Scenic ride outside Seattle (Arlington, Lake Goodwin: rental car, rental, hotel)

[MichaelinWA]

We just did this last weekend. We had never even heard of Fairhaven (apparently it's actually now part of Bellingham, not a separate town) and it was a pleasant surprise. Very walkable and cute indeed.

On Chuckanut/Route 11, there are quite a few overlooks where you can pull off to gaze at Samish Bay and the San Juans.

Originally Posted by motor80

I would drive north up I5 from Seattle until you hit Chuckanut Junction and get onto Chuckanut Drive (HWY-11) going north. Make Fairhaven (a neighborhood just south Bellingham) your final destination. It's a cute old town with cafes, restaurants, antique shops, etc. It really is beautiful. This drive is a perfect day-trip. More info Fairhaven in the Pacific Northwest

[texastrigirl]

Well if you really want to be in the car for 6 hours then the drive to Leavenworth might work?? But you could combine both of my suggestions in one as well. Do the I-90 drive to Snoqualmie Falls/North Bend/Carnation/Fall City and then head up to Woodinville from there. Have you ever been to Seattle? Because there are some really neat things to do in the city as well (Underground Tour for one).

[kenlaws]

Ok we're second guessing ourselves. What if we had said the most scenic drive around Seattle period. (wether or not it had mountains)

[MichaelinWA]

If you want so see Seattle, consider letting someone else drive. This operator is very good, at least based on my personal experience, for about $45 a person. Seattle Tours

Originally Posted by kenlaws

Ok we're second guessing ourselves. What if we had said the most scenic drive around Seattle period. (wether or not it had mountains)

[jenlion]

Here's a recommendation. Where you stay overnight would depend on what time you leave the airport and what time you have to be at the cruise terminal, but I think this gets you a nice flavor of the area in a short time.

Everything else "scenic" has to do with the water. Yes, the ferry trips are awesome, but you're going to be on a ship! The San Juans are amazing, but I imagine you'll see those from the ship too! So, I'd say catch the mountains. It's very cool how fast you can be in big mountains heading straight down I-90. They call it the Mountains-To-Sound Greenway, I think. We took a little drive up over the pass yesterday ourselves, and I never get tired of it.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,1.235962&z=10

[kanhawk]

A drive up to the top of Steven's Pass on Highway 2 is quite scenic and the mountains there have some very jagged peaks. It is close to 3 hours up and 3 hours back.

[kenlaws]

You all have been very kind (even maps wow) thank you. One more question if I may. Will May 29 (Friday) be busy season? I would kind of like to play it by ear as far as where we stay the night depending on whether flight is on time, how tired we are ect. Flight is suppose to get in at 12:30 PM which I think would give us plenty of drive time, but you know how that goes. It sounds like we will probably be on I 90 somewhere but sure don't want to get stuck trying to find a motel thats not sold out. If flight is on time and we need to be at port say 1:00 Sat. doesn't it seem we could do I 90 cut up to Leavenworth and do the big loop or am I pushing it? We're early risers by the way.

[texastrigirl]

Okay, not to confuse you kenlaws because I like my previous recommendations very much but because we live in a gloriously beautiful state, there is so much to see! We did the famous Route 11 drive out of Skagit County today which is referred to as Chuckanut drive above and made a stop at Larabee State Park and hiked about 1/2 mile down to the water. Absolutely amazing and completely gorgeous!! Didn't hurt that the weather was perfect today. We also went into Fairhaven and had dinner and found it to be a most charming little area. So we are now big fans of Route 11. The Tulip Festival in Skagit County was fabulous as always...but I believe most of the blooms will be gone by May 30. This area is known as La Conner, Mt Vernon, Conway, etc. It would be a 1 1/2 hour drive, maybe more from the airport likely but that's in no traffic and not allowing for stops which you would want to be able to do. Anyway, beautiful drive too and would at least keep you on the I-5 corridor which is where you will no doubt catch your cruise ship anyway. Lots of inexpensive places to stay as well.

[motor80]

Originally Posted by texastrigirl

Okay, not to confuse you kenlaws because I like my previous recommendations very much but because we live in a gloriously beautiful state, there is so much to see! We did the famous Route 11 drive out of Skagit County today which is referred to as Chuckanut drive above and made a stop at Larabee State Park and hiked about 1/2 mile down to the water. Absolutely amazing and completely gorgeous!! Didn't hurt that the weather was perfect today. We also went into Fairhaven and had dinner and found it to be a most charming little area. So we are now big fans of Route 11. The Tulip Festival in Skagit County was fabulous as always...but I believe most of the blooms will be gone by May 30. This area is known as La Conner, Mt Vernon, Conway, etc. It would be a 1 1/2 hour drive, maybe more from the airport likely but that's in no traffic and not allowing for stops which you would want to be able to do. Anyway, beautiful drive too and would at least keep you on the I-5 corridor which is where you will no doubt catch your cruise ship anyway. Lots of inexpensive places to stay as well.

I'm telling ya'all - Seattle to Chuckanut Drive to Fairhaven is an awesomely perfect day trip or overnight trip. The little town of Edison is a perfect lunch stop/stretch-the-legs stop before you begin the truly scenic portion of the drive up to Fairhaven/Bellingham.

[texastrigirl]

Yeah we missed the Breadfarm in Edison but we will definitely go back. My kids were asking on the way home when we were going back to Larabee State Park. We will take kayaks next time. FABULOUS drive!!