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Wish to profit from your Seattle to Vancouver drive? From harbour cities and historic fishing villages to state parks, vineyards and aviation museums, there are an abundance of hotspots to go to on the comparatively quick drive from Seattle to Vancouver.
Regardless of being in two completely different nations, solely 140 miles separates the cities of Seattle and Vancouver – you possibly can drive the complete distance in below three hours if the visitors is in your aspect. However if you see simply what number of superb locations and points of interest there alongside the route from Seattle to Vancouver, you would possibly agree that it’s value dedicating not less than a few days to this epic street journey.
Whereas making your manner from the States to Canada, you possibly can go by way of historic coastal cities, charming fishing villages and harbour cities. Choose nature? Seashores, mountains, rolling vineyards and state parks are simply of the landscapes you’ll encounter in your Seattle to Vancouver street journey.
Right here’s a choice of my favorite stops on the drive from Seattle to Vancouver that will help you plan your journey on wheels.
The place to go to on a Seattle to Vancouver street journey
From the charming stateside city of Edmonds all the best way north to the height of Canada’s Grouse Mountain, listed below are one of the best locations to go to in your Seattle to Vancouver drive.
1. Edmonds
Edmonds is an enthralling little coastal city with pleasant eating places, cute shops and public seashores. It’s identified to many Seattle locals because the ferry terminal to the Olympic Peninsula, house to the Olympic Nationwide Park. You may watch the ferries coming and going with a sizzling drink from a café such because the Waterfront Espresso Firm.
When you’re right here, you would possibly need to try the journey centre of well-known American journey author Rick Steves. There are additionally a number of museums, together with the Edmonds Historic Museum and the Cascadia Artwork Museum.
Edmonds is simply 19 miles from central Seattle, and also you’ll most likely solely have to spend round an hour right here.
2. The Boeing Everett Manufacturing facility
After stress-free by the waterfront in Edmonds, drive 11 miles north to the Boeing Everett Manufacturing facility. Right here, you possibly can embark on the 90-minute Boeing Way forward for Flight tour to witness actual planes being made on the meeting traces.
This peak into the method of producing aeroplanes is clearly a should for aviation fans, however I’d advocate it to anyone who’s concerned with how flying works. When you don’t have sufficient time to take the tour, you possibly can nonetheless absorb panoramic views of the Boeing Everett Manufacturing facility, Paine Area and the North Cascades mountain vary from the Sky Deck.
You’ll most likely have to put aside one to 2 and a half hours to go to the Boeing Everett Manufacturing facility, relying on whether or not or not you need to take the Way forward for Flight tour.
3. Wenatchee Wineries
Take pleasure in a tipple of the positive stuff occasionally? It may not be as effectively referred to as Sonoma or Napa Valley, however Wenatchee has earned itself a stellar fame as a prime wine producing area over the previous few years.
This rural agrarian neighborhood produces 99% of all Washington’s wine grapes. A number of the most scrumptious varietals grown right here embody Riesling and the extremely acclaimed Chardonnay.
When you fancy treating your self to among the state’s best, you possibly can take a tour of a vineyard such because the Stemilt Creek Vineyard, the Martin Scott Vineyard or the Chateau Faire Le Pont Vineyard.
It takes about two and a half hours to achieve the wineries of Wenatchee from the Boeing Everett Manufacturing facility, and on condition that this wine area isn’t on the best way to Vancouver, it’ll add 5 hours of driving plus a number of hours of exploration time to your Seattle to Vancouver street journey. Nonetheless, it’s a worthwhile addition to your getaway should you’re a wine connoisseur.
Only a observe, should you’re driving by way of Washington, you’ll have to receive a world driving allow to drive legally. When you’ve obtained your personal licence, you will get one very simply on that hyperlink.
4. Whidbey Island
Whereas driving from Seattle to Vancouver, you would possibly need to squeeze in a go to to Whidbey Island after touring the Boeing Manufacturing facility. This widespread weekend getaway spot is house to quaint cities, miles of shoreline and scenic mountain climbing trails that traverse state parks.
