Seattle

Spotlight: Seattle is not the capital of the state of Washington. That honor belongs to Olympia - a city not even 1/10 the size of Seattle. Seattle's nearly 800,000 residents make it the 18th largest city, and 15th most populous metropolitan area (4.15 million residents) in the nation. Situated on an isthmus between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. It is also well positioned as a port city (the fourth largest in North America), protected from the full fury of ocean waves, yet ideally situated to travel to ports in Canada and north-eastern Asia. 

Seattle (from the top of the Space Needle)

The area where Seattle is located has been inhabited by Native American tribes (such as the Duwamish) for about 4,000 years. The first European settlers to arrive were the Denny Party, led by Arthur A. Denny, in 1851. They established a settlement on the site of modern-day Seattle and christened it in honor of Chief Seattle - a prominent leader of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes. Logging became the region's first major industry. Later, the city became a major shipbuilding hub, serving as the gateway to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush. Following WWII, the city continued to thrive with the growth of Boeing - a local aircraft manufacturer. In the 1980's the city received another economic boon when Microsoft chose it as its new headquarters. 

Activities: The Seattle Underground Tour explores the interconnected tunnels of the famous Seattle Underground - remnants of the city that existed prior to the Great Fire of 1889. When the city was rebuilt, the city architects decided to raise the level of the city so that they could install a sewage system - eliminating some of the major health hazards that plagued most frontier towns. The remnants of the city were entombed underneath, preserving a time capsule to the past. During Prohibition, several of these underground tunnels hosted "speakeasies", adding another chapter to Seattle's underground history. The Tour takes visitors on a humorous 75-minute jaunt along subterranean sidewalks, past abandoned storefronts, then above ground through historic Pioneer Square (Seattle's birthplace), before diving back underground for more views of the entombed city.

Tunnels below Seattle

Access door to Seattle's Underground

The Firefighter Memorial at Pioneer Square

- Location: 614 1st Ave. in Pioneer Square between Cherry and James Street

- Hours: 10 am - 6 pm: Tours start on the hour every day, all year (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; limited hours on Christmas Eve); additional tours are added on the "half hour" from June to September

- Cost: adults: $30; Military, Students, Seniors - $27; Youth (7-17) - $20; Children (6 and under) - $10

- Things You Should Know: The ground is somewhat rough, with uneven steps, so wear appropriate footwear.

- Rating: 3.5 stars

Activities: Wings Over Washington is a VR style tour of Washington aboard Seattle's "Flying Theater" (similar to Disney's Soaring Over California), as you soar over Washington as a "spirit eagle" with a bird's-eye view of this beautiful state. The ride gives your aerial vistas of Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier, The San Juan Islands, Snoqualmie Falls, the Tieton River, the Walla Walla Valley Balloon Stampede and the Seattle Great Wheel. The Miners Landing Pier Pass gives you access to five activities on Pier 57: Wings Over Washington, the Carousel, the Seattle Great Wheel (the tallest Ferris Wheel (175 feet tall) on the West Coast), the Salish Sea Boat Tour (a one-hour cruise and audio tour of the bay aboard a catamaran), and Sasquatch (a state-of-the-art VR ride to delve into the Legend of Sasquatch).

Entrance to Wings Over Washington

Seattle Great Wheel

View from inside the Seattle Great Wheel

- Location: Pier 57 - Miner's Landing; 1301 Alaskan Way

- Hours: 11 am - 9 pm: Tours start on the hour every day, all year (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day; limited hours on Christmas Eve); additional tours are added on the "half hour" from June to September

- Cost: Wings Over Washington costs: $25/adult, $22/senor, $20/youth; The 5-in-1 Miners Landing Pier Pass costs: $99/adult, $89/senior, $79/youth

- Things You Should Know: Riders must be 42 inches tall to ride on the attractions.

- If you want to go on multiple rides, but don't want the entire 5-in-1 Pier Pass, we were able to purchase discounted tickets for just 2 of the rides.

