Hi there!

My partner and I are traveling up to the Seattle area at the end of September and am trying to squeeze the most out of the experience in the 5 days that we'll have. I'm putting together a Google Map of places to see/things to do (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1a8OdoKQK9wEbiZolmDZC6tvABXkMzXiI&usp=sharing) and would love input or advice on this trip. Currently we have a hotel secured near the Space Needle for 9/28-10/1. We're starting in Seattle on the night of 9/28 and flying out of Portland on 10/3, so we need to get from Seattle to Portland -- but should we rent a car? Take the train?

So looking forward to your thoughts!
Cheers!

I notice that most of the things you are interested in are IN Seattle, and you really don't want to have a car in the city (parking is scarce and expensive). So while you are exploring in Seattle, I'd suggest no car. Then you want to visit Mt. Rainier and you will obviously need a car for that. You also list a number of the islands in the Sound - Vashon, Bainbridge, Whidbey and farther afield, San Juan Island. Frankly, you have too much listed. You'll need to set priorities. I'd say that San Juan Island is not a realistic day trip from Seattle. I'm not sure why you would visit Bainbridge Island, it's simply a superb of Seattle. Likewise, Vashon is a Seattle suburb, but it has more rural flavor. Whidbey is the island out of your list that seems like an interesting and do-able day trip.

I'd tend to take the train from Seattle to Portland - make sure you get the Amtrak Cascades train, not the Coast Starlight. You would need to rent a car to see Cannon Beach and Multnomah Falls. I notice you don't have any places in Portland that you want to visit. Would it make more sense for you to cut out Portland and spend all of your time in Washington - you already have more listed in Washington than you could accomplish in 5 days.

Depending on what time your flight leaves Portland, you really only have four full days and a bit, of which two (and a bit) will be in Seattle, so unfortunately you're not going to be able to accomplish half the things on your wish list.

With that little time, I'd limit myself to activities right in Seattle. Some of the places on your list - Mt. Rainier, Cannon Beach etc. - are simply too far to access, and if you did your time there would be too limited to enjoy things at all. I'd get a car in order to save time trying to manage public transportation and/or Ubers around town, and I'd use it to travel to Portland when you head south.

Here's a rough calendar that I'd consider.

9/28 - (Arrive)
9/29 - Tour city sights - Pike Place market, Seattle Center, waterfront, Fremont/Ballard/Lake Union. I'd add Fishermen's Terminal and the Ballard locks to your list.
9/30 - Island day trip - either Kitsap/Whidbey or Vashon loops. Map (Kitsap/Whidbey) - https://goo.gl/maps/BRrX9G89qnT2 (Vashon) - https://goo.gl/maps/F4SJSeqpAzH2
10/1 - Drive to Portland area. If weather permits (dicey) go via Johnston Ridge at Mt. St. Helens. Map - https://goo.gl/maps/24Z86dQr3oC2
10/2 - Day in Columbia River Gorge - Latourell Falls, Vista House, Multnomah Falls, Hood River, Timberline Lodge. Map - https://goo.gl/maps/nm7MEDPzN4n
10/3 - Day in Portland until departure

Google the places shown on the maps.

Thanks, Kathie.

Sorry, I should have been more clear. The map I made are from recommendations from friends, but I really don't know what is best to see/do in the time we have. We are flying out of Portland so whether we do anything there or not, we have to get there before 10/3, but the reason there aren't many things listed is just because I haven't gotten suggestions (yet) Even the islands listed are just suggestions; mapping them out I can see they're pretty far away. Getting a mix of urban touristy things (my bf definitely wants to check out some of the tiki-ish bars) and nature things (e.g., Mt. Rainier or other options) would satisfy both of our interests.

Thanks, Gardyloo.
Our flight leaves PDX around 4pm (so I'm guessing we need to get to the airport by... 2:30?). Your maps are so great! Thanks!!

The problems with Mt. Rainier are that it's a 2 1/2 hour drive, the odds are better than 50-50 that by the end of September things will be socked in, and since you'd only have weekend days available, you're also likely to encounter traffic delays at the park entrance and at some of the visitor centers. In my plan I included Mt. St. Helens, spectacular in its own right, and Mt. Hood. Mt. Hood isn't a national park and indeed Mt. Rainier is more spectacular close up, but Mt. Hood is much more convenient and can easily be included in a day that also covers the Columbia River Gorge and the Hood River Valley, both of which are "must-sees" in my book.

I've modified the "conventional" Whidbey "loop" drive to include the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, then a drive up to Victorian Port Townsend on the Olympic peninsula before crossing to Whidbey on the Port Townsend - Whidbey ferry (for which reservations are advised on the weekends; none of the other ferries accept reservations - WSDOT - Ferries ) This will add to the overall length of the trip, so it's a full day, but a rewarding one.

I recommend a car for Seattle even though you'll have to pay for parking here and there. With your list and time availability it's just for convenience, as some of your destinations in the city are a bit far-flung and you'd spend a lot of time on buses or a lot of money in cabs. Traffic will be big-city typical but not crushing.

I'd go ahead and get a car. Your time is so short and you have so many ideas of things you might want to see. It's the most efficient way to get to Portland, and since you need to end up there... well I'd rent a car right from SeaTac, returning to PDX.
It seems kinda crazy to go all the way to Portland for a flight home, without seeing anything there, but I guess the plane tickets are booked?
Basically this seems like at least a two week trip so with only 5 days, I'd follow Gardyloo's always spot on suggestion.
~suze

Gardy is spot on.

FWIW, I think parking in Seattle is quite easy.

Parking in Seattle is quite easy IF you resign yourself to using a parking garage. If you want on-street parking, good luck. The city fathers have sold their souls to the bicycle crowd, and there are now bike lanes where parking used to be.

I like Gardyloo's plan.

One thing to point out: If you really did want to see Mount Rainier, the way that Gardyloo has built the itinerary, you could choose to go there for the day and then drive down to Portland instead of seeing Mount Saint Helens. A few days before your trip, check the Mount Rainier website and the weather.com site, maybe post here (?) a couple of days before.

Just giving you the option. I think St. Helens is a fascinating place and has quite the story, so you can't go wrong with that.

Thank you all so much! We'll obviously need to make another trip up this way again to get it all in, but your recommendations are really helpful to planning this (short) trip!!