help planning Seattle/Vancouver trip
Jan 12th, 2015, 11:14 AM
#1
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help planning Seattle/Vancouver trip
I am planning a trip to Seattle/Vancouver with 2 kids, ages 11 and 9 for next July. My kids love active vacation and nature. Not sure how much just walking around town will excite them, but I don't want to miss major highlights.
We plan to arrive in Seattle before lunch. After a couple days we will take a train to Vancouver (my son loves trains) and fly home from there. We will have 7 days and returning on the 8th unless we really need to add another day.
Things I know we want to do:
Space Needle
North Vancouver wildlife refuge, zipline, paraglide, Grouse Grind
Vancouver gardens (Queen Elizabeth or Van Dusen)
Kayak - where best with kids?
Stanley Park
Something so kids can see seals or whales
Like to if makes sense:
Mt Ranier?
Shakespeare in the Park
Aquarium
Questions I have:
How long to allow for Mt. Ranier? Is it the best day trip option?
Is Victoria worth the travel time? Can see gardens in Vancouver
How many days for each?
Should I stay in Vancouver or North Vancouver or move?
We plan to arrive in Seattle before lunch. After a couple days we will take a train to Vancouver (my son loves trains) and fly home from there. We will have 7 days and returning on the 8th unless we really need to add another day.
Things I know we want to do:
Space Needle
North Vancouver wildlife refuge, zipline, paraglide, Grouse Grind
Vancouver gardens (Queen Elizabeth or Van Dusen)
Kayak - where best with kids?
Stanley Park
Something so kids can see seals or whales
Like to if makes sense:
Mt Ranier?
Shakespeare in the Park
Aquarium
Questions I have:
How long to allow for Mt. Ranier? Is it the best day trip option?
Is Victoria worth the travel time? Can see gardens in Vancouver
How many days for each?
Should I stay in Vancouver or North Vancouver or move?
Jan 12th, 2015, 11:36 AM
#2
Scattershot response -
Mount Rainier is a good day trip.
The Vancouver aquarium has some dolphins and Beluga whales (born in captivity, not captured) and is one of the best aquariums in North America IMO.
With your limited time I would probably skip Vancouver Island; the combined cost and time could be better used IMO.
There's good sea- and fresh-water kayaking in both Seattle and Vancouver. In Seattle, you can rent sea kayaks in West Seattle (take the water taxi from downtown) or also on Lake Union, Portage Bay, or (canoes) from the University of Washington aquatic center. The latter allows you to canoe through the wonderful Union Bay (Lake Washington) wetlands - a remarkable little piece of nature right in the city. Your choice of kayaking/canoeing options will really depend on your kids' skill level. Remember the water around here is really, really cold year round.
If time allows, take the kids to the Museum of Flight in Seattle - terrific, or to the Pacific Science Center, in Seattle Center near the Space Needle.
If you're tempted by the Capilano suspension bridge in N. Vancouver, check out nearby Lynn Canyon bridge instead - free and very fun, in a lovely park.
Bard on the Beach in Vancouver is a terrific experience.
I'd stay in Vancouver, not N. Van.
Mount Rainier is a good day trip.
The Vancouver aquarium has some dolphins and Beluga whales (born in captivity, not captured) and is one of the best aquariums in North America IMO.
With your limited time I would probably skip Vancouver Island; the combined cost and time could be better used IMO.
There's good sea- and fresh-water kayaking in both Seattle and Vancouver. In Seattle, you can rent sea kayaks in West Seattle (take the water taxi from downtown) or also on Lake Union, Portage Bay, or (canoes) from the University of Washington aquatic center. The latter allows you to canoe through the wonderful Union Bay (Lake Washington) wetlands - a remarkable little piece of nature right in the city. Your choice of kayaking/canoeing options will really depend on your kids' skill level. Remember the water around here is really, really cold year round.
If time allows, take the kids to the Museum of Flight in Seattle - terrific, or to the Pacific Science Center, in Seattle Center near the Space Needle.
If you're tempted by the Capilano suspension bridge in N. Vancouver, check out nearby Lynn Canyon bridge instead - free and very fun, in a lovely park.
Bard on the Beach in Vancouver is a terrific experience.
I'd stay in Vancouver, not N. Van.
Jan 12th, 2015, 11:37 AM
#3
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Stay in Vancouver, it will be a convenient base. There is not much in the way of lodging in North Vancouver, and it's not very far at all from downtown Vancouver. It is very easy to catch public transportation wherever you want.
Jan 12th, 2015, 12:29 PM
#5
I liked Seattle better than Vancouver and I vote for going over to Victoria. It's like a short trip to England and it's just a very cool place, even if you don't go to Butchart Gardens.
In Seattle, I think they'd like the underground (sewer) tour -
http://undergroundtour.com/
Also, a trip to the locks and to see the salmon ladders -
http://www.seattle.gov/tour/locks.htm
In Vancouver we took a tour of Stanley Park in an antique convertible that was waiting outside the convention center. I don't think he's giving tours anymore but it was fun.