- Rating: 4 stars

Activities: Chihuly Garden and Glass is probably the most unique place we visited in Seattle. The galleries and garden display the amazing artwork of Dale Chihuly, including drawings, glass sculptures, architectural installations, and other items from his collection. The Garden features a colorful display of trees and plants that compliment the exhibits. The Glasshouse features a 100-foot sculpture with vibrant red, orange and yellow hues. The Galleries are filled with an eclectic array of Chihuly's work, created over four decades of experimentation with color, form and light. The venue has live glass demonstrations, a theater (showing short films documenting Chihuly's work process), and The Bar. Chihuly Garden and Glass has made environmental sustainability a priority, earning the LEED Silver certification upon opening in 2012. It is also dedicated to promoting the next generation of artists through financial and "in-kind support" of youth arts programs, school arts education and scholarships for individual artists.

One of Chihuly's works of art

Another Chihuly original

A Chihuly landscape

The Chihuly Garden

- Location: 305 Harrison St. (near the Space Needle); Space Needle parking is used for both venues.

- Hours: Mon.- Thurs.: 9:30 am - 8 pm; Fri.-Sat.: 9:30 am to 9:30 pm; Sun.: 9:30 am to 9 pm.; Plan on staying 1-2 hours on this self-paced tour

- Cost: $40-45/General admission, $35-40/senor, $35-40/child (5-12); Combined tickets with the Space Needle are $74/General admission (also includes an IMAX experience)

- Things You Should Know: Service animals are the only animals permitted into the exhibit.

- Although photos are encouraged, selfie-sticks, tripods and camera extenders are not permitted. Also, large bags, large strollers and suitcases are also prohibited in the galleries.

- Talking on cell phones inside the galleries is prohibited.

- Rating: 5 stars

Activities: At 605 feet, the Space Needle is probably the most famous landmark in Seattle. It was built to function as the centerpiece of the 1962 World's Fair, whose theme was "The Age of Space." The Top House features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, providing visitors the only 360-degree view of the city, including vistas of nearby Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges. An outdoor Observation Deck includes open-air glass walls and glass benches. The world's first (and only) revolving glass floor on the Loupe Level allows unique views of the Needle's structure and the city below. In 2025, the Needle opened the first all-glass, double deck outdoor elevator in North America. For those looking for a unique dining experience, try the SkyCity restaurant. 

The Seattle Space Needle

A twilight view of Seattle

A view from the revolving glass floor

- Location: 400 Broad St.

- Hours: Mon.- Thurs.: 9:00 am - 9 pm; Fri.-Sat.: 9:00 am to 10:00 pm; Sun.: 9:00 am to 9:30 pm.

- Cost: $35-$55/General admission; Combined tickets with Chihuly Garden and Glass are $74/General admission (also includes an IMAX experience)

- Things You Should Know: The price to the Space Needle varies dramatically based on whether your reservation is during peak times or off-peak times. Weekends and sunset slots command high rates, while early mornings or weekdays are much cheaper.

- Rating: 4.5 stars

Activities: The Museum of Pop Culture has a variety of exhibits, both long-term and short-term. The exhibits range from music, to movies, to fantasy, to video games, etc. One of the permanent exhibits is the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, whose inductees range from movies (the Princess Bride), to directors (George Lucas), to fictional characters (Godzilla), to authors (J.R.R. Tolkien), to games (Dungeons & Dragons). Although it's expensive, the memorabilia is worth the price of admission to Sci-Fi and Fantasy fans.

Some Science Fiction and Fantasy
Hall of Fame inductees

Indiana Jones memorabilia

Sci-Fi guns exhibit

- Location: 325 5th Ave.

- Hours: Mon.- Fri.: 10:00 am - 5 pm; Sat.-Sun.: 8:30 am to 5 pm.

