My husband and I are cruising to Alaska in August from Vancouver and will have 3 days before the cruise to spend in either Vancouver or Seattle. We are flying into Seattle as we got a much better airfare than if we were to fly into Vancouver. We will take a shuttle to Vancouver. We would rather spend all three days touring/experiencing one city rather than not really having the chance to properly see either one by splitting up the three days between the two cities. The question is, would you spend the time in Seattle and just go to Vancouver the morning of the cruise, or would you go directly to Vancouver for the three days?

It depends. I would check and see what plays, concerts, etc. were scheduled for the days I would be there. For Seattle you can go the seeseattle.com website for schedules and links to all of the major arts organizations. Not sure about the Vancouver website address but similar information is available on the web. In general I find that Seattle usually has more to offer in terms of theater and music. Vancouver is, to me, a more interesting city to walk around in. It has neighborhoods that are more dense than any in Seattle and seems to have a more lively street life.

(Hope this doesn’t post twice due to fluky server…)

Here in Seattle they will pull off my buttons and break my sword (ouch) for saying this, but I'd say spend the first night in Seattle, have breakfast at the Pike Place Market, then go on to Vancouver mid-day and spend the rest of your time there. If you haven't been to either city, you really need to see Seattle's prime attraction in its finest hour so that you can start planning your return, but then you should head north, and have the time to savor (or savour if you prefer) the wonders of Vancouver. In mid-summer it can be an irritating half day to get from Seattle to Vancouver, so don't put it off until cruise day and end up feeling rushed before you hit the deck (ha, ha.)

Last summer I took a vacation out west to both Seattle and Vancouver. While I thought Vancouver was very nice, I really loved Seattle. You didn't say what you enjoy doing, but I found a lot more to do and see in Seattle. It has a very nice downtown, Pioneer Square (a restored historic area full of little shops and things), Pike Place Market (I never would have thought a fish market could be this fantastic, a must-see), the Space Needle, or you can take a day trip to the mountains (we spent a full day and drove to Olympic National Park, going all the way over to the ocean). We only spent two days in Vancouver, and while we enjoyed Stanley Park and Gastown, we didn't find that much there to interest us. You stated that you didn"t want to split your time between the two cities, but I think you could get a good feel of both cities by doing so. I would spend the first couple of days in Seattle, concentrating on the downtown area (Pioneer Square, Pike Market Place, and the Space Needle)To really experience what Seattle has to offer would be hard to crowd into three days. I would spend the last day in Vancouver. If you stay near the port where the ship docks you will be in walking distance to Gastown, Chinatown and the downtown shopping district and a short driving distance to Stanley Park. Of course a lot of this depends on how leisurely you want to be with you time. If it was me, and Im didn"t intend on going back to this area, I would try to get to see what I could of both cities, they are both very nice., and save my leisure time for the cruise. Whatever you decide, enjoy!!

I spent time in both cities earlier this month. While I enjoyed Vancouver, I love spending time in Seattle. Don did a great job of laying out the highlights of Seattle. While I would prefer to spend more time in Seattle, I can point out that your money would go further in Vancouver due to the current exchange rate. If you do go up and spend the time in Vancouver, make sure to take a ferry over to Vancouver Island and spend a day at the Burchart Gardens and in Victoria.

Maybe it's because John and I both live here, but I have to agree with him on this question. Spend at least 1/2 - 1 day in Seattle and then move onto Vancouver. There is quite a bit to do in Vancouver and the exchange rate is good. Apart from Stanley Park, Granville Island, and Robson Street (good shopping/eating), there is also the Capilano Suspension Bridge and park which is really nice, and there are a few museums and theatres as well. I love both cities,but if this is your first time to the PacNW, I'd suggest going up to Vancouver. And, John is absolutely correct re: the drive. In summer the border crossing takes longer than usual. Enjoy your trip!

I agree with those that say you should go to Vancouver over Seattle. We found a lot to do in Vancouver. In addition to all that has been mentioned, they have a great aquarium, a seawall around Stanley Park that is amazing, a great forest near the university with miles of trails (clearly marked and safe), a beautiful garden (Van Dusen i think is the name) and much more. We could have spent a week there. On top of that, it is cleaner than most American cities and the people are extremely friendly and helpful. Great restaurants too.

I've been to Seattle twice and liked it, particularly the market and Pioneer Square, but I'd go back to Vancouver over Seattle in an instant.

Never mind the "things to do." I've been told many times that Vancouver is far more beautiful than Seattle. Do any of you agree with this?

Re: Vancouver more beautiful than Seattle? No! I like Vancouver a great deal, the people are nice, the city is fastidiously clean, great restaurants, etc., but quite frankly, Seattle really is one of the most beautiful cities I've had the pleasure of living being in. The water, the mountains, the forests (rain forest even!), the pure beauty is just wonderful - on certain days it's truly breathtaking! (think of the sun rising over Mt. Rainier - the pinks, oranges, and purples are stunning). Sorry *grin*. Guess I'm getting carried away here. Vancouver is great, Seattle is, IMHO, beautiful.

