Seattle or Vancouver

[NANCYR2]

Would like to spend an extra 2 nights before the cruise in August in either Seattle or Vancouver. Is there any advice on which city would be better to spend the extra time? We have not been to either city before. Our plan is to fly into Seattle and take Amtrack to Vancouver where we will board the ship.

 

Nancy

[Putterdude]

Wow, that's a loaded question. Vancouver is my home town and there is just a ton to see here but that is not to say that Seattle isn't nice as well.

Vancouver in my opinion has much more natural beauty than Seattle particularly with the north shore mountains as a backdrop to the city. It has the beautiful 1000 acre Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, Granville Island, and Gastown. I know that if you choose Vancouver you will be kept busy.

 

www.capbridge.com/

http://www.grousemountain.com/Summer/summer-activities/

http://city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/parks/stanley/

http://www.granvilleisland.com/en

http://www.gastown.org/

[KAYEF]

These two cities are VERY much the same................on the sea and with gorgeous mountains as well.

I'd choose Seattle if it works well with getting to the train the next day and then once you get to Vancouver, you can walk out all your "sitting" in Stanley Park.

There's lots to do in both cities.................ferry rides in Seattle, the Space Needle and all of that.

One thing to remember is that Vancouver is VERY expensive, even now that the money situation is back in favor of the US citizens. Just price out the hotels in the two cities.

BOTH are beautiful...................especially when it's sunny.;)

[krogerlady]

Our group is spending two nights in Vancouver and thanks to many many wonderful suggestion from Putterdude, we know we are going to have a nice visit. He didn't mention the hop on hop off bus and trolley. Suggested as the best way to see the city, rather than using cabs for each attraction, or renting a car, because he said parking is difficult. We will have one whole day to explore, while probably not nearly enough, we will make the best of it and I am looking forward to our day in a new city almost as much as the cruise!!

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/

[jff50]

I would spend the time in Vancouver. Like Seattle (spending time there before our June Alaska cruise out fo Vancouver because my oldest daughter lives there) but Vancouver is one of my favorite cities to visit--been there many times. After my last Alaska cruise we spent some time in Vancouver and one of the things we did was to go to Bard on the Beach.

http://bardonthebeach.org/

Would highly recommend that for an evening.

[tetleytea]

My wife and I both like Vancouver much better than Seattle. And, in August there should be some big fireworks show, if you get the right days. That was cool when we saw it--it was interesting to witness a big fireworks show that had nothing to do with Independence.

[LarryL]

I tend to understand what Putterdude is saying. What a nice dilemma you are in. Both cities are beautiful and have many attributes. We have decided to spend our precruise day in Vancouver after driving up from SeaTac. I used to live in Seattle and we will make it a meandering drive to see old haunts and places I have always enjoyed. I haven't been to Vancouver since 1966 and am anxious to see how it has changed.

 

If you stay in Seattle you do have options other than the typical attractions like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market. You could rent a car and do a day trip to Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula. The Bremerton Ferry to the Peninsula leaves from downtown Seattle. If you are into aviation history you can take a tour of Boeing Aircraft. Lots of interesting things there. The USS Turner Joy (Vietnam era destroyer) is at Bremerton if you have an interest. Just the ferry ride is an experience. If you have time, get a guide to both cities and make your decision based on what interests you. Seattle is one of my favorite cities to visit, second only to San Francisco.

 

Hope you have fun

[tetleytea]

How is that underground Seattle tour? Should we take the normal 90-minute one, or is there some other special one that can be done?

[kamala]

Vancouver over Seattle! I live in Seattle and love it but would live in Vancouver if I could.

 

The Seattle Underground Tour is a good time. Don't know about any shorter variations though.

[LoriPhil]

We're doing both - flying early into Seattle to play for the day, taking Amtrak the next morning to Vancouver (ah - Stanley Park this time) and board the ship the next day. It's a yummy "sampler" and stress-free! We use Hotwire and Priceline for the hotels so the costs aren't outrageous, and it's a nice surprise to see what hotel you get.