- Cost: $35-$45/General admission

- Things You Should Know: - Like many Seattle attractions, the MOPOP has variable ticket prices based on peak hours and non-peak hours. If you want cheap tickets, go on a weekday rather than a weekend. You can also get discount prices with the Seattle CityPASS.

- Rating: 3 stars

Nearby: Bainbridge Island is the name of both the city and the large island in Puget Sound, about 10 miles west of downtown Seattle. The city (pop. 25,000) is considered a suburb of Seattle, and is "connected" to the mainland by car via a 35-minute transport aboard Washington State Ferries. One of the charms of Bainbridge Island is that it has a small-town atmosphere despite its close proximity to the largest city in the state. It was also the birthplace of Pickleball. 

Seattle as seen from the Washington State Ferry

     Some of the highlights of our daytrip to Bainbridge include: Bloedel Reserve (beautiful hike where we got to see a woodpecker hard at work - 4 stars); Madison Diner (Eggs Crab Benedict - delicious and unique - 4.5 stars); the Great Forest (we only had time for a short hike - 3.5 stars); the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial (a reminder of how war fans the flames of fear and racism - 3 stars); Faye Bainbridge beach park (a peaceful, isolated beach with lots of logs and pebbles - 2.5 stars); and Main Street (shopping - 2.5 stars). 

Faye Bainbridge beach park

Bloedel Reserve

Japanese American Exclusion Memorial

The Great Forest

Things You Should Know: - We left Seattle first thing in the morning, to maximize our time, but arrived at the Bloedel Reserve before it opened (which isn't until 10:00 am in the offseason). Luckily we had a back-up plan and hung out at the Faye Bainbridge beach park for an hour until it opened.

- It is a hassle to get back on the ferry headed back to Seattle - especially if you wait until evening. However, if you aren't in a rush to get back, the last ferry doesn't leave until after midnight.

- Leavenworth is a small German town about 135 miles east of Seattle (as the car drives). Leavenworth is a tourist town, especially in October, when thousands of tourists show up for Octoberfest. The main activity is to stroll down Main Street, perusing the specialty shops selling hats, brats, beer, nutcrackers, etc. Our two favorites stores were the Kris Kringle shop (everything Christmas), and the Gingerbread shop (selling delicious gingerbread desserts) - (3 stars).

Main Street in Leavenworth

The Kris Kringle Store

- Snoqualmie Falls is a 268 foot waterfall less than 30 miles east of Seattle. The falls, located in a 2-acre park, have appeared on the TV show Twin Peaks, and attract more than 1.5 million visitors annually. The flow of the falls is regulated by the Snoqualmie Falls Hydroelectric Park, which diverts most of the river, but is occasionally high enough to flow over the entire precipice. (4 stars).

Snoqualmie Falls

Vancouver, Canada

 Spotlight: Vancouver is the biggest city in British Colombia, and has the third largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a population of 2.6 million. It is also one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada. About 49.3% of the population are not native English speakers and the majority of residents belong to minority ethnic groups. According to the 2021 census, 14.9% of the population speak Cantonese, 11.5% speak Mandarin, 9.4% speak French, 4.7% speak Tagalog, 2.9% speak Punjabi, 2.3% speak Hindi, and 2.3% speak Vietnamese. Other languages spoken by at least 1% of the population include: Persian languages, Japanese, German, Korean, Portuguese, Italian and Russian. This diversity has helped the city develop into a popular site for international events, including: the 1954 Commonwealth Games, UN Habitat 1 (1976), The World's Fair (Expo 86), the World Police and Fire Games (1989 & 2009), APEC Canada (1997), the 2010 Winter Olympics, and several matches of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup - including the Final. It was also made the permanent home of TED Conferences in 2014.

