We will have 8-9 days with a 13-yr old in the Pacific NW in July. We are planning a lot of hiking/biking in Olympic National Park and Mt. Ranier and are hoping to see some whales somewhere (San Juan Islands?). Possibly catch a Mariners game and do the Space Needle. Is there any reason to go to Victoria or Vancouver, other than just to say we went to Canada? What would we do in either? Thanks in advance for you opinions!

I'm sure you'll be given a lot of reasons if you post this on the Canada forum .

Although Seattle is a nice enough city we very much prefer Vancouver and I would certainly plan a couple of days there if I were you.You wont regret it.Paul

If you are already in Olympic National Park, it is a fairly short ferry ride from Port Angeles to Victoria. I would at least take a day trip to Victoria, which is a unique city with a lot of British flavor. If you are at all into gardens, the Butchart Gardens alone would be worth the trip. Victoria is a smallish, compact city that is fairly manageable to get around in for a day.

If you are already in the San Juan Islands, Victoria is also a ferry ride away. You could even do a big loop, from the San Juans to Victoria, then down to Olympic, then back to Seattle.

If your goal is to just see whales, then it might be easier to take a boat from Everett or Anacortes for the day.

Vancouver is part of a large diverse cosmopolitan area that easily rivals Seattle in just about every way. There is a fabulous aquarium, a cable tram that rises high above the city, a walking bridge that dangles across a deep gorge, a huge Chinatown, and ferries that crisscross the waterways.

I don't know where you are from, but if this is going to be a sole visit to the NW, then I would definitely visit at least one of B.C.'s cities.

For some real mountain scenery, you can easily hop up to Whistler. The teen would probably fully appreciate that trip in a few years when the Winter Olympics are held there.
Even a non-naturalist will have a bad case of open mouth disease when visiting Butchart Gardens near Victoria.

Vancouver is a great city with a spectacular natural setting.

I agree that Vancouver is a fantastic place, but with only 8 or 9 days and with all the stuff you've already planned on, I'd say that's a separate trip. As others pointed out, you could easily do a day trip to Victoria, but look at websites, etc, to see if you think your 13 old will find enough of interest here.

My kids prefer Vancouver to Seattle. It has a more international atmosphere.

With 8-9 days and so much already planned in Washington state, I'd skip Canada.

You don't seem to have any burning desire to go, reading between the lines of your post.

Sure Victoria and Vancouver are great places. I've been to both a couple times but I've lived in Seattle 20 years!!

Please DO NOT post this on the "Canada board" where the answer is likely to be, "Why go to Washington?"

Thank, everyone for your help. I certainly don't want to offend our Canadian friends!

We spent a day in Victoria on our Seattle vacation, and not just to say we went to Canada. It was a great day trip and very easy to get to from Seattle on a high speed boat.

Butchart Gardens is amazing.

karens, you took the words right out of my mouth. Or in this case, right off my screen. If nothing else, go to Victoria and see Buchart Gardens. Fantastic!!

As noted, a day trip to Victoria is certainly achievable either from Seattle or, if you're on your way back from the Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles (see www.cohoferry.com), but I'm not sure how much appeal Victoria necessarily has for a 13-year old, certainly in contrast to Vancouver or Whistler. However, in addition to the Buchart Gardens (which are actually north of Victoria; you need to take a bus tour, rent a car or pedal hard to get there) I would recommend the Royal BC Museum (www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca). Whale watching trips leave from Victoria as well, however.

As you seem to be sporting/outdoors types, have you considered a whitewater rafting trip? See, for example www.hyak.com.

I suppose a better question in response to yours would be, "Why not?"