Pacific Northwest with daughters

Old Feb 25th, 2017, 10:30 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Pacific Northwest with daughters

I'm thinking about visiting the Pacific Northwest with my four daughters (16,17,18,21) the first week of July. I've never been, but have always wanted to. I received a grant this year that allows me to do a little more than I normally would, but we'd still be on a budget.

I would love ideas for a 6-7 day itinerary. Maybe a home base or two for a few days with day trips out with a rental car?

We love:
*water
*beautiful views
*easy to medium hiking
*history, museums
*theater
*seafood

With a quick look, it seems the most affordable flights from Indianapolis may be into Seattle.
I'd love any advice, must-sees, must-do ideas! Thank you so much!
CrossroadsGirl is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2017, 10:42 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,714
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
From Chicago the flights to Portland or Seattle should be just about the same price if you have a cheap way to get to Chicago.
I love Oregon for all of the things you mentioned. Seattle and Washington also has all of that as well.
If you wanted to use both Seattle and Portland as bases, you could ride an Amtrak Cascades train from one to the other.
tomfuller is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2017, 11:35 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With just 6 - 7 days, you will need to choose one or the other, Seattle or Portland, do not try to do both.

Some things on your wish list are clearly city things: history, museums, theater

For others you will need to be in a more rural location: hiking.

Many things can be found in both: water, beautiful views, seafood.

Look at some specific things unique to each city to see if that sways you. In Seattle, we have the Chihuly Museum of Glass, which is stunning. Both cities have good art museums. You might also look at a more rural area you might visit from each: from Seattle you could go the the San Juans though it's a long trek, or you could go to Whidbey Island or to the Olympic Peninsula (Port Townsend, Olympic National Park). From Portland, you could visit the Columbia River Gorge with some interesting stops along the way.

Do a bit more research and let us know which of the options appeals to you more.
Kathie is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2017, 12:20 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,137
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Seattle is likely your best airport for flights but hotels are VERY expensive here, so probably it won't work as your base for a place to stay, especially with 5 people.

We have oodles of everything on your wish list (so does Portland).

I'm just not sure what to suggest to make the area more affordable.

suze, in seattle
suze is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2017, 12:52 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Any time during Alaska Cruise season, hotels in Seattle get very expensive.
Kathie is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2017, 12:52 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree, there just is not time for both Seattle and Portland. I would opt for Seattle as they are far better than Portland for museums and theater. As mentioned, Seattle hotels are crazy expensive during the summer, but Portland hotels are right behind them.

The suggestion of Whidbey Island is very good, IMO. ONP is one of our favorite areas, but lodging is very limited and this late in the game you might have trouble finding places for your dates. If you did find somewhere though, it is a fantastic area with great hiking!!!

If this were my trip, I would split my time between Seattle and one of the places further out, like Whidbey or ONP. Since Seattle hotels are so expensive, you might look to AirBnB and then you could opt for areas just outside of the downtown core, like Fremont for example, and then just use the bus/uber/lyft to get around.
Fodorite018 is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2017, 12:53 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you are near Indy, you can fly on Alaska nonstop direct to Seattle. Alaska Airlines also offers a "low price guarantee," so if your ticket prices decrease after purchasing you can request a credit (you'll have to check back on the ticket prices yourself), but credits are good for 12 months from your original ticket purchase date. I always end up with money back myself.

In terms of theater, can catch a show at the 5th Ave Theater (https://www.5thavenue.org/). They will have Romy & Michelle's H.S. Reunion playing through Jul 2, or Fun Home beginning on Jul 11. We're season ticket holders and love the 5th - and their tickets are reasonably priced!

For some fun, interesting and hilarious history you must do the Bill Speidel's Underground Tour of Seattle. I've done it twice and always want to take my "tourists" there.

In terms of the great outdoors, nothing is more beautiful than Mt. Rainier National Park. It is approx. 2 hours from Seattle and has tons of easy to medium hiking options and some of the most gorgeous scenery you can see in the PNW. You can stay in nearby Packwood (I'd recommend The Crest Trail Lodge), or depending on how the snow has melted by then even in the N.P. at Paradise.

