Vancouver vs. Seattle
September 19, 2007 8:57 AM Subscribe
My girlfriend and I have 1 weekend (two days one night) to spend in either Vancouver or Seattle or some combination of both cities and know nothing about either of them. We dock in Vancouver at 7 am on a Friday in June and will need to be in New York on Sunday. Planning on a Red eye from Seattle Saturday night. We generally like outdoorsy things (hiking, mountains, parks etc.), museums, and music. Alas, we also have a limited budget.
Questions:
What's to do in Vancouver?
What's to do in Seattle?
Do we need a car?
Is it far to drive from one to the other?
Any suggestions as to where to stay/eat?
Cheap Seattle
Family-friendly Seattle
Certain bars in Seattle
Seattle for tourists
Some hikes around Seattle
Some other outdoor stuff in and around Seattle
"Cool" Seattle
What seemed relevant from the first page of "Seattle" tagged posts.
A car would probably be nice if you really want to go hiking or away from the city itself. You can get within 6 blocks (at least) of most everywhere in Seattle by bus if you don't want to rent a car. On Saturday you can get an all day pass for the price of 2 trips.
posted by sevenless at 9:41 AM on September 19, 2007
Family-friendly Seattle
Certain bars in Seattle
Seattle for tourists
Some hikes around Seattle
Some other outdoor stuff in and around Seattle
"Cool" Seattle
What seemed relevant from the first page of "Seattle" tagged posts.
A car would probably be nice if you really want to go hiking or away from the city itself. You can get within 6 blocks (at least) of most everywhere in Seattle by bus if you don't want to rent a car. On Saturday you can get an all day pass for the price of 2 trips.
posted by sevenless at 9:41 AM on September 19, 2007
Grouse Mountain in Vancouver is spectacular, and not far from the city center. Either hike (google for the Grouse Grind) if you're in *good* shape, or take the gondola up.
Hike the Capilano trails on the North Shore (West/North Vancouver). You're never too far from civilization, but it's totally serene, and a great area to daytrip only a short distance from the city, too.
No need for a car for either of those -- transit can get you to either one pretty easily.
posted by liquado at 9:45 AM on September 19, 2007
Hike the Capilano trails on the North Shore (West/North Vancouver). You're never too far from civilization, but it's totally serene, and a great area to daytrip only a short distance from the city, too.
No need for a car for either of those -- transit can get you to either one pretty easily.
posted by liquado at 9:45 AM on September 19, 2007
In Vancouver, if you have time, consider renting a tandem or pair of bikes and taking a run around Stanley Park.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:47 AM on September 19, 2007
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:47 AM on September 19, 2007
Not sure how you're planning on getting from Vancouver to Seattle, but if you do rent a car, the drive is about two and a half hours from the city centre of Vancouver to downtown Seattle, plus any extra delays from the border crossing. There are two different border crossings about 5 minutes apart, and passenger cars can go through either.
If you're planning on taking a bus or train (or the boat? you said docking) then you probably don't need to rent a car. Vancouver is very transit-friendly and most of the really interesting bits are centrally located. Going up Grouse and Capilano are excellent suggestions. If you do rent a car, hiking the The Chief is splendid, and about an hour outside of the city.
For cultural fixtures, the Vancouver Art Gallery is central in downtown and has a good collection of native art, if that's to your tastes. UBC's Museum of Anthropology also has very extensive native collections and a ton of European ceramics.
As for venues for consumables, it really depends on what you like. There's a legion of fantastic restaurants in both destinations. A personal favourite is The Reef, a Caribbean restaurant just south of downtown. The Georgia Straight, Vancouver's entertainment/lifestyle weekly, does a Best Of every year. It has some really solid recommendations for food, and things to do in general.
posted by Nelsormensch at 1:11 PM on September 19, 2007
If you're planning on taking a bus or train (or the boat? you said docking) then you probably don't need to rent a car. Vancouver is very transit-friendly and most of the really interesting bits are centrally located. Going up Grouse and Capilano are excellent suggestions. If you do rent a car, hiking the The Chief is splendid, and about an hour outside of the city.
