Seattle / Vancouver
 

My boyfriend and I arrive late Friday (!). We are 39 and 37 and pretty active (he's got a bad knee). We've planned 3 nights in Seattle (including a Sooners game and a Mariners game for him), 2 nights in Olympic Park (for me) and 3 nights in Vancouver (for us!). What do we do with the other two nights? (Mon/Tues)? We live in NYC so are thinking of nature/adventures not museums.

Also, any suggestions for hotels downtown that are for considerate visitors and not tourists?

Thank you!
Sarah

All I can contribute to the discussion is that we traveled to both in one trip, and liked Vancouver a lot more than Seattle.... Don't miss Victoria!

U could drive up to Whistler from Vancouver. Lots of outdoor activities there. Also I would add a day to ONP -- lots to see and do there. In Vacouver there are plenty of outdoor activities also, u can bike and hike...its a great city 4 both.

Mt. Rainier and/or more time in Olympic (you only have one day, which isn't enough time to see beaches, rainforest AND mountains).

<Also, any suggestions for hotels downtown that are for considerate visitors and not tourists? >

I'm not completely sure what you mean - boutique-y? 5 star? I like the Olympic, Roosevelt, and Mayflower.

My favorite hotels in Seattle are the Mayflower Park and the Warwick. You might also look at Hotel Max and the Ace which are fun. But by nature of the beast most hotels are for 'tourists', or business travelers or whatever :)

I don't think you have an "extra" two days. You are covering a lot of ground in a short period of time. Seattle/Vancouver/ONP (all in different directions) are plenty to fill a 10 day trip. Put those days onto one of the places you're already going.

Thanks all. Would you stay on the east side or west side of Olympic National Park?

North. I'm not sure there's much on the east side, and on the west you don't have that many options either. If you base around Port Angeles (or try the Lake Crescent Lodge in the park) you'll be able to visit Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rainforest, and the beaches near Lake Ozette or La Push. The only really nice town on the Peninsula is Port Townsend, which isn't very convenient as a base, but it could be nice to stay there on your first and last night.