary, both Seattle and Vancouver have lots to do for kids... and if you splurge for a better hotel in one and not the other, I'd go for the best central locale possible in Vancouver (many options there) as the walking in Vancouver is mostly flat, and a lot of handy things. Seattle has hills downtown and more you will want to do away from the mid-town core.

I think you should check back here and keep your post updated, and get more specific with time.

debbietalk

Thanks for the assistance. I think the senior citizens want to go to the gardens, but I don't think they realize how far a drive it is. We don't have cars - I was thinking of taking a bus tour/ferry??? Where do people recommend we stay in Vancouver? I want to be able to move around easily - either by bus or walking... not even sure what is best to visit while there.

Meesthare

I might be wrong, but I'm getting the sense that you don't realize Vancouver and Victoria are completely different cities. Victoria is on Vancouver Island, which is across the Georgia Strait from Vancouver. It's not so much that it's a long drive to Butchart Gardens - while that's true, you're talking about two cities that in practical terms are about 4 1/2 hours apart. The ferry ride is only an hour and 35 minutes, but you have to get to and from the ferry docks in both cities.

If your group is interested in Butchart Gardens, I would agree with people who are suggesting Seattle and Victoria rather than Seattle and Vancouver.

SaraJane

I spent a few days in west downtown vancouver and we stayed at the Sunset Inn, they have one bedroom apartments equipped with little kitchens, great place and we could walk to the shops and eat at the local restaurants or cook meals, the hotel/Inn also provide an excellent breakfast of tea/coffee, tons of juice and bagels and bread and patries, my kids loved it. You can take the food back to your rooms and eat together, we highly recommend this hotel/inn.

RKogel

Over the holidays we spent 3 days in Portland, 3 days in Seattle and 3 days in Vancouver.

Seattle incredible. Vancouver very nice. Vancouver is very international. Many languages heard.

Take the Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver. Sit on the left side. Beautiful views and a comfortable ride.

Seattle, get tickets for Jersey Boys if still in town. A blast! Boeing tour was cool. Walking the streets is great. Pike Place Market is of course fun.

By Vancouver I was tired and worn out. Stayed at the Four Seasons. Normally above our tastes but it was reasonable for the location which was great.

Go to Capilano Suspension Bridge. Very neat experience. Granville Island is a must see - very artsy with a Pike Place Market type setting thrown in. Well worth it. Lastly, we didn't do it, but get up the mountain. See the outdoors. (Same with Seattle. Our weather didn't cooperate.)

HON's has authentic Chinese food on Robson. Ate at Joe's Chop House which was good. Earl's resturant was OK. After 8 days of seafood I wanted burger and it did not satisfy.

A popular restuarant chain in Vancouver is White Spot. Ate breakfast there each day and it was good.

Both cities have a large homeless popultation. Never offensive, but always present (and looking for a quarter).

Have a great time. Both places everyone should see.

jossin

Try taking the ferry from Seattle to Victoria-CLIPPER FERRY website.If you fly it is often cheaper to go to Seattle then QUICK COACH to Vancouver (on the mainland).
- Victoria is on Vancouver Island.

camelbak

I agree with the other posters. Either do Seattle/Victoria or Seattle/Vancouver. Going over to Victoria, with only three full days, is IMO way too much.

There is so much to do in Vancouver - wander Robson, Stanley Park, Aquarium, Granville Island, Main Street, etc., etc.