Three days in Seattle (Vancouver, Vashon: military, gardens, ferry)

[BereniceUK]

I'm looking forward to a West Coast visit in September and my point of arrival will be Seattle where I'll be for 4 nights and 3 full days. This is my first visit to both Seattle and Washington State.

For my first day I'm going to stay in Seattle itself, I'll probably have a local friend showing me round. One of the other days I'd like to travel out to Port Townsend for a day visit.

But how about my last day? Ideally I'd like to take in a short visit to Canada - any recommendations for a day trip somewhere? Chemainus and its murals on Vancouver Island has been suggested.

I love beautiful scenery, urban dereliction (which I wouldn't expect to find in WA! - or is there?) and murals; also off-beat sights (such as the underground tour in Seattle).

[LookinForMayberry]

If you go to Vancouver Island, take the ferry from Seattle, or Amtrak, so you aren't wasted in the traffic -- always grisly, any time of day, on any major roadway.

As for possibilities, Vancouver Island is a pretty big place, and you probably would be better to restrict your one day to just Victoria and the Buchart Gardens.

Personally, I liked Vancouver BC, better. It's a great city, I love the coastal walkway around its perimeter, and the Aquarium is one of the best I've seen, including Seattles, those in CA, TX, etc.

There are plenty of dilapidated urban areas in Seattle, no worries there. Make sure your escort takes you to see the Locks in Ballard, BTW.

Just outside Pt. Townsend it a former military outpost that has some nice derelict buildings, right on the waterfront. You might enjoy that.

I love the sleepy little fishing towns on the islands -- just outside downtown Seattle, on Whidbey, Bainbridge, and Vashon Islands. The ferry out of downtown Seattle takes you and the views of downtown from the Bay are beautiful.

Enjoy.

[BereniceUK]

Many thanks,LookinForMayberry. At present, I don't know whether I'll be allowed to leave the US for Canada on a day trip while holidaying in the US from the UK. But I can make alternate plans in case I can't cross into Canada (and return).