russp3762

I thought I would start a new string to get feedback/suggestions regarding my planned itinerary for my family's trip to the Seattle/Vancouver area July 27th - Aug 4th. We are going to celebrate my wife and I's 20th anniversary, and it will also be my wife's birthday during the trip - we are very excited. It will be myself (48), wife (43), daugher (17) and son (14). We are a very active family and love the outdoors, but also want to take in the "city life" while we are there as well.

Based on some prior recommendations - i have put together the following itinerary: Any input on the lodging choices I have made, as well as suggestions for places to eat, see along the way would be very welcome. For lodging, I have budgeted about $200 per night although happy to save where possible (we are staying 8 nights/9 days), and would like to find roomy accomodations that give the family some space since travelling with 2 teens - everyone can probably use their own space from time to time! For restaurants - looking for mostly casual locations, with unique to the area attributes ( we like seafood, sushi, mexican, chinese/thai, but willing to try more).

Day 1: Arrive Seattle around 11:30 am (from KC) - Rental car - drive to Port Angeles via Bainbridge Ferry. Ideas of where to stop for late lunch/early dinner along the way? i presently have reservations at both the Red Lion and the Olympic Lodge in PA for about the same amount - suggestions on which would be a better experience? Considering making the drive up Hurricane Ridge this first evening - is this getting too much for day 1?

Day 2: From PA, driving to Hoh Rainforest and doing some hiking. If I don't go to Hurricane Ridge day 1, then would also include that as part of day 2. If we do go to HR on day 1, then options are to drive over to a beach or back to PA and possibly kayak Dungeoness sea dune area.

Day 3: Depart PA in morning and begin drive up to Vancouver - take ferry from Port Townsend to Whidbey Island and stop at Deception Pass State Park along way to Vancouver - suggestions for places to eat, or other stops along route to Vancouver? I have reservations in Vancouver at both the Blue Horizon Hotel and L'Hermitage Hotel - again, any recommendations for which is better? Probably won't have much time in Vancouver this first day other then to walk and explore a little - considering this is really just a stopping point to break up the drive up to Whistler - open to other options as to where may be a more convenient stop as we will be returning to Vancouver after Whistler.

Day 4 & 5 - Drive from Vancouver to Whistler to spend next two days - while in Whistler, plan to do Zip Line, White Water Rafting, and possibly Mountain bike. I have not yet booked hotel for Whistler.

Day 6: Depart Whistler for return to Vancouver - again return to either Blue Horizon or L'Hermitage. While in Vancouver, open to suggestions for places to see - most likely this will be more of walking around the city and taking in the vistas or the sites - not really looking to spend time doing things like museums. If there are unique places/sites that are "must see" please share - I have not yet done a lot of research on Vancouver itslelf.

Day 7: Depart Vancouver by early afternoon for return drive to Seattle - site seeing in Seattle - possibly Space Needle and scenic dinner location. Hotel reservation at Marriott Spring Hill Suites.

Day 8: Seattle - Fish Market/Acquarium - possibly kayaking Lake Union or drive over to Mt. Ranier. Thinking with two days in Whistler, we might bypass Mt Ranier. Still firming up what to do in Seattle.

Day 9: Flight out of Seattle at 12:05 pm

happytrailstoyou

In Port Angeles the Red Lion Inn has a great location but it was very down-at-the-heels the last time we stayed there in a room with water view (the only reason to stay there).

The Olympic Lodge is a very comfortable place. Nicely furnished rooms. A pool. And a very good breakfast for a small additional charge. We prefer rooms facing the golf course.

Hurricane Ridge on your first night may be possible because it stays light very late. On more than one occasion we have driven to the ridge after an early dinner.

On your way to the Hoh Rain Forest consider hiking to Marymere Falls from Lake Crescent and going down to Rosario Beach.

On Whidbey Island, don't miss the chance to visit the charming little town of Coupeville.

I hope you have time to do Mt. Rainier as a day trip from Seattle.

HTTY

enzian

I see Whistler is back in the mix. I think that's a good choice with an active family like yours. There is lots going on there in the summer, including hiking and mountain biking from the lifts.

To have a little extra space for your family you might look for a condo, which you can rent directly from the owners:

http://www.alluradirect.com/whistler/

We've had a good experience with everything we've rented from them. Do check the locations carefully, as there are various areas and you probably want to be in Whistler Village or close to it (Village North) to be close to the center of things. We like the locaton of Deer Lodge and Bear Lodge, which are right across a pedestrian bridge from Whistler Village itself, and close enough to the grocery store that you can walk.

For your full day in Seattle (day 8), I have to say that as much as I love Mt. Rainier it's a long drive for a single day (2 hours each way). It would be the only thing you do that day--which is fine if that is your goal. The flowers should be pretty near their peak.

On the other hand, staying around Seattle would give you lots of opportunities. If you still have your car you could drive to the UW campus for kayaking on the Montlake Cut and Lake Washington:

http://www.aguaverde.com/

Great Mexican food too.

The kids might enjoy a visit to the REI flagship store, and try out the climbing pinnacle:

http://www.rei.com/stores/seattle/climbclass.html

Do make a reservation if they want to do this.

happytrailstoyou

I forgot to mention, if you like Thai food, Sabai Thai in Port Angeles is one of our favorite Thai restaurants. It is located in a little house at 903 West 8th Street and is not to be confused with Thai Pepper near the Red Lion Inn which is beyond lame.

HTTY

azzure

For Day 1, Cafe Nola on Bainbridge would be a good place for a meal.

Not quite sure why you are going from PA to PT on Day 3, unless you want a glimpse of Port Townsend...why not just take the MV Coho from PA to Victoria, and then a BC Ferry from Victoria to Vancouver? Seems a more straightforward trip.

