Vancouver/Seattle Trip
 

Hello Fellow Fodors - My wife and I have a wedding July 29th in Seattle, but we've decided to make a vacation out of it and go to Vancouver. Our plan is to fly from Chicago to Vancouver on Monday, July 24th and fly back from Seattle on Monday, July 31st. Now, we're not alone as we're meeting family and a bunch of friends in Seattle, but will be on our own in Vancouver. Everyone arrives to Seattle on Thursday.
Chicago to Vancouver (flight) - Roughly 3 days (All Monday afternoon, all Tue and Wed and drive to Seattle Thursday afternoon
Seattle - 3 days (Thursday night, all Friday, all Saturday (wedding day, 5pm) all Sunday, fly back Monday morning to Chicago
I was told Gastown is a good area to stay in Vancouver. Any other recommendations? I want to get the most out of the 3 days in Vancouver without having to rush.
For Seattle, I was told Ballard or Fremont are good spots to stay.
Not really interested in Museums. More about sites, beautiful mountains, bars, food and fun! Might be somewhat broad, but I'm hoping you can help out.
Looking forward to your recommendations. Cheers!

Please don't try to drive a Canadian rental car into the US.
There is an Amtrak Thruway bus that leaves the Pacific Central station at 4PM that gets to Seattle King St. station about 8PM.
Rent another car in downtown Seattle on Friday morning.
There are 2 HI hostels in Vancouver. I remember walking through Gastown but I don't remember any great place to stay.
Stanley Park has probably improved since they had the Olympics there not too many years ago.
You might not need a rental car in Vancouver unless you want to drive out to Whistler.
My familiarity with the Fremont area of Seattle is limited to the area around the world HQ of Groundspeak (geocaching) and the troll under the Aurora bridge.

Yeah Gastown would probably be the best place to stay because you can easily take a bus, train and aquabus to other places.

Yeah, train from Seattle to Vancouver is your best bet.

Where is this wedding? Where will most of the guests be?

Because Ballard and Fremont both have a nice neighborhood vibe, but they are neighborhoods- so if the wedding isn't in one of those, I'd stay downtown (where the main transit would be). Between Ballard and Fremont, I'd pick Ballard. If you really want a great bar scene, I'd pick Capitol Hill. Although you definitely need to tell us budget to get helpful answers; that's high season, and you may be in for a shock if you haven't looked at hotels yet.

I've stayed at the metropolitan hotel in Vancouver and liked it. I'd stay more in that area than gastown, but that's just my preference. Again it depends on budget. Tom mentions the HIs- I don't know if that's of interest to you, as Tom tends to be tangential. But do Central over Downtown. Not that I'm vouching for Central, I haven't stayed there, but I really disliked the downtown HI. And I've stayed at a lot of His.

The aquarium at Stanley park is awesome, and you could definitely spend a day at just the park/aquarium. Rent bikes and bike the sea wall.

You don't want a rental car in either city, although admittedly you may need one for Seattle. If the wedding makes a car necessary, look at the silver cloud hotels. Thoroughly nice chain and one of the rare cases of free parking in Seattle. The one on lake union has great water views and a free shuttle downtown during the day.

Sunday brunch at Saltys is good if you like food. Need more details for further recs. All kinds of food in both cities.

My favorite place in Vancouver is blue water cafe if you like seafood.

Big thanks on the transportation piece. We rather not rent a car in both locations if not necessary. We will definitely take the train now from Vancouver to Seattle now. Can anyone tell me what the ticket per passenger is on the train from VAN to SEA? Budget-wise, I'd like to stay around the $150 per night range in Vancouver, preferably not a hostel. My wife is not the biggest fan. MarvelousMouse, when you say you prefer Central, where is that exactly? Also, when you mention HI and Hls, do you mean hotels or hostels or both?

I'm a big time foodie, so food is important on this trip. We would also love to see snowy mountains. Not sure where in Vancouver or Seattle we can see those relatively close. Is there public transportation to Whistler such as a train?

