Seattle/Olympic National Park area
Jul 6th, 2000, 07:18 AM
#1
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Seattle/Olympic National Park area
Next week we'll be taking a family trip to Vancouver,BC and the Seattle area. We are taking our four kids, ages 13 to 4. This is our second trip to the area, and we know that we can't see it all in a week, but we're looking for some day trip ideas near Seattle/Olympic. Can anyone suggest a drive to capture the highlights of the Olympic area? I've seen a 250 mile loop drive that looks spectacular, but I don't think that's realistic traveling with four kids. We're wondering about trying to get to the Lake Quinalt area in a day trip, or possibly taking the far northwestrn coastal highway for a drive (Hwy 112?) Does anyone have any suggestions here? We'll only have a couple days in this area. Thanks!
Jul 6th, 2000, 08:02 AM
#2
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Hi, Funintwos,
Lake Quinault (or the Hoh Valley or basically any part of the Pacific coastal side of Olympic NP) and back in one day from Seattle is probably too long a trip with kids. Great when you get there, but a fair amount of "when are we gonna get there?" in the meantime.
Our experience with kids is that they get a kick out of the ferry - a chance to get out of the car and run around, watch the cars and people getting on and off, stand out in the wind and make like seagulls - you get the picture.
So if you want to get to Olympic NP and back in a day, I'd recommend a ferry across Puget Sound, then drive to Port Angeles and up through the deep forest to Hurricane Ridge for a spectacular view of the mountains and valleys, about 30-40 min. each way to the visitor center from PA. The drive up will either offer beautiful views and vistas of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island, or it will offer spooky driving through clouds until you reach the top, where the deer or elk will greet you at the center. Then reverse your route, maybe returning via a different ferry to the Seattle side of the sound. Allow about 2 1/2 hours driving and ferry each way from Seattle to PA, another couple for the Hurrican Ridge side trip, plus lunches and the usual stops involved in family travel.
I think this combination of ferry plus woods plus mountains plus (probably) animals ought to remedy the danger of boredom. Long day, though.
Lake Quinault (or the Hoh Valley or basically any part of the Pacific coastal side of Olympic NP) and back in one day from Seattle is probably too long a trip with kids. Great when you get there, but a fair amount of "when are we gonna get there?" in the meantime.
Our experience with kids is that they get a kick out of the ferry - a chance to get out of the car and run around, watch the cars and people getting on and off, stand out in the wind and make like seagulls - you get the picture.
So if you want to get to Olympic NP and back in a day, I'd recommend a ferry across Puget Sound, then drive to Port Angeles and up through the deep forest to Hurricane Ridge for a spectacular view of the mountains and valleys, about 30-40 min. each way to the visitor center from PA. The drive up will either offer beautiful views and vistas of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island, or it will offer spooky driving through clouds until you reach the top, where the deer or elk will greet you at the center. Then reverse your route, maybe returning via a different ferry to the Seattle side of the sound. Allow about 2 1/2 hours driving and ferry each way from Seattle to PA, another couple for the Hurrican Ridge side trip, plus lunches and the usual stops involved in family travel.
I think this combination of ferry plus woods plus mountains plus (probably) animals ought to remedy the danger of boredom. Long day, though.
Jul 6th, 2000, 09:01 AM
#3
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I second the endorsement of Hurricane Ridge, especially if it's a clear day. If so, the view is spectacular! I'll also agree that the drive to the rainforest and back in one day is a bit of a trek! Any chance of staying overnight? Then you could visit there as well as the beaches in Olympic.
Jul 6th, 2000, 09:53 AM
#4
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Thanks for the great advice. I appreciate honest advice in hearing when plans are just too big to be "do-able" with kids. About the possibility of staying overnight in the Olympic NP area...would it even be possible this late in the game to get accomodations? We are a family of 6 (four kids), so lodging is always a challenge, anyway. Our trip is next week, with Seattle being at the end of the week's trip.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Jul 6th, 2000, 10:17 AM
#5
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Hi again,
Accommodation on the coast would probably be a stretch for next week. In Port Angeles there are a zillion motels and such, check out http://www.portangeles.org/businesses/lodging.html for plenty of links.
One possibility to consider is a day trip from PA to Victoria, as foot passengers either on the Coho car ferry (slow, cheap) or the new (costlier) high speed passenger only ferry. Leave the car in PA and walk on. The ferries land in the middle of Victoria, you can march around for a few hours, (Parliament buildings, Empress Hotel, red buses, bagpipe kitsch on the waterfront, the great B.C. museum,) then back to the US. The Coho is a hassle with a car, easy without.
Accommodation on the coast would probably be a stretch for next week. In Port Angeles there are a zillion motels and such, check out http://www.portangeles.org/businesses/lodging.html for plenty of links.
One possibility to consider is a day trip from PA to Victoria, as foot passengers either on the Coho car ferry (slow, cheap) or the new (costlier) high speed passenger only ferry. Leave the car in PA and walk on. The ferries land in the middle of Victoria, you can march around for a few hours, (Parliament buildings, Empress Hotel, red buses, bagpipe kitsch on the waterfront, the great B.C. museum,) then back to the US. The Coho is a hassle with a car, easy without.
Jul 6th, 2000, 09:29 PM
#7
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You should try to take the time to visit Dungeness Spit. This miles long sandbar has always been a favorite for my kids. It's a few miles north of Sequim and then a short walk from the parking area. We particularly enjoy the driftwood forts people have assembled along the endless beach.
While you're at it, the Sequim Wild Animal park is a hoot. Bison and other hooved animals walk right up to your car and eat bread out of your hands. My kids rolled on the floor laughing at these huge docile beasts. The drive through bear tour (with the bears behind fences thank you!) is also just amazing. Grizzlys sit up and beg for tossed bread. I guarantee your kids will remember this place.
Hurricane Ridge is an excellent suggestion, but if you've seen enough Mountain settings, Lake Crescent is a jewel. Log Cabin Resort is a great place to stay if you can snag a cancellation. Kids love rowing in the crystal clear water. Nature walks are essential here, with beautiful waterfalls only a few minutes stroll from the highway. There is also a splendid county park on Freshwater Bay just north of the little town of Joyce, tidepools as far as you can walk.
Three Crabs seafood restaurant is considered a destination by itself in this area too.
While you're at it, the Sequim Wild Animal park is a hoot. Bison and other hooved animals walk right up to your car and eat bread out of your hands. My kids rolled on the floor laughing at these huge docile beasts. The drive through bear tour (with the bears behind fences thank you!) is also just amazing. Grizzlys sit up and beg for tossed bread. I guarantee your kids will remember this place.
Hurricane Ridge is an excellent suggestion, but if you've seen enough Mountain settings, Lake Crescent is a jewel. Log Cabin Resort is a great place to stay if you can snag a cancellation. Kids love rowing in the crystal clear water. Nature walks are essential here, with beautiful waterfalls only a few minutes stroll from the highway. There is also a splendid county park on Freshwater Bay just north of the little town of Joyce, tidepools as far as you can walk.
Three Crabs seafood restaurant is considered a destination by itself in this area too.
