courtnee_pool

My future hubby and I are planning our honeymoon for the 16th of August - 25th in Washington. We have decided to spend the first four days based in Leavenworth (staying at Run of the River), and the last four in Seattle.


My question is, what would be the best way to spend our time around Leavenworth? Would we be limited by spending four full days in this area? We chose this spot because of its location near the Cascades, and because Leavenworth itself seems like a great place for food, culture, entertainment, etc...We really want to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty and mountains for the first part of our trip, while still having an option for the days we're not feeling as adventurous. Suggestions? Should we explore the Cascades those four days, or maybe see some other places nearby? Would we better off splitting up the first four days so we can see more? We keep hearing about the Cascade Loop.


After this, we plan to spend four days in Seattle. So far we have: Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, the Space Needle, the Underground City (maybe) and we are thinking about going to see the orcas in the San Juan Islands. Worth it? Can this be done in a day? Other suggestions for Seattle or day trips around Seattle and Leavenworth? We are overwhelmed by the options, and neither of us has ever been to Washington. Thanks!

marvelousmouse

Leavenworth itself is good for possibly two days. I love it but I'm sick of the food choices and the shopping by the third day. It's not really a cultural Mecca- think of it as a bavarian disney-esque theme resort town- one that gets super crowded in the summer. The area is gorgeous though, so if you find outdoor excursions you wish to do nearby, it may be worth staying longer.
There are tons of day trips around Seattle. I love Deception Pass and La Conner and Port Townsend just to name a few. You can even take a clipper from Port Townsend to Victoria, BC. If you head north, Chuckanut drive and hiking in Larabee State Park could be an enjoyable day trip. You're certainly not short on options.



Having said that, Seattle alone could
eat up all four of those days. I've done Friday Harbor as a day trip, but I think any one of the islands deserves 1 or 2 full nights. Part of this is that you need to consider that you will be here during high season, which can mean very long ferry waits. If nothing else, you'd be much more relaxed if you did San Juan as an overnight trip.

Seattle- definitely do the underground tour if you've never been to Washington before. And Queen Anne Neighborhood should be added to your list. Wing Luke Museum in the international district is worth a stop if you are interested in multicultural history. Asian American played a a big part in this regions development.

If you want a bit of everything I'd rearrange it something like:
2/3 nights leavenworth
1/2 nights on an island
4/5 nights with seattle as a base, maybe pick one or two day trips that really interest you. add or subtract nights according to your interests, of course.
The San Juan Islands are beautiful; and completely worth the trip. But if you decide that will take too great of chunk of your time, DO go out on the water, even if it's riding the water taxi to West Seattle. Seeing the landscape/cityscape from the water is one of the things that makes the region so amazingly beautiful.

Good luck!

marvelousmouse

Hm. I must have misremembered the victoria clipper thing from port Townsend. Victoria clipper does run between seattle and victoria as well as Seattle and Friday Harbor as a day trip! That might save you the trouble of ferry lines.

http://www.clippervacations.com/seat...n-juans-ferry/

NorthwestMale

courtnee,

I would definitely make a trek over the North Cascades Highway at some point during your Leavenworth leg.

In fact, it might be a great move to reduce Leavenworth by one day and opt for a night in Winthrop before heading back to the west side of the mountains via the North Cascades Highway.

This would probably still let you have your fill of Leavenworth, and let you have a good run of Winthrop while also having you in much more strategic position to take your time over the North Cascades Highway.

Winthrop to Seattle is 200 miles, and 4 hours of travel time, which could be very suitable for a single day, where Leavenworth around that way, might be OK for a solo traveler just covering tracks, but isn't ideal for someone who wants to make memories along the way.

You can't beat the scenery in that area, and it seems so ideal for your visions already determined.

Gardyloo

I'm admittedly biased, but Leavenworth, particularly in mid-summer, isn't my thing at all. First, it's on the east slope of the Cascades, really much closer to orchard country than the heart of the mountains; second, it's awfully crowded by day-trippers, third, by late August it's likely to be pretty hot in the daytime, and fourth, the yodel-ay-hee-hoo really wears off quickly.

Now that said, there are some nice outings one can do from Leavenworth. One is Lake Wenatchee, around a half hour from Leavenworth. It's a lovely big lake bracketed by mountains but somewhat overwhelmed with jet skis and power boats in the summer. Still, there's a nice swimming beach and decent facilities for a day trip.

A second option would require an early rise (oh, and congratulations!) but you might consider a day trip on the Lady of the Lake up wonderful Lake Chelan, a marvelous fjord-like lake that extends from the sagebrush country at Chelan all the way into the North Cascades. The boat leaves at 8:30 and it's an hour's drive from Leavenworth, hence the early rising, but it might be worth it. You stop in the little town of Stehekin, from which (if you have time) there are hikes into the mountains, to waterfalls, etc. http://ladyofthelake.com/

In fact, not trying to hijack your plans, but what if you limited your time in Leavenworth to two nights, then spent the third night in Stehekin - http://www.stehekin.com/lodging_219.html - and the fourth, as NWM suggests, in the little town of Winthrop, itself done up in an "old west" theme to match Leavenworth's Bavarian image. http://winthropwashington.com/

Then on the final day, cross the North Cascades on SR 20 back to I-5 an hour north of Seattle.

