Help me plan a Seattle area trip please
 

I've been to Seattle several times and think I've done most of the basics. I may stay with a friend or the Hotel Monaco in Seattle.

My destination is a 3 day kayak tour in the San Juans -
http://www.outdoorodysseys.com/

I hope to go in July.

I'd like to take a houseboat tour on Lake Union, but I'm concerned there won't be a minimum to book the tour -
http://www.discoverhouseboating.com/
I guess the alternative would be to kayak Lake Union.

I'd like to head over to Victoria after the kayak trip. I've stayed at the Empress before a couple of times. Wouldn't mind an alternative to consider.

I'm not sure I want to do Butchart Gardens again. I'm trying to remember the name of the really neat lodge on the end of Vancouver Island.

I've "done" the Olympic penisula and the locks and the LaConner area north of Seattle.

Can you think of something neat - not usually on the Tier 1 list of things to do in the area that you really loved and would do again?

Thanks for any and all ideas.
((*))

How about heading northeast to the Methow valley and spending a couple of nights at the fabulous Sun Mountain Lodge? The scenery on the North Cascades highway is stunning, and there is tons of outdoorsy stuff to do - hiking, golf, etc.

PS: I'm jealous of your kayak tour!

I LOVE the Methow river/valley area, but it's a 4 hour drive over that way. Stunningly gorgeous.

Have you been to Whidbey Island? I like the Captain Whidbey Inn there (though I confess it's been awhile).

For an easy day trip I always enjoy driving out to Snoqualmie Falls.

Oh, that's a great kayak trip--I've done that outfitter's one day trips a number of times but haven't done the 3 day yet. My best friend went a couple years ago and raved about it.

Have you been here since the Olympic Sculpture Park opened? And the Savor Seattle food tour of the Market is pretty neat.

I'm not a huge fan of the Empres, personally. My favorites in Victoria are the Laurel Point Inn and the Magnolia.

Are you thinking of the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino? That's on the middle of the far west coast not at the end of the island but it is pretty amazing (although personally I prefer the Middle Beach Lodge out there).

Agree with the suggestion of the North Cascades--in addition to the Sun Mountain Lodge, I like the Freestone Inn there.

Methow Valley sounds lovely. I don't mind a road trip. The lodge sounds gorgeous but is a bit pricey. I may be starting a new business venture upon my return so may have to be more conservative. Any other lodging ideas in the valley?

Whidbey sounds good. I've only done day trips to islands via the ferry. I've wanted to stay overnight since I saw the Ashley Judd movie where her husband is murdered on a sailboat. I loved the opening scenes of the home. I just checked at the filming location was Bowen Island. But, still....

I've skiied at Snoqualmie, but that's it. It was a spring conference and my customers were busy at a big event one night. So, I drove out for a night skiing package that included lift, rental and an hour group lesson for about $40. BUT, I was the only one that showed up so I had an hour private lesson with a ski instructor from Australia named Jake. It was a great night.

These are great ideas. I'm going to mapquest and google. More ideas welcomed.

I checked out the Magnolia based on tripadvisor reviews a couple of nights ago. You know...that late night- can't sleep - time to plan a trip kind of night.

Yes, it was the Wickinnish I was thinking of. I'll check out the alternative you suggest too.

I didn't know about the tasting tour. I loved the Foods of NY tour in Greenwich Village but the one I took in SF last month was AWFUL!!! I'll check this one out. And, it's been almost 10 years (egad! time flies!) since I've been to Seattle. Thanks for the sculpture garden idea.

Alternatives in the Methow area that are more moderately priced than Sun Mt or Freestone: Mazama Country Inn and Wolfridge Resort.

Tofino is a good 5 hour drive from Victoria so if you're going to go, IMO you need to go for at least 3 nights.

Yes, the food tour is pretty cool--I just did it last week and there's another review posted by beanweb24 I believe if you do a search on Savor Seattle.

The Seattle Art Museum just reopened after completing a major renovation and the new downtown library is worth a look for its architecture.

You could head to the coast? It's about a 3 hour drive from Seattle. Down to Olympia, take a right, over to Aberdeen, then beyond... Ocean Shores, Greylands, Long Beach, etc.

There's at least one more moderately priced hotel in Winthrop. Winthrop is done up as a Western cow-town - kind of silly but fun. Also check around Twisp.

Any recommendations for Friday Harbor?

If you're looking for something moderately priced but that still has some style, the Elements motel in Friday Harbor would be a good choice.

Starrs, our experience with the Wickaninnish was that the reality did not match up to the hype. Never again.

You sound like an active outdoors person so you might like to try biking on Vancouver Is -
havent done it but want to - Galloping Goose Trail

http://www.gallopinggoosetrail.com/

also on Vancouver Island is the Sooke Harbor House - very nice B&B

Okay. I'm pretty darn sure I'm going to book the kayak part of the trip (for July) at the end of the month. So, I'm topping this to get more ideas. When a good airfare pops up, I plan to grab it.

Help please with the transportation details. I need to get to Friday Harbor and I want to go to Victoria and I want to visit someone in Port Townsend. The order doesn't matter - I'm flexible. I can pick up a rental car in Seattle and drive to the areas I've not seen before mentioned here, return the car "somewhere" and use the ferry sans car from then on. I like the bike idea on Vancouver Island. Anyone up for planning the order and best ferry routing?

I wish I could get up to Cape Cod now to see the whales, but I'm determined to see orcas this summer in the San Juans :-)

We enjoyed touring the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery in Seattle. They have a summer concert series which is really fun - bring a blanket and some snacks and buy a bottle (or 2) of wine and relax under the stars.

...or should I say "relax under the starrs." (couldn't resist!)

I am jealous of your kayak tour.
Sounds like a great tour.

LOL, attnymom!

I'm so excited, Andrew. I tried to book it last year but the ONE non-negotiable work event conflicted. I really don't think that will happen this year.

Okay, I've figured out how to do the Anacortes - Friday Harbour - Sidney BC (Victoria) part of the ferry trip and keep the car. I've done it before so I can do it again. I just can't figure out where I was going or coming from the last time I was in Port Townsend.

So, the best I can figure is to go from Victoria to Port Angeles and then take the ferry from Port Townsend to Whidbey Island (stay at the recommended inn for a night or two) and then take the ferry on in to Seattle.

Does that sound right to "those in the know" or Fodorites familiar with the ferry options?

Please take lots of photo's. My wife and I would love to do a itinerary that your planning.

Geez, I am brand new at this. Not sure I am doing it right, but I am planning a trip to Seattle to go to a concert at the Gorge amphitheatre by Quincy. I am trying to figure out the best way to get from the Seattle-Tacoma airport to the Gorge