My husband and I will be visiting the Seattle area in Sept '08 and would like feedback on a proposed itinerary. We will be flying to Seattle and renting a car for the entire trip.

I'm wondering if, instead of a day trip to Vancouver, we should check out the Olympic Peninsula and maybe stay in that area for a couple of days.

Here is what we have come up with so far:

Nights 1-2 - Marriott Waterfront Seattle (check out Pike Place Market, etc)
Day 3 - Drive to Snoqualmie Falls
Nights 3-4 - Salish Lodge
Day 5 - Drive to Bellingham
Nights 5-6 - Hotel Bellwether or Chrysalis Inn in Bellingham
Day 6 - Drive to Vancouver, BC for the day, explore, return to Bellingham
Day 7 - Drive to Port Townsend, exploring Whidbey Island, etc. along the way
Nights 7-8 - need hotel recommendation for Port Townsend (not a B&B)
Day 8 - Drive to Port Angeles and take ferry to Victoria for day trip
Day 9 - drive to Seatac and stay near airport
Day 10 fly home

Thanks for your help!

Rather than spend four of nine nights at Salish Lodge and Hotel Bellwether, I would spend those nights at Sun Mountain Lodge, in Winthrop, and Lake Crescent Lodge on the Olympic Peninsula.

Some thoughts -

For me, two nights at the Salish Lodge would be either one or two too many. The waterfall will probably have low flow in September, and while the area is pleasant enough, I don't know that there are two days worth of things there, that couldn't be handled from Seattle.

The ferry situation between Whidbey Island and and Port Townsend is still up in the air, as the car ferry has been suspended due to the discovery that 80-year old boats on salt water can get rusty and skanky. It ought to be resolved by September, but if it's not, the drive from Bellingham to PT could be a long one.

I would take one of the Salish and Bellingham days and go into Vancouver for more than a look-around (really deserves a trip of its own, truth be told) and then go over to Vancouver Island from Tsawassen (on the BC side of the border.) It's a nice ride and makes getting to PT (via PA) easier when you come back to the US.

Most non-B&B accommodation in PT is of the motel variety.

I forgot to mention that in addition to the Puget Sound view, Hotel Bellwether offers a train running by under your window.

Thanks so much for your input ... it's really helpful.

The things the guidebooks don't tell you (like train under your window!)

I'd agree that 1 night at the Salish Lodge is enough. Spend an extra day in Seattle.

So. . . you can pretty much incorporate all of these suggestions, and spend more time on the Olympic Peninsula. Skip the Salish lodge overnights (go there for lunch or something if you like); head north and stop in Bellingham (Fairhaven district?) to lok around, but continue on to Vancouver for the night. From there, ferry to Vancouver Island/Victoria for a night. Take the Coho ferry to Port Angeles and head to Lake Crescent Lodge for the night. You still have a night to spend in Port Townsend before returning to Seattle.

Port Townsend hotels are all a bit "different". I have friends who love the Palace; others like Manresa Castle. I like the location of the Swan Hotel but have never stayed there or seen inside.

The place we have always stayed in Port Townsend is Morgan Hill Guest Cottage. Their website is www.morganhilldesign.com, and they have a couple other properties there as well. Anyway, I think the website calls it a B&B, but I don't think of it as that. It is a small cottage, beautifully appointed, the small kitchenette filled with milk,juice, yogurt, etc for your stay, and you never see the owners. It is very reasonable as well. It is also a short walk down to a park and beach area.

If we don't stay at Salish Lodge and spend more time on Olympic Peninsula instead, what do you think about the Kalaloch Lodge?

If we don't stay at Salish Lodge and spend more time on Olympic Peninsula instead, what do you think about the Kalaloch Lodge?

Funky accommodations amidst spectacular scenery and attractions. If you can get into Kalaloch, I'd jump on it. Food in the restaurant often mediocre at best.

Also you could check out the Lake Quinault Lodge - http://www.visitlakequinault.com. It can be nice or funky, but also in spectacular country.

I live in Bellingham. Both hotels are nice, but the Crysallis does have the train that runs right under the hotel. They have a great restaurant - Fino and a wonderful spa. They are also walking distance to old Fairhaven which is a nice shopping and restaurant district. The Bellweather is a nice hotel with views of the Bay and a nice park next to it, and the restaurant is ok. The train is 2 blocks behind from the hotel so it is not as noisy.

If you like to hike, Mt. Baker is an hour and a half out of town and is gorgeous for the day.

I would recommend Vancouver for the day (1 hour drive with no border waits) and spend some time in Stanley Park on the way to Capilano suspension bridge and park. Chinatown is ok, but there is a wonderful hidden Chinese garden - The Dr. Sun Yat Sen right in the heart of Chinatown that is very pretty. Gastown is full of tourist shops, but nice and has beautiful old buildings.

Another option is to take the foot ferry right from Bellingham and go to San Juan Island overnight and stay in Friday Harbor. They have a hop on hop off bus that takes you to different parts of the island - lavendar farm, state park with naturalists on sight, winery, and a quaint historic hotel/restaurant. You might get lucky and spot orca whales and eagles along the way. The boat ride is beautiful through the islands.

If you want to go to Victoria, you might look into leaving from Bellingham (foot ferry only). The same foot ferry takes you to Victoria with stops at San Juan, Lopez island etc.or leave from Tsawassen, B.C. to save driving time.

Hope this info helps!

Salish and Kalaloch Lodge couldn't be more different from each other. One is upscale, one is rustic.