I am going to Alaska in June. I want to make a few days stopover in EITHER Seattle OR Vancouver to avoid a long one-day flight. Please vote which of these two cities should be my choice. I am more into nature than architecture.
Thanks.

Both are great cities. Since you mention nature and since you're on your way to Alaska, I think I'd opt for Seattle. You can do a whale watch, or you can rent a car and do a loop through Olympic National Park, and see different scenery than you'll see in Alaska -- the rainforests for example. Of course, if you did this, it would make more sense to spend a night or two in the park area rather than back and forth to Seattle. Or make a full loop staying maybe at Crescent Lake and at Lake Quinault.

This is a tough one. Both are well situated for nature lovers. I'm wondering whether your Alaska trip will be water, mountains or both...

Vancouver is definitely a more beautiful city, from an urban standpoint. But both are in gorgeous settings and opportunities to enjoy nature abound. Remember, though, that your opportunities will be limited in June, due to snow on the higher elevations.

Seattle - Mt. Rainier is drop-dead beautiful, but the trails at the top near Paradise will still be snowed in. There is a rain forest below and scenic areas part way up. The Olympic peninsula is varied and lovely - rain forest and Hurricane Ridge - great mts, again, maybe snowed in. The San Juan Islands are peaceful and uncrowded. The NW Cascades National Pk. is incredibly beautiful, but much of it may still be snowed in. People like L. Chelan, too, on the dry side of the Cascades. You can access the back of the NW Cascades by boat.
Vancouver - Whistler is not far away, and is nice in summer, too. The Gulf Islands are nearby. I'm sure Vancouver people will have lots of suggestions for that area.
Do some hunting on these forums for suggested trips from Seattle and Vancouver for ideas.

I know both cities and am partial to Vancouver. The mountains are closer, for one thing, making the "visuals" more compelling. In my opinion.

Too, if your cruise ship leaves from the Coal Harbor pier, you'll steam out underneath the spectacular Lion's Gate Bridge.

Vancouver is smaller than Seattle, so, again in my view, it's easier to get comfortable.

Stanley Park is another draw. A thousand acres of old growth forest (some of it, anyway), all easily accessible on an afternoon walk, right in the middle of the city. (There are also a small zoo and an aquarium, with shows, in the park, if that's something you're into.)

Another vote for Vancouver. Seattle's a great place to live but for a few day stopover I think Vancouver is a more outstanding destination.

Susan in Seattle

I think we're on two different wave lengths here. Are you talking about staying IN one of those cities for a few days, or using either one as a stopover in flight and traveling around there? If you meant staying IN a city, I change my vote to Vancouver. If you meant getting off the plane and doing some travel in the area, I'll stick with Seattle.

Go to the city that's not in your country, assuming you are from one or the other of Canada or the USA.

If you are from overseas, Vancouver.

BAK

Chances are that your plane ticket XXX-YVR-ANC will be more expensive than XXX-SEA-ANC, if that matters.

In June both cities will be full of tourists, both will be more likely to be gray-ish rather than sunny (I think Vancouver is actually a bit dryer in June than Seattle).

Or what about this? Fly to one or the other, and spend a day or two, then take the train (around US$30) to the other - beautiful ride - for the rest of the time. Comparison shopping.

I know both cities well and would recommend Vancouver in a heart beat. I think it is really far more spectacular in so many ways than Seattle especially given you are far more into nature than architecture. Vancouver is pristine.
The dining in Vancouver is infinitely more varied than in Seattle IMO. I'd also recommend a walk along the seawall in Stanley Park, a trip to the Anthropology Museum at UBC and a stroll through the Van Deusen(I think that's the name) Botanical Gardens. They should be glorious at that time.

My dear friends,
Thank you very much for your responses. They are very, very helpful. I would like to clarify a few things. My intent is to arrive to Seattle OR Vancouver by noon from NYC area (about 6 hrs flight). I will spend 2 days in Seattle OR Vancouver and then depart for Anchorage, AK.
I live in Brooklyn,NY. I am a big Alaska fan. The only unpleasant thing about traveling there is the loooong, tortures, 11-hrs flight. A few years ago,it was possible to get a 8-hrs non-stop from Newark to Anchorage on CON. They stopped this luxury last year siting 'lack of passangers'. What a BS! My flight (at least Alaska-bound) was full every time I flew!
Please continue sending your votes on Seattle OR Vancouver.
Thanks a million.

OK, you're from NY, so the mountains of either city will be quite impressive to you. If you wish to GO near any of those mountains, then Vancouver is better situated to facilitate that.

Seattle's mountainous wonder, Mt. Rainier, is something near to the most spectacular single mountain peak on the continent. From base to peak it is an awesome, stand-alone sight (60 miles from Seattle).

The Staten Island Ferry affords a nice rush of scenery back there, but the natural wonders surrounding Seattle's similar offering would prove a great contrast. (mountain ranges visible east and west, and of course the city skyline on one end, with lush green landscapes most prominent on the island side) (easy walk-on round-trip of 30-45 min. each way)

Mid-town Vancouver is more "compact" than is Seattle and it is much easier to get around on foot downtown with fewer hills than Seattle.

Was just doing a web search and I found a great reason for YOU to select Vancouver over Seattle.

go to this website

http://www.montrealinternational.com..._of_living.pdf

where the city of Montreal is touting the great benefits of life in the area.

They give a number to represent "quality of life" in the area, using New York City as the "standard" and giving it a rating of 100.

Although Montreal rates higher than New York given their criteria, their town remains behind leader Vancouver.

I can imagine just wanting to visit Vancouver to try to figure out what all of the fuss is about.


I hope some of that helps in some small way.

This is a can't-lose situation either way: city or nature.

Comparing the city scene, I'd vote for Vancouver and I'm a former Seattle resident. Vancouver also has nice natural options, they just aren't as well known.

But to expand on Gardyloo's points: airfare is likely to be much more expensive and many flights from YVR to ANC connect back through Seattle, adding time and inconvenience.

You'll have fewer choices/times and fewer chances of there being a sale (which grow slimmer the later in June you go). A quick check of June fares on two search areas shows Vancouver flights about $200 RT more at this point.

Good luck -- just know there's not a bad choice here.

BTW, I don't know where oleg is going after ANC, but BC and Alaska both have rainforests.

Instead of Seattle, Vancouver and Alaska how about Dallas? You'll find that it's substantially the same as all three of those destinations.

PamSF, we're visiting Vancouver for the first time this summer. Where would you recommend to eat and where are the best places to do some wine tasting in this area? ***kim***