sandy

We are traveling with 3 children, 16, 15, and 11 to Seattle, Portland and Vancouver. Any suggestions on hotels, or places to visit?

sheri

Sandy, there have been some great threads about family trips to the Pacific NW; you might want to do a search to get some general ideas, then ask more specific questions about things to do that sound interesting to you.

As for hotels, what is your budget? Do you prefer suite-style hotels so you can all stay in one room?

Also, IMO you should definitely plan to stay in a few places *besides* the cities, such as the San Juans, the Olympic Peninsula, the North Cascades, Vancouver Island, the Oregon Coast, etc, in order to get a chance to experience the natural beauty this area is so well-known for. I just don't think you can do this area justice *only* staying in the cities.

sheri

You're absolutely right about too general a search and too much city traveling. We are now thinking about several days in Seattle, a day trip to San Juan Isles, Vancouver and Victoria. Any suggestions? I found a hotel for all of us in Seattle - Inn at Harbor Steps. Have you heard of it? I really don't know where to begin for Vancouver or Victoria. I'm thinking about a train to Vancouver. I'd love some help from you or anyone?!?!

yourtime

Try a AAA guidebook, a Fodor's book, or a search engine on the net. Plenty of information out there for those who choose to do their homework instead of asking everyone else to do it for them.

sheri

Hi Sandy, I would recommend *staying* a couple nights in the San Juans (or other non-city destination) over a day trip, but if you only have time for a day trip, so be it. Also, Vancouver and Seattle are both big cities, different of course, but still big cities, so the San Juans and Victoria would provide more of a contrast to Seattle than Vancouver would. But with kids the age of yours, they might enjoy Vancouver more than Victoria.

Inn at Harbor Steps is a nice place. If you do end up going to Vancouver, try the Pacific Palisades; it has 1 BR suites and is centrally located on Robson Street, not far from Stanley Park. In Victoria, I'd suggest looking into the Laurel Point Inn, the Ocean Pointe and the Magnolia.

P.S. How weird to see a message I didn't write with my name and email on it ;-).

sandy

Sheri - thanks for your help and information, it's a great starting place. I'm heading to Barnes and Noble tomorrow nite for some research....

Sal

Our family did this trip a couple of years ago and loved it. Have you considered visiting Victoria or Whistler? They're both great places for kids. We have three children and one of their favorite things was the behind the scenes tour at the Vancouver Aquarium--a fantastic facility. We did the Beluga whale tour. It was an exceptionally well done program and the kids loved touching and being so close to the whales. They have several tours to choose from and you must book well in advance. In Vancouver we like the Blue Horizon Hotel on Robson. I'd suggest a whale watching trip. Take a smaller boat with a naturalist to get the closest and most numerous sightings. There's an excellent company that books out of a storefront in Victoria Harbor--can't remember the name of it though. In Seattle be sure to visit Pike Street Market, the Salmon Ladder at the Locks and the Seattle Art Museum. If you have rain, there's a 3 story arcade near the convention center. On the way to Portland visit Mount Ranier and Mount St. Helena if you can. Leave yourself enough travel time--you're covering a lot of territory.

helen

Hi Sandy,

we did this trip 2 years ago. beautiful up there. from seattle, don't miss driving to mt st. helen, the volcano, and also mt. ranier, absolutely spectacular. also, we stayed on the redmond side of seattle (the microsoft side) which is much cleaner, quieter than seattle the city.
visit the needle and i'm sure your kids will have fun at the pacific science center, the aquarium at the pier, etc.
also for vancouver, we drove up there, took about 3 hours, and spent 2 nights there, then took the ferry (with our car) to victoria, also very nice. don't miss the buschart gardens in victoria!
have fun!

Judy

Must go to the San Juans. It is heaven. Stay at the Eastsound Landmark Inn on Orcas Island. Reasonable - 2 bedrooms - fully furnished and views to die for! You must spend at least one full day on Orcas and one full day on San Juan Island to really enjoy - but keep in mind - a lot of your time is spent waiting for ferries and traveling on ferries!
We also stayed at a lovely B&B in downtown San Juan - on the main street - I think it's San Juan B&B - can't miss it - quaint and proprietor is very helpful.
Then, you must go to Victoria for the day - pricey - but worth it.
While on Orcas, please ride the old vintage wwI bi-plane - Magic Air. The thrill of a lifetime - was $200 for 2 back in October 1999. And Rod, the pilot, is quite an "air artist!"
Let me know if you have any questions. Can't wait to get back to this slice of heaven!

Michele

You don't say how long you'll have for your trip ... I'd make a big circle of the Pac NW if I were you ... start in Portland, drive out to the Washington Coast (but don't stay in Ocean Shores -- too touristy) and visit the rainforest (stunning and unique). There's a little road that goes around Lake Quinault (just an hour south of Kalaloch) with incredible views of the lake, forests, wildlife. Hiking trails into the rainforest are also found along here, and lunch is great at the Lake Quinault Lodge (www.visitlakequinault.com). Stay there or try Kalaloch Lodge (www.visitkalaloch.com) which is right on the ocean. Continue up the Peninsula to Port Angeles, and ferry (www.northolympic.com/coho/) across to Victoria/Vancouver Island. Ferry to Vancouver (victoria.foundlocally.com/Trans/Trans-Ferries.htm). Drive down to Anacortes to get a ferry to the San Juans (www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/index.cfm). Or, skip Vancouver and get a ferry near Victoria to the Juans. Hope some of those websites give you some research help ...