2.5 Days in Seattle!

Old Dec 25th, 2006, 03:38 PM
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2.5 Days in Seattle!

Hello all,
Happy holidays! I am visiting some friends in the Seattle area (Bellevue) after New Year's for exactly 2.5 days. I am renting a car (without chains), and wish to visit the following:
Vancouver, Mount St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, and the U Dub campus.
I don't intend to hike or spend an extensive amount of time at either mountain, but I was thinking about stopping at the visitor's center, snapping a few pics, etc. Is it feasible to visit both mountains in one day? I have absolutely no snow driving experience (I'm from LA), does anyone have any experience with these places in the winter?

Vancouver- I intend to spend a day here, but I've been reading about how ridiculous parking is there. Is the ferry a better bet? Any recommendations for Vancouver?

Thanks all!
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Old Dec 25th, 2006, 05:09 PM
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Dear Brushfire,

Mt. St. Helen's is a quite a drive from Seattle. You certainly could possibly drive all the way there and then to Mt. Rainier, but it would be a very miserable day of driving in my opinion. And if you get rain and/or snow it will be even more miserable.

I'd suggest you stick with a day trip from Bellevue to Mt. Rainier and back on one day, then the next day do a day trip to Vancouver and back if that is where you want to go.

It's been a long time so I don't know ferry/hydrofoil/train options, but would suggest that over driving to Vancouver and back in one day. Again, not that it can't be done, but it wouldn't be much fun.

If the half day is the day you leave, you could easily go from Bellevue to UW campus, visit, then head for the airport on that half day.
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Old Dec 25th, 2006, 05:30 PM
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Hi Brushfire - first of all, have you been to Seattle before? Both Mt. St. Helen's and Vancouver (I am assuming you are talking Vancouver BC) are very far from Bellevue. If you have just two whole days, I would visit the city and the area around Udub and spend your time there because there is lots to do and see. Mt. St. Helens (and Mt. Rainier) are best to be viewed in the summer time (July/Aug). This time of year, with the cloud cover and the weather, etc. it isn't going to be a very nice time.

If you feel you need to not do the city and want to do Vancouver, I would go in to Seattle and take the Clipper (boat) up because the ride from Bellevue to Vancouver is all highway and with the winter weather, it's not an easy drive. You won't have much time to stay before you would have to turn around. (Plus, remember you will need a passport if you are going after the first of the year.)

Really, If you only have two and a half days and the weather isn't good right now, I would stick with the city. There is so much to do and see.

I recommend you make a trip back to your friends next summer and really enjoy Mt. Rainier and St. Helens. In the summer they are breathtaking.

Hope this helps.

emh
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Old Dec 25th, 2006, 05:32 PM
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No it is not feasible to visit both mountains in one day, and, there is a good chance that they will be shrouded in clouds while you are here and/or that they will be inaccessible to a car with no chains.

The itinerary you outline is too much for 2.5 days even when weather is ideal.

If the weather is crystal clear, you could take the ferry to Bainbridge Island and snap photos of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, the Olympics, and the Cascades.



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Old Dec 25th, 2006, 06:42 PM
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Thanks for the prompt responses! The thing is, I've already visited Seattle and did the usual touristy things- Pike's Place, Seattle Center, Boeing, etc. I didn't think driving to both mountains would be feasible, but I'd like to see the snow if that's possible.

How is the drive to Vancouver in the winter? Is it mountainous and subject to adverse weather? I've heard of the islands in the bay- what do you recommend? I've heard of Bainbridge and Whidbey, but don't know much about them. How about Olympic National Park?

Thanks again, and happy holidays.
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Old Dec 25th, 2006, 07:02 PM
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Brushfire - then take the Clipper up to Victoria for the day. Do British Columbia but don't drive, take the Clipper. And/or you can try to make it up to Leavenworth. It's beautiful up there in the winter too. There you would have a chance of snow, but I don't know if you could get there without snow tires.

If you want to do islands I would drive up to Anacortes and do the San Juan Islands. Get off at San Juan Island at Friday Harbor and drive to Roche Harbor - great resort that will still be nice this time of year, but not as beautiful in the Spring.

Have fun!

emh

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Old Dec 25th, 2006, 07:03 PM
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Pike, not Pike's.

There is no ferry to Vancouver BC; there's a freeway instead.

The drive to Vancouver is mainly flat with a few low hills here and there. Figure 2 hours to the border from Bellevue, then 40 min. from the border into downtown Van. Add anything from 5 min. to 2 hours at the border, depending on time of day, day of week, phase of moon, price of gas in Blaine....

Bainbridge is a suburb and an easy and scenic ferry ride from Seattle; Whidbey is an hour from Seattle, and lends itself to a nice loop trip - ferry from Mukilteo to the island, drive up to Deception Pass (very spectacular bridge over churning water) then all road back to Seattle - allow 5 hours all in.

Olympic National Park is not really accessible as a day trip in January. You could get to Hurricane Ridge (near Port Angeles) and back in a day, but the same problems as with Mt. Rainier and MSH apply - high roads potentially closed due to snow.

Don't forget that daylight will be a serious issue in January and further mitigates mountain touring.

If you want to see the snow, why not spend a day skiing at Snoqualmie Pass or Stevens Pass? Both 1 - 2 hrs from Seattle. There are also buses if you don't want to drive on snow.
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Old Dec 25th, 2006, 08:58 PM
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Your mountain ideas won't work (you can visit the parks' websites for info): All of the roads at Mt. Rainier are closed due to flood damage last month-there is no auto access whatsoever. There is only one visitor's center open, for only three days a week, at St. Helens. If you did go there you need to be prepared for winter driving conditions, which means bringing chaings. Same with parts of Olympic, though many of that park's roads are still closed also due to flood damage.

