1 week trip in July to Seattle + Vancouver or just Vancouver?
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Anonymous
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We will have a 7 yr old and a 3 yr old with us. Plan to stay for 7 nights.
Option 1: Vancouver + Victoria and/or Whistler Option 2: Seattle + Vancouver (not as many day trips possible) Option 3: Any other ideas on structuring this trip?? Thanks! |
Anonymous
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Do you want to go to Victoria and Vancouver island? A well traveled friend just moved there and said it's the 2nd most beautiful place on the planet (after NZ) and he's never going to leave.
PNW is gorgeous and with great cities. You can't go wrong and I wouldn't want to be spread too thin. I'd personally focus on one area. |
Anonymous
| OP here - should have added that these are initial thoughts. If anyone has ideas for other day trips (like Vancouver Island or San Juan islands), I would definitely be interested in hearing more. Thanks! (And thanks, PP.) |
Anonymous
| Option 2 especially if this is the first trip out there. Plenty to do and easy drive. |
Anonymous
| We did Whistler and Seattle last summer and we could have done without Seattle. I would have rather have stayed in the Vancouver area. |
Anonymous
| Option 1 |
Anonymous
| We did option 2 a few years ago and had a lovely trip in August. About 3-4 days in each city was perfect. |
Anonymous
| I love Seattle and could easily spend a week there. Add in Mt. Rainier and the San Juan Islands. |
Anonymous
| Skip Seattle. I lived there for many years. It is nice, but you can find it all and more in Vancouver. |
Anonymous
| Vancouverite here. I would do Vancouver + Whistler + one of the Vancouver Islands (Hornby, Tofino, Vancouver Island...). Weather is gorgeous at the end of July, beginning of August, and there is so much to do in Vancouver alone. Head to Spanish Banks for low-tide with your kids; get nachos and beer at the Vancouver Yatch Club down in Kits Beach at sunset for the most amazing view in the world while the kids play on the beach; bike around the Sea Wall at Stanley Park; get brunch at Edible Canada on Granville Island (stop by Kids Market & take the little tug boat); explore Chinatown and Yaletown (great restaurants and fun shopping); check out Casa Gelato for crazy unusual flavors (over 200 kinds) and then go shopping along Cambie Street; check out fireworks in English Bay... AND if you are going to Whistler, make sure you stop in Squamish for their new Sea to Sky gondola. Its an amazing ride and you can do some beautiful hikes once you're up at the top. Whistler in the summer is amazing. Check out Meadow Park - great pool and playground, and a ton of other outdoor adventure park like activities/camps. |
Anonymous
Butchart Gardens: http://www.butchartgardens.com |
Anonymous
| Vancouver and Whistler...we did this before kids and it was most fun. Took the train up to Whistler and back down. |
Anonymous
| Ooh I just love his whole area. Seattle is my favorite U.S. City. There's so much to do and SO MUCH delicious food, I could spend a week there just on a foodie vacay. But with kids in tow it makes it a little trickier. I think Seattle with either a day trip or an overnight to Victoria would be great. The Victoria Clipper is a fun ferry ride and Butchart Gardens is gorgeous. The kids would probably also enjoy San Juan Island. The orcas are so fun for kids to see and there are wineries and great restaurants there too. Enjoy! |
Anonymous
| We doing a week in July splitting time between Vancouver island (staying in Victoria 3 nights) and whistler (4 nights). Keep hearing how beautiful it is so hoping that is true. Planning on doing some kayaking, hiking, and whale watch. We have 3 boys ages 8, 8 and 9. |
Anonymous
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The San Juan islands!! Friday Harbor is very walkable and in a picturesque location. Orcas Island is also wonderful, but you will need to drive a car into the ferry to drive from the ferry terminal to Eastsound (which is why Friday harbor would be better - no car necessary because the ferry terminal is in the town).
Mt. Rainier is gorgeous, and usually a great place to visit in July. Go to Paradise for amazing views and some short jokes that are kid friendly. I grew up in Seattle, but it's changed a lot since I've been there. With kids I would walk down the waterfront downtown, maybe do Pike Place (but the crowds are awful), and check out the sculpture garden near there. The zoo is ok, but not amazing, and I really like the Science Center. No ideas for Vancouver though, it's been years since I've been there. Either way you go, you'll have a great time! |