We will be in Seattle in July and are thinking we want to do a daytrip to see the rain forest. I realize this will be a long day but since we will still be on east coast time we thought we'd be able to get a pretty early start. Can anybody give me some specific advice about this trip i.e. 1) is Hoh the best destination, 2) what's the best way to see the highlights once we get there, 3)is there a good place to stop for lunch on the way/around the rainforest, 4) best route to travel, etc.

I appreciate any advice I can get.

There are so many great day trips from Seattle that the one you have chosen in inexplicable. If you insist, the quickest way to go would be via Port Angeles (prepare for long waits for the ferry). There are many places to eat in Port Angeles. Beyond that the dining room at Lake Crescent Lodge is very good. There isn't much in Forks, but the Smokehouse (a local joint) is good for smoked fish. On the road to the Hoh Rainforest, The Hard Rain Cafe serves hamburgers; however, when we were there a couple weeks ago the owners told us the place is up for sale.

Abbyw,
Really, trust us Seattlites--the Hoh is not a daytrip. It's a great trip, but you should at least plan on spending the night near the Hoh, otherwise you'll be spending the entire time driving to and from it. As jimshep suggested, there are lots of great daytrips. If you want to get the feel of old growth rainforests in a daytrip, I'd suggest the Grove of the Patriachs in Mt.Rainer State Park, which is a daytrip (though IMO it would be better to spend at least one night at the lodge in Paradise.)

Thanks for the input. We are already planning on going to Mt. Ranier, St. Helens and the Columbia River Gorge (with 2 overnights for these 3 spots). My daughter had expressed a particular interest in the rainforest but it sounds like it might not be worth the drive. Any suggestions for a better daytrip to replace the rainforest trip?

Have done the Hoh from Seattle as a day-trip. It's very longgggg, but doable that time if year (when the days provide enough daylight hours to see it all). Caught an early (around 7 am) ferry from Seattle (no waits westbound that time of day), drove out to Port Angeles, up to Hurricane Ridge, then back down and along Lake Crescent out to the Hoh, followed by a quick stop at the ocean beaches (Ruby Beach & Kalaloch) then drove back and returned on the ferry around midnight. Though it's far from the ideal way to see this area, it is doable if you have a only a short stay here. You WILL be tired afterwards however (and the next day).

Also done a complete circle of the Olympics in one day. Brutal.

Ken

When you drive up the Columbia River Gorge you could continue your trip up Highway 97 which will provide you with wonderful views of Mt. Adams. If you like wineries, you could explore the great ones of the Yakima Valley mostly between Benton City and Yakima. You could stay in Yakima at the Oxford Suites on the Yakima River with breakfast. You could continue your drive through Vantage (which provides spectacular views of the Columbia) and up the remarkably scenic stretch of road between Soap Lake and Grand Coulee. From there you could drive to the ?Bavarian? village of Leavenworth for the night and return to Seattle crossing the Cascades on Route 2. Or, you could drive to Winthrop (staying at Sun Mountain Lodge if it?s available) and return to Seattle on the North Cascades Highway (Route 20).

Another excellent option would be to spend a night at Cannon Beach, exploring the state parks just north and south of that lovely town. If you do that, return to Seattle via Astoria, Willapa Bay, Raymond. Montesano, and Olympia (the capitol of WA where you can have a nice lunch at Anthony?s). The Cannon Beach-Seattle drive takes about four hours?not counting lunch.