My husband and I are planning a trip to Seattle/Vancover mid-June. As of now, We are planning on spending 3 nights in Seattle and 5 nights in Vancouver City... with one or two nights in Whistler..
Many people have advised us that we are spending to much time in Vancover City. We also, where planning on taking ferries everywhere back and forth from Vancover.Is this an advisable thing or a big waste of time? I would like to enjoy some of the outdoor activies that Seattle/VAncover has to offer us... example hike, bike etc.... Does anyone have any suggestions??? I think we are getting overloaded with different ideas and can't decide which is the best for us...
Thanks

GO Steelers!!!

I would not reccomend not so many nights in Vancouver. Take the ferry over to Victoria and explore for a few days.
On my last trip, we went kayaking with the Orcas in the Johnstone Straits. One the best trips I've ever been on! Check out ecotoursvictoria.com

Any suggestions for a place to stay while on Victoria? Any help would be appreciated... What about hiking???

in seattle: go to bainbridge island as foot passenger on ferry and come back at night so you ge the lit up skyline.

-orcas island is very nice. get ferry from two hours north of seattle. we stayed at rosario resort. many years ago. great views.

-then to sidney/victoria. on vancouver island. many b+b´s. british columbia tourist office very helpful. you can ask for catalogues and they will send them to you.

back across to vancouver city. a long day and night should suffice. then up to whistler where you will enjoy the scenic ride along the fjord to mountain resort.
great restaurants, scenery, lakes, and hiking, biking, fishing.. what have you.
in fact.. if you like the outdoors..
if you drive from seattle to vancouver. take ferry from horseshoe bay as foot passenger to bowen island. bke/kayak around there. spend the night.

then back to h.bay and drive up to whistler where you will not be bored.

reat. in whistler: caramba, in plaza.. informal.
la rua (upscale but treat yourself)

enjoy . no matter what you do it will be pleasant. there is so much to see, it all just takes time.. espcially with the ferries.. and their schedules.

Can I fit in Mt. Rainer/ Olymic National Park? In a day ... 1/2 day???

rainier, yes, but the olympic peninsula is another trip in itself.
very extensive and slow moving roads. beautiful.. but you should overnight there 2 mights to get to know the coast and interior..

Not sure of your timing. Here are two ideas:
Trip 1:
Seattle - 3 nights (2 days)
Vancouver 3 nights
Bowen Island 2 nights (easy to get there from Vancouver) or Saltspring Island
Whistler - 2 nights

OR, Trip 2:
Seattle - 3 nights
San Juan Island (Friday Harbor, from Anacortes) - 2 nights
Vancouver - 3 nights
Whistler - 2 nights

This minimizes time in car (especially trip 1), but you hit mountains and islands, cities and rural areas.
Mt. Rainier is a full day trip from Seattle.

I'd suggest you throw in an island, for variety. (Another option is to go to Saltspring Island in Canada, which is a Gulf Island. Bowen Island is closer. I haven't been to Bowen, but you can find it on the internet and it is discussed occasionally on the Canada Bd. My niece honeymooned there.)

Victoria is another city. You're already going to Seattle and Vancouver. You might want to skip Victoria and opt for travel to an island with a more rural flavor. If you want to go to Victoria, substitute it for San Juan Island. Go there from Port Angeles, and continue to Vancouver from there.