Hello! We are headed to Seattle in mid October for four nights and hoping to see as much of the area as possible. We are suckers for the city and also national Parks. What are your recommendations for heading out of town? Weighing Rainier vs Olympic parks??? Any recommendations you have are welcome! Thank you!

You will not have time to visit Olympic National Park. Three days in the park itself is suggested. Travel time to and from ONP and its huge dimensions argue against it.

Rainier is a day trip and is recommended.

www.visitseattle.org

www.visitonp.com

As Bob says, Olympic NP requires a minimum of two or three days; things are quite spread out and it takes several hours just to get close.

Mt. Rainier is certainly possible as a day trip, but mid-October is a very traditional time. They've already had snow at the Paradise visitor center, and as well as snow, in October the chances are good everything will be socked in by clouds and rain, in which case it's a long day of driving with poor results. You'll just need to play it by ear and have some plans for alternative activities if the mountains are no go.

Fortunately there are plenty of alternatives - Snoqualmie Falls, Whidbey, Bainbridge or Vashon Islands, lots of great lakes and parks, farmers markets...

Meant to say "transitional," not "traditional."

Agreeing with my friends above, the territory is BIG! 4 days really doesn't give you enough time to see ONP & Rainier, unless you totally skip seeing Seattle (the "and the city" part). And even then it would be tight.

I also agree Snoqualmie Falls, Whidbey Island, even a ferry over to Bainbridge would give you a taste of the area and allow you a day or two to see the city as well.