Short Vacation in Seattle Area - Page 2

Charles Freeborn · Charles Freeborn's Garage

As said, you'll have to pick one or the other (cost or land). Traffic in Seattle proper can be a bear, so figure that in too.

If you do find yourself doing tourist duty at Pikes Market, this is our fav restaurant: Place Pigalle Restaurant and Bar - Seattle, WA

From Victoria the ferry rides are fun. The San Juan's are spectacular I have a customer with a house on Orcas - really magical place. If you do ride the ferry then drive, take it to Port Townsend, then drive a bit of the peninsula. If you do ride ferries be sure to book in advance or you could find yourself waiting for a couple of departure cycles. In summer it's pretty heavily traveled and all it takes is a semi truck and a half dozen cars are left behind. Head inland from there towards Ranier or Mt. St. Helens. Hwy's 12 & 410 wind through the southern portions of those areas and would leave you off south of Seattle and the airport on your way out. Coulee Dam is fun, and could be a good eastern boundary.
Beautiful country up there. Not too shabby down here in Northern OR too.

gatotom · 06-01-2016, 10:40 AM

Well, since living here the last 40 plus yrs, you know it rains here all the time

Yes, WA is a drop dead beautiful place to be, tell me what it doesn't have?

The growth in the I-5 corridor has been amazing and even on our side, it has been substantial.

if you don't go to Leavenworth, you have not seen the cascade mountains, just driving here is epic which we take for granted.

I can't imagine trying to see it all in a week, we are still discovering little gems all the time.

There is world class skiing, rock climbing, mountain climbing, sailing, kayaking, rafting, hiking, road biking mountain biking with outstanding wine and craft beer and for those that enjoy a smoke from the herb.

If anyone is wanting to explore the san juans by sailboat and if I have the time, would be most welcome, just bring some food and wine. We sail all year but dec thru march can be a challenge to hit a weather window.

MRM · 06-01-2016, 10:49 AM

Thanks again for all of the suggestions. Rather than staying in Seattle, I am tentatively planning to immediately drive to the Mt. Hood area. We would stay there and use that as a base of operations to visit Mt. St. Helens and any place that's a day trip from Mt. Hood. On the way back we would stop at the Museum of Flight on our way to the airport. We have an afternoon flight home.

It seems that this would eliminate visiting Olympic National Park and the Peninsula. Does the tradeoff of going deeper into the mountains and avoiding Seattle traffic make up for missing Olympic? Finally, any suggestions for places to stay in the Mt. Hood area?

MikeSid · 06-01-2016, 11:13 AM

Uhh...Mt. Hood is in Oregon and a helluva long way from Seattle. If you are flying into and out of Seattle, I can't imagine wasting 8 hours round trip to set up your "home base" in the Mt. Hood area.

Are you maybe thinking of Mt. Rainier??

gatotom · 06-01-2016, 11:17 AM

timberline lodge, at the base of Mt Hood

scottmandue · 06-01-2016, 11:23 AM

We attended a wedding in Seattle and definitely want to go back for a week.
I don't have nearly the experience the locals do so I will leave it at that.
I will say the train runs near Seatak (but it is a bit of a schlep if you have kids and/or a lot of luggage.)

VRBO has condo listings near Pikes Market.

Love Mt Hood and the gouge but only as a drive up from Portland... you will waste a day driving there from Seattle.

MRM · 06-01-2016, 12:23 PM

Oops! I meant Mt Rainier!

HardDrive · 06-01-2016, 12:52 PM

You don't indicate your hiking skill or if you will have little kids with you. Mt Si offers two good hiking options close to Seattle. The Little Mt. Si trail can be done by younger kids but still offers a nice view. The main Mt Si trail is not technically challenging, but it's a longer hike, a lot more vertical climb. Beautiful view at the top.

Mount Si â€” Washington Trails Association

You will need a Discover Pass to park at the trail heads. You can get those here: Discover Pass, WA - Official Website | Official Website

HardDrive · 06-01-2016, 12:58 PM

For amazing steamed dumplings, do not miss Din Tai Fung. There are only 4 locations in the US. Amazing. They don't take reservations, so going at a non peak time is best. Its the U-village outdoor mall, nice upscale shopping district.

Din Tai Fung USA

HardDrive · 04:42 PM

If you decide that 'light hiking' is not cutting it, try Mailbox Peak. Tough, vertical, technical. Bring climbing sticks, food, water and chutzpah. It's a beast.

MRM · 06-01-2016, 01:19 PM

We are into dumplings and light hiking. We'll certainly try Din Tai Fung. I'll get big bonus points for bringing us there. Mailbox will be a bit more than we want to tackle! We're looking forward to easier trails with good views, scenic overlooks that we can drive to and look around, and possibly activities like a rafting or canoeing trip.

madmmac · madmmac's Garage

With your limited time I would go with the North side of the Olympic NP.

Take the Edmonds to Kingston ferry North of Seattle so you don't have to take the long drive around.

You can stay at a lot of different places, but Accommodations at Lake Crescent Lodge | Olympic National Park & Forest WA has a lot of the things you were hoping to see/do.

