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Things to do in Victoria, BC / Vancouver / Seattle area?

cali_beemer

By cali_beemer
in Local Anytime Ride and Event Planning

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cali_beemer

cali_beemer

Posted
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I have started planning my trip and I am thinking that adding Yellowstone to my intinerary may be a bit much given my 11 days of freedom. I am considering this a more relaxed, take in the towns, festivals.... I leave June 30th and come back July 10th. My only things I know of are to check out the Tilamook factory in Oregon out and I plan to be in Seattle for the 4th of July. Apperantly there are some festivals and big firework displays. In victoria I now about the Butchart Gardens in Victoria but I have been there already. I have no clue about Vancouver. I suppose the fish market in Seattle is a possibility......Any others?

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FlyingFinn

FlyingFinn

Posted
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- Seattle has pretty nice fireworks over Eliot Bay, you want to be there for the 4th.

- Hwy 20

- The Road that loops around Mt. Rainier on the east side of it. (avoid weekends, the RV traffic will kill you)

[edit] Hwy-410/123.

- Mt. St. Helens viewed from the eastern visitor center, and the road there and roads from there to Colombia river valley.

[edit]Hwy-12 to Randle and from there south on Hwy-131 & Wind River Rd.

 

Victoria is very nice tourist town, cool main drag with lot of restaurants and cafes. The ferry rides across Puget Sound are always fun, especially on a bike (you can ride straight to the front of the line).

 

I really like Vancouver too. If you go, take the Grouse Mountain gondola up the mountain. Great views from up there.

Vancouver has also many great restaurants and very international atmosphere. Also some interesting clubs, so I've heard.

 

--

Mikko

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Kitsap

Kitsap

Posted
Posted

In Victoria..

The Royal BC Museum is good. You can rent a bicycle and ride the Galloping Goose rail to trail. Victoria at night is fun if the weather cooperates with street performers and such. Lots of good eateries and bars. If you're into such things tea at the Empress is good also.

 

Vancouver..

We usually stay at one of the Hotels on the West end near Stanley Park. Robson Street is the one to walk. Granville Island has a public market that includes bakeries, food stalls and live entertainment. There is a model railroad museum on the island also that is good if a little pricey. Stanley Park is a great walking park with excellent views of the city. Gastown has an interesting night life :/

 

 

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VinnyR11

VinnyR11

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Your coastal trip is one of our favorite spots in the world. If you're heading to Tilamook, you may want to consider heading a little further south along the Oregon coast. ~ 6 hours total if you head all the way to Coos Bay, most are much closer. It's a few hours of gorgeous riding, and you'll find amazing small towns, gorgeous hiking, terrific roads, and coastline with plenty of interesting stops along the way. I think well worth it. Also, not insignificantly, the weather gets much drier as you move south from Tillamook, which if I remember correctly is one of the rainiest towns on the coast.

 

In Seattle: The Science Fiction and Rock and Roll museum (two museums, same location) in Seattle is well worth a visit. Also in that area, the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, and the Seattle Art Museum were excellent.

 

Andaluca's at the mayflower Hotel was terrific for breakfast.

 

Uli's sausages or wursts are to die for at The Market. The Market itself is a fun stop for grazing.

 

Palace Kitchen on 5th Ave serves great food and incredible coconut custard pie.

 

 

In Tilamook the Air museum is worth a stop.

 

Back in '09 we got some great feedback on this forum for our Seattle/Oregon trip on THIS THREAD Check it out.

 

You'll pass through Astoria on your way to Tillamook. The Maritime Museum in Astoria is very well done and interesting (if time is an issue I'd pick this over the Tillamook cheese factory).

 

If you hit Yachats (2.5 hrs south) definitely go to Devil's Churn (cape Perpetua). Some spectacular views of the beauty and power of nature.

 

Honeymann State Park outside of Florence was a great stop. We agree with gottabmw that it was one of the gems of the Oregon Coast. Also in Florence, eat at The Waterfront Depot. Small place, make reservations. ~ 3 hours south of Tilamook. Great food at good prices.

 

Shoreacres State Park outside of Coos Bay is beautiful. The arboretum mentioned in outpost22's reply is also well worth a visit.

 

You almost can't miss with any of the towns along the coastline. Leave enough off-the-bike time to get in some hiking or if you prefer long walks along the coast.

 

 

 

 

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MikeRC

MikeRC

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Posted

You're asking about Vancouver, WA right?

 

As previously mentioned, ride at least part of the Columbia River Gorge, I would go east on the Columbia River Scenic Byway, cross over at The Dalles or Hood River, take the quick trip up the Klikitat Canyon (WA142) until you see Mt Adams in your mirror:

 

MtAdams_fr_WA142.jpg

 

Turn around and go back down the canyon, then follow 14 back to Vancouver.

 

Maybe check out the Portland Food Cart scene.

 

Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh Rainforest in Olympia National Park.

 

Check out Trip Advisor for food selections - I second Waterfront Depot in Florence and can recommend The Luna Sea Fish House and Heidi's in Yachats. I would skip tea at the Empress in Victoria unless you are really into the high tea thing ($58 and reservations recommended).

 

Mike Cassidy

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  • 2 weeks later...
Chip

Chip

Posted
Posted
I have started planning my trip and I am thinking that adding Yellowstone to my intinerary may be a bit much given my 11 days of freedom. I am considering this a more relaxed, take in the towns, festivals.... I leave June 30th and come back July 10th. My only things I know of are to check out the Tilamook factory in Oregon out and I plan to be in Seattle for the 4th of July. Apperantly there are some festivals and big firework displays. In victoria I now about the Butchart Gardens in Victoria but I have been there already. I have no clue about Vancouver. I suppose the fish market in Seattle is a possibility......Any others?

 

Taking the ferry to the San Juan Islands and riding there is pretty spectacular riding. In one day (from Seattle), you ride to Anacortes, ferry to San Juan, ride around the whole Island, stop at a one or two of the camps (American or British), and see the Lavendar farm. Then take the ferry to Orca and ride around that island. Then take the ferry back to Anacortes.

 

Bikes get on and off the ferries first. You won't forget the experience.

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RT66Rider

RT66Rider

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Last year I spent a few days up in Everett, which is on the North side of Seattle.

 

Two things that I would do again:

 

Visit the Future Of Flight for a tour of the Boeing Aircraft Plant.

The size of this place will blow your mind. It's like the Grand Canyon of buildings.

In fact, all of Disneyland, including the parking lot, will fit inside this single building.

 

And if you like seafood, visit Ivar's for some of the best I've ever tasted.

 

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Kitsap

Kitsap

Posted
Posted
Last year I spent a few days up in Everett, which is on the North side of Seattle.

 

Two things that I would do again:

 

Visit the Future Of Flight for a tour of the Boeing Aircraft Plant.

The size of this place will blow your mind. It's like the Grand Canyon of buildings.

In fact, all of Disneyland, including the parking lot, will fit inside this single building.

 

I walk from one end of that place to the other almost every week day during lunch, it's .85 miles across at it's furthest reach. Oh, it often fills as nutty as Disneyland some days.

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