Save some money on Seattle hotels, and go the Hotwire route. You can use sites like betterbidding.com to take some of the "guess work" out of where you'll be likely to be staying.

If you have time, "drive around" to visit somewhere like Poulsbo (and then take the ferry back to Seattle - it's cheaper that direction). The ferry ride can be very scenic in and of itself. Hope you have a wonderful and memorable visit with your daughters!
coryandcarissa is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2017, 01:08 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,714
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
If you come to Portland, here is a map to the great things to see in the west side of the city including the World Forestry Center, Hoyt Arboretum, the zoo, International Rose Test Gardens and many other trails in the parks.
The way to get there is on the TriMet light rail to the Washington Park station (deepest underground in the US)
http://www.explorewashingtonpark.org...v_v4%20(1).pdf
In Seattle you have the geocaching HQ (Groundspeak Inc.), the troll under the Aurora bridge, Pike Place market and the Space Needle.
CenturyLink stadium (where the Seahawks play) is close to the Amtrak King Street station. There is also a HI Hostel within walking distance of the station (former American Hotel).
tomfuller is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2017, 02:42 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,358
Received 79 Likes on 8 Posts
A few thoughts...

I'd definitely be looking for AirBnB or VRBO-type accommodations. You'd need at least two hotel rooms for a party of 5, and hotels in the Seattle and Portland areas are very expensive. Portland will be around $100 cheaper per night for comparable accommodations, and there's no sales tax in Oregon, so an Oregon stay might be more affordable, even if the airfare is higher.

Both Seattle and Portland are terrific locations for day trips into spectacular countryside - ferries to islands in Puget Sound from Seattle, or the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood from Portland. Car rental is also likely to be cheaper in Portland.

However I'm going to throw out a third option, Vancouver BC. Vancouver has everything you're looking for, and the favorable exchange rate can make Vancouver quite affordable. Hotel prices will be a little less than Seattle's, and in terms of all the things you're looking for - outdoors experiences, culture, food... it's hard to beat Vancouver. From the Grouse Mountain gondola to astonishing Stanley Park, beaches, galleries, shopping, the Granville Island market, Bard on the Beach (Vancouver's Shakespeare festival, with performances in tents facing the city skyline) to an incredible selection of ethnic dining options... it's got it all.

You could fly into Seattle and get a car, spend a day visiting some iconic places like the Pike Place market, then drive up to Vancouver. The direct drive takes around 3 hours plus whatever wait you have at the border; or you can make a full day of it and travel via gorgeous Whidbey Island with its quaint waterfront towns and scenic state parks. You could stay in the city or take a couple of days to visit the scenic Sunshine Coast, reached by ferry from Horseshoe Bay north of the city, or head up the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler, the famous ski resort which is gorgeous and inexpensive in the summer (plenty of accommodation as it's sized to handle big ski crowds.) Then back to Seattle and off you go.

Just some thoughts.
Gardyloo is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2017, 03:14 PM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, all! I've found several airbnbs in the Seattle area that are affordable and nice, so I think I could do Seattle general area as the base, but would probably want to only be in the city a couple days and spend the rest of the time out further. Whidbey Island sounds very appealing.
CrossroadsGirl is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2017, 03:16 PM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also loving the idea of Vancouver! Not all of my girls have full passports though... I'd need to get on that. You guys are WONDERFUL!!
CrossroadsGirl is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2017, 08:14 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,137
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
If you let us know the neighborhood the VRBO rentals are located, we can help you narrow down those choices for what is most convenient.
suze is offline  
Old Feb 26th, 2017, 06:36 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 11,714
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 4 Posts
If you do decide to go to Vancouver with everyone having passports, please take the early train or later bus from King St. station. You don't want to take a rental car into Canada and you don't need a car in Vancouver.
The train or bus both take about 4 hours between Seattle and Vancouver.
tomfuller is offline  
Old Feb 26th, 2017, 09:06 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I too would nudge you toward Vancouver...


There is so much within such a small(er) area, which encompasses Vancouver... and indeed the U.S. dollar is doing fairly well right now, so that will help your cause.

