Our plane gets in around 11:00 AM and we hope to be at the Silver Cloud by 1:00 (on a Wednesday, if that matters). Are there restaurants and things to do near the hotel, or should we make the trip into Seattle? We won't have a rental car until the next morning when we leave for a few days in and around Port Townsend. Any suggestions for what to see on the way? Thanks.

Plenty of restaurants across the street on the Lake Union shore, ranging from pretty good Sushi to a great steakhouse to Hooters, and more... the hotel front desk will be able to direct you. Bus on the street if you want to go downtown - 10 min.

What route are you taking to Port Townsend? Bainbridge, Edmonds or Whidbey ferries?

Thanks for the quick reply. Here are the plans so far: June 30, Day 1 Wednesday at Lake Union, Day 2 - Thursday AM take their shuttle into downtown to pick up our rental using the Bainbridge Island Ferry and on to Port Townsend, staying at the Sea Loft for two nights. I think it's a couple hours to Port Townsend, but we're in no hurry, so looking for any suggestions as to what to see along the way. Friday morning -we have a whale watch in Port Townsend booked. Friday afternoon or Saturday, we'd like to see Crescent Lake or Hurricane Ridge. I have no idea how long it takes to drive to those areas. Is either one
do-able? If they are too far, is there a "must-see" closer to Port Angeles or Port Townsend? We have to return the rental on Saturday at 4 back in downtown Seattle, and staying that night at the Sheraton. Is there a last ferry that we can't miss to be back in Seattle at 4 on a Saturday? Cruising to Alaska on Sunday.
We spent some time in downtown Seattle a couple years ago, but wanted to see a little more of that gorgeous area of the country.
Any tips much appreciated. Thanks again.

I am planning a similar trip, and am looking for places to stay while visiting Olympic NP. How did you pick the Sea Loft in Port Townsend? Is there a website that lists places with recommendations? I was considering driving from Seattle airport to the peninsula, but the ferry sounds like another option. You are renting in Seattle downtown, and then taking the ferry across, and driving to Port Townsend? May I ask the costs of the ferry? I was planning on going on to Port Angeles and doing a trip to Victoria as well. Any other information greatly appreciated!

First things first.

You can get to Port Townsend one of several ways from Seattle: drive all the way, south to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, then north and across the Hood Canal Bridge; south to Olympia then all the way back up on US 101, or via a couple of ferry routes, one to Bainbridge Island from Seattle, one to Bremerton from Seattle or one from Edmonds to Kingston (all then over the Hood Canal Bridge) or drive north from Seattle to Mukilteo, short ferry to Whidbey Island, then drive part way up Whidbey to the Keystone/Port Townsend ferry, which lands you right in downtown PT. It's a crapshoot as to which (ferry-based) route is the most scenic, but the Bainbridge ferry is the most frequent, biggest boats, and probably the fastest counting waiting for the ferry etc. Go to http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/index.cfm for the lowdown on schedules and fares. It's around $18 for car with 2 persons westbound, $15 eastbound (no passenger charge).

As far as en-route scenery goes, the Bainbridge and Bremerton ferry rides are very scenic; Seattle skyline, mountain, island views, like that. Edmonds less so (and longer lines at the dock in our experience).

The Mukilteo/Whidbey/PT route takes you past the humongous Boeing wide-body assembly plant (biggest building in the world by volume, tours available,) and there are a couple of very cute villages on Whidbey that are well worth a stop, Langley and Coupeville. Near the Keystone ferry terminal is old Fort Casey, with cool WW2 gun emplacements, a sweet little lighthouse, and other fun things to explore, especially for kids.

One thing you should be on the lookout for when you get to PT and are day-tripping over to Port Angeles or Hurricane Ridge (both around a 30-40 min. drive from PT) are the big lavender-farming operations now going on near Sequim (pron. "Skwim") and Dungeness, halfway between PT and PA. The flowering peaks in mid-July but ought to be visible when you're there. Up on the beach at Dungeness is a well-known cafe, the 3 Crabs (as in Dungeness Crab); the food is generally only so-so (the exception being addictive coleslaw) but the setting and atmosphere, right on the tideflats, is superb.

Crescent Lake is another 20 min. or so west of Port Angeles; very scenic, note there are both north and south lakeshore roads.

Note that the Coho car ferry from PA to Victoria does not take (vehicle) reservations. Their infrequent schedules means that if you don't get in line well before the sailing time you run the risk of getting bumped and having to wait hours till the next boat. (Their schedule can be accessed through the State ferry website above.) However they also run a passenger-only ferry that's faster, and unless you're traveling beyond downtown Victoria taking the car is an unnecessary hassle and cost. Put it in a lot in PA and walk on board. If you want to go to Butchart Gdns. there are umpteen tour buses available in front of the ferry dock or at the Empress Hotel that can get you there. Bring money.

I picked the Sea Loft based on another Fodorite's recommendation last year. I spoke to the owner and she seemed very nice. We made a deposit and got a receipt by e-mail.
http://www.olympus.net/personal/mortenson/
The Bainbridge Island ferry was recommended by people who run the ferry system, but as Gardyloo says, you have several other options as well. I wrote to them on their web site.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
We're getting an Alamo car downtown Seattle (located at the Hilton parking garage) basically because we need to return the car downtown the night before our cruise out of Seattlle. The rate was $106 for 3 days.
I would love to stop to see those lavender fields. Do they have tours that I can book ahead of time?
Are there long lines at the Whidbey ferry on a Saturday if we decide to do the Boeing factory on the way back to Seattle?
And finally, are we going to be anywhere near Snoqualme(sp ?) Falls? Thanks.

The Boeing tours only go to 3 PM and they now accept reservations, otherwise you need to turn up at 0-dark-30 to get a time-stamped tickety thingy. See http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices...urs/index.html. If you're overnighting on Whidbey or Port Townsend, my recommendation is to book for a morning tour, then line up for the Mukilteo ferry to Whidbey Island, then have a late breakfast or early lunch in Langley on the island, before continuing on. (No food on the ferries due to contract foolishness - a local sore point.) Return to Seattle eventually via the Bainbridge ferry - the sight of the city coming into view is a serious knockout.

Snoqualmie Falls is about 45 min. east of the city off Interstate 90; the islands and Puget Sound are to the west. You can do a trip to the falls and back in a couple of hours easily as a day trip.

Have you ever thought of writing for Fodors or Frommers? Your info is just what I needed, and a lot better than the $15.95 guide I bought at the bookstore. Many thanks.

I second that. Get a publisher and go for it, Gardyloo. Thanks also!