Vancouver is a very long day trip, especially if you get stuck in border lines-I wouldn't bother unless you can spend the night.

It sounds like you did the super touristy stuff, but a lot of people just enjoy exploring Seattle's parks and neighborhoods-Capitol Hill, Fremont, etc.

If you really want to get out of town in such a short amount of time I'd do Whidbey. The ferries run often, there's neat stuff to see (nice state parks, Ebey's Landing National Reserve and cute towns). This is a better idea than going to the San Juan Islands--n winter, the ferries to the San Juans don't run very often, so by the time you get up there you would have to turn around and come home.

Remember it will get dark at 4:30 here, so if you spend much time getting somewhere, you won't have much daylight left to enjoy it.
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Old Dec 26th, 2006, 02:02 PM
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Personal preference I guess. I have tons of family up on San Juan Island and as long as you keep in mind you have to catch a ferry at a certain time, it is very worth the drive and a better ferry ride by far. Friday Harbor is not crowded this time of year and the ferry lines are short. Plus it rains less than Whidbey area. In the winter the Whidbey area can be dreary and the San Juan Islands aren't as dreary in the winter. It can definitely be a full day round trip. You have lots of time before the last ferry (or last two for that matter). There is so much to see on the island. Lots of history too. Here's the website http://www.guidetosanjuans.com/ - includes ferry schedules. If you don't get up there this winter, think about it for next time you go up.

Enjoy your visit

emh
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Old Dec 26th, 2006, 04:54 PM
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Thanks everyone for the helpful advice! I think the plan is to spend the half day exploring UW, walking around Pike Place, taking in some nightlife.

The next day would be spent in Vancouver, driving there, since the ferry tickets seem a bit pricey. I was researching Vancouver attractions- so far, I've got Stanley Park, Chinatown, Buchard Gardens, if I can fit all that in. Any advice on that?

On the last day we'd spend island hopping, including a ferry ride to Bainbridge. Tell me what you think of my itinerary, and thanks again for all the helpful advice.
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Old Dec 26th, 2006, 05:43 PM
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Vancouver is lovely, but Stanley Park was severely damaged in the recent windstorm---some 1000 trees down. You might want to get updates before heading north, if that is one of your major goals.
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Old Dec 27th, 2006, 07:00 AM
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There's no ferry to Vancouver from Seattle (so I don't understand how the ticket can be expensive) -lol!

Seattle to Vancouver is at least a 3 hour drive each direction, straight up I-5 freeway. So it is a long day, but do-able.

Bainbridge from downtown isn't exactly "island hopping" it is just a straight shot on the shortest ferry ride.
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Old Dec 27th, 2006, 07:35 AM
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Buchart Gardens isn't in Vancouver-it's outside of Victoria, which would require a ferry ride from Vancouver. If you want to see a nice garden, make a reservation for Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge, since you want to go there anyway.

I think you really, really need to look at a map and/or guidebook. I think you are confusing Vancouver (city) and Vancouver Island, which are two entirely different places (like Suze said, there's no ferry to Vancouver). It's something you would want to get straightened out before setting off!
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Old Dec 27th, 2006, 08:27 AM
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The Queen Elizabeth II Park (Vancouver) gardens are almost as nice as Butchart and much easier to get to, but nothing special in January.
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Old Dec 27th, 2006, 09:21 AM
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Yes, I'm sorry, I meant the Clipper boat that eholden was referring to, which goes to Victoria. And I was confusing Victoria with Vancouver at first, but I will get those straight before I go- that could be a very time-consuming mistake! I think I'll wait and see how the weather is before I commit to a 3 hr drive...you guys are right, precious daylight hours are wasted on the road. Oh, and by island hopping, I meant driving to Bainbridge via 520 and then traveling north to Whidbey, making a loop. Thanks!
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Old Dec 27th, 2006, 09:37 AM
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<<driving to Bainbridge via 520 and then traveling north to Whidbey>>

you REALLY need a map!!! -lol!
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Old Dec 27th, 2006, 02:12 PM
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Be sure to get the very latest info before you head to Mt. Rainer. It was my understanding that it was closed due to flood damage, and we have sudden snow storms, etc. that can change the situation on the mountain passes in a few hours. If I only had 2 and half days, I would not try to do so mcuh. I don't think you are factoring in the time it takes to get there. Going to Vancouver is a 4-5 hour endeavor, depending on the time for the border crossing (check on required documentation). Mt. St. Helens in in the other direction...snd can also be heavily impacted by snow conditions. I would get a cozy hotel in or near Seattle, see the campus, SAM (Seattle Art Museaum), Pike Street Market, etc (there goes a day) and then decide from there as weather allows.
 
Old Dec 27th, 2006, 02:14 PM
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The downtown branch of the Seattle Art Museum is currently closed for renovation. Scheduled to reopen May 2007.
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Old Dec 27th, 2006, 02:51 PM
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Take the clipper to Victoria and have a day of it. I recommend the Royal Museum. It's stunning and right by the water. You can also wander over to Empress and have tea.
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Old Dec 27th, 2006, 06:55 PM
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Take the Clipper to Victoria. The freeway up towards Bellingham/Ferndale, etc. has received lots of damage from two previous storms and there is a lot of road construction going on about 12 miles from the boarder on I-5. Victoria is beautiful. Have "high tea" at the Empress Hotel, lots of great shops and antique stores, gardens, etc. Do some background checks on Victoria. I would do the Clipper over 3+ hours on I-5 any day, even in the winter.

Have fun!

emh

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