I'd do 4-2-2 days splitting them Seattle base - Victoria- Vancouver, but I'd really add another day for Victoria to give more time for the kayak trip in the San Juans.
First stop should be at Pike Market to see the flying fish, of course.
Even better would be to add in a trip on a boat to actually travel through the locks. Another idea would be to do a boat tour of Lake Union (and see the houseboats). The one that was the set of Sleepless in Seattle recently sold for $2M.
http://www.argosycruises.com/sightse.../locks-cruise/
If you don't get out to Vancouver Island, then be sure to take a ferry. Just a day trip over to one of the islands would be fun or maybe a tour to Tillicum Village
http://www.argosycruises.com/tillicum-village/
A trip to Olympic NP would be great -
http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/things2do.htm
At the top of my bucket list is a kayak trip with these guys out of Friday Harbor -
http://www.outdoorodysseys.com/are-t...r-kayak-trips/
In Seattle, I think they'd like the underground (sewer) tour -
http://undergroundtour.com/
Also, a trip to the locks and to see the salmon ladders -
http://www.seattle.gov/tour/locks.htm
In Vancouver we took a tour of Stanley Park in an antique convertible that was waiting outside the convention center. I don't think he's giving tours anymore but it was fun.
I'd do 4-2-2 days splitting them Seattle base - Victoria- Vancouver, but I'd really add another day for Victoria to give more time for the kayak trip in the San Juans.
First stop should be at Pike Market to see the flying fish, of course.
Even better would be to add in a trip on a boat to actually travel through the locks. Another idea would be to do a boat tour of Lake Union (and see the houseboats). The one that was the set of Sleepless in Seattle recently sold for $2M.
http://www.argosycruises.com/sightse.../locks-cruise/
If you don't get out to Vancouver Island, then be sure to take a ferry. Just a day trip over to one of the islands would be fun or maybe a tour to Tillicum Village
http://www.argosycruises.com/tillicum-village/
A trip to Olympic NP would be great -
http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/things2do.htm
At the top of my bucket list is a kayak trip with these guys out of Friday Harbor -
http://www.outdoorodysseys.com/are-t...r-kayak-trips/
Jan 12th, 2015, 01:50 PM
#6
Lots of great ideas, but you only have 7 days. That's not nearly enough time to do most of these things.
Are you 100% set on going up to Vancouver? There's plenty of fun things to do in Seattle to easily fill a week, right here.
suze, in seattle
Are you 100% set on going up to Vancouver? There's plenty of fun things to do in Seattle to easily fill a week, right here.
suze, in seattle
Jan 13th, 2015, 08:15 AM
#7
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We stayed in Seattle before and after an Alaska trip this August and loved it....plenty to see an do... We went to the baseball (coming from the UK this is a must for us), Safeco stadium is worth the visit alone. Definitely go to Pikes market to see the fish and flowers!! We always take a trolley tour (family tradition) as you then get your bearings of the city. Vancouver is similar but I agree with Starrs (hello again), Victoria on Vancouver Island is a must...lots of whale watching opportunities from there.
Jan 13th, 2015, 08:27 AM
#8
Hello again, mamabear!
If you enjoyed that, you may want to consider a Braves game. The Club level has access to a/c and there are fireworks after the games on Fridays. You could also do a stadium tour. I'll post links on the other thread.
If you enjoyed that, you may want to consider a Braves game. The Club level has access to a/c and there are fireworks after the games on Fridays. You could also do a stadium tour. I'll post links on the other thread.
Jan 13th, 2015, 08:50 AM
#9
I don't get the big draw about Victoria. I've been and it was not that exciting to me and definitely nothing I'd do with only 7 days in Seattle. bbaron didn't mention anything about going there.
Jan 13th, 2015, 09:18 AM
#11
I am lucky, I love living here!!
I just don't think Victoria would be all that interesting to kids. I know it wasn't for me (haha). And it takes a long time to get there and back.
I'd suggest planning activities right in Seattle. There is no shortage of interesting things to see and do.
And *maybe* add a day trip. Like driving out to Whidbey Island or taking a ferry somewhere (but not the 4 hrs each way to Victoria and back).
I just don't think Victoria would be all that interesting to kids. I know it wasn't for me (haha). And it takes a long time to get there and back.
I'd suggest planning activities right in Seattle. There is no shortage of interesting things to see and do.
And *maybe* add a day trip. Like driving out to Whidbey Island or taking a ferry somewhere (but not the 4 hrs each way to Victoria and back).
Jan 13th, 2015, 09:58 AM
#12
The OP asked "Is Victoria worth the travel time?"
I say - Definitely!
Some say not.
IMO the travel time is one of the best things about visits to the PNW. Getting on the water - whether it's a ferry to Victoria or a shorter ferry ride to another island - is part of the magic of visits to the area.
"Something so kids can see seals or whales"
A ferry trip and/or kayak trip are both good choices!