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Vancouver more beautiful? Each has its assets and problems. Seattle is split down the middle by a freeway that is twelve lanes, or so, wide. Vancouver is not. This gives a big edge to Vancouver. On the other hand I prefer the architecture of many of Seattle's residential neighborhoods to Vancouver's. Some of Vancouver's residential neighborhoods are dominated by megahouses completely indifferent to their neighbors. Also, I'm not particularly fond of the many gray stucco houses in Van. Vancouver's commercial streets in the neighborhoods are, in my opinion, more beautiful than Seattle's. There are many streets with small, lively stores. Seattle's commercial streets in most neighborhoods seem to be more car-oriented and the storefront details don't seem to be designed so much to appeal. I'm not a fan of a lot of Vancouver's big downtown buildings of the last 10-20 years, I think Seattle's are "more beautiful", or at least less "in your face". Seattle's Pioneer Square is beautiful; Vancouver's counterpart, Gastown seems a little less substantial. Vancouver's Chinatown is bigger and more lively, therefore, I suppose, more beautiful. One big difference that no one has mentioned is the quality of the light. This will be less true in August when Cheryl will be there, but the long, long evenings in mid-summer is one of Vancouver's biggest assets. It is surprising (to me) how big a difference there is from being just a short distance north.

I think it’s a shame that the leaders of Seattle and Vancouver don’t spend more time talking with each other over what works and doesn’t in these two beautiful cities. Take transportation, for instance. Seattle is in the middle of a region-wide policy meltdown and taxpayer rebellion over the insertion of mass transit into a freeway-filled, single-occupant, cross-region-commuting nightmare. Vancouver shunned in-city freeways years ago and from the looks of things the downtown and residential areas are managing just fine, with plentiful buses and the “skytrain” to move people to a few suburban destinations. Does investment in roads and rails reduce congestion or simply allow congestion to spread farther out into the hinterland? Comparing Seattle and Vancouver seems to offer an answer.

But compare the Pike Market to Granville Island? Puh-leeze. Pioneer Square and Gastown? You must be joking. Bumbershoot and the PNE? Say what? The Mariners and the…? On the other hand, they do have an NHL team, at least for the time being…

You're right about the transportation in Vancouver being superior in Vancouver John - but that's when it's working. Buses have been on strike for 3 months.

V A N C O U V E R, definitely!
We were in both cities 2 summers ago. Spent a week in each.
Vancouver has a lot more to offer, and I think is a nicer city.
You can find a list of attraction somewhere else on the net, but one thing, if you have a day to spare, and you probably need a rented car for this, take the ferry to Victoria. It's a beautiful island, and a very large one, but some of it's beauties are within an hour drive, the fantastic Bouchart (sp?) gardens, very close to where the ferry docks, and then to Victoria the town, on the water, a real jem.
But even without a day in Victoria, there are lots of beautiful palces in the city, and they have the spectacular nights of fireworks in the bay, I don't know during which months, though.
Amik.

Since I've already vented my prejudices favouring Vancuver over Seattle on the Canada site, (same question - Cherryl wanted to hear from Canadians I guess), I'm pleased to see the majority favouring - correctly let there be no doubt - Vancouver.

A couple of mistakes in the last post though. First it's Vancouver Island on which Victoria the Provincial Capital is located. Vancouver the city is on the mainland. Secondly the Fireworks display referred to is actually in English Bay in Vancouver every year starting the last Saturday in July and then the next two Wednesdays and saturday following. It was, up to last year sponsered by Benson & Hedges and called the Symphony of Fire because the 40 minute show is backed by symphonies of the Pyrotechnics' choice. It features the three finalist countries from a worldwide competition culminating in Toronto and Montreal with the final night being a colaboration of the three and then the winner putting on a 15 minute 'aria' of fantastic celebration. The music is carried on a local television station and upwards of a million people line the beaches surrounding English Bay. I live on the water so I get a grandstand seat.

This year Tobacco advertising of any shape, including sponsorship, is no longer allowed in Canada so Benson and Hedges took their name 'Symphony of Fire" and walked off in a huff. Fortunately new sponsors were found at the 11th hour and the newly named 'Festival of Light', (Chanuka patriots take note), is on again. It's just one other thing that makes Vancouver so wonderful!

oops I meant local radio station not television thus enabling people to take their radios to the beaches and you can imagine the sound of the music floating over the bay with hundreds of pleasure boats and even some of the cruise ships anchored for the extravaganza.

Thanks for all of the replies everyone. I'm not sure that it has made my decision any easier though! I wish I had time for both cities.

www.vancouver.hm is a good local Vancouver site worth checking out to give you an idea of what's available. It was created by a local guy who *doesn't* work for the tourism board so his advice is genuine and usually reflect those of the locals.

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