Vancouver to Seattle?

Old Sep 22nd, 2017, 09:05 AM
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Vancouver to Seattle?

Hey everyone!

My husband and I are spending 8-9 days in Vancouver next month and we hoped to add Washington State or Seattle into the mix. We wouldn't be able to stay overnight due to the fact our hotel is already booked and paid for in Vancouver, so it will be a long day trip starting at 9am. Therefore, I don't think Seattle AND Deception Pass/Whidbey Island will be doable in the same day?

From reading some great old threads on here I've come up with this route trip:

Rent a midsize 4x4 from Downtown Vancouver and travel I-99 to the Peace Arch border crossing. Then follow I-5, exit at Fairhaven/250. Head through Chuckanut down to Whitney, then onto Fidalgo Island. Enter Deception Pass State Park taking in the views and beaches (any tips here? I've read about the jet boat or something, worth it?)

Here we could either turn back and head 'home' to Vancouver or continue on to Coupeville/Langley/Whidbey Island and take the ferry from Clinton to Mulkiteo (anyone know the price?). Then head back up I-5 to Vancouver.

Our rental needs to be back by 11.30pm so we have time but I wonder if the last part will be too much for one day? What would you do? Tips and advice will be much appreciated!

Also, any advice for an experienced and confident UK driver? I'm slightly nervous as it will be my first time driving on the 'other' side.
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Old Sep 22nd, 2017, 09:18 AM
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Mukilteo*
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Old Sep 22nd, 2017, 10:49 AM
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Re the ferries - schedule, fares, and other information:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
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Old Sep 23rd, 2017, 01:15 AM
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Thanks for that!


So... Anyone got opinions on our route and if it's realistic to go down to Clinton/Mukilteo and back in one day?

Any restaurant recommendations for lunch/dinner? We would probably want to stop for lunch somewhere between Fairhaven & Fidalgo. Seafront views would be nice.
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Old Sep 23rd, 2017, 08:31 AM
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>>due to the fact our hotel is already booked and paid for in Vancouver,
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Old Sep 24th, 2017, 04:48 AM
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I'd love to but it's not cost effective unfortunately. I figure we'll go to Seattle another time in the future.

Was just curious about what people from that area thought of our route to Deception Pass State Park and if they had any food recommendations or inside info/tips to share.
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Old Sep 24th, 2017, 07:04 AM
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>>I'd love to but it's not cost effective unfortunately
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Old Sep 24th, 2017, 07:25 AM
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To clarify -- sunset is around 7 PM at the beginning of OCT and 6 PM at the end of the month. Dusky for a while after that.
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Old Sep 24th, 2017, 07:28 AM
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. . . oh, and you might want to post a thread over on the US board tagged for Washington State. It is a busier board plus a lot of Seattle area Fodorites will see your post there and have local advice re the routes/weather/etc.
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Old Sep 24th, 2017, 09:11 AM
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You don't need a 4x4 for where you're driving. It's all paved, modern roads. Regular 2-wheel drives are just fine.
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Old Sep 24th, 2017, 09:15 AM
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Also, since you're spending so much time in Vancouver, what do you have planned for Vancouver? If you need suggestions for things to see/do around Vancouver, do ask! There are so many places you can visit with the timeframe you have, depending on what you enjoy doing. Do come back and ask.
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Old Sep 25th, 2017, 06:36 AM
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Janisj, agreed but we have splurged almost everywhere else. We're comfortable with just seeing Deception Pass. Thanks for the tip re. the American board.

Robyn, we're used to driving a 4x4 but appreciate the input. Our itinerary for Vancouver includes Grouse Mountain & Capilano Bridge, Sea to Sky Gondola (near Squamish), concert at the Rogers Arena, Stanley Park tour & Aquarium, Zodiac Tour, Vancouver Lookout, FlyOver Canada/Canada Place & Granville Island. Our penultimate day is a very expensive but exciting round-trip seaplane flight and whale watching excursion to Victoria.

Anything else you would suggest?
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Old Sep 25th, 2017, 10:36 AM
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First note:

No matter WHAT... time your return to Canada so as NOT to be spending ages in the border line. (if you need to have your car returned by 11:30 in Central Vancouver, don't be afraid to be hitting the border in the 9:30-10pm range) (depending upon how much longer it could take for you, for residing in neither USA or Canada)

This is such an interesting angle ... for while we answer tons of questions on how a Seattle visitor could add Canada/Vancouver to their itinerary... it doesn't happen too much the other way.