Or, even shorter, two nights in Leavenworth, a day trip up Lake Chelan but that night in Winthrop, then the fourth night on Whidbey Island, reached by simply following SR 20 over the North Cascades but then continuing west past I-5 to (amazing) Deception Pass and onto Whidbey, spending the night in Coupeville or Langley, both charming waterfront towns on the island.

Then the next day, return to Seattle via the ferry to Mukilteo from the south end of Whidbey.

This would give you a good sense of both sides of the Cascades as well as a glimpse of one of the most beautiful areas of Puget Sound, with fairly easy drives.

Map - http://goo.gl/maps/hXmNq

margotheangel

The Cascade Loop is beautiful. I have driven it twice now - we drove the entire thing in a day one, which I find exhausting and would not recommend, especially for a honeymoon. The second time, we stopped in Leavenworth and Winthrop, which I really enjoyed, so I'd echo the recommendations of the others to do that. We started at the Chewuch Inn, which I really liked. It's just outside Winthrop, but it's close enough that we walked into town with a baby in a stroller, so I don't think the distance is an issue.

I agree that Leavenworth is great fun for a few days. My two favorite places there are the Munchen Haus (it's really just hot dogs and beer, but it's so good!) and the cheese shop down the road from there.

We've gone white water rafting with River Recreations near Leavenworth, and it was great. I know their Wenatchee River trip is very close to Leavenworth, although there might be others. (Do wear sunscreen if you go rafting!)

courtnee_pool

These are all great suggestions! In the last day we have actually shortened the trip to 6 full days. And Enough people have mentioned moving on up to Winthrop that we are seriously considering it...it seems like most people are suggesting to start in Winthrop, though. What if we reversed it? Seattle to Leavenworth the first day (since we will land in Seattle), spend a day in Leavenworth, drive to Winthrop the next day, then from Winthrop to Seattle the third day (where we will spend the next 3 full days). Is all of this on the Cascade Loop?

edh

I recommend you try to float the Wenatchee River. There are companies in Leavenworth that will take you on a guided trip. The water will be low in August so it should be a pretty gentle float. Instead of a raft, my wife and I went with guides kayaking down the river, each of us got our own kayak. It was fun!!

sunbum1944

If you go to Winthrop I suggest dinner and or drinks- or staying there if in the budget, at Sun Mountain Resort- beautiful property- I only had dinner there. Beautiful views and sunsets. its a honeymoon type of place.

http://www.sunmountainlodge.com

I did a trip to that area a couple of years ago, followed by a few days in the Olympic National Forest and I have to say, I enjoyed the Olympic area better, but then I like the ocean, lakes, etc.
We stayed at Lake Crescent Lodge on that portion of the trip.

If you want to add a few more miles to the trip, consider crossing the border into Canada at Osoyoos which is Canada's wine country.( Not far from Winthrop) There is a beautiful resort there- Spirit Ridge- with great views, a wine tasting room, a restaurant- its a very honeymoonish type of place.

I thought Leavenworth was cute, nice- 2 nights were enough, but then I was there at Christmas so not a lot of outdoor activities - mostly shopping and dining.

There are several nice hikes around Winthrop if you are into that.

Beautiful, no matter what option you choose.

NorthwestMale

OK courtnee, you were gonna spend 4 days in Leavenworth... and that's youuuuuuuuuuur idea, so for a Honeymoon, you'd gain so much by looking back from 15 or 20 years, and recalling that you created a vision, and then lived that vision while on your Honeymoon.

I don't think it matters too much in which direction you take the North Cascades Highway - just take it, and allow time for viewpoints and stops whenever you feel inspired.

SO, I think I'd still target("first!"), say two(??) nights in Leavenworth... and then perhaps a 3rd night, spent in Winthrop (maybe get there near mid-day so that you can see everything in the small, western town - the GAS PUMPS alone are a marvel of the past).

Central Seattle could easily fill 3 nights, and just the Leavenworth-Winthrop-Seattle plan might both give you a great dose of nature... in unique and special-to-you places and allow that you are not over-run or wiped-out by jumping through the hoops.

You don't say where you're from, but a day-trip from Seattle to Mount Rainier is almost always a hit. The North Cascades area has plenty of natural and scenic appeal, but Mount Rainier from up close can be awesome. (central Seattle to Paradise, Mt. Rainier = 105 miles, 2 1/2 hours)

** IF you were from Kansas, Mt. Rainier would be more special than if you were from Colorado

courtnee_pool

We are from Texas. So, all of it will be spectacular.

courtnee_pool

Ideas for a small, cozy place to stay one night in Winthrop? We're spending a lot @ Run of the River in Leavenworth and the Edgewater in Seattle.

