Olympic Peninsula in 1 day? Feasible?
Oct 23rd, 2003, 10:18 PM
#1
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Olympic Peninsula in 1 day? Feasible?
Hi,
I'll arrive at Tacoma airport on 1st of Nov. at 5 p.m. I have 1 day to spend visit a (good) place near Seattle (I have already been downtown several time...). Is it feasible to drive along the Olympic peninsula and return back to the airport in 1 day? We can drive a couple of hours Saturday evening and all day Sunday. Is It a good idea? If yes, have you any suggestion on where to stop and get an hotel for the night? Which is the best route to reach the peninsula? Is it a "scenic drive"?
Grazie, thanks fol your help.
Arrivederci.
Gianni (Milan, Italy)
I'll arrive at Tacoma airport on 1st of Nov. at 5 p.m. I have 1 day to spend visit a (good) place near Seattle (I have already been downtown several time...). Is it feasible to drive along the Olympic peninsula and return back to the airport in 1 day? We can drive a couple of hours Saturday evening and all day Sunday. Is It a good idea? If yes, have you any suggestion on where to stop and get an hotel for the night? Which is the best route to reach the peninsula? Is it a "scenic drive"?
Grazie, thanks fol your help.
Arrivederci.
Gianni (Milan, Italy)
Oct 24th, 2003, 09:56 AM
#2
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The crossing on the ferry is scenic but the good stuff on the Olympic peninsula is off the beaten path. Hitting the high spots in one day is really pushing it. Consider instead a loop drive taking Route 2 over Stevens Pass to Leavenworth and then down 97 over Blewett Pass and back to Seattle on 90 over Snoqualmie Pass.
Oct 24th, 2003, 11:41 AM
#3
If you leave the airport at around 6 PM (allowing for luggage and car paperwork) you can be in Port Townsend by 8:30 or so without using the ferry - south from the airport on Interstate 5 to State Hwy 16, across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, then up the east side of the Olympic Peninsula on Hwy 3 and US 101 to Port Townsend. You will be driving at night the whole way, and possibly in the rain. However, the next day you will be able to visit Hurricane Ridge in Olympic NP and still have time to return to Seattle via the Whidbey Island or Bainbridge Island ferries, a scenic day (again depending on weather.) The good news is that the extended weather forecast is for "partly cloudy" (meaning mostly cloudy but dry) conditions for next weekend. If you believe the forecasts.
Two other possibilities come to mind if you don't mind driving a little at night. First is Mt. Rainier, which is relatively easy to get to from the Seattle airport (allow an hour and a half to Paradise Lodge.)
The second possibility is a bit farther (around 3 hours drive but worth it) and that is to McMenamin's Edgefield located in Troutdale, Oregon, on the west edge of the Columbia Gorge. McMenamin's is a very fun and interesting place, a hotel, brewery, winery, cinema... and more... complex made out of the old Poor Farm for Multnomah County. (See www.mcmenamins.com.) You wouldn't get there until after 9, but things will still be going strong on Saturday night, and it's freeway all the way, so not much driving challenge.
The next day, you can visit the amazing Columbia river gorge, with waterfalls (lots and lots of water in November), and wonderful autumn vistas. The drive back to Seattle is easy at the end of the day.
On that note, if you fancy the Gorge, and can still change your flights, consider flying into Portland, getting a one-way rental, and driving the 10 minutes from Portland to the Edgefield. Then drop the car in Seattle when you've driven up.
Two other possibilities come to mind if you don't mind driving a little at night. First is Mt. Rainier, which is relatively easy to get to from the Seattle airport (allow an hour and a half to Paradise Lodge.)
The second possibility is a bit farther (around 3 hours drive but worth it) and that is to McMenamin's Edgefield located in Troutdale, Oregon, on the west edge of the Columbia Gorge. McMenamin's is a very fun and interesting place, a hotel, brewery, winery, cinema... and more... complex made out of the old Poor Farm for Multnomah County. (See www.mcmenamins.com.) You wouldn't get there until after 9, but things will still be going strong on Saturday night, and it's freeway all the way, so not much driving challenge.
The next day, you can visit the amazing Columbia river gorge, with waterfalls (lots and lots of water in November), and wonderful autumn vistas. The drive back to Seattle is easy at the end of the day.
On that note, if you fancy the Gorge, and can still change your flights, consider flying into Portland, getting a one-way rental, and driving the 10 minutes from Portland to the Edgefield. Then drop the car in Seattle when you've driven up.