I've been out to Victoria, BC traveling with folks of different ages and interests each time. They all enjoyed it and I can't wait to return.
mamabearUK (traveling with kids) said: "Victoria on Vancouver Island is a must...lots of whale watching opportunities from there."
There's no one "right" answer. I'd choose a side trip to Victoria (on Vancouver Island) over Vancouver (the city) any day. The good news is, that you don't have to make the choice. You could do both and drive down from Vancouver to the Seattle.
No matter what you decide, it will be a great trip.
I say - Definitely!
Some say not.
IMO the travel time is one of the best things about visits to the PNW. Getting on the water - whether it's a ferry to Victoria or a shorter ferry ride to another island - is part of the magic of visits to the area.
"Something so kids can see seals or whales"
A ferry trip and/or kayak trip are both good choices!
I've been out to Victoria, BC traveling with folks of different ages and interests each time. They all enjoyed it and I can't wait to return.
mamabearUK (traveling with kids) said: "Victoria on Vancouver Island is a must...lots of whale watching opportunities from there."
There's no one "right" answer. I'd choose a side trip to Victoria (on Vancouver Island) over Vancouver (the city) any day. The good news is, that you don't have to make the choice. You could do both and drive down from Vancouver to the Seattle.
No matter what you decide, it will be a great trip.
Jan 13th, 2015, 10:02 AM
#13
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Maybe a cruise over to Tillicum Island, where once there you can view a native-themed performance and enjoy a feast? The kids might get a kick out of that.
It leaves from the pier downtown Seattle.
Link: http://www.argosycruises.com/tillicum-village/
It leaves from the pier downtown Seattle.
Link: http://www.argosycruises.com/tillicum-village/
Jan 14th, 2015, 04:40 AM
#16
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Some great suggestions! I am still working through some of the links.
We have set our dates. We are going June 25th-Jul 3rd (July 3rd is only travel with an early flight). So we have 8 days to work with. We fly into Seattle by 10:30am and out of Vancouver.
We are definitely set on Vancouver. Going to Canada got the kids very excited. Grouse Mountain and one of the suspension bridges were a must on the kids' lists.
They also love kayaking. My daughter (11) is skilled enough to propel her own kayak and has done some mild river rapids, but I am not sure for more than a half day. My son (almost 9) must be with an adult. Is the San Juan half day the best option or should we do it out of Vancouver or Vancouver Island? The San Juans seem far from Seattle. Worth it?
If we did one ferry ride, which is best? San Juan from Seattle? Victoria from Vancouver? We will do train to Vancouver (not ferry) as that will be a highlight for my son.
We have set our dates. We are going June 25th-Jul 3rd (July 3rd is only travel with an early flight). So we have 8 days to work with. We fly into Seattle by 10:30am and out of Vancouver.
We are definitely set on Vancouver. Going to Canada got the kids very excited. Grouse Mountain and one of the suspension bridges were a must on the kids' lists.
They also love kayaking. My daughter (11) is skilled enough to propel her own kayak and has done some mild river rapids, but I am not sure for more than a half day. My son (almost 9) must be with an adult. Is the San Juan half day the best option or should we do it out of Vancouver or Vancouver Island? The San Juans seem far from Seattle. Worth it?
If we did one ferry ride, which is best? San Juan from Seattle? Victoria from Vancouver? We will do train to Vancouver (not ferry) as that will be a highlight for my son.
Jan 14th, 2015, 04:48 AM
#17
It sounds like a great trip. They will have a blast.
Take a look at the Tillicum village experience (sludick and I both provided links). If you think they would enjoy it, that would provide a ferry ride opportunity.
Take a look at the Tillicum village experience (sludick and I both provided links). If you think they would enjoy it, that would provide a ferry ride opportunity.
Jan 14th, 2015, 05:53 AM
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The train is a great ride, and the King Street station in Seattle has been recently renovated into all its original glory. Try to get seats on the left side - then just at the Canadian border and a bit over it, watch for eagles along the shore. They mix in with the sea gulls, but are quite numerous.
Personally, I love the ferry across to Vancouver island, but it does consume about a half day, between the ride itself plus having to get lined up in advance (it will be a busy time when you are there). That's just one way. I'd recommend against it.
As an alternative, consider a trip up the Sunshine Coast. You'll catch a short ferry ride at Horseshoe Bay to Langdale. That's also where you will find some kayaking.
Link for Sunshine Coast: http://www.sunshinecoastcanada.com/
And kayaking in that area: http://www.sunshinecoastcanada.com/p...re-kayak-canoe
Could be an awesome day trip.
Personally, I love the ferry across to Vancouver island, but it does consume about a half day, between the ride itself plus having to get lined up in advance (it will be a busy time when you are there). That's just one way. I'd recommend against it.
As an alternative, consider a trip up the Sunshine Coast. You'll catch a short ferry ride at Horseshoe Bay to Langdale. That's also where you will find some kayaking.
Link for Sunshine Coast: http://www.sunshinecoastcanada.com/
And kayaking in that area: http://www.sunshinecoastcanada.com/p...re-kayak-canoe
Could be an awesome day trip.