In Whistler, I like the Delta Whistler Village Suites...keep an eye out for specials (although with the post-Olympics traffic there may not be any this year).

russp3762

Azzure - this was an option presented to me by another Fodorite - I believe to provide a nice scenic route up to Vancouver as it really is our first time to explore the area. I may explore your route - does this basically keep us on ferries all the way from PA to Vancouver?is the border crossing experience any faster with this route - certainly open to other ideas/suggestions.

padams421

We stayed at the Red Lion. We rarely saw any other guests when we stayed there for a couple of nights. It was as if the place was deserted or at least partially closed. I definitely would not stay there again. It has seen better days.

russp3762

Thank you all for your input! This site has never failed me with great suggestions! Please keep the input coming - I'm very anxious to make this a special trip for the family!

enzian

I think as azzure suggests it might be good to take the Coho from PA to Victoria, and then drive north to take the ferry to Horseshoe Bay. this would be the shortest route to Whistler. You would miss your first night at Vancouver but you could add it after Whistler, since you would get there a day earlier.

The M/V Coho takes 90 minutes for the crossing to Victoria. In my experience, clearing customs/immigration is not a big deal---pretty quick. This would be a good option for you.

azzure

Yes, the route I suggested is practically all by sea, and a very scenic voyage. And you would have the opportunity to spend a little time in Victoria if you've never been there.

OTOH, the drive up from Keystone (on Whidbey) is very pretty, too, until you get back on the mainland, at which point it becomes a bit tedious all the way to Vancouver. There are diversions (like Chuckanut Drive) but if it were me, I'd rather leave the driving to the ferry captains.

Orcas

In Vancouver, rent bikes near Stanley park and go around Stanley park, counterclockwise (or anti-clockwise, as they say). You can take swimming suits with you and swim, if you like. You can bicycle all the way to near Granville Island and take your bikes across the water on a water taxi to Granville Island. Call ahead to a bike rental and see if you need to bring your own chain and lock. You may want to lock up the bikes a bit. It's fantastic biking around the park and around Vancouver's waterfront - all park and public access (alas, unlike Seattle).

russp3762

Azzure and Enzian - would like to get some additional feedback from you. In the Canadian Forum - they felt the option of taking the ferry out of PA to Victoria and on to Horshoe Bay was not a good decision. As they broke it down, it's a 90 minute ferry from PA to Victoria, then a 90 minute drive to next ferry north of Victoria to route to Horshoe Bay. Then 90 minute ferry to Horshoe Bay, followed by 90 minute drive to Whistler - of course, there would be about $200 in Ferry fees associated with this route as well.

I think I am still leaning towards this option as the driving is broken up by the two ferry rides - otherwise, I would think the route driving to Port Townsend, ferry to Whidbey and driving up from there would still take nearly 5 hours of travel time, with the majority being driving - is that accurate?

Do you still feel this is a better option?

riccar79

We stayed 9 days in downtown Seattle 2 years ago to visit our son, we're from outside Chicago. Almost empty nesters, our 17 yr old daughter was with us. Stayed at the Moore Hotel, in the heart of downtown. It's older, not your typical chain motel, it was clean and supplied our basic needs, we had 2 rooms connected by a bathroom w/ shower, $120 a night for both rooms. We always look for the 'unusual' when we travel. Was walking distance from the best coffee shop ever, Cafe Darte. Allowed us to spend more $$ on things to do.

We had the time to visit all the differnt areas of Seattle (Belltown, the International district, the Univ district, Queen Ann, Pioneer Square,etc), so it's hard to comment here. I think our favorite was downtown and the waterfront, Pike's Place Market and eating at #1 Ivar's along the waterfront. An old Seattle's favorite for clam chowder and fish & chips. They have 2 restaurant locations, and one has a walk up window, take your food and eat out by the water front. The seagulls are NOT shy and our daughter had a ball feeding them. Coming from the midwest & fighting the bugs in the summer time when eating outside, we enjoyed every opportunity to eat outside - no bugs and a delightful climate.
Our #2 favorite was Three Girls Bakery, at Pike's Place - the best sandwich ever. And #3 Top Pot for donuts, oh wonderful donuts. (outside downtown).

My husband isn't active like I am, so I had to compromise this trip - we did enjoy the Experience Music Project - hands on and attached to the Science Fiction Experience museum. At the Space Needle area. Both are something we do not have in Chicago.
Lastly, we did a full day to Mt St Helens, a very humbling sight, there are trails you can hike, plus a visitor center. There was a volunteer with a sighting scope to point out the wildlife. We had hoped to whale watch in the San Juan Islands, but weather canceled our trip.
Parking is crazy downtown, they have a metered system unlike anything we have ever used.
I envy your trip, esp Whistler, I have good friends who did your route last summer and can't say enough about it, esp the Zipline, that's on my bucket list. Have a great time.

azzure

Note that you don't have to take the Nanaimo-Horseshoe Bay route...you can take BC Ferries' Swartz Bay - Tsawwassen route. Swartz Bay is very close to Victoria, eliminating the 90 minute drive to Nanaimo. That will get you to Vancouver, and as others have suggested, you could do Whistler from there as a day trip. http://www.bcferries.com/schedules/mainland/

NWWanderer

Azzure is correct; however if you are going on to Whistler, much better to drive to Nanaimo than driving through the greater Vancouver area which takes forever. But if you do Whistler as a day trip from Vancouver, then the Swartz Bay ferry would be the one to take.

Your time estimates are on the optimistic side for the drives IMO and you are not factoring in ferry wait time as I noted on my post to you on the Canada forum.

Orcas

I am with the people on the Canada Bd. To go from the OP to Whistler, I would take the Keystone ferry from Port Townsend to Whidbey Is and drive. It would take a lot longer otherwise and there are more chances of delays.