We are travelling around the Seattle area....getting up early and travelling to Mt Ranier for the day. Next Stop (already booked) is Port Angeles- for 2 days in ONP. Can anyone tell me where we might stay for the night after leaving Ranier and heading for Port Angeles. We'd probably be leaving Mt Ranier at 3-4pm so we don't want to drive 4 hours following a day of hiking.

Also - is 101 the way to go? Is it possible to go thru Bremerton - or even desirable. I saw a post - someone mentioned Gig Harbor? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks

I think Gig Harbor would be a fine choice. There are several good B&Bs or motels/hotels there, it's picturesque, and there are several good restaurants too.

I'd get going early the next day - there may be traffic around Bremerton as you head north.

If you want up-market, you could stay at the Alderbrook in Union, WA, and then drive up scenic 101 which follows Hood Canal much of the way to Port Angeles.

Or, you could stay at the Little Creek Casino, near Shelton, WA.

I would go via Olympia and 101, personally, and I second the recommendation of Alderbrook.

If you prefer something less expensive, let me know and I'll try to dig out the info for a very basic set of cabins I stayed in a few years back along the western shore of Hood Canal--I can't remember the name of it off the top of my head but I do remember it was popular with scuba divers.

Wow thank you all for the speedy reply...who needs a travel agent!!

Hi All
best to circumvent Mt Ranier park in order to get to the environs of Tacoma, lke Gig Harbor? It looks like an long drive to Union and Shelton from the park. Is it best to come in on the 410 and leave on the 410? Or go south through Packwood, Morton and travel to the 5. I travel a lot but this is some challenging navigating, not knowing the roads!!

410 would be faster I think, especially if you're going to Gig Harbor & Bremerton. I agree that Gig Harbor would be a nice place to stay overnight. Are you looking for a regular motel or something nicer? In Bremerton there is a nice B&B ~ http://www.illaheemanor.com/

Taking Hwy 16 thru Gig Harbor & Bremerton, then up to 104 & across the Hood Canal Bridge is a very nice drive. I've never driven 101 from Olympia up the west side of the Hood Canal so don't know how scenic that is.

Serendipity42

I live on the Olympic Peninsula, and would have to say that Hwy 101 from Olympia is probably a more scenic route than 16/3/104 through Kitsap County and across Hood Canal Bridge.

That being said, Gig Harbor is a very nice overnight stop. A half-hour further on (16/3), there are several hotels in Silverdale, including the Silverdale Hotel which is right on the water.

But as the other route is probably more appealing, I'm wondering if the OP has considered overnighting in Olympia itself. The capitol city does have its charms, including a nice downtown, the golden-domed state building and some water views.

Thanks again for all these wonderful suggestions. I was really working in a vacuum so I appreciate all your comments. If you ever need information on the NYC area youcan reachout to me!
S