Planning a trip to Seattle in late April. Will be there 7 nights. Would like to spend a few days in Victoria or Vancouver. please give me some ideas best area/place to stay in Seattle/victoria/vancouver. We are active-in mid thirties-enjoy nature, dining, musuems
thanks for your help!

Amy,
Could you give us an idea of your budget as far as hotels go so we could be of more help.

My husband and I did a similar trip last year. We are also young, so I have some suggestions. Definitely see Victoria AND Vancouver. We actually liked them more than Seattle. In Victoria, I suggest staying at the Humboldt House Bed and Breakfast. I think you can do one night in Victoria and see most of the main stuff in one day. Camille's for dinner, or ask the staff at the Humboldt House. Then, take the ferry to Vancouver. Vancouver is amazing and deserves at least 2 nights. We stayed at the Pacific Palisades hotel. It was centrally located, very nice, and reasonably priced. I would suggest at least doing a drive through of Stanley Park. In Vancouver, we also rented a canoe and paddled around. It is so gorgeous there with the water and the mountains all together. Made for a great day. In that same day we also saw the famous suspension bridge, which was nice. We also so a play at Bard on the Beach, which was great, but I don't think it takes place in the spring.

You might also think about spending some time at Olympia National Park. The rain forest there is truly amazing!We went from Olympia, WA and took the ferry to Victoria (with our rental car oin it), then from Victoria took the ferry to Vancouver, then drove from Vancouver down to Seattle. I'll leave the Seattle suggestions to other folks. We stayed with friends there!

Hi,
Sorry I didn't mention it before--I am hoping to not spend more than $125 a night on hotels. We aren't really that picky-thanks for your help!

In Victoria stay around the inner harbour area, Empress hotel is beautiful but there are numerous places all a great location. Butchart Gardens is a must and the Provincial museum is a must see as well. Victoria caters to tourism and the Government street area has all the shopping you could want. Have fun.

Amy,
Because the dollar goes so much further in Canada (at least for the time being), you will do better in Victoria and Vancouver. IMO Seattle is nicer than either, but that's why I live here. It might be worth checking out some B&Bs in Seattle and the area in a website called pillowpoints.com.

Some places you might like in Seattle include the Seattle center, the top of the Space Neetle (if it isn't raining, which it may be in April)--don't eat at the restaurant, but maybe get a drink at the bar for the view, EMP (Experimental Music Project), the lobby at Benaroya Hall (great Chihuly chandiliers). Also, there's a new Glass Museum in Tacoma--haven't been there yet but people who have say it's terrific--especially the glass bridge that Chihuly did outside.

There are many terrific restuarants--check out the Fodor's listings. Also many good jazz clubs--Jazz Alley at 4th and Lenora is my favorite--you can have dinner and/or drinks there (food is ok for a "club"--not great).

When it comes to nature, the entire Pacific Northwest is IMO one of the most beautiful areas in North America.
Maybe check out guidebooks (the Washington Handbook is very helpful).

Hope this helps.