I'm making a trip to Portland for Thanksgiving. Since I'll be there all week, we're thinking it would be fun to pop up to Seattle for a few days. I've been to both cities a number of times, but have never driven the coast in Washington. Is it feasible, or am I just wasting away extra time that could be spent in Seattle? I'll be stopping in Tacoma on the way back to see the new glass museum, so it will be Hwy 5 on the way back. Any help would be great! Places to stop along the way...a restaurant to eat lunch...etc.

Topping for Dean. Maybe Wendy, lcuy, or jfsevy might be able to help. What ever happened to idsant? I miss her advice.

It might be crummy weather, but you can drive out to the coast, up and around the Olympic Peninsula on US 101, then ferry into Seattle. This would require an overnight en route; it can be lovely and stormy out on the coast; be advised that most "storm watching" hotels etc. on the coast fill up around Thanksgiving, so don't assume you'll be able to waltz into someplace nice without pre-planning.

Alternatively you can take I-5 north to Olympia, then follow the west side of Puget Sound to Bremerton, and ferry in from there. This trip would require around 6 hours. You can return by I-5 to Portland via Tacoma.

Remember also the days are short so touring needs to managed accordingly.

I live in southwest Washington, and personally I wouldn't drive along the Washington coast because I don't think there is all that much to see, at least in the southern part of Washington. If you want to do something involving water, take a ferry through the San Juans (always spectacular) or take a ferry from Seattle to Polsbo and then drive over to Port Townsend (old Victorian homes there), or take the Express Clipper from Seattle to Victoria B.C. and spend the day there.

Dean, unfortunatly I always take I5 to/from Portland- Seattle as the coast is far. I will be in the Portland area for Thanksgiving too. It is only 1 of 2 times that most of the wineries in the northern Willamette Valley are open. You may want to check some out if you like wine- 30 mins. west of Portland.

http://www.yamhillwine.com/index.htm

Thanks for the advice. Looks like we might just stick with the 5 for this trip.

Wendy: Might run into you at the wineries. I attend the Thanksgiving weekend open houses most years. I need to pick up my Ken Wright Cellar cases and buy my futures for next year. If you haven't tried them yet, try and make your way out to Carlton.

KW is on our list of must stops as we have heard nothing but fantastic things! You'll know if you run into us because my boyfriend is 6'6" and hard to miss! haha!

While in Portland check out the Pearl District. If you like glass you should definitely go to the BullsEye Gallery. Two recommednations while in Portland..The Spice Box and (I think this is it) The Blue hour. Both are good food in great atmosphere. I'd take 5 and close my eyes as much as possible until you hit Seattle.