[Sidewindersue]

Just a suggestion to pay the extra price and take Business Class on the train. It is a lot easier to get on board in Seattle (no long lines to stand in) and you also have a special line for customs in Vancouver.:D

[anchorage1977]

I lived in Seattle for 20 years and would enthusiasticly say that Vancouver is a better city to visit. Their harbor setting, the closeness of their mountains, they museums, shopping, public transportation... all are winners in my opinion.

 

Seattle's a fun town, but there's a reason they picked Vancouver as a future Olympic site... it's one of the best cities in North America IMO.

[tetleytea]

Seattle's a fun town, but there's a reason they picked Vancouver as a future Olympic site... it's one of the best cities in North America IMO.

 

There's also this minor thing called Whistler up the road. Anyway, that's in February 2010. That's not so "future" anymore! I used to live in Atlanta in 1995 and 1996; I know what it's like. Wish I was there.

[Manzy154]

I am not sure which is better but after my cruise i will have an opinion. One activity in Seattle I enjoyed very much is the Tillicum Village dinner. You take a short harbor cruise with Argosy and then out to the island where they have a totem pole carver and steamed clams. followed by an all you can eat salmon dinner. I think they also have prime rib. The Salmon is cooked as the indians did on spits over open fires, it was delicious, during dinner you will watch a live show of indian dancing and traditional history that is also very good. After dinner you have time for a walk with the dear on the island and a sunset cruise back to the Harbor. The GoSeattle card has a nice discount for this along with free admission to the Space needle before 5 and other attractions.

[chachi]

I had to make the same decision. After doing a lot of research, it Vancouver seemed to be the better choice for me. I spent a lot of time researching activities to do, and Vancouver had so many more outdoor tours. We booked a whale watching and white water rafting trip (outside of Vancouver). I would like to visit Stanley Park and North Shore as well. So much to do, and not enough time.

[Putterdude]

I really felt awkward posting on thread last night but I am feeling quite vindicated right now....thanks everyone.:)

[kamala]

I really felt awkward posting on thread last night but I am feeling quite vindicated right now....thanks everyone.:)

 

Hey, we love Canucks! Except in 1994. Go Rangers!

 

Some more Vancouver recommendations:

1) Granville Island. Go hungry and eat your way through the public market. False Creek (mini) Ferries are a fun way to get there.

2) Richmond for Chinese food/Dim Sum. Often as good as what I ate in Taiwan. (Has anyone been to the Richmond Night Market? I've been dying to go.)

3) Capilano Suspension Bridge. Awesome. Although I hear there is a free bridge over the gorge just up the road.

 

Have a great time!

[Putterdude]

The free suspension bridge is in Lynn Canyon Park and goes over Lynn Creek...as you may have guessed the Capilano Bridge goes over the Capilano River. They are about 5 miles apart or a 15 to 2O miin drive. Both can be reached by public transit. Here is a link or two:

 

http://www.dnv.org/ecology/see_do/see_do.html

 

http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/Lynn%20Canyon/SuspensionBridge.html

 

http://www.tyleringram.com/blog/mini-day-trip-lynn-canyon-park-and-suspension-bridge

[Elde]

You could rent a car and do a day trip to Olympic National Park on the Olympic Peninsula.

 

That would be one long day trip! :)

 

But I'd be careful recommending it over the next few weeks, as the Hood Canal Bridge will be closed from May 1st until mid June (assuming the weather cooperates) or possibly a couple of weeks longer (if it doesn't).

 

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR104HoodCanalBridgeEast/2009closure.htm

[bqkali]

I couldn't decide, since I haven't been to either city...in the end, decided on one night pre-cruise in Seattle and one night post-cruise in Vancouver. I'll only be able to hit the highlights of both cities, but at least I'll be able to decide where to spend my time on my next visit ;)