For cultural fixtures, the Vancouver Art Gallery is central in downtown and has a good collection of native art, if that's to your tastes. UBC's Museum of Anthropology also has very extensive native collections and a ton of European ceramics.
As for venues for consumables, it really depends on what you like. There's a legion of fantastic restaurants in both destinations. A personal favourite is The Reef, a Caribbean restaurant just south of downtown. The Georgia Straight, Vancouver's entertainment/lifestyle weekly, does a Best Of every year. It has some really solid recommendations for food, and things to do in general.
posted by Nelsormensch at 1:11 PM on September 19, 2007
It takes at least 3 hours to drive to Seattle from downtown and that's assuming there are no line-ups at the border and you don't need to stop for the restroom. You could do Friday and Saturday morning in Vancouver, then head to Seattle, arriving late that afternoon.
In Vancouver, see Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver Art Gallery, aquarium, Vancouver seawall (rollerblades or a bike can be rented), Granville Island, West End...tons of walkable and outdoorsy places to spend your time. You can also head to any of the beaches, although it's a bit chilly now. Dress in warm clothes.
You might want to order an Entertainment Book for Vancouver. You'll get coupons for horse & carriage tours, museums, attractions, restaurants and hotels. Should cost around $46 and you can order online. I live here and just bought one.
posted by acoutu at 2:17 PM on September 19, 2007 [1 favorite]
In Vancouver, see Stanley Park, Grouse Mountain, Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver Art Gallery, aquarium, Vancouver seawall (rollerblades or a bike can be rented), Granville Island, West End...tons of walkable and outdoorsy places to spend your time. You can also head to any of the beaches, although it's a bit chilly now. Dress in warm clothes.
You might want to order an Entertainment Book for Vancouver. You'll get coupons for horse & carriage tours, museums, attractions, restaurants and hotels. Should cost around $46 and you can order online. I live here and just bought one.
posted by acoutu at 2:17 PM on September 19, 2007 [1 favorite]
It's also possible to take a ferry to Victoria and then the clipper to Seattle. A nice day in and out of the gulf islands if you're not in a hurry.
posted by mce at 2:18 PM on September 19, 2007
posted by mce at 2:18 PM on September 19, 2007
If you decide to do the ferry to Victoria, you can take the Skytrain to the main bus terminal, then buy a ticket for the bus that goes right on to the ferry and into downtown Victoria.
posted by acoutu at 3:13 PM on September 19, 2007
posted by acoutu at 3:13 PM on September 19, 2007
I'd second renting a car and driving up to Squamish and hiking up the Chief. Alternative is taking a bus out to Deep Cove and renting a kayak or Canoe and paddling up the arm a bit.
A hotel I would recommend the Sylvia just for it's location alone it's on the edge of Stanley park and super close to lots of good food. Watch the sunset from your room or just the hotel bar if you don't stay. Another place to check out for sunset drink combo is the bar above the starbucks on Denman and Davie.
For food check out Salt in Gastown, Hapa Izakaya on Robson street, Guu in Gastown. Search out the scotch bar Shebeen out the back of the Irish heather pub . Take out shawarma from a place on Denman and sit on the beach. Hon's on Robson has great Pot stickers and Won More at Denman and Davie is a fave as well for cheap and cheerful. Kintaro on Denman has great Ramen but always a bit of a line up. Secret burger spot is the Jericho Sailing Club in Kits, cold beer an amazing patio + it's allot less snooty than it sounds.
posted by jade east at 3:56 PM on September 19, 2007
A hotel I would recommend the Sylvia just for it's location alone it's on the edge of Stanley park and super close to lots of good food. Watch the sunset from your room or just the hotel bar if you don't stay. Another place to check out for sunset drink combo is the bar above the starbucks on Denman and Davie.
