Puget Sound. What to see?

[ckissick]

The wife and I (and our 19-year-old daughter) have three nights in the Seattle area. Rather than hang out with the fine woke populous of Seattle, I'd like to explore the islands. I like peace and quiet and nature. What would be some nice islands/towns to visit?

[wilnj]

Lot’s of PNW folks here, I’m sure they’ll chime in with specifics but my visit based on my short visit is to head west into the Olympias.

I felt like the typical tourist taking pictures of the mountains and forests only to be disappointed at how poorly the pictures captured the majesty of the place.

[Sooner or later]

Originally Posted by wilnj

Lot’s of PNW folks here, I’m sure they’ll chime in with specifics but my visit based on my short visit is to head west into the Olympias.

I felt like the typical tourist taking pictures of the mountains and forests only to be disappointed at how poorly the pictures captured the majesty of the place.

Yes, and Ruby beach.

[tevake]

You can drive over to Whidbey Is. Make sure to check out Deseption pass as you drive onto the island, cool bridge, really gushing currents thru the pass at times.

Grab the ferry over to Port Townsend , neat old Victorian town with many houses built by sea captains back in the day.

Then take the ferry again across the Straights of Juan de Fuca to Victoria BC. For a look around.
Both port Townsend and Victoria are walkable from the ferry landing.

Then look for another ferry route thru the Gulf Islands back to your car on Whidbey island.

Beautiful area!

Cheers Richard

[ckissick]

We aren't allowed into Canada without a 2-week quarantine. Something about some disease going around.

[rcooled]

If you decide to check out the islands, consider a visit to the town of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Also on the island is the Roche Harbor resort, which is also worth a visit.

The ferry system that connects the islands with the mainland is very well run and is a great way to get an overview of the area.

[Jeff Higgins]

If you do decide to take the ferry up to Friday Harbor, make sure you get reservations. It does sell out, sometimes days in advance. Especially now, with folks fleeing the craziness that has become Seattle during the pandemic and the protests.

One that has not been mentioned yet is Vashon Island. It's kind of a quirky, quiet little island with lots of aging hippies. The ferry leaves out of West Seattle.

All of these ferry runs can get overwhelmed on weekends, with several hour waits in line to get on most of them. The only one that takes reservations is the San Juan ferry. So, if you want to head out to Kingston (not an island, but out on the Olympic Peninsula) from Edmonds (just north of Seattle), or out to Whidbey Island (from Mukilteo, a little further north of Seattle), it's best to leave very early in the morning.

From Vashon Island and Friday Harbor, you have to take a ferry to get back. From both Kingston and Whidbey Island, however, you can avoid the long ferry lines to get home by driving around. Both are beautiful drives.

If you go over to Kingston, another option to get back is to head north to Port Townshend, where you can catch a ferry to Whidbey Island. That's a pretty small boat and sometimes requires reservations as well. Once on Whidbey, you can head south to Clinton and catch the ferry back to the mainland in Mukilteo, or you can head north and go around, going over Deception Pass on the way back to the mainland.

Port Townshend is a cool little town. On Whidbey Island, Langley is a pretty cool little town as well. Fort Casey is very near where the Port Townshend ferry dock is on Whidbey Island, and well worth seeing.

[Nostril Cheese]

San Juan Islands, Olympics...

Seattle isnt worth the traffic.

[island911]

San Juan Islands have a ferry that go between. You can seaplane up to Friday harbor (on San Juan Island) from Seattle. (Kenmore air is who I've used) There is a small car and scooter rental place in Friday Harbor.

And what Higgins posted. Well, not about Vashon (snore) Note that the Keystone ferry (Whidbey to Port Townsend) often needs a reservation. Port Townsend is cool but if that doesn't work out you'll still have lots of options. Whidbey is the longest island in the 48 iirc.

[john70t]

Friday Harbor is the default airport for Flight Simulator X.

[RWebb]

Squim

[Nordwest]

If you make it to Whidbey Island and are near Coupeville check out Front Street Grill. They have the best ginger basil mussels I have ever had. Enjoy! So much to see and do here.

[tfg50]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Squim

Sequim. (Pronounced Squim)
Beautiful spot on north Olympic peninsula.

[JavaBrewer]

I cannot compete with the locals but a simple ferry ride out of Seattle proper, hike and lunch on whatever island you choose, and then a late day ride back to Seattle is really special. The wonder of mother earth on full display. Wrap with a walk in town and some good food/wine. Call it good. Love that city*

*have not been there since the CV and social uprising, so cannot vouch for it now. I would test the water one more time b4 placing the fork. Wife visited SF city 3 weeks ago, one of our favorite cities, she said never again.

[john walker's workshop]

Stay out of downtown.

[RWebb]

Go SCUBA diving at the sub base

[Flat Six]

Lots of good suggestions here. My $0.02:

1) I think there is no more beautiful view of a city in the world than seeing Seattle from a ferryboat in the late afternoon during August or September, especially if the mountain is out.

2) If you do make it out to Sequim, strongly consider doing the beach hike along Dungeness Bay out to the lighthouse. Easy but long-ish walk, absolutely beautiful.

3) Two of my favorite restaurants in the U.S. are in Seattle: Palisade on Elliott Bay, below South Magnolia and Metropolitan Grill (2nd and Marion), IMHO the best steakhouse in the country. MG is downtown, so be forewarned.

4) My favorite hardware store -- ever -- is Hardwick's on the edge of the University District (42nd & Roosevelt). Been in business at that location since 1932. More tools per cubic foot than anywhere else I've been. Need a dozuki? They got you covered. Japanese laminated chisels? Left-handed drill bits? Pozi-drive or Robertson drivers? Check, check, and check.

[john walker's workshop]

Hardwick's is closing 9/15/2020 and relocating to Post Falls Idaho.

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Hardwick's is closing 9/15/2020 and relocating to Post Falls Idaho.

Wow, thanks for the update. I can't imagine they'll move all of the stuff they have in the Roosevelt store; I'll bet they have stuff crammed in nooks and crannies that they lost track of 50+ years ago . . . .

[sammyg2]

Fidalgo island is one of my favorites