Victoria or Bainberidge Island
 

Don't have time to do both. Which day's trip would be better?

If you mean the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island,British Columbia, I would choose it over Bainbridege Is. unless time is a factor.

A bit of apples and oranges. Bainbridge is much closer, easier and cheaper to get to, but it's basically a suburb, while Victoria is an historic and interesting city, with a lot going for it in terms of tourism.

But the logistics DO make a difference. The Victoria Clipper (fast ferry) still takes 3+ hours in each direction, with not much in the way of creature comforts, and at a pretty high price. So a day trip to Victoria is pricey, and is mostly consumed by sitting on a loud and occasionally bumpy boat. Once there, it's great to walk around the Inner Harbour and see the government buildings and the Empress Hotel, maybe visit the (quite wonderful) provincial museum, and - again a major time and money commitment - go visit Butchart Gardens. Doing all of the above isn't really doable in a day trip; you'd need to skip something, unless you skip the Clipper and fly up and back on Kenmore Air - floatplane service from Lake Union in Seattle up to the Inner Harbour. More expensive yet, but spectacular views and really quick.

Bainbridge, on the other hand, is very easy to get to as a foot passenger or with a car; the ferries are very frequent and large enough that you seldom have to wait for the next boat. The ride across the sound is beautiful, and the boats are big enough to walk around, indoors and out, have a decent cafeteria, etc.

Once you get to the island, you can visit the compact downtown area of Winslow, or walk to some excellent restaurants and pubs, some with killer views of Eagle Harbor and the boats, etc. Or, better, if you have a car, you can drive 15 min. up to the Bloedel Reserve - a botanical complex that is off many people's radar, but which has some fantastic gardens and walks. It's not Butchart, but it's a whole bunch closer and cheaper.

Both Victoria and Bainbridge are wonderful destinations; but there's a big difference in terms of logistics for a day trip.

gardyloo is absolutely correct, but to those of us who live in the area there is no comparison. Victoria is a provincial capitol, population around 80,000...a thriving city with its own (admittedly out-of-town) airport; Bainbridge Island is a suburb of Seattle; its one and only town of Winslow has a population of about 5000. It's major feature is the ferry terminal, although I understand that there are some nice restaurants there. There is no reason that I can think of for a tourist to go to Bainbridge Island.

If logistics are the determinant, then sure, BI is closer...but that's about it.

Thanks for all the information. If we take a morning ferry we would have about 6 hours in Victoria. We are short on time, umfortunately. Is the ferry trip scenic and will I have to take dramamine?

<i>Is the ferry trip scenic and will I have to take dramamine?</i>

In my view the trip is not especially scenic, although of course you'll pass some attractive islands and if the sun is out, the Olympic Mountains will be visible. The roughness question really depends on the day. (What time of year will this be?) Most of the inland waters in Puget Sound are pretty calm, but crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca (the last/first 10 miles or so) can be very bumpy, depending on winds, tides, etc.

Not trying to confuse things, but if you only have one day and want scenery, you might consider getting a car and doing a Whidbey Island loop, or even heading over to the Olympic Peninsula and heading up to Hurricane Ridge near Port Angeles. There are many possible day trips from Seattle that offer remarkable diversity.

Or by all means look into flying to Victoria, possibly in one direction, then the Clipper in the other. www.kenmoreair.com

So you want to spend nearly 7 hours in transit for 6 hours in Victoria? I took the ferry over and the float plane back and stayed 3 nights and still only saw Buchart Gardens and parts of Victoria.

I personally would not consider a day trip unless I could fly both ways. The float plane was terrific (I got to sit in the "co-pilot's" seat), but it is pretty expensive. Flying would give you much more time in Victoria, but if it doesn't fit in the budget I wouldn't try a day trip.

Whidby Island is great but I for one think a ferry ride is a fun thing to do (guess I have been fortunate - yet to be on a rough ride). Getting to Victoria is a bit like going over to merry England - and we had a bonus of seeing a pod of Orcas swim alongside the big car ferry for about 20 minutes when we were coming back through the San Juans.

Will have to say though, doing it in one day is a fair amount of time on the water so you might double check the weather reports if you decide to go for it.

Alternatively - since you have a full day? - you might also drive out to see Mt. Ranier, and/or Mt. St. Helens.

If this is likely be the only chance you wil have of visiting Victoria, then take that option. I also enjoy ferry rides, even 3 hours if there lots to look at. The plane is interesting if in the budget. Even if you decide not to go to Victoria, consider some of the other suggestions, IMO Bainbridge does not have a lot to offer. If you have a car, you can take the Bainbridge ferry enroute to Oylmpic Nat. Park near Port Angeles, or the old masions of Port Townsend.

You don't have to take the Clipper if you have a car; you can take the Bainbridge or Edmonds ferry from Seattle, then drive to Port Angeles, leave the car there and walk on the MV Coho (Black Ball ferry). If you get an early start you can get the 8:15 ferry from PA, and come back on the 5:20 (this is the summer schedule). This gives you about 7 hours in Victoria. It's not leisurely, but I've done it.

Think we will leave Victoria for another time. Looking at Gray Line Tours. There is even one to Mt. Rainier. What are some suggestions if we stay in the city ie: Boeing Plant, glass house exhibit. etc. What about hotels? Maxwell, Marriott Waterfront. Location is important.

I think the ferry ride to Victoria is very scenic - especially when it's the first time you'v seen anything like that. I would MUCH rather take the ferry for just 6 hours in Victoria than do a bus tour to Rainer.

Mt. Rainier is stunning, and well worth the trip.

The Boeing tour is up in Everett, but there is the Museum of Flight in south Seattle. Both are good, but very different from each other.

For hotels, my favorites are the Alexis and the Mayflower. The Mayflower has a bit better location. When DH has colleagues that come to visit, if their wives come along he always suggests the Mayflower and so far everyone has loved it. It is only a couple short blocks to Pike Place Market and is right in the core shopping/downtown area.

Again, <i>when are you coming?</i> The high-elevation visitor centers on Mount Rainier will be under several feet of snow until quite late this spring/summer, owing to a very snowy winter.

Gardyloo--Good catch. For some reason I thought I had read August, but reread and now have no idea where I got that, lol.