Oct 24th, 2003, 06:28 PM
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There are also some other nice day trips from Seattle that might work for you--Stevens Pass area around the city of Index--great hiking and waterfalls right off the freeway (exit 39 off hwy. 2) and also Snoqualmie Pass, especially Twin Falls--a bit of a hike--make sure you take the steps down to see the falls as well as the view from above(exit 34 off of I90) and also Snoqualmie Falls by the Salish Lodge. Washington State has a great website--maybe run a goggle search. But like others have indicated, Olympic Peninsula is quite a long drive for the amount of time you have and you really can see other great sites much closer to where you'll be(providing the weather continues as it has been today--gorgeous!)
Hope you have a great trip! The fall colors are absolutely beautiful now.
Hope you have a great trip! The fall colors are absolutely beautiful now.
Oct 26th, 2003, 11:56 AM
#5
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Thanks.
I have already seen both Mt. Rainer and Columbia river gorge in previous visits...
If we (I come with a Colleague) decide to drive about three hourd is it better to ariive in Port Townsend or in Sequim? Is it easy to find a motel there? How long is the cruise with the Whidbey Island or Bainbridge Island ferries and where they arrive (can I get info over Internet?).
Again grazie.
Ciao.
Gianni P.
I have already seen both Mt. Rainer and Columbia river gorge in previous visits...
If we (I come with a Colleague) decide to drive about three hourd is it better to ariive in Port Townsend or in Sequim? Is it easy to find a motel there? How long is the cruise with the Whidbey Island or Bainbridge Island ferries and where they arrive (can I get info over Internet?).
Again grazie.
Ciao.
Gianni P.
Oct 26th, 2003, 12:38 PM
#6
The time to Port Townsend v. Sequim is the same. You shouldn't have any difficulty in finding accommodation in either place, although Port Townsend tends to attract more bed-and-breakfast traffic at the weekend. Since you'll just be sleeping and will be going on in the morning, I'd probably pick Sequim for the convenience of being on the main road.
There are two ferries serving Whidbey Island. The first connects to the mainland via Mukilteo, around 25 min. north of Seattle, 20 min. crossing. The other ferry connects Whidbey Island to Port Townsend, and leaves from Keystone, around half way up the island.
The Bainbridge Island ferry departs from the central Seattle waterfront and crosses to/from Bainbridge Island, from which highways and bridges connect to the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas. The Bainbridge crossing is around 35 minutes, and is exceptionally scenic as you approach/depart Seattle. The Bainbridge ferry runs every 40-60 min. on weekends; the Mukilteo ferry around every 30 min., and the Port Townsend ferry much less frequently. Go to http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/index.cfm for all the information on ferry routes and schedules.
There are two ferries serving Whidbey Island. The first connects to the mainland via Mukilteo, around 25 min. north of Seattle, 20 min. crossing. The other ferry connects Whidbey Island to Port Townsend, and leaves from Keystone, around half way up the island.
The Bainbridge Island ferry departs from the central Seattle waterfront and crosses to/from Bainbridge Island, from which highways and bridges connect to the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas. The Bainbridge crossing is around 35 minutes, and is exceptionally scenic as you approach/depart Seattle. The Bainbridge ferry runs every 40-60 min. on weekends; the Mukilteo ferry around every 30 min., and the Port Townsend ferry much less frequently. Go to http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/index.cfm for all the information on ferry routes and schedules.
Oct 27th, 2003, 11:09 AM
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Is the Bainbridge Island Ferry ride a "smooth ride"? I am susceptible to motion sickness and am trying to decide whether to travel from SeaTac to Port Angeles by the ferry or simply drive there. Any thoughts for this "white-knuckler"?
Oct 27th, 2003, 12:34 PM
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Sequim is a little further out than PT from Tacoma (we used to make the drive from Vancouver, WA, about every other week-end).
Port Townsend does have a few non B & B places to consider--Swan Inn and the Harborside Motor Inn--are two that come to mind.
Port Townsend doesn't have the dramatic mountain scenery you get over at Hurricane Ridge, but it's scenic in its own way. Chetzemoka Park in "uptown" (up the hill from Water Street, the main street in town) is a nice place to relax and take in the clean air. The Swan Inn is right at the edge of Water Street, next to the marina, and very "atmospheric". Another advantage that PT has over Sequim is that you can walk to all the restaurants and shops from your motel. In Sequim (pronounced "skwim", in case you didn't know).
