Hi There! My hubby and I will be in Seattle in mid September right after our Alaskan cruise. We've visited Seattle on many occasions in recent years. So, Pikes Marketplace, Space Needle...etc. have been done and re-done.
I'm thinking that maybe there are some "vacation spots" in the area. Maybe an hour or so away from Seattle that we could head for. For example: I live near SF...and there are lots of things to do in SF...but a couple hours South and your in Carmel...or an hour North and your in Napa Valley.
So...you Seattle-ites. Any ideas?
2007-01-25 11:34:20 · 8 answers · asked by suzieq 4 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Seattle
Leavenworth would be my first suggestion. It's a cute little Bavarian-style village in Central Washington. Just take US 2 East and you'll be there in a little over an hour.
If you want to take a couple of days, there's other things in central Washington that are worth the trip. Wenatchee is just southeast of Levenworth and has a cute little museum as well as the applets and cotlets factory that you can tour. It's also fruit and wine country. Then head a little north and see Lake Chelan. It's the deepest natural lake (I believe) in the country. The little town of Stehikan is at the north end of the lake and is only accessible by boat, so pretty much requires an overnight stay in Chelan. Then continue north to Winthrop. It's a Western-themed town, complete with false store-fronts and an attached boardwalk. You can then head back to Seattle via the North Cascade Highway (20), which is an absolutely gorgeous drive.
Of course, there's also the Olympic Peninsula - well worth the trip. It can be done in a long day trip, or take several days to stop and see special areas like: Dungeness Spit in Sequim, Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains, the Hoh Rain Forest, etc.
Whidbey Island can be a fun round-trip through Deception Pass and then a ferry ride and drive back to Seattle.
The San Juan Islands are also beautiful and include a great ferry ride.
Plus, Mt. Rainier is just about a must-see. It should be great then, as it was heavily damaged in a recent flood and is closed right now for the first time ever for repairs. It is expected to be open again by late spring.
http://www.mount.rainier.national-park.com/
Sorry to be so long-winded, but there is so much to do and see. It's a great place to visit!
http://www.experiencewashington.com/
Enjoy our beautiful area!
2007-01-26 18:43:44 · answer #1 · answered by midlandsharon 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Here are a few of my favorite day trips out of Seattle ~
Leavenworth - A small, Bavarian-style town in the heart of the Cascade mountains. Great little shops, excellent German cuisine, and fun atmosphere. The drive is very scenic as well, since you have to go through the Cascades to get there. It's about 2.5-3 hours from Seattle, depending on the route you take.
Olympic Peninsula - If you have two days, I'd recommend driving around the Olympic Peninsula and stopping along the coast at some of the beautiful beaches, the Hoh Rainforest, Sol Duc Springs, and Hurricane Ridge.
Mount Rainier - Although the park has been closed since the floods we had in October or November, it's a great day trip to Sunset Visitor's Center, if it's reopened (and I hope it is!)
Deception Pass State Park - It's a beautiful park with hiking, water, beaches, beautiful views, etc. I would also recommend driving south from Deception Pass towards the small town of Coupeville (where the movie Practical Magic was filmed). It's a cute little seaside town. You could also consider taking the ferry from Whidbey Island across to Port Townsend.
There are so many options for day trips! I hope you have a great time!
2007-01-25 16:55:10 · answer #2 · answered by seattlecutiepie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As you point out there is the world famous zoo but there is also many other things to do. There is some great beaches to spend the day at, try the one in front of the Hotel Del Coronado it's huge and usually not too crowded. There is Sea World, many fine and unique museums, Old Town (great Mexican food and sights), the Gas Lamp District (fine dining and night life), rent a sail or power boat and tour the bay, Reuben H Fleet Science Center, La Jolla, tour an aircraft carrier, catch a Padre game, visit the casino, wine tasting, or bet the ponies at Del Mar (if they are running). Of course there are the many outdoor activities, many of which you can do at home like: hot air balloons, sky diving, bi-plane/war bird rides, hiking, etc. San Diego is one of the best vacation spots in America and the weather if the finest in the nation.
2016-03-29 02:42:01 · answer #3 · answered by Flor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Olympic Peninsula is fascinating. The are rain forests, mountainous areas, and way out on the tip of the peninsula is a great Native American museum. Along the very northern coast are "sea stacks" ...amazing rock formations in the sea.
The Boeing plant is awesome, north of Seattle.
Into to Cascades a bit is terrific too. I'd LOVE to be back there exploring!
2007-01-25 13:13:45 · answer #4 · answered by hbmidd 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have enough time, you can sheck out the Cascade Highway Loop. It will take you through many little tourist areas like Winthrop, Leavenworth and Lake Chelan. You'd want to allow at least 2 days for the loop... maybe 3 or 4 to really be able to take it all in.
You can find more information at the link below:
2007-01-26 03:31:44 · answer #5 · answered by Jen J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we were in seattle on a bit of a holiday last year - we did the underground city tour - i forget the name but its in the tourist guides books.
we also went to mt. baker - gorgeous!!! and we went to see mt. st. helen's!
we went to a casino - skagit valley casino and hotel - very nice place. spent a night there and had a beautiful dinner, a lovely suite, and a lot of fun in the casino.
you could also take a run up to vancouver, b.c. - another great area with lots to see and do. i think it was only a couple of hours on the I-5.
whatever you do - have fun!
cheers
s.b.
all of these are within a two hour drive of seattle. you could hire a car and take in the casino, both mountains in one trip. 48 hours would do it i would think. lots of bed and brekkie places, and hotels along the way. of course if you are on a cruise your ship might even dock in vancouver, b.c. and you will have already seen that!
2007-01-25 11:48:09 · answer #6 · answered by tess 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Walla Walla in Eastern WA is our wine country.
San Juan Islands are beautiful, especially that time of year.
A jaunt down to Portland, OR (only a 2.5 hour drive)
A jaunt up to Vancouver, BC (about 2.5 hour drive, plus border crossing which can take some time, don't forget your passports!)
Enjoy your cruise, I've done the same and loved it!!!
2007-01-25 15:00:36 · answer #7 · answered by aramcobratang 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Experience Music Project. Also, attend the games at Quest Stadium.
2007-01-25 14:01:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