Plenty of hikes and vistas to behold. Enjoy!

p.s.--you picked a great month to come. August is even better.

tevake · 06-02-2016, 01:42 AM

MRM. Take a look at page three of my thread from last summers RV drive thru the PNW, for pics and write up of the different areas near Seattle .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/873479-r-ving-911-tow-3.html

Cheers Richard

MRM · 08:50 AM

Once again, thanks for all the great suggestions. The trip is taking shape. We're taking a cruise from Seattle to Alaska on the Inside Passage. We're coming in a day early and staying four days late. I'm pretty excited that we are planning something a little bit unusual and fun. Any comments or suggestions would be welcome.

On the first day in Seattle we'll walk around the waterfront and have dinner at the Space Needle. We'll spend whatever is left of the evening walking the tourist neighborhoods. The ship leaves at 4 pm the next day, so I thought a morning at the Museum of Flight would fit nicely.

Here's where I think the trip gets interesting. Our last stop on the cruise is Victoria, BC. There is a ferry that goes from Victoria to Port Angeles, Washington, so we're going to leave the cruise in Victoria and spend the night there. We'll take the ferry the next morning to Port Angeles, rent a car, and spend Sunday-Wednesday exploring Olympic National Park and the area around Port Angeles. We are looking at Olympic Lodge in Port Angeles and taking day trips from there. I'm rather pleased with myself so far. Still fine tuning the day trips in the park. How am I doing so far?

LakeCleElum · 06-15-2016, 09:11 AM

Offer to PM is still open. Was born in Port Angeles and grew up in Pt. Townsend:
1) From PA, drive past the airport and take the Elwha River Rd (Old road) to Hwy 112. Detour for Salt Creek Rec area and Port Crescent. Back on Hwy 112 at Joyce. South on Hwy 113 to 101 and back to PA past Lake Crescent. Many place to access the park and hike along Hwy 101.

2) Hurricane Ridge and back. In the park and can hike for week. Can see Canada on a clear day.

3) Hour drive to Historic Port Townsend. Visit Fort Worden (Off and Gentleman filmed there). Beer/Lunch at Sirens AND Pourhouse (water views and on the beach) .

4) Olympic Lodge - Nice, but no water view and not much within walking distance. I'm not excited about any hotel/motel in PA, but Red Lion is right downtown and can get a water view room. + walk to restaurants. 1 block from where Victora Ferry will drop you off.

Be sure to look around Victoria while there. Enjoy...

madmmac · madmmac's Garage

If you are taking Celebrity Cruise line say Hi to my in-laws. We just sent them on an Alaska cruise for their 60th wedding anniversary.

They are taking the Solstice leaving on July 7th I believe.

Your vaca is lining up nicely!! Enjoy.

zakthor · zakthor's Garage

I really like seahawk's advice but I'd spend 4 days on a loop. Olympics are fine but the west side is a really long drive.

Four days? I think rainier park is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Hwy 410 goes up the white river valley and through the edge of the park. Theres a hotel on 410. The forests in the park are pristine. Get off the short tourist trails. From 410 go east on 12, then I'd take small roads north, teanaway, blewett pass to Wenatchee (fruit), then loop back west to Leavenworth. Day hike icicle creek to Stuart lake? Then west, find a b&b in the Skagit. If more driving then maybe instead of Leavenworth return through Manama and the north cascades... but that is a lot of driving.

Pike place market is good, have breakfast at café Campagne early on a Sunday morning before the tourists show up. But really I'd skip Seattle and focus on rainier and the cascades.

Busta Rib · 06-17-2016, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Offer to PM is still open. Was born in Port Angeles and grew up in Pt. Townsend:
1) From PA, drive past the airport and take the Elwha River Rd (Old road) to Hwy 112. Detour for Salt Creek Rec area and Port Crescent. Back on Hwy 112 at Joyce. South on Hwy 113 to 101 and back to PA past Lake Crescent. Many place to access the park and hike along Hwy 101.

2) Hurricane Ridge and back. In the park and can hike for week. Can see Canada on a clear day.

3) Hour drive to Historic Port Townsend. Visit Fort Worden (Off and Gentleman filmed there). Beer/Lunch at Sirens AND Pourhouse (water views and on the beach) .

4) Olympic Lodge - Nice, but no water view and not much within walking distance. I'm not excited about any hotel/motel in PA, but Red Lion is right downtown and can get a water view room. + walk to restaurants. 1 block from where Victora Ferry will drop you off.

Be sure to look around Victoria while there. Enjoy...

Given your travel plans and agenda, this itinerary is a good one. You hit some great spots and it will all be worthwhile. On your way back to the airport, if you can, try to plan on taking the ferry to downtown Seattle around sunset. You will be treated to quite a memorable and magical sight as you approach downtown. It is very picturesque. Have a great trip.

WolfeMacleod · 06-17-2016, 12:29 PM

jhc · 06-17-2016, 03:12 PM

We did this last summer. Make sure you get reservations for the ferry and the car rental. Forks is actually the more centrally located place to stay if you want to do the beaches and the rain forest. We stayed at the Olympic Suites which gets you a small apartment with Kitchen. Don't miss the lavender fields in Sequim its on the way to the park.

Ruby Beach