My husband and I are planning a vacation to the Northwest in late August. The plan for now is to fly into Seattle on a Sunday, and then take a bus or train to Portland about mid-week. We'd probably be trying to stay at hostels, as opposed to hotels, unless they were kitchenettes.

We are a little torn because we would like to experience both cities, but we also really like the outdoors and natural sites, so we wonder if maybe we should go to one city and then experience the natural beauty of the area as well. I know day trips from each of the cities are possible, and we are willing to rent a car if necessary, even though we don't really WANT to rent a car.

We're fairly active, and enjoy short hikes and bike rides, but we're not the rock climbing or adventure backpacking type. We were considering trying to do an overnight in the San Juan Islands (Vashon Island at the hostel) as well.

Would those who've traveled to these cities before (or who live there) consider one to be "better" than the other? I'll have to add that we are both vegan and I've long considered Portland to be the Holy Grail of vegan restaurants, but I know Seattle offers a fair amount of pure veg restaurants, too.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

I can tell you up front that Vashon is not one of the San Juans...it is a bedroom community for Seattle; it is about 65 straight-line statute miles from the north end of Vashon to the south end of Lopez Island in the SJI. I'll leave the hiking/biking question to others.

Both are: great, have lots to do in the city, lots of great outdoor beauty and adventures just outside the city, and lots of vegan options. Both also have great public transit.

Pick one - not both. Either will be a very full week.

We did both in a week -spent 3 nights in Seattle and 2 in Portland. Really enjoyed touring the Columbia River Gorge area using Portland as the main base. We started in Seattle and drove down the Oregon coast and then through the forest to Portland - very pretty ride.

I think it depends on how serious you are about not really wanting to rent a car. If you're serious serious, visit both cities, or maybe just Seattle. If you don't mind renting a car (probably for several days), pick either, but not both.

I live in the Portland area, and can't imagine what I'd do here for a week without a car. In Seattle you've got more options. Besides exploring the city itself, you can hop on a ferry to lots of other places... San Juan Island.. Victoria even.

I say rent a car for either city, and pick just one area. Tons to do and around either place.

Thanks for the responses and a big oops on Vashon Island. I must have read the tour book too quickly. I think we may choose Seattle because my husband wants to go to Mt. Rainier and/or Olympic National Park.

I think we've decided on a split between the city and the outlying areas. We've done this before and it worked out well, so we'll see how it goes!

cancanant,

I would choose Olympic National Park - and stay over inside the park for one night. It's a bit much for a day trip.