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Seattle + nearby National Parks ; 6 or 8 days?
We are thinking of going to Seattle in July. Looking at airfares, we can either make it a 6-day trip or 8-day trip. It will be my son and I; we defintely want to spend time in Seattle for sightseeing, but also want to rent a car and go hiking and explore the outdoors. One of the days in Seattle will be spent on the Ai Wei Wei exhibition. The rest will be touristy things that my son (age 12.5) enjoys (not art museums). What are your thoughts re: 6 vs 8 days (not counting travel days)? How many days do we need for Seattle proper, and if we want to visit 1 (or even 2) National Parks, do you suggest we stay closer to the parks? An acquaintance went to Nothern Cascades last summer and I can't get over how beautiful the photos were; it looks like they were in Switzerland. I have a Fodors guidebook on Seattle at home and will start reading it, but I'd like to book the plane tickets asap before prices go up.
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IMO, Seattle is rather boring with not much to see/do. So, give plenty of time for the national parks. WA also has some high-quality state parks such as Deception Pass and Cape Disappointment.
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If you have a car, Seattle is a wonderland. I adored Seward Park, Kubota Garden, The Montlake Cut/Waterfront Trail, and Carkeek Park. Near the airport is the Seattle Chocolate Factory Store.
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The problem with North Cascades NP is that it's not very accessible. There are a couple of fabulous viewpoints that can be accessed off WA Hwy 20 (which never actually enters the park) but there are no tourist facilities to speak of in the park itself. It's mostly a hike-in park.
I'd probably recommend picking Mount Rainier NP if you wanted to choose one. It's close enough to Seattle to make day trips easy, or you can spend a night somewhere in or close to the park if you want a more extended experience. One thing to note, however, is timing. You say you're coming in July, but when in July can make a big difference. It's not uncommon for there to be several feet of snow still on the ground at the Paradise visitor center on Mount Rainier on the first of July. You can still see plenty, of course, but it's best to watch the forecasts to be sure that you don't end up visiting the park when it's raining or foggy or both. As for what to do in Seattle, I think there's lots to entertain your son - ferry rides, an above-average zoo, and - very importantly - the Museum of Flight, a national treasure. Do a day trip to Snoqualmie Falls, tour the Boeing assembly building in Everett - home of the big jets and the biggest building in the world. Plenty of things to do. |
I think Seattle has a lot to offer. I'll suggest an art museum that is different than most:, the Chihuly Garden and Glass. Your son may go for it.
https://www.chihulygardenandglass.co...lan-your-visit Next door is the museum of pop culture, also different from your standard museums. Started out because Paul Allen had a large collection of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia, now morphed into something larger. https://www.mopop.org/ OK, so that's two museums! But they are different than normal and an option if it's happens to be raining a lot. A ride on the Bainbridge ferry at night to see the Seattle skyline is very nice. If you want to stay in Rainier but it's already booked you could consider Crystal Mountain Resort for a night and visit the Sunrise Visitor Center side of the park, depending on timing for the road opening. I've used it for a backpacking trip base and it's worked out. The other NP very worth considering is Olympic, really spectacular. But you need to stay in the park at least a couple nights to make it worthwhile. We've stayed at Lake Quinault Lodge and Kalaloch Lodges, location, location, location. Just ideas, have fun planning. |
I just wrote a TR on 72 hours in Seattle; and to be honest, I don't find the city that interesting, either. I visit because our daughter is a grad student at UW; and even she spends her free time outside of the city in the green spaces.
Pike Place Market is as ordinary to me as Vienna's Naschmarkt. The MoPC (Pop Culture) and the Chihuly Glass Museums are expensive if you're not into either/or of these topics. The Nordic Museum may be an interesting diversion en route to explore the Ballard area, but on your visit I would not make time for it. The Burke Museum is fine, though not worth the $20 (and the virtue signaling that comes with your entrance fee.) Personally, I would give Seattle proper 1-2 days max, depending on your son's interests, and spend the remainder of your time in nature. We're heading back in early September for 10 days, with most of our time planned for the mountains. If you go this route, plan ahead and be aware of the need for reservations. |
Thanks for all the feedback so far. I took out a couple more guidebooks today (both Seattle and Pacific Northwest) and will look through them soon. If we go it will be mid-July, Gardyloo . I have to think more about what I want to "accomplish" on this trip; I think I'm leaning more on nature. If we go for 8 days, then perhaps 2-3 days in Seattle, and maybe spend 3 days in Olympic NP, and 2 days in Northern Cascades vicinity? I asked the acquaintance about her trip and she said she rented an Airbnb in Sedro-Wolley for that visit.