I think the North Cascades Highway should at least be nominated as an idea to match your wishes... even if you don't opt for it.

(use Winthrop, WA as the mapping destination, for research)

It claims "4 1/2 hours" from Vancouver, BC to Winthrop... (one way)


The highway itself does NOT require that you get to Winthrop... but it is just, the usual spot at the end, which people tend to target (and a wonderful little town, too).

geez... from "9am to 11:30pm"


You have NO chance to miss significant border back-up coming IN to the USA... and that just about negates the chance that you could optimize your time window.

And even IF there is a chance you could get through the border swiftly, you can't plan on it!!!

Is the car rental a "24-hour" rental?

... which you COULD, instead, get late the night before, and leave Vancouver at the crack of before-dawn???

Yes, you'd have to pay the overnight parking cost... but the difference between hitting the road at 5am, vs. 9am, would be very much in your favor!

I dunno... but I'm voting for, finesse the car rental so that you can have the vehicle at your disposal for a 5am departure, and then go directly to, and across the border... have breakfast in the USA if need be (Bellingham)... and then take the path toward Winthrop, WA... and if time becomes constrictive, find some spot short of Winthrop to turn around...


Winthrop makes for a fun little destination if you have time... and otherwise the scenery on the North Cascades Highway is worth it.
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Old Oct 1st, 2017, 09:16 AM
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My first thought is that you're going to all the paid tourist attractions in Vancouver, while so much of Vancouver can easily be experienced for free. But it really depends on your style of travel and your interests.

Stanley Park is the number one must see in Vancouver and it is so huge, don't underestimate it. You can easily spend one whole day there and not see it all. I'd emphasize the areas on the west side of the park, and do the seawall from English Bay to Lumberman's Arch. Bring a picnic lunch from Granville Island. And on Granville Island, be sure to explore beyond the public market - there are a lot of little nooks and crannies (i.e. The Net Loft, Railspur Alley, etc.)

If you want entertainment, go to Capilano Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain, but it is at the super touristy end of the spectrum and expensive. Lynn Canyon Park is equally beautiful and has a similar suspension bridge, but it is entirely free to visit and is also in North Vancouver. And instead of Grouse Mountain, nearby Mount Seymour has some gorgeous hiking trails and views if you're looking for a mountain experience that overlooks the city. But again, these are more natural destinations without the tour bus infrastructure, but most visitors aren't even aware of them because they don't have the marketing budget that Grouse or Capilano has.

I'd keep the Sea to Sky Gondola, definitely, and try to eat at nearby Fergie's Cafe for breakfast or lunch (they close at 3 pm) - it's a pretty magical setting.

Personally, I'm a bit of a nature nerd and I love learning, so I'd put the Museum of Anthropology and VanDusen Botanical Garden, or Queen Elizabeth Park on your itinerary for a taste of somewhere other than downtown Vancouver's attractions. The Museum of Anthropology is beautiful and is where you can learn about the indigenous people/cultures of this part of the world. Look it up and see if it may be something you'd appreciate.

Also, most first-time visitors never leave the tiny downtown Vancouver peninsula, but there is so much more to Vancouver than its tiny downtown. I'd put neighbourhoods like Kitsilano Beach/Kitsilano's W 4th Avenue, Commercial Drive, or Mount Pleasant's Main Street on your itinerary for a taste of authentic Vancouver neighbourhoods that aren't all just glass skyscrapers like downtown - cool unique-to-Vancouver shops, restaurants, cafes, craft breweries, etc. They're artsier places, definitely quirkier. More colourful. But maybe that's not your style, I don't know.

Nearby Vancouver, a day trip the Gulf of Georgia Cannery in Steveston is fun - it's home to Canada's largest fishing fleet and there are a lot of cute shops, cafes, and restaurants along the waterfront. Britannia Shipyards is also a fun little area. Or Fort Langley is a quaint village, home of Fort Langley National Historic Site. And nearby are some fun little wineries (Fort Wine Co. etc.) for something completely different.

Those are just some ideas.
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