As for Seattle, the wedding is in Ballard. That's where I'm thinking most will be. There's a group of 4-6 of us that are looking at Air BNB, but we want to make sure we get the most out of our stay with the location we choose to stay in. We will most likely be Ubering all over the place.

Agree that a car is unnecesary in either town, although might be more useful in Seattle. In Vancouver I stay at the YWCA, but that is definitely a budget choice. In Seattle I stayed in the Capitol Hill area, which was a nice area to wander around.

The reason I gave the Amtrak Thruway bus answer is that it leaves Vancouver at 4PM (#8957) and gets to Seattle by 8PM.
The late train leaves VAC at 5:35PM and doesn't get to SEA until 10PM.
The fare for the bus is $40pp for adults unless you have a discount (senior over 62, AAA membership etc.)
The train will cost $42pp.
I don't think you want to be arriving at your lodging after 10PM.

Your options are really limited at $150 a night. I would do the same as Thursdaysd for that budget- the ywca is in a really good location. Seattle is a bigger problem- I really think you're going to have to up your budget or stay in a hostel in a family room or stay in an airport hotel.

I mean to put this into perspective: the Travelodge is selling their cheapest room for 239 that Friday. Courtyard is $400. holiday inn express is 269. (Courtyard and Travelodge are "good" downtown locations. That Travelodge is the pits. Courtyard is what you'd expect a courtyard to be. HIX is okay but definitely a downgrade from its neighbor, the holiday inn.)

Less convenient, but still in the city- Udistrict silver cloud is 239.

Basically: Anything even close to your price range is out at the airport, comes with shared bath, is unreachable without a car, I wouldn't send my worst enemy there. I mean, we can help you find something. But that's what you're facing hotelwise.

If you are ok with airbnb, then sure, go with that. It'll probably be best bang for your buck. If that falls through, look at hotel hotel hostel. It's partly a hostel and partly a hotel. I think your wife will approve, it'll be in Fremont, and then you'll be walking distance- or at least a very cheap uber ride- from the wedding.

After hotel hotel, I'd look at the ace hotel and then the Moore hotel. Be sure to read the rate descriptions. Both are downtown and great locations. Both are less expensive- the cheapest rates have bathrooms in the hall. Both have good customer service. I don't know about ace, but Moore doesn't have A/c. However. If that is important, you need to make sure your airbnb picks have a/c. If they don't list it, they usually don't have it. We need a/c for such a short period of time that a lot of houses don't have it.

If like Tom assumes, that train gets in too late for you, skip Amtrak entirely and do bolt bus. It's nicer than Amtrak bus.

There is a bus to Whistler. I actually don't know how often it runs off season- or if it runs off season. But it would be a long day trip and I don't see much of a point. And I don't know how much snow you'd actually see at village level either.

To clarify: "HI" is the hostel chain Tom is talking about. There are two in Vancouver, named after their locations. So I was using "central" to refer to specific hostel, not a region.

Any take on the Days Inn ($439 no breakfast) and Comfort Inn ($510 breakfast included) in Vancouver? Seeing great prices for 3 nights. Both located in downtown.

Better rates at the YWCA (even better if you are seniors) but limited availability.

I just booked Days Inn (free cancellation). My wife prefers the privacy. We're in our 30's. Thursdaysd, what can you tell me about the YWCA? What's included and would it be a better option than Days Inn other than the price? If so, why?

I haven't stayed in a Days Inn in years, so it is probably unfair to say that the last one was a dump. The YWCA is cheap and cheerful and clean, and close to transport.

Well, YWCA is sold out July 24th thru July 27th.

That was quick, it still had rooms for those dates when I checked.

I haven't stayed at either in Vancouver.

But if I had to roll the dice, I'd do Comfort Inn. It usually has nicer beds or more modern rooms than Days inn. I looked at the reviews for both and that seems to hold true in Vancouver.

