We are visiting our daughter in Seattle during the week of Thanksgiving and would like to take a short excursion from the city for 2 days/1 night midweek. Ideas we've had include Olympic peninsula, wine country, and Vancouver but given the time of year, uncertain as to which way to go. We would welcome ideas from the Forum.

I'd suggest Whidbey Island. Whidbey (accessible by ferry from Mukilteo or by road via WA 20 and the Deception Pass bridges) has lovely little towns like Langley and Coupeville, marvelous Fort Casey and (amazing) Deception Pass state parks, and it's likely to be less rainy than Seattle owing to the Olympic Mountains' rain shadow which shelters much of Whidbey from the wet. No guarantees, of course, it IS November. You could also visit La Conner, another very cute little waterfront town (on the mainland just south of SR 20) on the way to or from Whidbey.

Vancouver is a great city with a spectacular natural setting--well worth a visit.

When we go to the Olympic Peninsula, we take the ferry from Edmonds because we like to stop in beautiful little Port Gamble on our way to historic Port Townsend. We like to stay in a room on the Strait of Juan de Fuca at the Red Lion Inn in Port Angeles. Hurricane Ridge and Lake Crescent are among the highlights of a visit to the OP. We return to Seattle driving down Highway 101, which is very scenic on the stretch along the west side of the Hood Canal.

San Juan Island is another great day trip from Seattle. You can take the ferry from Anacortes, or you can leave your car in Anacortes and walk on the ferry and use public transportation while you are in Friday Harbor.

HTtY

I like the Whidbey Island suggestion. Olympic National Park deserves a bare minimum of two days and that only scratches the surface.

Another vote for Whidbey Island. It's perfect for your amount of time and not as far to drive as some of the others you're considering. I haven't been there for awhile but used to love the Captain Whidbey Inn.