Vancouver makes industry look interesting

Vancouver is the largest port in Canada

     Vancouver's aboriginal population has inhabited the area for thousands of years. Although a few explorers and trappers of European descent colonized the area in the early 1800's, it was the Fraser Gold Rush of 1858 that opened the floodgates, with more than 25,000 treasure hunters flooding the area with mining camps. The City of Vancouver was officially incorporated in 1886, the year that the transcontinental railroad arrived. In the year 1901, the census calculated the population to be 26,133; 120 years later, that number swelled to 662,248. 

Vancouver suburb utility boxes

Activities: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park features a 450-foot long suspension bridge dangling 230 feet above the Capilano River. The bridge was originally built in 1889, from hemp rope and cedar planks. Over a century later, the bridge is anchored by steel cables, and could theoretically support the weight of 96 full-grown elephants. The crossing, which takes between 5-15 minutes, has been made by citizens of practically every nation on earth, including rock stars, movie stars and royalty. The park also features the Rainforest Canopy Walk - a 20 minute stroll through the treetops reminiscent of the Ewok Village in Star Wars - Return of the Jedi. The canopy walk starts in a reclaimed Tree House and follows seven suspension bridges that guide visitors from one treetop platform (about 110 feet above the forest floor) to the next. Another attraction is the Cliffwalk. The 700-foot walkway (made of wood and metal) hugs the side of Capilano Canyon, offering visitors spectacular vistas of the river and canyon from about 90 meters above the canyon floor. The narrow walkways are definitely not recommended for those who suffer from the fear of heights, but offer a heart-pumping experience for those who make the 15-30 minute stroll. Other highlights include the Living Forest Exhibit, the seasonal Birds of Raptors Ridge exhibit, the Story Centre (focusing on the park's history), the Kia'palano Totem Poles, and the Trading Post.

Capiliano Suspension Bridge

Totem Poles

Rainforest Canopy Walk

Rainforest

Cliffwalk

- Location: 3735 Capilano Road; North Vancouver, BC

- Hours: The Park is open from 8:30 am - 8:00 pm; if you purchase your ticket online, you are asked to arrive within the 30-minute assigned window, but can stay as long as you wish (typically 2-3 hours).

- Cost: Daylight Ticket 8:30 am - 5:00 pm: CA$75/adult, CA$70/senior (65+), CA$64/student (18+), CA$49/youth (13-17), CA$28/child (6-12); Twilight Ticket 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: 25% less than the Daylight Ticket

- Things You Should Know: General admission tickets are a few dollars cheaper if purchased online.

- Walkways may be slippery when wet; and you should plan on them being wet, so be prepared. We didn't see the sun once during out 4-day sojourn in Vancouver. I've been told that the sun does shine on occasion, but the city averages between 160-170 days of rain each year.

- "Well-behaved" dogs are allowed at the park (on a leash), but all other pets are not permitted.

- The Suspension Bridge, Rainforest Canopy Walk and Cliffwalk are not wheelchair accessible. Other items not permitted are drones, selfie-sticks, strollers or crutches.

- Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Activities: Lynn Canyon Park also features a suspension bridge. This bridge is approximately 40 meters long (130+ feet), hangs 50 meters (160 feet) above the river, and is more narrow (barely enough room for two people to pass) than the more famous Capilano Suspension Bridge. The wooden plank bridge also jangles around a lot more as you walk across, making it a completely different experience. The view from the middle of the bridge is breathtaking! After crossing the bridge, the park offers several different options. If you turn left, you can swim in the 30-foot Pool (providing it is warm enough). If you turn right, you can view the Twin Falls from the short wooden bridge that spans the river. Or you can explore the 617 acre park by hiking one of the many trails that connect the park with other parks in the area: Lynn Headwaters, Rice Lake and Inter River Park. There is also an Ecology Centre that educates visitors regarding the history of the area and environmental concerns through various interactive displays and workshops.

Lynn Canyon Park Suspension Bridge

Lynn Creek

Twin Falls

- Location: 3690 Park Road; North Vancouver, BC

- Hours: The Park is open from "dawn to dusk" - typically from 7:00 am - 6:00 pm in the winter, and 7:00 am - 9:00 pm in the summer. The Ecology Centre is open from 10:00 - 4:00 (Mon. - Fri.); noon - 4:00 (Sat. & Sun.)