And ywca is still showing availability? How many people are with you? 2 twin beds are maybe a bit more than your Days Inn price, but I know YWCA is good while Days Inn usually fails to impress.

It's just my wife and myself. It looks like Comfort Inn is better, but Days Inn in better location? Comfort Inn includes the breakfast and a lot of people seem to like it, but I'm a foodie and wanted to try some of the breakfast spots. I'm still on the fence however with where to stay as Comfort Inn does seem to be better. Reminder, we will be there 3 days.

Downtown is so small, it honestly makes little difference where you'll stay. The Comfort Inn is right on Granville Street. I walked past it today during my lunch break. You could walk to Yaletown in 5 minutes. You could walk to the West End in 10 minutes. You could walk to Gastown in 10 minutes. You could walk to Stanley Park in 30 minutes.

Granville had its glory days in the 1950s and is considered the "Entertainment District", which is a contrived district due to zoning laws that demolished former nightclubs and turned them into condos, and brought all the previous nightclubs to one strip along Granville. So you have top 40 nightclubs, theatres and concert venues, cheap hangover fast food joints (poutine, dollar slice pizza), other restaurants, backpacker hostels and their associated backpacker pubs, plus clothing shops along that stretch of Granville. On weekends, Granville Street is a gong show of suburbanites who come into the city to party at the nightclubs. It's not dangerous but it can be noisy. But again, going back to the fact that Vancouver's downtown is so small, you can literally walk 2 minutes away and you'll be in a completely different neighbourhood.

The Days Inn downtown is a block away from where I work. It's a quieter neighbourhood, for sure - it's the business district of downtown. You're closer to Gastown and the foodie cocktail bars, restaurants, and craft beer pubs. Stanley Park's only a short walk away. The immediate few blocks are sterile and bland and dead at night, but if you're only sleeping there at night, that's exactly what you want. Again, you're only a short walk away to more interesting areas, and when you get back to your hotel, you're not going to have to trip over drunken suburbanites 20-year-olds and their bros.

p.s. the Twisted Fork Bistro and Medina Cafe are closer to the Comfort Inn, if you're seeking a good brunch.

p.s.s. Honestly, either hotel is fine. You can walk between the two of them in less than 10 minutes.

BC_Robyn, this is awesome feedback. So, sounds like Comfort Inn is in a happening area. I don't mind that. I'm sure once in your room, noise shouldn't be an issue? We'll be there Monday early afternoon through Thursday early afternoon, so not sure if that will make a difference. I live in Chicago and the business districts are quiet and boring, but if everything is within walking distance, then shouldn't be bad if staying at the Days Inn.

Have you been to the Jam Café on Beatty? Looks delicious. Have you been to Meat and Bread? Also looks great. Any other food and bar/pub joints that are close to must-go as can be? I also love craft beer. We will be going to Stanley park and the Capilano suspension bridge. Given our time of about 3 days, before doing more research, what are other must-do's? We just went to Paris and Italy in September and did tons of walking, even in Rome and Paris, so we don't mind the walking at all unless public transportation is necessary. Paris was the only city we really needed public transportation or taxi. Any walking or bus tours worth doing? We didn't do much of that in Europe except for the Vatican tour. Thanks again for your feedback.

There is also a suspension bridge in Lynn Canyon. Unlike Capilano, it's free.

Thanks Thursdays. Is one better to go to than the other?

I can't compare them, as I only went to Lynn Canyon. Good area to hike.

I can't comment on Lynn Canyon, but we did Capilano and loved it. We left our vehicle at our B&B and just took the shuttle bus there, so it was super easy.

"I'm sure once in your room, noise shouldn't be an issue?" I honestly don't know as I haven't stayed in the hotel. Have you read TripAdvisor reviews? If noise is an issue there, people will no doubt mention it.