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Nature is interwoven into the landscape of Seattle, so you can appreciate both at the same time.
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Of course you know your son better than we do, but when my son was 12 or 13, he wasn't too thrilled at the prospect of being in a car for as long as he would be with this trip.
Olympic NP is a national treasure, but the nature of the park - with the main highlights being on the periphery of a roadless wilderness core - means you can spend hours traveling through very boring and sometimes depressing landscapes between the main attractions. In addition, some of the principal "targets," like the Hoh rain forest, can become crowded enough in mid-summer that the National Park Service limits and meters entry, so it's conceivable that you could drive for hours from one visitor destination to the next, only to discover that you need to wait even longer. I'm not saying that's inevitable, but it's not impossible. Maybe that's okay with you and your son, but if not, maybe it's worth some contingency planning. In the case of North Cascades NP, staying in Sedro Wooley means you're 2+ hours, probably 3, from destinations like the Washington Pass viewpoint. Is it worth the drive? Many will say yes, some will say no. An equally (IMO) rewarding viewpoint can be reached in roughly 90 minutes from Sedro Wooley, in the form of Artist Point and Picture Lake, with views of Mounts Baker and Shuksan. Artist Point and Picture Lake are not in the NCNP boundaries, but the scenery is just as spectacular. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...b25b224a4c.jpg It's also worth noting that getting from Olympic NP to someplace within striking distance of NCNP will take a good half day, depending on precisely where to where. You'll have to take a ferry, most likely the Port Townsend - Coupeville boat, which requires vehicle reservations and operates on a rather infrequent schedule, coupled with an hour or two on each side to get where you're going. I know this sounds a bit negative but of course these are marvelous destinations, and their popularity peaks just when you'd be visiting. By all means don't let me (or any negative types) dissuade you, but be aware of the circumstances. I did have an alternative thought, just as a possible source of further confusion ;). What if you flew into Seattle, visited our town for a couple of days, then took off south rather than west or north? Visit the SAM exhibit, ride a ferry, visit the Museum of Flight, then head to Mount Rainier. Stop at Paradise and see the Reflection Lakes along the (gorgeous) Stevens Canyon Road, which transits the national park. Then continue east down into the Yakima Valley, then south on US 97 through the Yakama Reservation (marvelous "old west" scenery) to the Columbia River at Maryhill. Visit the funky Maryhill Museum and nearby weird replica of Stonehenge, then continue west along the river to Hood River, Oregon. Watch (or join) the windsurfers and kiteboarders at Hood River or explore the "fruit loop" through the gorgeous Hood River Valley. Visit Timberline Lodge on the side of Mount Hood and maybe take the "Magic Mile" chairlift up to the permanent icefields on the slopes of the big stratovolcano. Then explore some of the many waterfalls on the side of the Columbia River Gorge and say hi to Herman the Sturgeon at the Bonneville Dam fish hatchery. The Gorge and environs is good for several days' exploration, then it's a very short drive (under an hour) to Portland International Airport, thence home. Of course this isn't a national parks-heavy itinerary (the Gorge probably ought to be IMO) but it will give you a taste of the incredible diversity and variety of landscapes in our region. Maybe worth the "thought experiment." Just throwing out a "what if" scenario. |
I appreciate all the honesty and the info; I haven't thought about the open-jaw aspect... car rental might be too expensive for a 1-way rental. Lots to think about, thanks!
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We stayed here https://sites.google.com/site/gracehavenllc/ for North Cascades. The park reminded me of a mini Glacier NP especially the drive along Hwy 20. We've also stayed in Winthrop but were driving from Idaho.
