(Photo from Wikipedia)
My daughter went to the Butchart Gardens several years ago and told us that we absolutely needed to go and see it. She also said her favorite place to be in Seattle was Pike's Market.
We plan to rent a car at Seattle's airport and drive to Canada. We would then drop the car off after our tour of British Columbia and take public transportation in Seattle. We plan to be in British Columbia for 8 days and 4 days in Seattle. Does this sound feasible?
Any advice you can give us such as places to see and eat, scheduling, transportation, etc. would be helpful. We do have our Frommer's that we're starting to look at but if anybody has first hand knowledge, it would be so much more fun.
I live in Seattle and your trip sounds wonderful and feasible. Pikes Market is the greatest place ever! I did post on it for That's My World not too long ago. Butchart Gardens are breathlessly beautiful! Take a look at my posts on Snoqualmi Falls and Mt Rainier.
ReplyDeleteMy parents live north of Seattle, about an hour and a half drive. Last time I went to visit my niece drove my friend and I to Seattle. We parked near Pike Place Market walked through the Market, (which is incredible!) had breakfast at a restaurant that was in the movie 'Sleepless in Seattle', then walked up to the Space Needle and around. It was fun.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I don't know much about the area, including how reliable or unreliable the public transportation is.
I know the waterfront is spectacular and there used to be a restaurant there, The Sourdough factory or something with incredible strawberry shortcake.
This is all very exciting but it's sounding like we'll need to keep that car in Seattle?... or can we use public transportation to see those places.
ReplyDeleteWhat a marvelous trip that is going to be. I envy you! Your trip blog (if you do so) will be a bright spot in our muddy Maine springtime!
ReplyDeleteHi Kay, what a wonderful trip you have planned. We visited Seattle and British Columbia for a total of six days but only spent a couple of days in Seattle as we drove up to Whidbey Island to visit friends for a couple of days, and then caught the ferry at Port Townsend over to Victoria in BC. Whidbey Island was a lovely place to see also. I am sorry that I can’t tell you anything about restaurants as though we found some that were so different but I can’t remember their names. Pike’s Market is definitely a fun place to visit. People get around using the ferries. You just drive your car on and enjoy the ride. They are a wonderful rest from driving as they get you from A to B and go through the San Juan Islands - beautiful and very picturesque. Victoria is a beautiful city. The Empress Hotel is an impressive landmark and I heard later they have wonderful afternoon teas there. We also drove to Butchart Gardens from Victoria. They are incredible. After a wonderful vacation we caught another ferry back from Victoria to Seattle. The scenery is spectacular and we have planned to go back one day and spend more time in both places. I found a few sites for you to browse through. I hope they will help when making your decisions. If I can remember anything else I will let you know. I am so excited for you :)))
ReplyDeletehttp://www.victoriaexpress.com/summerpackages.html
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
http://www.britishcolumbia.com/attractions/attractions/empress.html
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977010734
http://www.fairmont.com/Empress?cm_mmc=icppc-_-Branded-EMP%20-%20Empress%20-%20Canada-_-google-_-the+empress+hotel+victoria+bc
http://www.butchartgardens.com/the-gardens/our-history/our-history.html
kay;
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering when your next adventure would be! Sounds like a great trip!
I only know that it's wet there1 Big help!
Cheryl: We're really getting excited. It's fun getting input from everybody.
ReplyDeleteDenise: Thank you, thank you, Denise. I've already checked out the Butchart website. I'll look at the others you gave us. I really appreciate your help!
Peggy: Art just told me that the hotel does have Internet access so I'll be able to blog from Canada. Woo hoo!
WOW!!! I can't add a thing to your list of things to see, places to eat. But, I can add my name to the list of those that envy your upcoming trip.
ReplyDeleteHave a GREAT time, Kay. I'm looking forward to your vacation. You always do such a terrific job of sharing it your trips with us.
Kay, be sure to bring your passports. You will need them at the Canadian border.
ReplyDeleteYou can use bus transportaion in Seattle, and if you stay in the downtown area, you can walk to many attractions. From downtown you can ride the monorail to Seattle Center and the Space Needle. The Space Needle is expensive, but a must do as far as I'm concerned.
You can do a walk-on ferry ride, no waiting in line, a cheap ride, and a very scenic re-entry back in to Seattle, especially at sunset. Take the ferry to Winslow, get off, (you have to) walk around the town a bit, and then catch the next ferry back.
The Museum of Flight is very cool. It is on a bus route.
If you drop your car back at the airport and go carless in Seattle, you can take a cab downtown or catch a bus. The bus ride would be long. I would spring for a cab here. Just think about how you're saving on parking and rental fees.
Vacation planning-how fun. We spend a week in British Columbia drove up the east coast to the tip and back-gorgeous scenery or take a ferry up and back from Victoria. The gardens are a must see. Have fun. We're renting a house in Waldport, Oregon for a week in late August. Caryn and I and our hubbies. Just going to beach comb and relax.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay! I would highly recommend visiting the Victoria Butterfly Gardens:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.butterflygardens.com/
We enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Salmon House On The Hill in Vancouver, BC. Terrific view and wonderful food!
http://www.salmonhouse.com/
I'm sure you'll have a great time. I'm looking forward to seeing your photos!
You might start following the excellent blogs of professional photographer in Seattle Chuck Pefley http://almostoneaday.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHave fun.
