"Personally, I love the ferry across to Vancouver island, but it does consume about a half day, between the ride itself plus having to get lined up in advance (it will be a busy time when you are there). That's just one way. I'd recommend against it."

I love the ferry too. It wouldn't be a waste of time if you spent the night in Victoria - which I think you should do. Then you could take another ferry over to Vancouver and take the train back to Seattle.

That would give you TWO ferry rides, an overnight in Victoria, transportation to Vancouver AND the train ride for your son. :-)

We were in Seattle in August this year and Vancouver last year. We were in Vancouver on Canada Day and the atmosphere was fantastic.

The Museum of Flight just south of Seattle only 30 min or so drive if I remember is a must and the kids would love it. Also a visit to the Space Needle.

A visit to Pike Market is also a must with the Flying Fish. Good fun although these guys are trying to make a living trying to sell fish and us tourists just stand there waiting for the flying fish and to take photos....

We also went across to Bainbridge Island. A short ferry trip and a nice place, although probably nothing much for the kids etc. good ice cream.

We also loved Mt. Rainier - the scenery is stunning just like Scotland where we are from only bigger!!

In Vancouver Grouse Mountain is a good trip with some shows at the top e.g. lumberjack show which the kids would enjoy. We didn't do the suspension bridge.

We also did a day trip to Victoria. We took the bus and ferry which takes about 3 hours in total each way if I remember. It was a very long day and we didn't have that long in Victoria. Butchart Gardens are amazing but kids may get fed up there. We personally like Victoria - very colonial but if we were going back we would have an overnight there.

If you only have a few days then I would miss Victoria this time round. Plenty to do in Seattle and Vancouver.

I personally preferred Vancouver to Seattle but thoroughly enjoyed them both as they are quite difference.

Well, here's an imaginary itinerary for you to consider, modify, reject...

25-Jun. Arrive SEA, hotel. Afternoon to Seattle Center, ride the Ducks. The Ducks are corny and a lot of fun, but more importantly they'll give you the lay of the land in our watery city. http://www.ridetheducksofseattle.com/

26-Jun. Morning to Pike market, then central waterfront to water taxi, Alki beach, back and crash.

27-Jun. Day trip to Whidbey Island via Mukilteo ferry - Langley, Deception Pass. Here's your ferry ride, cute Langley, stop at marvelous Fort Casey - the kids will have a blast, then Deception Pass - the narrow gap between Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands - is stunning. If you're lucky you'll be there when the tide is changing - an awesome sight from the beach level or the bridge level. You'll also pass the Boeing Everett factory, biggest building in the world. Map - http://goo.gl/maps/yUxV1 Mukilteo lighthouse and ferry - http://gardyloo.us/20140531_3Ha.jpg

28-Jun. AM Museum of Flight, PM Pioneer Square/Uwajimaya. Get a feel for two faces of Seattle - aerospace and its prominent role on the Pacific Rim. The MoF is (IMO) just behind the Smithsonian for air/space museums, wonderful for kids, and Uwajimaya is a local gem - play "name that vegetable" in the produce section, shop for cool/weird Japanese snacks, grab a bite in the nice little Asian food court. http://www.museumofflight.org/ http://www.uwajimaya.com/stores/seattle

29-Jun. Early train to Vancouver, leave bags at hotel, Stanley Park incl. aquarium. The Vancouver aquarium is a knockout. Walk around Stanley Park - so much to see.

30-Jun. Day at Grouse Mtn, Lynn canyon.

1-Jul. Canada Day - day in Vancouver - kayaking? Fireworks at night.

2-Jul. Day trip to Whistler, gondola ride, back to Vancouver and pack. The road to Whistler (the Sea to Sky Highway) is one of the most beautiful roads in North America, and summer at Whistler has many activities. It's well worth the day.

3-Jul. Depart YVR early

Like I said, just one of many options.

Sounds like a great plan. The only change I'd make would be to make Pike market the first stop. Watch the flying fish. Wander a bit. Grab something to eat - either a meal or snacks from the market.

THEN off to the ducks!

Great timing for Canada Day! We were there for the fireworks and celebration. My mom asked what the occasion was. My answer? Our arrival! :-)

Enjoy. It sounds like a great day.

Actually, we were in Victoria on Victoria Day.
Similar excitement. ;)

I wouldn't change a think. Gardyloo's proposed itinerary is excellent!

<i>The only change I'd make would be to make Pike market the first stop. Watch the flying fish. Wander a bit. Grab something to eat - either a meal or snacks from the market. </i>

In June-August mobs of cruise passengers and other visitors makes the market insanely crowded after around 10:30 AM, and the crush makes it extremely kid-unfriendly. I would never recommend families with kids visit the market at that time, it's really nuts. It's ideal for breakfast, on the other hand, as you can watch the merchants set up, get a decent meal, and then just walk down the stairs to the central waterfront to continue the tour.

That makes sense.

It's my favorite place so it's always my first stop - even if I just glance at the pig, watch the flying fish for a few minutes and head up to the second floor of the Athenian to grab a seat in front of the windows to watch the ferries and boats while I eat. That's my "I'm back in Seattle" routine.

It makes sense not to take a tour then or to try to navigate the rest of the market.