NorthwestMale

(pondering aloud - er, in print)

CONSIDER opting to NOT have a car for most of your stay at the Edgewater. (saving parking fees, etc.)

While the Edgewater isn't exactly central to all there is to see, it will be August, and the weather won't be too inhospitable, and a car will mostly just drag you down.

IF you want to do a Mount Rainier side-trip, then maybe rent a car for 24-hours during the Seattle leg of your trip.

Indeed The Edgewater will be slightly inconvenient when leaving, for the airport, with all of your luggage (to reach the light rail, which runs under 3rd avenue).

Another strategic move, toward that end... IF, say, your flight home required your being at the airport in Seattle by, say, 9:00am, you might rent a vehicle for the last 24 hours of your trip, then doing a day trip to Mount Rainier, before bringing the car back to the Edgewater for transporting your stuff to the airport.

Price everything that way, in advance, and maybe even endure taking the light rail out TO the airport early the day before, so that a "drop-off fee" doesn't apply when picking-up downtown, and returning at the airport.

** not all companies would charge a major fee for that, but some would.

(anyway, the light rail is easy to work with, but perhaps your luggage would cause a challenge)

(city bus #99 runs near to the Edgewater, and would get you up the hill along 1st avenue, where 3rd is just 2 short blocks away, level ground in some places (Pike/Pine core)).

margotheangel

I think the taxi fare is $50 from downtown hotels these days - I'd get a taxi to the airport rather than trying to get to the light rail station from the Edgewater with your suitcases. However, if you want to do Mount Rainier, then I agree - walk downtown the morning before your departure day, light rail to the airport and pick up a car there (if it's cheaper) or downtown, drive to Mount Rainier, and then deal with parking that night only.

lenlu

From Leavenworth, you aren't too far to Sun Mountain Lodge (which is beautiful and in the Methow Valley--it's incredible in my opinion. You've got lots of great advice here...

tomfuller

The Amtrak Empire Builder leaves Seattle at 4:40PM every night and gets to Leavenworth about 8PM. The coach fare is $23pp.
Renting downtown is nearly always cheaper than renting at an airport.
My favorite time of year to visit Leavenworth is late November and early December for the Christmas season.
You could easily come down to see the waterfalls in Oregon between The Dalles and Portland.
The westbound Empire Builder leaves Leavenworth at 6:08AM (often late since it comes from Chicago).

courtnee_pool

So many great suggestions! Thanks, everyone! We did shorten our trip to 6 full days. We will spend the first few days driving the Cascade Loop to Leavenworth (2 nights), then to Winthrop (1 night), the next day spent enjoying the drive from Winthrop to Seattle. Hopefully we can get some hiking into these first 3 days, as well. The next 3 full days will be spent in Seattle. We are still deciding on a good day trip from Seattle...the fiancé wants to go Mt. Rainier for the scenic railroad, but personally, I want to go see the orcas! We haven't even been yet, and I have a feeling we'll be making several more trips to Washington.

courtnee_pool

Oh, and we are now staying at the Renaissance in downtown Seattle.

sunbum1944

In Winthrop stop for lunch/snacks/libations at the Old Schoolhouse Brewing Co on Main St.
They have a nice deck out back, on the river- spent several afternoons there after our days adventure.

NorthwestMale

Here's a hike to research:


"Tiffany Mountain", which is about 25 miles-ish from Winthrop.

I am no hiker at all, but even I went for it and hiked to the summit of Tiffany Mountain.

You drive (what I still believe are) 25 miles, much on dirt roads, from Winthrop, and you park at the 6500-foot altitude of Freezeout Ridge... and then hike to 8242' Tiffany Mountain, which is the highest peak for 18 miles around.

It is considerably simple to hike, with no noteworthy danger at all.

The first couple hundred yards are seemingly steep (but still a 'trail', and not any sort of a challenge as far as footing goes) {think 'soft dirt', under cover of trees at that point}, but I don't know if that is from the effects of the altitude on me, or whether the incline is significant.

So you walk through forested land for a short while, before it opens up into a flowery meadow, which lasts quite a while, and then you go up toward the summit, in an area where little or nothing grows at all.

Sunscreen might be important, and you would adjust your departure time and time of your visit according to the temperatures. I too was there in August, and as soon as I applied sunscreen, the sun went behind the clouds and never reappeared.

I wildly guess when I say to allow 2 1/2 hours for the trip up, and 1 1/2 hours for the hike down. That added to the leisurely trail through the forest each way.

I doubt whether wild animals are a serious concern, as any (animals) who know the area probably know that there is nothing of use up there.

A scant few other humans are likely to be in the area on the same day, so it won't be 'crowded' by any means, but there would likely be a few other people around.

There are mosquitoes, but it is so quiet that a human stands a reasonable chance at first hearing the mosquitoes on approach and then fending them off before they bite. (I came away with ONE noteworthy mosquito bite).

Do a web search and do consider Tiffany Mountain as a spot for hiking on your trip!