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I talked with my son last night and asked him what he really wants to see/do after I explained to him the various choices. He (and I) both really want to visit Olympic National park for its diverse ecosystem. We are aware of the long drives, crowds, and also the Hoh Rainforest might not be accessible this summer due to damaged roads.
Back to the drawing board, a potential (clockwise) route may be: Fly into Seattle, stay in downtown for 2 nights (2 days of sightseeing) Late afternoon pick up rental car and drive to somewhere near Mt Rainier and stay 2 nights (1.5 days of hiking) Afternoon drive to ONP via Olympia, stay in Quinault area for 2 nights Change over to Port Angeles area for 2 nights Return to Seattle via Bainbridge island ferry; red-eye flight out of Sea-Tac |
There is lodging right right at Mt Ranier. When I went in 2023 it was surprisingly easy to reserve online. Didn't even need to reserve far in advance. It was at Paradise Village.
For Lake Quinault, we stayed at the Rain Forest Resort Village as I think Lake Quinault Lodge was booked. |
Seattle has loads to offer. I've lived here for 30+ years and have barely scratched the surface. The "problem" with our national parks here is it takes time. None of them (except perhaps Mt Rainier) are a day trip. I'd want at least 3-4 days for ONP or NCNP...each. Six days is just not enough time to do Seattle justice, even seeing the highlights only, then a rental car and driving out to one of the three national parks. The other new consideration is the lack of federal funding. All our parks are facing staffing cutbacks. If you mean to come this July, it may be late to find lodging near the parks.
Shall attempt to address *rather boring with not much to see/do* :-) Here are a few highlights of Seattle and nearby that most visitors enjoy: Pike Place Market the new Waterfront promonade Pioneer Square historic district Klondike Museum (gold rush history) the Underground Tour Waterfall Garden Park Smith Tower two sports stadiums for games Great Wheel ferry to Bainbridge island and back Seattle Art Museum Sky View Observatory Olympic Sculpture Park Ballard Locks Space Needle MoPop Chihuly Glass Garden Washington Arboretum and the Japanese Garden Lake Washington Golden Gardens Discovery Park floating sauna on Lake Union Woodland Park Zoo Greenlake Seward Park Snoqualmie Falls Woodinville wineries Volunteer Park, Conservatory, Watertower Asian Seattle Art Museum Argosy harbor cruise suze, seattle |
Museum of Flight
Boeing factory tour Everett kayak, paddleboard, canoe rentals Kerry Park Alki Beach Lincoln Park the Aquarium seaplane ride |
Originally Posted by shelemm
(Post 17642675)
For Lake Quinault, we stayed at the Rain Forest Resort Village as I think Lake Quinault Lodge was booked.
Suze, I think you forgot the wall of gum... |
Originally Posted by yk
(Post 17642656)
Back to the drawing board, a potential (clockwise) route may be:
Fly into Seattle, stay in downtown for 2 nights (2 days of sightseeing) Late afternoon pick up rental car and drive to somewhere near Mt Rainier and stay 2 nights (1.5 days of hiking) Afternoon drive to ONP via Olympia, stay in Quinault area for 2 nights Change over to Port Angeles area for 2 nights Return to Seattle via Bainbridge island ferry; red-eye flight out of Sea-Tac |
I think you are shortchanging Seattle if you spend only two days there with one taken up with visiting the Wei exhibit. I am one of those who found lots of interesting things to do in the city.
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Suze, I think you forgot the wall of gum...
Nelson, LOL because I think it's gross :-) yk ~ Again I'll make the case that Washington state is more than only the three national parks. For example, I love the North Cascades area like Methow River valley, Mazama, Wintrop. I've been camping there and it is stunningly beautiful. But I'm pretty sure I've never actually stepped foot officially in NCNP. |
I understand your son collecting the National Park Ranger activities and you like to focus on NPs. But Olympic and North Cascades NPs really are different than a lot of parks regarding access, accommodations and the driving/time required. I'd maybe go back over Gardyloo's posts and see if Mt Rainer would suffice for for your National Park fix . . .
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