volcanogirl

Thanks, everyone - this all really helps a lot. Some other friends mentioned going to Victoria. It looks really beautiful. What is there to do there? Would it be good for whale watching in September?

suze

Victoria is a "quaint" small European-ish town. People go to tea at the Empress. Butchart Gardens* is nearby. Stroll around the shops in town, have lunch, like that.

I think the most fun part is that you go on the Victoria Clipper ferry round-trip. Sorry don't know about whales. I live here (Seattle) and have never seen one -lol.

*check out this funny story i came across when checking on how to spell the name:
http://www.king5.com/news/victorian-...tire/299962836

suze

I also thought Snoqualmie Falls was about an hour? It's definitely worth doing if you have a rental car.

volcanogirl

Okay, I'm putting Snoqualmie on the list. We are going to rent a car. Any other things we should see in that area? Is the Salish Lodge that you mentioned a good place to eat lunch? Looks like it has some nice views.

I really like the sound of Victoria and think that would be fun for a night. Suze, I can't believe you haven't seen whales lol. We thought about going to San Juan Island, but looks like Victoria might be more our speed with the pretty gardens, etc. and a better use of our time.

suze

hmmm... i haven't eaten at Salish Lodge in a long time, but I'm sure it would be very nice. The walk down to the falls is a short easy trail. I'm not sure what high-lights would be, but it's a pretty drive out that way.

Yup... no whales, sorry. Not here, or in Mexico or Hawaii either. But I haven't really tried

San Juan islands are more about nature I think.

Victoria is a fun town for walking, eating, shopping, browsing, kicking around. You don't need a car there. The Clipper is a passenger ferry from downtown Seattle that drops you off right in the center of town. I think you take a bus out to the Gardens? Again I was only there once when I had guests in town who wanted to go, so I'm no expert but it was a nice time.

Fodorite018

FWIW, our DD lives in Seattle (Ballard) and met us at Snoqualmie and it only took her about 30 minutes, and that was on a day that was absolutely dumping rain. It was a weekend, so no commuter traffic, but traffic was slow with the rain. It took us just as long to get back to Redmond that day. That said, yes, traffic can be bad, but just not always. It can be very hit or miss.

BTW, the Space Needle does have tickets that help you avoid the line. I can't remember what they call it exactly, but it is basically like a fast pass. We used that when my mom came to visit so she didn't have to stand around for too long. Still, if it is a busy time, there will be some wait, even with the pass, but not near as bad as it can be without it.

Victoria is nice. If you are looking for a place to stay besides the Empress, take a look at Abigail's. It is about a 5 minute walk to the inner harbor. We had a great stay there years ago, but it still gets great reviews. Tea at the Empress is very good. If you do that, you will NOT need another meal that day, trust me, lol! DD and I did that while the guys were fishing one day and really enjoyed it. Butchart Gardens are beautiful. We did that one morning then did a float plane ride that afternoon, which included going over the gardens. That was fun to see them from another perspective!

Gardyloo

There are several whale chasing operations out of Victoria, and numerous others from various places north of Seattle, including the San Juans, Port Townsend and Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula.

The Victoria Clipper takes around three hours in each direction and isn't cheap, but downtown Victoria - around the Inner Harbour - is quite picturesque, albeit very packed with tourists including cruise ship passengers making port calls. Butchart Gardens is some distance outside of town, and while very nice is also quite expensive to visit. If gardens are of interest there are nice ones closer to Seattle that would take less time and less money to visit. Google "Bloedel Reserve" - a marvelous garden complex on Bainbridge Island, and while you're at it, google "Poulsbo," a cute little town on the Kitsap Peninsula (just over a bridge from Bainbridge) which is VERY proud of its Scandinavian heritage. A day's outing on the ferry from Seattle to the Bloedel Reserve, lunch in Poulsbo, and/or maybe dinner at Doc's Grill overlooking Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge, followed by a sunset ferry back to Seattle - is a terrific way to spend a day.

The Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls is quite expensive and while good, not spectacularly so. I'd allocate 45 min. in each direction from Seattle to the falls.

volcanogirl

It looks like Salish Lodge has a casual restaurant called The Attic that might be up our alley - pizzas, salad, etc., a little more affordable than the swankier dining room.

Victoria looks gorgeous - thanks for all the tips on that area.

volcanogirl

Thanks for all the tips on the Space Needle and Chihuly. I'm excited about those.

I saw some photos of wildflowers at Mt. Rainier - does anyone know when those bloom? Do you think they would still be blooming in September? It looked beautiful. I think we might be a little late for that.

Gardyloo

Do you think they would still be blooming in September? It looked beautiful. I think we might be a little late for that.

Probably too late. Here's the NPS wildflower page - https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvis...wer-status.htm

That doesn't mean a drive to Mt. Rainier for the day isn't terrific. Drive past Paradise on the Stevens Canyon Road to the reflection lakes for views like this - http://gardyloo.us/20120903_677s.JPG

For a longer day trip, but one that will stick in your head forever, think about Picture Lake and Artist Point on the Mount Baker Highway. This is arguably the best view in all of the North Cascades, e.g. http://images.summitpost.org/original/880590.jpg

Map - https://goo.gl/maps/fQsZR2DGjLu

suze

There's also a nice 'snack bar' near-ish the parking lot at Snoqualmie Falls/Salish lodge. There's a good souvenir shop too!

Sorry don't know for sure about wild flowers on Rainier.

volcanogirl

A friend sent me this article on ways to travel between Seattle, Victoria, and Vancouver. It may help someone else too if this thread resurfaces at some point.

http://www.seattletimes.com/life/tra...icle_title_1.1

volcanogirl

Thanks, Gardyloo - that's a great website to have!

volcanogirl

suze, glad to know about the snack bar and the gift shop - that's great. Does the parking lot fill up there or usually pretty easy to get parking?


Thank you so much for all the help, everyone. I wish I could add on another week.

suze

hmmm... honestly I haven't been out to the Falls in years, but I don't recall any parking problem the times I visited.

Gardyloo

Does the parking lot fill up there or usually pretty easy to get parking?

You bet it fills up. Use the upper lot, or, better, come on a weekday.

Fodorite018

Yes the parking lot definitely fills up! As you approach it, if you see parking spots along the side on your right grab one.

Kathie

Suze, I was surprised to read that you have never seen whales. I've often seen them from the ferry in the San Juans - mostly in the winter. And we see them every year in Kauai. Volcano Girl, remember that whether you see whales depends a lot on luck - so you might take a whale-watching tour and not see any. But just being out on the water can be very pleasant.

If you love gardens, I would still encourage you to consider the Butchart Gardens. I've been there a number of times and it is always lovely. The Bloedel Reserve is well worth your time as well.

Obviously, there is so much to do and see, you'll have to pick and choose.

suze

I live an urbanlife , Kathie. I've been on a San Juans ferry exactly once in my life. When I leave the city it's to head to SeaTac for trips to Europe, Caribbean, Mexico, or Hawaii (or drive down to see my family in Oregon).

My outdoor exploring time in the PNW has been more North Cascades area. I have seen bears ;-)

Whales just aren't a big interest for me so I've never made the effort to try and see them.

volcanogirl

Yes, Butchart Gardens looks amazing. I would love to go there if we can fit it into our schedule. Thanks for all the information on the falls too.

Has anyone ever eaten at Von's 1,000 Spirits? I saw that on one of the food tour websites, and it looks like a spot my husband would like. Do you guys give it the thumbs up? He also wants to go to Serious Pie.