Situated in one of America's most beautiful . Here too, I would argue: skip this well-known attraction. What are other must visit places in Seattle (in nature setting) ? Beavers making dams in crystal clear city water. If you are hungry, go straight to lunch in what is called one of Americas best sandwich shops Paseo Caribbean Food. If you're fascinated with how things work, you'll love the museums and visitors centers found along the route between Seattle and Vancouver. Additionally, in the highly unlikely event that you dont see a whale, Seabreeze will take you out again the next day, thus greatly increasing your chances of actually seeing the whales. After . It takes about three hours of driving time, plus traffic and waiting time at the border. Even on a budget, the trip tops off at four hours longa steal if you can get in on BoltBus $1 fare. The other recommendation I would make is to book the whale watching tour for the first day of your trip. We sadly also cannot do (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The train leaves at 5.45 (be sure to book tickets at least a few weeks in advance as they go quickly) but I was able to get to the station early and score a great window seat. Hi! Fall (late September through mid November) has lots of sunny summer like days, and other days that feel more like winter. Dj vu! Vancouver Island 2 Days Shared Tour including3/4/5 Star Hotel (Mandarin&English) 1. from $287.10. Whats the weather like in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle? Make sure to bring some very lightweight layers for hot days, especially if youre staying in a vacation rental (hotels usually have air conditioning). In my opinion, and I am very experienced with this, they also offer the best afternoon tea in Victoria. The casinos in Washington State offer Vegas-style gaming along with good food, live entertainment, and other amenities. There are intense wind and rain storms from time to time and occasional snow. In the forested national parks, I find the bug bite thing completely indispensable. If you have no time to waste, the best way to travel from Seattle to Vancouver is by air. The first is to go right and follow the Cascade Mountain Loop, this is the shorter trip that will take about a day. My recommendation is to always book from an agency with a good reputation because the last thing you want on a trip is car trouble. Afterward, we make our way back to the states for a 2-day world-famous road trip the scenic mountain loop, with a twist. Even if you are not normally a museum person I would still recommend a stop at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum (free entry with the Seattle City Pass). Late September through June having waterproof footwear is a really good idea, or at least footwear that wont be uncomfortable if you get wet. Re: 5 days in Seattle, doing a 2 day trip to Vancouver? They also offer a free shuttle from Canada Place in downtown Vancouver. This outlet mall has nicely landscaped grounds and is home to several fast food and snack shops. Likely to Sell Out. If its summer, make sure to check out the International Fountain, which is set up for splashing and has music and lights. For the Peak 2 Peak gondola vs Sea to Sky gondola, have a look at the reviews. Please Note: This post may contain some affiliate links. Theres no question that if youre going to one thing in Vancouver, make it Stanley Park. There are no shortages of places to eat here. Around 11 pm, check out of your hotel and start making your way to pick up the rental car of your choice. If you can't see the top of Grouse Mountain from downtown, I wouldn't go up there at all. Its only an hour out of town, so not exactly sure what your plans are here. After you return your car, its time to check out one more great Seattle neighborhood you haven visited yet. As to two days in Vancouver, it should be no problem if you should choose to drive. The other well-known tourist attraction in Seattle is the Museum of Pop Culture. By. Youll be driving between Vancouver and the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal to Victoria. And finally, back to Seattle where we explore more and learn about this iconic city and its history. There are many places to stop along the way including beautiful scenery spots, recreation areas, and plenty of places to take pictures. In Spring and Fall, weather is much less predictable and different types of weather are possible even in the same day. The City Pass cost is $99 for an adult and $79 for a child. . I strongly recommend booking a hotel in the downtown area in Vancouver, Victoria and Seattle if you are doing your trip without a car. Note: cross-border train service is temporarily suspendedTheAmtrak Cascades train follows a scenic track from Seattles historic Pioneer Square district, up the craggy coast, to downtown Vancouvers Pacific Central Station. It's a nice small island you can stroll around for hours. If youre driving, be ready for lots of traffic, parking hassles and get ferry reservations. Make sure you check out the Seattle forum, and read through the top questions there for some other ideas. - Hello all, Happy holidays! Winthrop makes the perfect stop for your return to civilization. In the national forest there are many park camping facilities, and once again I had no trouble finding a place to camp. Originally settled by the Dutch, this quaint city features all sorts of Netherlands-inspired art, architecture, and foods. Theres so much wonderful food and there are so many locals selling local products and food. And if you have a clear day, head up the Space Needle. I found little to do here and the only exhibit I actually wanted to visit Star Trek was closed. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93137592', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Seattle) and then leave for Vancouver on the 5th day. However, to see the best scenery in the area, you'll need to rent a car and take a detour off the main highway. <>. In just a couple of days in Vancouver, I saw countless birds, including entire flocks bald eagles. Here youll find miles of elevated walkways, ponds stocked with fish to attract birds, great educational activities, and guides. Harbour Air flies from Seattle to Vancouver 4 times a day. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93137662', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Grouse Mountain and the Peak 2 Peak. Ferries run once a day except from May to September, when they depart twice daily. All of my trips are on Vero first please be sure to follow me @ traveltipster. This journey takes 3 hours plus any possible border delays. However, on day two the winds were mild enough to go out so I finally got a chance to get out on the water. Eventually, 97 turns into 2, which you will take to Cashmere and finally Leavenworth. What are must visit places? Also, there is the Sea to Sky Gondola just south of Squamish. Some great dining options at each of these locations, so this would be a good option to find some dinner. Or he is here to highlight the beauty of the bridge. Youve come to the right place! For whale watching, I traveled with Seabreeze Adventures. . Wander around and find food for lunch as you explore this gem in Vancouver. Interstate 5 is not only the most direct route between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, it also offers plenty of lovely scenery to enjoy while you driveor even while you relax on a BoltBus. Spring is still winter in the mountains with deep snow until late June. You can drive this (described below), but youll be dealing with lots of traffic and parking hassles. If youre traveling with your own car, the drive downtown is about the same length, depending on traffic. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Are you finding that things are significantly cheaper in Squamish to make this worth your while? As you keep going east on 20, you will eventually make your way out of the Ross Lake National recreation area. We have some friends there so have not planned much yet. I don't know that I would do (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? capital, Victoria, that will take you just under three hours. This is on a Monday morning I cant even imagine how bad the lines get on a Saturday or a Sunday. Answer 11 of 11: Hello Two adults who like good food, fun bars and good music. The region north of Seattle contains some of the lushest and most productive farmland in the world, and fresh produce is available for purchase in farm stands and markets throughout Skagit and Whatcom counties. You can take the city bus out to Butchart Gardens, or you can book a tour with a direct transfer there which costs a bit more but its faster. Proceed to the Freemont Troll. at Pier 69 in downtown Seattle, for a trip across the sparkling Puget Sound to the B.C. The cheapest by far is BoltBus, some of whose seven daily trips north start at just a dollar. Travel Jul 06 - Jul 10. All the stores in Winthrop have old west storefronts and decorations, and there are no shortage of restaurants or places to shop here. Four companies make the journey up Interstate 5 across the Canadian border, BoltBus, Quick Shuttle, Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway. Finally, tonight, there is one more stop to make before leaving town. The caf car is available as soon as you board, so this is a good place to eat if you havent had a chance to do so yet. One thing I have never seen in all my travels is the towers of berries prominently on display in the market. <