You may absorb among the most lovely settings of Whidbey Island at points of interest such because the Deception Go Bridge and the Deception Go State Park. I’d additionally advocate navigating the Kettle and Bluff Trails within the Fort Ebey State Park.
Of all Whidbey Island’s fairly cities, my favorite might be Langley, which is a haven for native artists. Simply up the freeway from Langley is Greenbank Farm, house to a century-old barn and a number of other trails operating by way of fields as soon as occupied by the most important loganberry farm in america.
In case you have time, I’d additionally advocate visiting the historic downtown space and pier of Coupeville in addition to Fort Casey earlier than leaving Whidbey Island.
To succeed in Whidbey Island, you possibly can board the ferry together with your automobile at Mukilteo close to the Boeing Manufacturing facility. You may then drive north to Burlington to rejoin the freeway to the border with Vancouver. You’ll want a minimal of two hours for this detour, however you would simply spend an evening or two on Whidbey Island.
5. Chuckanut Drive
Stretching for about 20 miles across the perimeter of the Chuckanut Mountains between Bellingham and Mount Vernon, Chuckanut Drive is a brief and more-than-worthwhile detour off the I–5.
This two-lane street gives sweeping views of lush forest backdropped by the Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands. A number of pullouts supply area to park your automobile and soak up the sights. In case you have sufficient vitality to hike, you possibly can absorb even higher views alongside the Oyster Dome path.
When you want a meals break whereas exploring Chuckanut Drive, I like to recommend stopping at Taylor Shellfish to dig into scrumptious, native seafood. If you wish to spend the evening amid the realm’s nature, you possibly can camp on the Larrabee State Park.
6. Bellingham
Subsequent up in your Seattle to Vancouver drive is the small coastal metropolis of Bellingham. Residence to the Western Washington College, Bellingham is an enthralling and historic place with a barely funky vibe due to the youthful members of its inhabitants.
When you’re within the temper for a little bit of artwork, tradition and historical past, browse the fascinating shows of artworks and artefacts on the Whatcom Museum. Choose hands-on reveals? You’ll most likely love the SPARK Museum of Electrical Innovation, which showcases 4 centuries of human evolution from the 16th century.
When you’d slightly spend your time exterior, I’d advocate the 241-acre Whatcom Falls Park, the place you possibly can observe mountain climbing trails to pure wonders that embody 4 units of cascading waterfalls.
7. Birch Bay State Park
Located in a serene cove between Blaine and Bellingham, Birch Bay State Park is a tranquil rocky seashore that gives unimaginable views of the North Cascades and the Canadian Gulf Islands.
At low tide throughout clamming season, you possibly can seek for quite a lot of shellfish on the uncovered mudflats. It doesn’t matter what time of yr you go to, you possibly can rustle up an al fresco meal in nature utilizing firepits, grills and picnic tables dotted alongside the seashore.
As Birch Bay is extra about absorbing the sights than sunbathing and swimming, you’ll most likely solely have to spend an hour or so right here in your Seattle to Vancouver drive.
8. Blaine
Blaine is a quiet and cute village positioned simply off the freeway earlier than the US-Canada border. With its charming waterfront shops, bustling marina and wonderful playgrounds, Blaine is a incredible place to go to with the children on a street journey from Seattle to Vancouver.
You’ll discover a pirate ship-themed playground proper subsequent to the marina, so the children can put on themselves out whilst you benefit from the boats coming up and down on the water. You may seize snacks and low from the lighthouse-shaped Starbucks simply across the nook.
Whereas Blaine is a pleasant coastal city, there’s little to do past the marina. I’d advocate stopping right here for a 30-minute pit cease so the children can stretch their legs earlier than crossing the border into Canada.
9. Peace Arch State Park
Simply earlier than crossing the border into Canada (or maybe I ought to say whereas crossing the border), you would possibly need to discover a picnic spot within the Peace Arch State Park, which sits proper on the border of Seattle and Vancouver.
The spotlight of the park is the centrepiece from which it takes its identify – the Peace Arch. This monument dons the US and Canadian flags, making it a incredible selfie spot.
