Scenic ride outside Seattle (Vancouver, Bellevue: to rent, hotels, neighborhood)

[kenlaws]

My wife and I are taking an cruise out of Seattle May 30th. We fly in Friday afternoon sail out Saturday afternoon, so not much time. We want to rent a car and see your countryside. We’re from FL and going on the cruise so even though we love the water, we thought we would like to see mountains & forest rather than Oceanside. No time for activities, just viewing scenery. We thought we could start our drive Friday stay the night in some small town and take a different route back to the port Saturday at 1:00. Sorry to be so lengthy any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[motor80]

Originally Posted by kenlaws

My wife and I are taking an cruise out of Seattle May 30th. We fly in Friday afternoon sail out Saturday afternoon, so not much time. We want to rent a car and see your countryside. We’re from FL and going on the cruise so even though we love the water, we thought we would like to see mountains & forest rather than Oceanside. No time for activities, just viewing scenery. We thought we could start our drive Friday stay the night in some small town and take a different route back to the port Saturday at 1:00. Sorry to be so lengthy any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

A couple guys and I once rode our Vespas from Seattle to Vancouver B.C. for a scooter rally, sticking to smaller highways and country roads along or near the coastline. It was one of the most beautiful drives I have ever experienced - especially a stretch of road called Chuckanut Drive (I know, silly name) up to Bellingham.

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 http://www.fairhaven.com/

Another much shorter, but still beautiful, drive is to Snoqualmie falls. Take I90 east from Seattle and get off on Snoqualmie Pkwy and follow the signs to the falls. You could do Snoqualmie falls and back to Seattle in a few hours.

There are of course countless other scenic drives, but these are some of my favorite quick "weekend get-a-ways."

Best of luck!

[jenlion]

That's not much time! If you were starting earlier in the day Friday I might suggest Leavenworth or even the Cascade Loop if you had another day, but since you just have Friday night and Saturday morning, maybe Snoqualmie would be more appropriate. You can get on I-90 and drive into the base of the mountains there, see as much or as little as you have daylight for, and stay overnight there. Saturday morning wake up, see the sun come up over the mountains, drive over the pass, Lake Keechelus if there's time. Then turn around and drive back!!

If you're a fan of the show Twin Peaks, it's set nearby in North Bend. Some people like to go to Tweede's for a damn fine cup of coffee. I'm not personally a fan of the restaurant, but my stepmother-in-law is, so some people think it's cool.

Anyway, if you want a chance to see the mountains, I'd get to Snoqualmie. There's an expensive lodge/spa type place next to a waterfall (Salish); there are some little B&Bs; I don't think there are any big chains. North Bend may have more. If there isn't what you're looking for in terms of overnight in Snoqualmie/North Bend, then Issaquah would likely have an easy hotel and still easy highway/mountain access for an early morning trip to the mountains. It is beautiful.

Enjoy your trip!

[Ira500]

How about going to the little towns of Roslyn or Cle Elum? You want mountains? You'll be driving over Snoqualmie Pass, and both towns are fairly high up, and about a 90 minute drive from the airport.
The TV show Northern Exposure was filmed in Roslyn, pretending to be Cicely, Alaska...
There's not a whole lot to do in either town, but both towns have a few good restaurants( Cle Elum has a great Italian place, and Roslyn has a great breakfast place.)

[Heiwos]

I second the I-90 route to Cle Elum or Roslyn. It's a quick, high value trip. Definitely see Snoqualmie Falls even though you say no activities; you'll have time. Issaquah has a Motel 6, Holiday Inn, and some brand name like Sheraton or Hilton. If you prefer spending $$$$ for luxury then Salish Lodge next to Snoqualmie Falls is the place, and they're known for decent food. There are several hotels off I-90 in Bellevue as well. Other activities (as you'll have time) are the Ashael Curtis nature trail off exit 47, and a small but nice waterfall just off the highway at Iron Horse State Park (take a left after exiting the freeway; you can park next to the falls). Exit 38 I think, but google for it.

[kenlaws]

Originally Posted by Heiwos

I second the I-90 route to Cle Elum or Roslyn. It's a quick, high value trip. Definitely see Snoqualmie Falls even though you say no activities; you'll have time. Issaquah has a Motel 6, Holiday Inn, and some brand name like Sheraton or Hilton. If you prefer spending $$$$ for luxury then Salish Lodge next to Snoqualmie Falls is the place, and they're known for decent food. There are several hotels off I-90 in Bellevue as well. Other activities (as you'll have time) are the Ashael Curtis nature trail off exit 47, and a small but nice waterfall just off the highway at Iron Horse State Park (take a left after exiting the freeway; you can park next to the falls). Exit 38 I think, but google for it.

NO NO don't want to spend $$$$ just the opposite, spent to much already on cruise. Looking for a cheap place just to sleep. Thank you all for comments so far, this is great.

[Heiwos]

Then the Motel 6 or Holiday Inn in Issaquah would be good choices. They're next to the freeway but seem decent otherwise. Your timing might make staying in Cle Elem or Roslyn better, but I don't know what's there.

[texastrigirl]

Personally I was just in Roslyn/Cle Elem 2 weeks ago for the first time and I don't think I would send someone there for "pretty sights". The slowdown in the economy has not been kind, esp. to Roslyn...so much is boarded up and out of business. I was saddened at how run down everything seemed but maybe it's because we got there ahead of the summer season? Once you get to the Pass and just beyond Exit 54, I think you have seen the great stuff. Personally I think just a drive up to Snoqualmie Falls (so get on I-5 north from the airport and just before downtown, head out east on I-90 and exit at 25 to Sno Falls) is great for promixity and sights. You could then drive on either 203 or 202 through some smaller towns like North Bend/Carnation/Fall City which gives you a really good mountain flavor and great views from the Valley provided it's clear. I just cycled out there Monday and it was heavenly...could see Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker. You could take 202 back into Redmond and stay at the Redmond Inn or like suggested above, the Holiday Inn off of I-90 in Issaquah would be great. You could grab some great Asian food in downtown Issaquah (either Mandarin Garden or Shanghai Garden). In North Bend, the North Bend Bar and Grill is great or as someone mentioned, if you were a Twin Peaks fan, you could eat at Twedes. I much prefer the food at NBBG! Another pretty drive is up to the Woodinville area after having come around on the East side of Lake Sammamish. Head up to "wine country" and grab at quick taste at Chateau St. Michele or a beer at Red Hook Brewery for a different kind of countryside. Both are pretty drives. Have fun!

[texastrigirl]

I will add that the Leavenworth drive is great but you don't have enough time!

[kenlaws]

Ok the I-90 route is sounding good, but I was thinking we could drive a good 3 hours each way. Where might that get us???