Stay : Seattle region:
Although very urban, Seattle is anchored in a sublime and preserved natural environment. The sites are quite close to each other, and in two weeks, you can enjoy the lush forest of the Olympic Peninsula with the charming islands of Vancouver and San Juan, before joining the North Cascades National Park and its numerous hiking possibilities.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
14 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : Seattle region: - 14 days
Day 1: Downtown and Pike Place Market
Steps: Seattle
From the airport, rent a car or take the Link Light Rail to Downtown. Stroll through Downtown, check out the architecturally impressive buildings like the Public Library, and climb to the top of the Columbia Tower for a great view of Seattle and its surroundings. Then visit the Seattle Art Museum and head to the famous Pike Place Market, the beating heart of the city. See the street performers, sample local delicacies and stroll along the waterfront. Alternatively, take a one-hour boat trip into Elliot Bay or visit the excellent aquarium, which is great for children. Then head up to Belltown to discover the trendy neighbourhood that gave birth to the grunge rock movement, then stroll through the beautiful Olympic Sculpture Park. Finish up with dinner at one of the neighborhood restaurants that serve Pacific Northwest cuisine!
PIKE PLACE MARKET / SEATTLE AQUARIUM / SEATTLE ART MUSEUM / SEATTLE CENTRAL LIBRARY / SKY VIEW OBSERVATORY / OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK
Day 2: Pioneer Square and International District
Steps: Seattle
Explore the historic Pioneer Square area. Stroll through the old buildings and art galleries and visit the interesting Klondike Historical Park museum dedicated to the great gold rush of the late 1800s. You can take theUnderground Tour to get a sense of what the city was like before the Great Fire. Continue your tour by entering Chinatown, more commonly known as the International District, and visit the Wing Luke Museum to learn about the history of the Asian community in Seattle. You can have lunch at one of the small restaurants in the area. Before you leave, check out the Uwajimaya supermarket for thousands of manga and original gifts. Then take the Link Light Train to Weslake Center where a monorail will take you directly to Seattle Centre. Spend the afternoon wandering the neighborhood and its main attractions(Pacific Science Center, theExperience Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum) and then climb to the top of the famous Space Needle to see the sunset or Seattle by night. For dinner, you'll probably be inspired by the restaurants in the Queen Anne residential area.
Day 3: Ballard, Fremont, U District and Capitol Hill
Steps: Seattle
Explore Seattle's alternative neighborhoods. Start in Ballard, an old Scandinavian neighborhood that has kept its charm and its gentle way of life along the canal. Then discover Fremont (15 to 20 min walk) where you'll be treated to some nice surprises (statues, bars, and unusual shops). On Sundays, don't miss the Farmer's Market in Ballard and the large Fremont Flea Market. Take a picnic break at Gas Works Park, a former industrial center converted into a park with a beautiful view of Lake Union. Then you have the choice of visiting the huge Wooldand Parc Zoo in Greenlake, or continuing the walk, taking a bus to the university area, the U District. If you choose the second option, visit the university on the shores of Lake Washington and the friendly student district. You can take a break in one of the cafes on University street. From there, take another bus to Discovery Park, north of Capitol Hill. Walk through the park, enter the conservatory (tropical greenhouse) and stroll through the surrounding streets where beautiful houses have been restored. Continue on foot to the Pike corridor and Pine Street, where the gay community has settled. The cultural life is abundant, you will find many bars, concert halls, fashion shops, and the famous statue of Jimmy Hendrix. It is the occasion to have dinner in the area and to attend a rock concert at Neumo's.
Day 4: Mount Rainier
Steps: Mount Rainier National Park, Seattle
Why not going for a getaway for the day? If you have a car or if you want to participate in a group excursion, and the weather is fine, don't hesitate! This volcano, which appears on all the postcards in Seattle on the right of the Space Needle, will allow you to discover the exceptional nature at the gates of the city (1 hour drive). Go to the Paradise Station where you will feel like being in the middle of the Alps and take one of the many trails to admire the glaciers of the volcano. On your return, go to West Seattle for dinner at Alki Beach. You will see the city reflected in the water in front of you. For those who cannot take this walk, visit the Aviation Museum and wander along the West Seattle waterfront.
Day 5: Departure for the Olympic Peninsula
Steps: Seattle
Departure from Seattle by ferry to Bainbridge. Tour by car from the island and stop in its shops and its farms to buy fresh products. Departure by ferry to Port Townsend. Discovery of the city centre and its Victorian houses in the late afternoon. Overnight stay.
Day 6: Olympic Peninsula
Steps: Olympic National Park
Car ride to the peninsula. Stop at Sequim to visit a lavender expoitation and then to Port Angeles to learn about the Visitor's center of Olympic national park. Hiking in the afternoon near Mont Olympus or near the Lake Crescent. Night in a lodge.
Day 7: Olympic Peninsula
Steps: Olympic National Park
Discovery of the beautiful rainforests of Hoh and Quinault. Afternoon relaxation at the hot pools. Walk or swim along the Pacific. Night in a lodge in the park or a hotel on the road to Port Angeles.
HOH RAIN FOREST
Day 8: Getaway in Victoria, British Columbia
Steps: Victoria
Departure by ferry from Port-Angeles, walking tour of the charming city of Victoria and its old houses reminiscent of English charm, Parliament and the Royal BC Museum. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel or B&B.
Day 9: Victoria and Southern Vancouver Island
Steps: Victoria, Brentwood Bay
Take the car to get out of Victoria and go to East Sooke Park to admire the Pacific Ocean from the hiking trails. In the afternoon, you will drive to Butchart gardens to admire the nature's jewel. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel or B&B.
THE BUTCHART GARDENS
Day 10: Departure to the San Juan Islands
Steps: San Juan Island
Departure by ferry to San Juan Island. Arrival at the port of Friday Harbor. Sea trips to watch whales and orcas off the islands. Late afternoon to walk in the village and dine in a restaurant facing the sea. Overnight stay.
Day 11: The San Juan Islands
Steps: San Juan Island, Orcas Island
Drive to the rest of San Juan Island. Departure by ferry in the afternoon to Orcas Island. Arrival on site and drive from the island to Olga passing through the Mont Constitution, the highest point of the islands. Dinner and overnight at the village of Eastsound.
Day 12: Departure to North Cascades
Steps: North Cascades National Park
Early morning departure by ferry to Anacortes. Then, explore North Cascades by taking the beautiful Hwy 20 road. Head to North Cascades National Park. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 13: Hiking in the National Park
Steps: North Cascades National Park
Find out more in the information centre for a beautiful day-long hike around Mount Baker for example. Night in lodge, chalet or a camping tent.
MOUNT BAKER
Day 14: End of stay in Seattle
Steps: Seattle
Return trip to Seattle, last overnight stay before taking the plane.
Ideas for holidays and week-end breaks North Cascades National Park
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