- Cost: There is no entrance fee for Lynn Canyon Park. Parking, however costs CA$3/hour (maximum of 4 hours) between 8 am-6 pm from March 1 - October 31 (free from November - February).

- Things You Should Know: - Taking a picture from the bridge can be tricky since is bounces around so much when people walk. Try to find a time when it's clear of traffic.

- Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

- Activities: The VanDusen Botanical Garden is a 55-acre park with over 7,500 species of plants from around the world. As you wander the garden paths, you will see a plethora of vibrant colors (especially in the fall), small waterfalls, a giant chair, small totem polls, a statue of a giant owl, small lakes with fountains, and even a hedge maze. Among the various themed gardens you will find a stone garden, a medicine wheel, a meditation garden, a vegetable garden, a rose garden, and collections from around the world (Japan, Korea, Chile, Australia & New Zealand, South Africa, etc.). 

lake fountain

Photo Op

Totem poles

waterfalls

Fall Colors

- Location: 5151 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC

- Hours: The Garden is open from about 10:00 am to 2:00 pm during the winter, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm during the summer, and approximately 9-5 in the spring and fall (hours vary depending on the month). Plan on spending from 1-2 hours.

- Cost: Adults: CA$14.86, Seniors (65+): CA$11.88, Youth (13-18): CA$10.39, Children (5-12): CA$7.43.

- Things You Should Know: - A Garden Cafe is open during business hours.

- The Garden hosts various workshops and events throughout the year.

- Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Nearby: Whistler is a resort ski community (about 120 kilometers north of Vancouver) with about 14,000 permanent residents and another 3,000 seasonal residents. The town hosted most of the alpine events during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Whistler's pedestrian village has won many design awards. Over 2 million visitors come every year - principally to ski and snowboard, but also for mountain biking at Whistler Blackcomb. Another major event is the Whistler Film Festival, held over five days over the first weekend in December.

Home of the 2010 Olympics

Fun shelter to eat a snack

Fall colors

- Brandywine Falls is a huge waterfall about 116 kilometers north of Vancouver (just south of Whistler).

Brandywine Falls

- Shannon Falls is an even bigger waterfall about 60 kilometers north of Vancouver.

Shannon Falls

- Vancouver Island is less than 60 miles (100 kilometers) offshore from Vancouver. Some of the top attractions include: Butchart Gardens, the Inner Harbour, Beacon Hill Park, the Royal BC Museum, and Craigdarroch Castle.

- Harrison Hot Springs is about 132 kilometers east of Vancouver. It is a scenic lakeside village known for its natural mineral pools. The lake is a popular spot for paddleboarding, kayaks and jet skis. The lake also features a giant, inflatable obstacle course that is family friendly. It is also a popular destination for hikers.

Spotlight: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Spotlight: Cabo San Lucas (Spanish for "Saint Luke Cape"), also known simply as Cabo, is a resort city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. "Cabo" means “cape” in Spanish, as in the cape of a peninsula, where two large bodies of water meet. In this case, Cabo is located at the confluence of the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California. Cabo San Lucas and the neighboring San Jose del Cabo are often referred to as Los Cabos, and form a metropolitan area of more than 350,000 inhabitants, many of which are transplants from the United States, including many celebrities: George Clooney, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston, Cindy Crawford, Sylvester Stallone, Britney Spears, and Madonna - among others. The Los Cabos Corridor has numerous resorts and timeshares along the coast between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.

