My husband and I are planning a trip to Seattle and vicinity the end of October for 5 days. We are interested in spending a few days exploring Seattle and doing nights in
the Orcas or San Juan islands. Which islands do you prefer and why? Any recommendations for bed and breakfasts? Do we need a car in the islands? Do we need a car for any of the places we'll be visiting as side trips or are there tours/ buses etc?

We also plan on doing some day trip to the wine country and visiting Boeing aircraft
industries.. Those are the things we know we want to do and we know there are so many other things to see but we don't think we'll fit much more in.. thanks in advance.. natjgc

It is a 3 hour trip each way from Orcas or any other San Juan island into Seattle (1 hour on the ferry, 2 hours from Anacortes to Seattle). I don't think you can sightsee in Seattle and then sleep on one of the San Juans. You could fly from Seattle to San Juan islands from Lake Union but I think it is at least $200 each way. You could do 3 days in Seattle and 2 days on the San Juans. October tends to be rainy, so you may not see the best of the San Juans. Orcas is probably the more scenic island, although I really like San Juan Island itself (Friday Harbor) and Lopez.

Kenmore Air is the company that runs the float planes from Lake Union to the San Juans.

I agree about wanting 1-2 nights for seeing any of the San Juan Islands (San Juan, Orcas, or Lopez). It's not easy to get there. I think you want/need a car, unless you go the float plane route.

One closer & somewhat similar alternative that is fun is Whidbey Island. It's a lot quicker and easier to get to. I like the Captain Whidbey Inn.

A car would also be handy for getting to the Woodinville wineriers area and Boeing since those are a good distance outside downtown.

For sightseeing downtown Seattle, you don't need a rental car there is good public transportation &/or getting around on foot.

We visited Seattle a few years back and one of our favorite sights was the Seattle Underground tour. We found it to be fascinating.

So the islands are farther than I thought. it might be a good idea to nix the islands this trip since we have 5 nights total in Seattle and I'm not sure the weather will lend itself for visiting the islands now.. Any other ideas for side trips from Seattle?
Any recommendations for places to stay in Seattle in near the center of the city?
I'll check into Whidbey Island, thanks natjgc

Snoqualmie Falls makes a nice day trip. Whidbey Island. Taking the ferry over to Bainbridge Island and back (you can walk on that one, don't need a car).

It's not that the San Juans are so terribly far of a distance, it's just being islands there's driving, then ferry rides, etc. involved so takes a bit of time.

with 5 nights, you could pretty easily spend 2-3 nights in seattle and the remaining nights in the san juans and get a nice contrast between city and rural/island. you just need to plan your itinerary carefully to--don't go to the islands on a friday or come back on a sunday, for example, to avoid the worst ferry lines.

My favorite place is Inn At the MArket...trying to drive and park at Market is just too much. Would rather gaze at my beloved Puget Sound, walk out front door and BE IN the Market...love to buy flowers in MArket and put in room Front desk will find a vase for you or I saw some at the MArket for 8.00
Breakfast in the Market is a delight...whether at Lowells or La Panier, coffe from the original Starbucks...you can have lunch or dinner at the MArket or p/u a picnic lunch.

If you take your passports you could do a day/overnight trip to Victoria.