Orcas

Link on the park:

http://www.hohrainforest.com/

Orcas

Thinking on it, consider passing on the San Juans and spend an extra day on the Olympic Peninsula. Between all the things to do there, Mt. Rainier, and Seattle you will be well occupied - and if you throw in Snoqualmie Pass, way occupied. The San Juans are not that easy to get to from the Olympic peninsula, even if they look close on a map. Lots of water, not enough ferries in between.

suze

here's the other post...
best regards, suze

suze

I've been thinking of your trip...

Because you're from Texas and don't mind driving (in that state) I'm wondering that you aren't seriously underestimating time & effort going place to place here in the Pacific Northwest. I know places in TX are huge, flat, and you can get on a highway and drive FAST and can cover mileage quickly.

But around here there's twisty roads, possible rain or fog, mountains, bridges, floating bridges, draw bridges, ferries (which require waiting in line), mountain passes, etc. You just can't go *zooming* from there to there in a short time necessarily.

jenandkev

Hi, all. I've worked some more on trip and have come up with another game plan. I wanted to get everyone's opinion before I start making reservations.

Saturday - fly into Sea Tac, dinner in Seattle w/ friends, head to cabin in Gig Harbor area that night.

Sunday - explore cabin at Lake Minterwood and surrounding area. Head over to Tacoma, stopy by the Washington State Historical society museum and possibly glass museum, get groceries in Gig Harbor on way home, explore surrounding state parks, let kids fish/canoe if weather permits...really play this day by ear.

Monday - Head to Crystal Mountain ski area for 4 hour guided snowmobile tour...if not enough snow, head to other side of Mt. Ranier and explore Paradise Park.

Tuesday - head up to Bremerton to catch 8:45 AM ferry to Seattle. Explore Pikes Market, eating lunch there. Head over to Ballard Lochs to look around then onto zoo. Dinner in Seattle on waterfront that evening, catch 9:05 ferry back to Bremerton.

***any kid-friendly waterfront restaurants you'd suggest?

Wednesday - Get up early again and head over to OP via Tacoma/Olympia, stopping at Lake Quinault to explore, continuing to Kalaloch Lodge and check in for 1 night stay. Explore low tide pools w/ kids and maybe head up to Forks if time permits.

***Is this time frame right? I mapquested and it showed only 3 hours from Gig to Forks...Also, what beaches are a Must See in this area...have heard a lot about Rialto/2nd/3rd/Ruby beaches. Which ones are best for tide pool exploring?

Thursday - very busy day. Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, 1-mile walk. Head to LaPush and explore beaches if didn't do Wednesday. If we do the beaches this day, my estimation is we'll leave La Push around 2 - 2:30...sound 'bout right? That's leaving Kalaloch at 8 AM.

***Is Neah Bay/Cape Flattery worth the extra time for drive? I saw that is was a designated scenic highway.

Continue to Lake Crescent and hike to Marymere Falls.
Onto PA visitors center, drive Hurricane Ridge if open.
Head back to Gig Harbor cabin...about 1.5 hours per mapquest.

Friday - hang out at cabin and rest from 2 busy days...play day by ear.

Saturday - explore Dungeness Spit, Port Townsend, Whidbey Island...stay in that area but again play it by ear.

***Dungeness Spit - I'd love to see the lighthouse but know the kids won't be able to make the 10-mile hike...will we still see sea creatures 1-mile or so down the beach? Any other lighthouses in the area we can tour?

Sunday - into Seattle for early afternoon flight.

Okay, guys, let me know what you think of this one. I've already made reservations for Kalaloch Lodge and really wanted to focus on playing in tidal pools. How do I find the low tide charts? I'd like to find them so I can make sure we're at the right beach during low tide. Any other thoughts would be appreciated!

You guys rock!

Bobmrg

Other than the fact that the ferry ride is scenic, why don't you just drive from Gig Harbor to Seattle using the Tacoma Narrows Bridge? Cheaper than the ferry, and the western end of the bridge is almost on top of GH.

azzure

If you do ride the ferry, I'd suggest leaving the car in Bremerton. You don't need/want a car for downtown Seattle and can take public transportation up to see the Locks. For kid-friendly waterfront Seattle restaurants, there's Anthony's or the ever-popular Ivar's, which is right next to Colman (ferry) dock.

I gather that on your final Saturday you're planning to stay in the Sequim/Port Townsend area? I hope so, because you really won't have time to do much if you're planning to drive round trip to/from Gig Harbor that day.

321go

Kid-friendly on the Seattle waterfront = Ivars.

3 hours to Forks from the Key peninsula sounds iffy to me. I'd plan on 4. All of the beaches are very scenic; Ruby beach is on you way north and there are beaches with tide pools near Kalaloch lodge. Please be aware of the tides while you are out exploring on the beach.

jenandkev

Again, I'm from Texas and the whole idea of actually not taking the car into Seattle seems strange to me...can't go anywhere on foot here! How would my 4-year old hold up walking from the ferry terminal, around the waterfront and then around Pikes Market? Also, public transportation to the Lochs...is this a cab, bus or monorail? Is the zoo right next to the lochs? That was our next step...from the zoo we were planning on heading back to waterfront area for a nice dinner...sounds like Ivar's is the suggested way to go. I just want to make sure I'm not hauling my daughter around on my hip...Isn't the waterfront area failry hilly?