And yes, downtown Vancouver is super tiny so you can walk everywhere. The Days Inn is in the quiet business core, but a very short walk away from the more happening areas. While there's no Uber or Lyft in Vancouver (yet), cabs are everywhere, cheap, and plentiful, so it's really easy to get around. Plus, public transit is good in Vancouver.

I've heard of the Jam Café, but haven't been yet, though have been meaning to. Meat and Bread is one of my lunch staples. Though I prefer their Cambie Street location over the one next to the Days Inn.

If you love craft beer, my number one piece of advice is t get yourself out of downtown entirely and head to East Vancouver - that's the home of Vancouver's craft beer culture.

The neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant has a cluster of breweries around Main and E 5th, including my favourites: Brassneck and R&B Brewing. 33 Acres and Main Street Brewing are also within stumbling distance. Plus, that whole stretch of main is full of hipster street life, cafes, restaurants, quirky shops, and Vancouver personality. Some restaurants of note in that area are Burdock & Co., The Acorn, Chicha, plus fun neighbourhood watering holes like the Lido, The Whip, etc.

Commercial Drive, my favourite neighbourhood in Vancouver, has more of an artsy, bohemian, counter culture vibe - little Italian and Chinese markets, excellent coffee culture, craft beer pubs (BierCraft, St Augustine's, Tangent Cafe, Stateside, Storm Crow Tavern), some excellent ethnic estaurants (Kishimoto, Via Tevere, etc.) live poetry readings/live music, organic grocery stores, etc. The weirdo quotient is higher here, but it pays off - it's a vibrant area and there are some excellent craft breweries scattered around, with my favourites including Strange Fellows, Callister, Powell Street Brewing, Off the Rail, Bomber, and Andina.

Both of these neighbourhoods are a 10-minute drive or Skytrain/bus ride outside of downtown and will give you a different perspective.

With three days, Stanley Park will easily eat up the whole day. Don't underestimate it. Riding a bike around the seawall is fun. Having a picnic at Third Beach is fun. Take the little water taxi across to Granville Islnd before hand to pick up snacks - Oyama Sausuage Co is a must for the best charcuterie. :)

Capilano Suspension Bridge is fun, but it's a commercial operator and will cost you $40 per person for entry. Go there to be entertained by contraptions (tree top walks, a suspension bridge, a gift shop, snack bars, etc). It's like a mini theme park in a fenced-in enclosure in the rainforest. Most locals find it too touristy and gimmicky (and expensive) and usually go to Lynn Canyon Park instead because at Lynn Canyon, the nature's the same, the suspension bridge is almost the same, but you're not fenced in - you're in a wilderness park and can spend hours exploring if you want.

Both are worth doing but I emphasize, if you want to be entertained, go to Capilano. If you just want to connect with nature, go to Lynn Canyon. It's also free.

Other must-dos? Given your penchant for craft beer, go to Main Street or Commercial Drive and just be spontaneous and explore the city culture.

If you want a museum day, the Museum of Anthropology out at UBC campus is pretty amazing, but you have to enjoy learning to get the most out of it.

Anyway, let me know if you have more questions!

Another note: For cheap eats, Peaceful on the corner of Dunsmuir and Seymour is excellent for Shanghainese. Go for the dan dan noodles, the xiao long bao, and the beef roll.

For craft beer downtown, head to Gastown. The Alibi Room and Six Acres are excellent choices. Pourhouse is excellent for craft cocktails.

Closer to Stanley Park, the intersection of Robson and Denman is home to a cluster of casual Japanese, Korean, and Chinese options. Dinesty for Shanghainese/Taiwanese, Kintaro for Ramen, and Kingyo for izakaya. If you're craving BBQ, the Buckstop is a fun little hole in the wall for a bourbon cocktail and some brisket.

This is all great BC_Robyn!Thank you very much. I'll be looking over these areas and options and will definitely reply back with some more questions. In the meantime, if u think of other ideas, please feel free to comment.