For food check out Salt in Gastown, Hapa Izakaya on Robson street, Guu in Gastown. Search out the scotch bar Shebeen out the back of the Irish heather pub . Take out shawarma from a place on Denman and sit on the beach. Hon's on Robson has great Pot stickers and Won More at Denman and Davie is a fave as well for cheap and cheerful. Kintaro on Denman has great Ramen but always a bit of a line up. Secret burger spot is the Jericho Sailing Club in Kits, cold beer an amazing patio + it's allot less snooty than it sounds.
posted by jade east at 3:56 PM on September 19, 2007
If you're interested in checking out the previously mentioned Museum of Anthropology, you might also want to explore the rest of the UBC campus, which has nice forest trails and a beach. You're going in June, so at that time you should be aware that part of the beach is a nude beach. The campus is really pretty at all times of the year, with a mix of old and new buildings and a lot of trees and greenery.
My hidden gem museum recommendation is the Vancouver Police Centennial Museum. I lived in Vancouver for years and never knew about this place until reading about it in Secrets of the City--Vancouver (which is a good resource, if you can get a copy of it). The museum has a mock-up of an autopsy room, complete with an odd assortment of preserved body parts (like a heart with a bullet in it); there is a formidable collection of confiscated street weapons (there are several homemade maces, throwing stars, nunchuks, and other VERY peculiar things); there's an interesting display on the history of women in the police force. I didn't see it on the website, but there also used to be a room with dioramas of unsolved crimes that was very interesting. Whatever criticisms I've got of the Vancouver Police Department, I have to say the museum is worth the price of admission in terms of morbid fascination. And if you book a walking tour, admission to the museum is free.
As an ex-resident, I adore going back to visit. It really is a lovely city for the tourist--very walkable and with lots to do and see. The previous posters' suggestions for sights and restaurants have all been right on the money. I'm getting homesick and hungry all at once.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:03 PM on September 19, 2007 [1 favorite]
My hidden gem museum recommendation is the Vancouver Police Centennial Museum. I lived in Vancouver for years and never knew about this place until reading about it in Secrets of the City--Vancouver (which is a good resource, if you can get a copy of it). The museum has a mock-up of an autopsy room, complete with an odd assortment of preserved body parts (like a heart with a bullet in it); there is a formidable collection of confiscated street weapons (there are several homemade maces, throwing stars, nunchuks, and other VERY peculiar things); there's an interesting display on the history of women in the police force. I didn't see it on the website, but there also used to be a room with dioramas of unsolved crimes that was very interesting. Whatever criticisms I've got of the Vancouver Police Department, I have to say the museum is worth the price of admission in terms of morbid fascination. And if you book a walking tour, admission to the museum is free.
As an ex-resident, I adore going back to visit. It really is a lovely city for the tourist--very walkable and with lots to do and see. The previous posters' suggestions for sights and restaurants have all been right on the money. I'm getting homesick and hungry all at once.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 4:03 PM on September 19, 2007 [1 favorite]
I've stayed at the Sylvia - a little frayed and old-fashioned, but charming and surrounded by great places to eat, walk, shop, etc. I've more recently stayed at the Empire Landmark, which is a tall tower a few blocks east of the Sylvia, and very close to Stanley Park. The view is fantastic. Seconding the Vancouver Art Gallery. Can't make any specific food recs (except for food from the big public market at Granville Island), since when we were there, we basically lived like bears: walk around; find someplace that serves salmon (not difficult) and eat some; walk around; take a nap - rinse, repeat. City's full of good food.
posted by rtha at 6:30 PM on September 19, 2007
posted by rtha at 6:30 PM on September 19, 2007
Lynn Valley. But be careful not to die. But if you do want to die, they helpfully provide several very large bulletin boards with detailed instructions on many ways you can go about it.
posted by lastobelus at 2:18 AM on September 20, 2007 [2 favorites]
posted by lastobelus at 2:18 AM on September 20, 2007 [2 favorites]
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You can take a bus from Vancouver to Seattle - been a while since I've done it, but I think it's about 4 hours.
posted by rtha at 9:12 AM on September 19, 2007