If we did opt to drive over versus taking the ferry, are there parking garages or is it mostly curbside parking?

azzure

You can easily catch a Metro Bus from Pike Place Market to the Locks or the Zoo. http://metro.kingcounty.gov/. Use the Regional Trip Planner; enter Ballard Locks (NOT "lochs") and/or Woodland Park Zoo as your destination.

The waterfront is NOT hilly...it's completely flat (and at sea level) Some uphill walking is required to get to the downtown shopping core (Pacific Place and Westlake Malls). You will need to go there if you want to take the monorail to Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is). That's the only place the monorail goes.

NWWanderer

It's going to take more than 3 hours to drive the southern route to Kalaloch, plus the time that you spend at Lk Quinault. You could stop at Ruby Beach if time permits but you won't have time to go up to Rialto etc that day.

You're already cramming in too much on the next day IMO so no way you should try to include Neah Bay as well. Given the amount of time you have, I'd say no, it's not worth the extra driving.

There's a spit and lighthouse outside of Port Townsend (past Fort Worden) and I think there's a marine discovery center out there as well--that might be more fun for the kids than Dungeness Spit.

Bobmrg

There is an elevator in the Pike Place Market that will ease the uphill-downhill aspect of getting from the waterfront to the business district and back.

grizz55

This thread has been very informative. My husband and I are going to be in Seattle around March 16th to the 21st. My son is statione in Bremerton. My husband has back issues and cannot walk long distances. I am trying to make a game plan for our visit. Since we are from Ohio, snow is the last thing I am interested in. Things we can drive to, or short walks would be best. Although I may venture out on my own once or twice to allow my husband to rest, and to indulge in a little photography. Would like to take a ferry somewhere; the mountains sound awesome-would love to get some great views of them; Downtown sound like a must do; Would be interested in hearing any suggestions. thanks trese

nukesafe

I think you would get a lot more input if you started a new thread that highlights your particular situation. Mention your DH's limitations in the title, and a lot of us could give you specific input.

BTW, you don't have to let snow concern you. We haven't seen any all winter.

grizz55

Thank you for the suggestion. I should have thought of that.

jenandkev

Okay, so now my husband has decided he really wants to go to Vancouver to see all the Olympic stuff...how long will that drive/ferry take from Gig Harbor and what's the best route? Can that be a day trip?

azzure

Argh - to get from GH to Vancouver I wouldn't mess with ferries...just go into Tacoma and pick up I5 and take that straight up to the border...it will take at least three hours, more in traffic and even more if there's a backup at the border crossing...so I wouldn't consider it a day trip. Also consider that many of the Olympic venues are at Whistler, a couple of hours past Vancouver. Also -- do you all have passports?

nukesafe

Also consider that you need to do some research about the Olympics, and what you really want to see. Many of the popular indoor events have been sold out for ages. You also need to find out about public transport, as the is NO parking at some of the events.

Whoops, I just thought to check, and I now see that you will be here in mid March; well after the Olympics.

My bad --

In mid March, your DH's wish seems reasonable. Long day, though, as driving around Vancouver can be a real PITA if traffic is heavy.

BTW, you can still get into Canada with driver's licence/birth certificate sorts of identification, but (Catch 22) you will need a valid passport to get back into the States.

NWWanderer

What Olympics stuff does your husband want to see? I would make sure that the venues he wants to see will still open into March for the Paralympics. I just took a look at the list of the various pavillions and houses and it looks like most of them close on Feb 28.

With kids, I think it's too long for a day trip--4 hours in each direction from Gig Harbor to downtown Vancouver, assuming only a short wait at the border. At least an overnight would be much better, IMO. Hotel rates and availability appear to be reasonable during the Paralympics.

Toucan2

I have read through this thread, so forgive me if I have missed any mention of the traffic in the area. In addition to the very good points that Suze made about driving in the area

(you might think it will take such and such a time from Kalaloch to Forks (as an example) but it is an extremely curvy two lane road, and if you get behind a logging truck, forget about it. You just won't have much control, really, over your drive times)

But I really want to mention the issues of traffic and ferry wait times. You need to factor this in. When the ferry is full, it is full. The most crazy-making thing ever is when you you are the first one in line for the next ferry because you couldn't get on.

And the I-5 corridor, all the way from Lynnwood to Olympia, can be atrocious, and even in non-rush hour (which I think really last 3 hours morning and night) those highways are busy. My BIL works in South Seattle and lives in Tumwater. We have very long chats (hands free of course) on some of his commutes home.

You also need to count in a bit of traffic coming in from Key when you are headed to Mt Rainier. You've got the Narrows Bridge (which is better now because there are two) and I-5 for a short way until you cut towards the mountain.

So, just try to keep these things in mind as you plan your trips out and about. Much better to be forewarned and plan for it than be caught up unexpectedly.

I know that you and your family will love the PNW!