Seattle and Vancouver in Jun

[jiandaddy]

I am currently planning a trip to Seattle and Vancouver for the first week of June. Maybe 4 days in Seattle and 3 days in Vancouver I am looking for travel info, places to stay and do in Seattle and Vancouver. Wondering if I can get away with without renting a car. I am interested in doing some hiking and white water rafting, whale watching outside of Seattle if possible as well. Any info would be helpful. If anyone is interested in traveling together, give me a shout as well.

[wilson49332]

Ive done that trip. You can take Amtrak from Seattle, but its tough if you want to do a lot. I would take a side trip up to Banf or Whistler. Pretty much any hotel is cool, and usually at a decent price. Vancouver does have public transportation on trains etc- but Seattle does not (need to take the bus). Thus, a rental car is probably best. Plus you would miss the peace arch on the border by train.

Dont forget to go up to the top of both of the view points in both cities (Vancouver Lookout), as well as in Vancouver go down to gastown as well as up to Grouse Mountain/ Capilano Suspension bridge and Hells Gate sky tram. Whale watching is available- princeofwhales.com is one of the sites. Go see some baseball in Seattle as well.

If you are under 25- car rentals will waive the extra fees if you know how to do it.

Hope that helps.

[jiandaddy]

What about Hostels in seattle and Vancouver and parking. if I do rent a car? Is there a particular travel book that anyone would recommend for my trip?

[jabroni79]

Lonely Planet is pretty good. I used it for my trip to Seattle.

In Seattle, I would go to Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. There is an HI hostel in Seattle and it has received good rating - http://www.hostelz.com/hostel/2409-HI---Seattle-Hostel.

[wilson49332]

I didnt have any issues with parking at all- in fact one of the cheapest and easiest large cities to park.

Pay around 10usd for the day in a parking structure (many are available). Then move your car to a meter which is free after like 6pm if you dont mind parking in the streets.

Couple options- stay in a hotel in the burbs, then take the train in, and its free to park at those hotels, otherwise most hotels offer 24 hour rates if staying downtown for around 15us bucks.

Check this site out: [link]
for parking stuff.

Check out hostelz.com for hostels, but remember parking isnt usually offered there.


Hope that helps!