Ken and I have been to Seattle a couple of times and to British Columbia (from Vancouver to Prince George and over to Vancouver Island) several times. Will be go only to Vancouver Island, or do you plan to visit the mainland, too? Anyway, Pike's Market is fun and a must-see. Lots of activity there. We've driven across the border into Canada from Seattle, then to Twassen (sp?) to take the car on the ferry to Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island and we've taken the catamaran from Seattle to Vancouver Island. Victoria is a beautiful city. Yes, Butchart Gardens are a must-see. We were back there about five years ago and the place was even more beautiful. The city of Vancouver is a must-see as well, if it's part of your plan. The passport won't be needed until June, but you might as well take it along if you go before then. I've forgotten when you said you're going and don't dare look back at your post for fear I'll manage to lose this long-winded comment....
ReplyDeleteKay, my parents went to Butchart Gardens and you really must see that-they loved it there! They want to go back sometime. Have fun planning your trip!
ReplyDeleteMore ideas: As you drive north on Interstate 5 to Canada, you might want to make a stop in the Skagit Valley near Mt. Vernon, to see the tulip fields. Depending on our spring weather, they might still be putting on a good show. Google the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
ReplyDeleteIn Vancouver, which is a very international city, there are some wonderful gardens: Queen Elizabeth Park and Conservatory, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chineese Garden, Van Duesen Botanical Garden, and the Japanese garden at the University of British Columbia. These are all wonderful.
UBC also has an amazing Museum of Anthropology with a wonderful Northwest Indian collection. There is also a wonderful museum in Victoria. Both have ancient totem poles and artifacts.
When you are in the Pacific Northwest, you should take an opportunity to get out to a park with big trees. There is a Provincial Park near Victoria that might do the trick. Spring would be a wonderful time. Be sure to bring layered clothing and rain gear.
You will be taking a ferry to Victoria, probably from Tawassinin. I'm not sure about the reservation system, if you can make them or not, so check into it. In summer the wait can be very long, but with your timing it should be OK, especially if you avoid a weekend.
Now about my paradise - Mt. Rainier. It will still be snowy at Paradise in spring, way too early for meadow flowers up there. My blog photos were taken in mid-July. It might not be worth the drive all the way. You would have to devote a full day to the trip. But hopefully the weather will permit some great distant views. A good one is just driving back south on I-5 between Seattle and the Airport.
Speaking of I-5, avoid rush hour traffic going into the city in the morning and outbound between 4 and 6:00. It can be a mess.
Happy planning.
Cheap eats in Seattle:
ReplyDelete1. Ivar's Fish Bar, on the waterfront at 1001 Alaskan Way. This is a must do. It's an outdoor take out bar. You get your tray of fish and yummy chowder and sit at a picnic table on the dock. (covered or uncovered, but hopefully you get a dry day and go uncovered. While you eat you watch the action from the nearby ferry dock. You are right next to the fire boats.
2. Westlake Center - in the center of downtown, next to Macy's and Nordstroms. This is where you catch the monorail to Seattle Center. The top floor is a food court. Look for the outside balcony seating for a great city view.
3. Center House - the other terminus of the Monorail, in the old armory building on the Seattle Center grounds. This is another food court, and is near the Space Needle.
4. Starbucks and Pike Place - You must go to at least one Starbucks, and the original is on Pike Place across the street from the market. It doesn't look like much and only sells beverages. (They do a wide choices of tea now)You can pick up eats along the same side of the street - bakery goods, cheese, dim sum, fruit, bottled beverages. Pick up a picnic lunch and go across the street to the park to eat. Watch the water traffic on Elliot Bay and give a friendly nod to some of Seattle's less fortunate residents.
There are some very good, upscale, pricy restaurants in the market area for a special dinner. You'll find lots of fresh seafood.
Kay, when you get your itinerary set, email me at tlreeder@comcast.net.
ReplyDeleteWe will be in town the first week in May and might be able to meet you and give you a guided tour of some of the harder to get to places.
Linda
Caryn: Thanks, Caryn! I confess I love to share my trips with everybody.
ReplyDeleteLinda: WOWEEEE! Thanks so much, Linda! That was a TON of help! We actually have only 2 full days in Seattle so I'll let you know what happens once our itinerary is more settled.
Apple Debbie: I like the idea of the Butterfly Gardens. Art and I have been to a couple but my mother has never seen one. Thanks for the good idea.
Dina: I checked out Chuck's website. It was a lot of fun. He's a fabulous photographer.
Lin: Have a terrific time with Caryn! It'll be fun to see what you both blog about.
Jean: I'm not sure what we're doing exactly. Art does most of the planning. I just hope the weather holds out for us.
Sherri: This whole trip came to be because our daughter said we needed to see the Butchart gardens if we enjoyed Keukenhof so much.
I'm getting really excited!
Kay, looks like you've gotten lots of excellent suggestions and advice already. If you're at the market on Fri, Sat or Monday do stop by my booth and say hello. If you have any specific questions don't hesitate to email me. Also, you should check Kim's Seattle Daily Photo blog as well for more things to do ideas.
ReplyDeleteChuck
I'll be keeping my eyes open for you Chuck!
ReplyDeleteI used to teach Social Studies and we covered Canada. You have some amazing adventures and breathtaking views ahead of you. It will be fun to accompany you!!
ReplyDelete