If flying directly TO Vancouver doesn't work economically... it is smooth to fly to Seattle, take the Link Light Rail into the center of town... get a room near to the train station, and take the train to Vancouver in the early morning.

Vancouver even seems foreign while not presenting the true challenges of other foreign countries. More normal people are walking around at all times of the night in Vancouver than in a typical U.S. city of similar size and it is reasonably safe.

The first week of July it will stay light out in Vancouver until about 10:00pm (Sunset 9:20).


Also, while it would be optimal to stay smack dab in the center of Vancouver, the rail system there is so good that you could stay in an outlying area for a lower rate and take the Skytrain into the center of everything.

They have an amazing PARK adjacent to downtown, with grand views of the North Shore Mountains... and the area is very walkable, and surrounded by water on most sides.


Just pausing at the candy counter in your average Canadian convenience store is eye-opening.

You could rent a car in the center of the city and drive to Whistler for a day along the Sea to Sky Highway.


I think you should really consider Vancouver... but do get those passports promptly if so inclined.
NorthwestMale is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 01:42 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just a heads up, July 1 is Canada Day and a busy long weekend. And of course July 4 will make things busier as well. It's Canada's 150th birthday so no doubt will be extra fun in Vancouver on Saturday July 1.
sundriedtopepo is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 02:11 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,137
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
With only 6-7 days in a rental car, I don't understand why people are trying to send them up to Vancouver?
suze is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 05:14 PM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
(Assuming they are from Indiana or thereabouts) Their whole trip should be exclusively Vancouver.

Four daughters, 16-21, would love the slightly-foreignness of Vancouver... (I mean, gawd, what would you rather shop? Robson Street or Pacific Place Mall (laugh) (that *and* the U.S. dollar could land them some decent values)

and if you've "never been (to the Pacific Northwest)"... you milk Vancouver first, for all you can, and only then do you contemplate secondary destinations.

Vancouver is packed with various things to see and do, all within a fairly small area. You can even drive (or take the city bus) less than 10 miles from the center of Vancouver to the foot of a mountain and ride a gondola up the side to witness stunning views from high above.

IF they strategize effectively they can just miss Canada Day travel traffic, and get there soon after to begin their trip.
NorthwestMale is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 06:14 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
(Assuming they are from Indiana or thereabouts) Their whole trip should be exclusively Vancouver.

I beg to differ. To fly into and out of Seattle for the purpose of visiting Vancouver doesn't strike me as a really great idea for folks who are tying to get the most bang for their buck and to make the best use of their time.

There are many options near Seattle, including Mt. Rainier, the Olympic National Park, the San Juan Islands, and the Washington coast. One rational routing is Mt. Rainier, Ocean Shores, and a clockwise drive around the Olympic Peninsula spending nights in Forks or Port Townsend. You might visit historic Port Townsend on your way back to Seattle via ferry from Bainbridge Island for great views of the Seattle skyline.

HTtY
happytrailstoyou is offline  
Old Feb 28th, 2017, 09:38 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You can beg all you want, both before or after you are "visiting Port Townsend on your way back to Seattle via ferry from Bainbridge Island"...



But Vancouver offers FAR and away much more in a smaller and more manageable area.


Vancouver is nearly surrounded by water

Beautiful views can be had either from the center of town looking at the North Shore Mountains OR from Stanley Park, looking in a variety of directions... OR after trekking less than 10 miles to Grouse Mountain for the gondola trip 3700 feet up the side of the mountain.

Easy to medium hiking awaits at the top of Grouse Mountain


Seattle could be better for museums, but the oldest company on the continent doesn't seem to have an outlet (or an outpost) in Seattle.

Seafood could be a toss-up as well, but Seattle lacks the diversity of Vancouver, and thus probably knows less variety beneath the broad label of 'seafood'.


Hands down, one's first move in the "Pacific Northwest" is Vancouver if indeed one has their priorities straight.

And it isn't even a close contest.


One need merely Google "World's Most Livable Cities" to remind herself as much.
NorthwestMale is offline  
Old Mar 1st, 2017, 04:58 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oh. I see.
happytrailstoyou is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:10 AM.