10. Deas Island Regional Park
Your first cease after crossing the border into Canada would be the Deas Island Regional Park, which occupies an island within the Fraser River in South Vancouver. Common actions at this sprawling wooded park embody boating, fishing, mountain climbing and horse driving.
When you’re right here, you possibly can immerse your self within the native historical past. The park is called after John Sullivan Deas, an African-Canadian tinsmith who opened a cannery right here in 1873.
11. Steveston
Whereas technically part of Richmond, Steveston is a definite neighborhood that lies on the Fraser River delta. It could be a comparatively small city, however it’s steeped in historical past. There are additionally fairly a number of nice waterfront retailers and eating places.
You may achieve insights into the historical past and heritage of Steveston by visiting the Britannia Shipyards Nationwide Historic Website, the place you’ll uncover 19th-century canneries, residences and boatyards by the river. On the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Historic Website, you’ll discover out about Steveston’s previous as British Columbia’s main producer of canned salmon.
When you’re right here, you would possibly need to replenish on candy treats, drinks and snacks from the UK on the Better of British Retailer. If you’re feeling peckish, bask in a spot of waterfront eating at a restaurant such because the Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant. When you merely need to sit back and let your hair down, pattern a number of native beers at Britannia Brewing.
12. Richmond
Richmond is the final cease in your Seattle to Vancouver drive earlier than your attain town of Vancouver itself. Whereas Richmond is technically a metropolis, it lies simply to the south of central Vancouver inside the Better Vancouver Regional District. It’s additionally house to the Vancouver Worldwide Airport.
Like Vancouver, Richmond is known for its Asian heritage. You’ll discover many eating places specialising in cuisines comparable to Chinese language, Korean, Filipino and Japanese. Golden Coin Restaurant is one among my favorite Chinese language eateries within the metropolis. You’ll discover extra eating places in addition to retailers within the Golden Village District.
Probably the most well-known landmark in Richmond might be the Worldwide Buddhist Temple, an ornate construction that takes design affect from Beijing’s Forbidden Metropolis palace complicated.
13. North Vancouver
After seeing the sights of Richmond, I’d recommend driving on to North Vancouver so as to absorb birds-eye views of the complete metropolis and coast to conclude your street journey.
My favorite exercise in North Vancouver is the Skyride cable automobile experience to the height of Grouse Mountain, which is the place you get one of the best views of the North Shore Mountains and the Strait of Georgia. After the cable automobile experience, face your worry of heights once more by crossing the suspension bridges over Lynn Canyon and Capilano Canyon.
If you need to calm down, you possibly can replenish on native bites and purchase a number of souvenirs from the Lonsdale Quay Market, which is house to over 60 domestically owned shops. If the climate is in your aspect, you possibly can pack a picnic to get pleasure from at Cates Park by the waterfront.
There are many nice methods to see Vancouver in a day, and right here’s a quicklist of the finest issues to do in Vancouver regardless of how lengthy you’ve there.
What are your favorite stops on a Seattle to Vancouver drive?
To say that the gap between Seattle and Vancouver is lower than 150 miles, there are an astonishing variety of fascinating and delightful locations to go to alongside this street journey from the States into Canada. Above, I’ve detailed 13 of my favorite locations to cease in your Seattle to Vancouver drive, however there are various extra I might’ve added.
In case you have the time and need to squeeze extra points of interest into your street journey from Seattle to Vancouver, you would possibly need to contemplate the Olympic Nationwide Park, the Okanogan-Wenatchee Nationwide Forest and the Golden Ears Provincial Park. There’s additionally the Boundary Bay Dike, Skagit Valley, Anacortes… the record might go on and on.
In case you have any extra time, you would drive from Vancouver to Banff, to make your journey much more epic.
The place are your favorite locations to go to on the drive from Seattle to Vancouver? Let me know what I ought to add to this text within the feedback beneath.
Fast record of one of the best stops on a Seattle to Vancouver drive
- Edmonds
- The Boeing Everett Manufacturing facility
- Wenatchee Wineries
- Whidbey Island
- Chuckanut Drive
- Bellingham
- Birch Bay State Park
- Blaine
- Peace Arch State Park
- Deas Island Regional Park
- Steveston
- Richmond
- North Vancouver
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