Cabo San Lucas

The Cape of Baja California

Activities: Cabo San Lucas is rated as one of Mexico's top tourist destinations and is a popular stop for Cruise ships. Access to the area can be by ship, car (via Mexican Federal Highway 1), or airplane (Los Cabos International Airport). Some of Cabo’s main attractions include: beaches, scuba diving, Balnearios (spa resorts), the famous sea arch "El Arco de Cabo San Lucas," and a wide variety of marine wildlife including rays, sharks, mahi-mahi, and striped marlin. In the winter, pods of whales can be observed in the area. They bear their calves in the warm waters of the Gulf of California after traveling up to 10,000 kilometers (6,000 mi) from Alaska and Siberia. One of the most popular beaches along the Corridor is Chileno Bay, home to tropical fish, sea turtles, invertebrates and sponges. The clear waters offer snorkelers a cheap way to observe beautiful sea life up close and personal. Another option is to view the wildlife via a "glass-bottom" boat (which today are usually made from high-strength, impact-resistant acrylic or polycarbonate).

Fish as viewed from the glass-bottom boat

Another view of fish under the boat

A view through the bench

Travelling out to the Arch

     The Arch of Cabo San Lucas, simply known locally as “El Arco,” is a large, 200-foot tall (61 meters) granite arch located at the southern tip of the peninsula. It is adjacent to “Lovers Beach” on the Gulf side of the peninsula and “Divorce Beach” on the Ocean side of the peninsula. It is technically only accessible by boat since approaching by land would require a dangerous climb over large rocks by land. Approaching the arch by boat can be treacherous due to the clashing currents from the confluence of the two large bodies of water, so you should use a professional boat captain. Getting a clear picture might require some patience due to the large number of tourists that visit daily.

El Arco de San Lucas

The Arch from the Pacific side

Other unique rock formations include the Window to the Pacific, the Scooby-Doo Rock, and the Baja California Rock.

The Window to the Pacific

Baja California Rock

- Location: The southernmost tip of Baja California.

- Hours: Although the Arch is technically never "closed," most water taxis and tour boats are available from about 7 am to 6 pm. 

- Cost: Individual water taxis or glass bottomed boats are from $20 - $25 USD per person, but will probably be more expensive if you book it through a cruise ship. A private tour will allow more individual flexibility, but will probably cost about $150.

- Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Things You Should Know: - Make sure that you wear sunscreen or you will get burned.

Activities: Playa Corsario is a nice, tranquil public beach with crystal clear waters. The calm waters are perfect for wading, swimming, or snorkeling. Also, it is a lot less crowded than the more well-known Medano Beach. However, there isn't really any shade, so you might want to bring your own. Although it is within walking distance of where the cruise ships dock, it will take you about 5-10 minutes to walk there, so you might want to rent a taxi or uber if you are carrying heavy items or are travelling with small children.

Playa Corsario

Wading in the clear, blue waters

- Location: Right next to the Mexican Naval Base. From the Cabo San Lucas cruise port, you can simply walk down Boulevard Marina, passing the Sandos Finisterra and continuing just past the Naval Base.

- Hours: There is no gate, but recommended visitor hours are during daylight hours (roughly from 7 am to 6 pm) 

- Cost: Free

- Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

- Things You Should Know: - Since most tourists to the area don’t rent cars, travel within the city is often by taxi, uber, or buses (mostly used by locals, but a cheaper option for those with pesos).

Nearby: - San José del Cabo is about 49 kilometers north-east of Cabo San Lucas. It is known for its historic center, art gallery district, Plaza Mijares, and San Jose Estuary, and is also the location of the Los Cabos International Airport.

Todos Santos is a small tourist town about 76 kilometers north of Cabo San Lucas. It is known for it’s Hotel California, art galleries, and Los Cerritos Beach (a surfing mecca).

Cabo Pulmo National Park is 132 kilometers northeast of Cabo San Lucas. It is famous for being the best snorkeling and scuba diving location in the region due to its protected coral reef.

La Paz, the capital of Baja California, is 157 kilometers due north of Cabo San Lucas. This town is famous for its stunning Balandra Beach and Espiritu Santo Island, where whale sharks can be spotted swimming (seasonally).