By the way, if you're in Sequim and it's raining, you might be able to do some fossil hunting. You turn right at the Les Schwab tire store, take the road til it dead ends, then turn right and drive to the beach. Walk along the beach and keep your eyes open! It's famous among the locals (and among fossil hunters) for fossil hunting after a rainstorm.
BTilke--former Olympic Peninsula resident now living in Europe and working with that big Italian radiopharma company in Lambrate ;-)
Port Townsend does have a few non B & B places to consider--Swan Inn and the Harborside Motor Inn--are two that come to mind.
Port Townsend doesn't have the dramatic mountain scenery you get over at Hurricane Ridge, but it's scenic in its own way. Chetzemoka Park in "uptown" (up the hill from Water Street, the main street in town) is a nice place to relax and take in the clean air. The Swan Inn is right at the edge of Water Street, next to the marina, and very "atmospheric". Another advantage that PT has over Sequim is that you can walk to all the restaurants and shops from your motel. In Sequim (pronounced "skwim", in case you didn't know).
By the way, if you're in Sequim and it's raining, you might be able to do some fossil hunting. You turn right at the Les Schwab tire store, take the road til it dead ends, then turn right and drive to the beach. Walk along the beach and keep your eyes open! It's famous among the locals (and among fossil hunters) for fossil hunting after a rainstorm.
BTilke--former Olympic Peninsula resident now living in Europe and working with that big Italian radiopharma company in Lambrate ;-)
Oct 27th, 2003, 12:36 PM
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Oops, I meant to say that in Sequim you have to drive to most places. PT has some good restaurants, particularly Khu Larb for Thai and Sentosa for Japanese (for more info, check www.ptguide.com)
Oct 27th, 2003, 11:13 PM
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Last question... If we decide to do something more "quite" and go from the airport to Bellevue, sleep there and take a one day trip on Sunday from Bellevue: which is the best tour that you suggest (from 8 / 9 am to the evening) to see good places and the fall colors.... ??? Can we rent the car for 1 day in Bellevue or we have to go to Seattle?
Last GRAZIE to all of you.
Ciao.
Gianni P.
Last GRAZIE to all of you.
Ciao.
Gianni P.
Oct 28th, 2003, 08:54 PM
#14
The forecast for this weekend is for clear but cold; there may well be snow in the lower mountain passes such as Stevens.
Two daytrip routes come to mind. First, take State Hwy 9 north from Bothell to the junction of SR 20 near Burlington. This is a lovely rural road with good autumn color. Take SR 20 west to Oak Harbor, then follow SR 526 down the length of Whidbey Island to the ferry to Mukilteo, then by freeway return to Bellevue. Stop in Coupeville and Langley on Whidbey. This route is also excellent in reverse. Note the Mukilteo ferry dock may have been damaged by high seas in a freak storm tonight - check before you go.
The other option is to drive to Tacoma, visit the excellent new art museum and/or Museum of Glass, including Dale Chihuly's Bridge of Glass, then continue to the Ruston ferry and over to the south end of Vashon Island. Drive up the length of Vashon (a gorgeous rural island with many good views of Mt. Rainier over the water) to the ferry to Fauntleroy in west Seattle, then by freeway back to Bellevue. Also a good route in reverse. Both itineraries make for comfortable day trips with plenty of scenery and diversity.
Two daytrip routes come to mind. First, take State Hwy 9 north from Bothell to the junction of SR 20 near Burlington. This is a lovely rural road with good autumn color. Take SR 20 west to Oak Harbor, then follow SR 526 down the length of Whidbey Island to the ferry to Mukilteo, then by freeway return to Bellevue. Stop in Coupeville and Langley on Whidbey. This route is also excellent in reverse. Note the Mukilteo ferry dock may have been damaged by high seas in a freak storm tonight - check before you go.
The other option is to drive to Tacoma, visit the excellent new art museum and/or Museum of Glass, including Dale Chihuly's Bridge of Glass, then continue to the Ruston ferry and over to the south end of Vashon Island. Drive up the length of Vashon (a gorgeous rural island with many good views of Mt. Rainier over the water) to the ferry to Fauntleroy in west Seattle, then by freeway back to Bellevue. Also a good route in reverse. Both itineraries make for comfortable day trips with plenty of scenery and diversity.
