llilley

I found out I have a free flight so trying to hurry and book it before it expires. Where would be a good trip with enough to do for a week in August? Seattle area (and maybe Whistler) , Niagara Falls, or Boston and the Massachusetts coastline area? This is for a middle age couple that enjoys the outdoors.

starrs

Boston and Cape Cod

happytrailstoyou

This is for a middle age couple that enjoys the outdoors.

A week in Seattle could include a day trip to Mt. Rainier, a whale watching cruise to the San Juan Islands, and exploration of Olympic National Park.

HTtY

msteacher

While I love Boston and Cape Cod, I think you will have trouble finding a good place to stay on Cape Cod next month. Niagra Falls only has enough to do for a couple of days, but if you paired it with Toronto, that could make a nice week. But I think I will cast my vote for Seattle. A couple days in the city, and the rest of the time enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Whatever you choose, enjoy!

tomfuller

Either Seattle or Portland Oregon. I think our beaches will be a lot less crowded than Cape Cod.
See Mt. Rainier and Olympic National Parks. Also see part of the Oregon coast and the waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge east of Portland.

spirobulldog

Another vote for the Northwest.
Mt. Rainier, Olympics, San Juan Islands, and Seattle.

Or

Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, A bit of Oregon Coast, Columbia River Gorge, Fruit Loop, and Portland. Possibly might have enough time for Crater Lake too.

Either trip would be great

suze

The weather in the Pacific Northwest will be a lot nicer in August than back east/New England.

Ackislander

suze on Jul 11, 13 at 7:49pm
"The weather in the Pacific Northwest will be a lot nicer in August than back east/New England."

Huh? How are you defining "good weather"?

suze

Cooler, not as humid.

viewgirl

You can fly into Seattle--rent a car, and ferry it to Lake Crescent Lodge --(olympic national park) one of my very favorite national park lodges--and the best food ever---with beautiful views of mountains and lake----we combined this with a boat ride over to Vancouver Island to see Bouchert Gardens-----or

Fly into Seattle or Vancouver----spend a couple of days exploring Vancouver---such a cool town with tons to do--then drive one of the most beautiful drives anywhere---up to Whistler and spend a few days there--or

Fly into POrtland OR----when we went, we spent 2 nights in Columbia River Gorge, 2 nights in Bend, two nights at Crater Lake, 2 nights in Yachats---oregon coast-----then back to Portland with a winery/vineyard stop---they were all beautiful with LOTS of outdoor opportunities---more driving than the others, but each destination was different and such fun--we passed mt. hood---which you could stay, near, also

or Fly into Porland Maine----go to Bar Harbor--Acadia national park-----a wonderful place to vacation, especially for those who love the outdoors---lots to do

I loved every one of these trips---if you decide on one of them, I can give you places to stay, etc. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the suggestions----we traveled in July and had beautiful weather at each of these destinations---although i was worried about fog in Maine---but we had none The Pacific northwest is really beautiful in summer

suze

And no black flies.

HappyTrvlr

I've been in hurricanes in August so earlier in the month would be safer for New England.

viewgirl

when and where do you get the black flies---have never encountered them on a trip--oo that would be awful

Bobmrg

Near-total absence of bugs is one of the things I appreciate about living in the Pacific Northwest. We don't own a fly swatter and we don't have to slather ourselves with Deet or Off.

Having lived on the east coast, the Gulf coast, and the midwest, the absence of bugs is a real joy.

Ackislander

Seattle has thirty (30) more days of precipitation annually than Boston which has more than Paris which has more than London. Seattle has forty-one (41) more days of rain annually than London.

happytrailstoyou

On the average, Boston has 6.3 inches more rain than Seattle and in August Seattle has an average of .25 inches of rain compared to more than 3 inches in Boston.

Source--The Weather Channel

HTtY

suze

I should mention, I've lived both places (new england & PNW).

New Hampshire and Vermont is where I remember sometimes encountering bad black flies in the summertime out in the country.

I'm not debating the annual rainfall in Seattle, just saying I think it is more often, more pleasant here in August than back East (because of temps, humidity, and bugs if you're planning to be outdoors in the countryside).

Lmw_20

I would pick Cape Cod, you would not be sorry you did. If you are going more toward the last half of August you would have know problem finding a place to stay.
I live on the east coast and the humidity has been bad I have to admit, and it is hot, hot, hot. I love going to the Cape because most times it is cooler. As for the flies, where I live it depends if the wind is off the land. We have not had much trouble in NJ with the flies.
Enjoy!

llilley

You all have been super! I never dreamed I would get 17 replies! We have made reservations to fly to Seattle because we decided to do the East coast sometime in the fall. Now our question is to go north and take in Whistler or see the sights around Portland area? (Of course after seeing Seattle area) We will be there 6 days. There seems a lot to do as far as outdoor activities in the Northwest. Any suggestions which direction holds more beauty and activities?

Gardyloo

I think there are many alternates to Whistler that won't require long drives and a likely long queue at the border. If, however, you want to spend some time in Vancouver, the train from Seattle is inexpensive, scenic and hassle-free.

Or, you can do Mount Rainier in a day, travel to Whidbey or even the San Juan Islands; tour Seattle's lakes and parks...

With one or two nights you can travel to Olympic National Park and see the amazing beaches and rain forest valleys on the Pacific coastal strip of the national park, followed by alpine scenery at Hurricane Ridge the next day.

Or travel to Mount St. Helens en route to Portland. Spend the night in the Portland area and visit the amazing Columbia Gorge with its many waterfalls, or head up to Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood. Or head a little south from Portland to the vineyards and wineries of the Willamette Valley.

And as cities go, Seattle and Portland aren't too shabby either.

Your problem will be choosing between the many choices and deciding what to save for the next time, because there will be one.