Is there a reason for a tourist to visit Tacoma? (Seattle: live, bus)

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Losfrisco

... I am stoked to get an authentic Seattle experience in October. I want it to be as gloomy and rainy as possible, yes I'm serious.

October is one of our best months... maybe no rain, certainly not the cold / wet / DARK benefit of January February.

Book on SWA so you can change FREE at will.

I book every weekend away from PNW. If it happens to be sunny... I cancel my flight to freedom / sun escape... and save the fare for another rainy day. (there are plenty)

[leastprime]

If you are single in this town, I'd approach every group of women or men, and tell them that you are visiting and could use some advice.

If you are into aerospace be sure to hit Museum of Flight and Boeing Factory Floor.

Stealth is correct. October in both Oregon and Washington is pretty good until the end of October. The real gloom for me, starts in mid December and continues to mid Feb.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Losfrisco

No, I'll be staying in Capitol Hill a few blocks northwest of the Link and Streetcar stations. Should work out pretty good. Today I was thinking maybe take the first Amtrak out one morning to Olympia, then take it to Tacoma, then go back to Seattle in the evening. That would be nearly %30 of the whole trip so I have to plan carefully. It's not looking good to go anywhere out of Seattle at this point. The mistake of going to Bellevue lat trip looms large in my memory.


BTW,

I impulse-booked this whole trip just from watching "Kurt and Courtney" in my condo last week. The scene where he is driving into Seattle in the rain just made me miss the place so much. Also, I"ve never seen the PNW on anything but a hot sunny day. When I went to Portland in 2012 they had like record 95 degree heat. Needless to say, I am stoked to get an authentic Seattle experience in October. I want it to be as gloomy and rainy as possible, yes I'm serious.

If you want to explore further out, consider:

1) Amtrak Cascades to Bellingham WA or Vancouver BC. Very scenic train trip along Puget Sound. Leaves Seattle at 7:45am to Bellingham at 9:52am (return 7:44pm), Vancouver at 11:45am (return 5:45pm). For ID requirements to enter Canada, see: Rider's Guide | Amtrak Cascades. For things to do in Bellingham: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...ashington.html. Schedules: http://www.amtrakcascades.com/sites/...204%202018.pdf.

2) Victoria Clipper to San Juan Island or Victoria BC. San Juan Island: https://www.clippervacations.com/san...and-day-trips/. Victoria: https://www.clippervacations.com/victoria-day-trips/.

In Seattle, with Capitol Hill (near LR Station) in October, consider:

1) Light Rail to UW Station. Visit: UW Campus, "The Ave" (University Way), Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Neptune Theatre (live music), Washington Park Arboretum (free)/Seattle Japanese Garden ($8). UW Campus: https://www.washington.edu/maps/. The Ave: The Ave Is Funky, Freaky, and Facing a Reckoning | Seattle Weekly. Burke Museum: https://www.burkemuseum.org/. Arboretum: https://www.yelp.com/biz/washington-...etum-seattle-2 Japanese Garden: https://www.seattlejapanesegarden.org/. Beautiful fall colors in the Arboretum/Japanese Garden in October.

2) First Hill Streetcar from Cap Hill LR Station to First Hill (Seattle U, Frye Art Museum), Little Saigon, International District, Pioneer Square.

[Losfrisco]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

If you want to explore further out, consider:

1) Amtrak Cascades to Bellingham WA or Vancouver BC. Very scenic train trip along Puget Sound. Leaves Seattle at 7:45am to Bellingham at 9:52am (return 7:44pm), Vancouver at 11:45am (return 5:45pm). For ID requirements to enter Canada, see: Rider's Guide | Amtrak Cascades. For things to do in Bellingham: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...ashington.html. Schedules: http://www.amtrakcascades.com/sites/...204%202018.pdf.

2) Victoria Clipper to San Juan Island or Victoria BC. San Juan Island: https://www.clippervacations.com/san...and-day-trips/. Victoria: https://www.clippervacations.com/victoria-day-trips/.

In Seattle, with Capitol Hill (near LR Station) in October, consider:

1) Light Rail to UW Station. Visit: UW Campus, "The Ave" (University Way), Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Neptune Theatre (live music), Washington Park Arboretum (free)/Seattle Japanese Garden ($8). UW Campus: https://www.washington.edu/maps/. The Ave: The Ave Is Funky, Freaky, and Facing a Reckoning | Seattle Weekly. Burke Museum: https://www.burkemuseum.org/. Arboretum: https://www.yelp.com/biz/washington-...etum-seattle-2 Japanese Garden: https://www.seattlejapanesegarden.org/. Beautiful fall colors in the Arboretum/Japanese Garden in October.

2) First Hill Streetcar from Cap Hill LR Station to First Hill (Seattle U, Frye Art Museum), Little Saigon, International District, Pioneer Square.

I almost wish you hadn't mentioned it because a train trip to Vancouver really got the gears turning in my head. That would be 8 hours travel time and I wouldn't stay over night as airbnb is already paid for in Seattle. What about the ferry to Bremerton? Or would that be a big dud like Bellevue?

[bartonizer]

Originally Posted by Losfrisco

I almost wish you hadn't mentioned it because a train trip to Vancouver really got the gears turning in my head. That would be 8 hours travel time and I wouldn't stay over night as airbnb is already paid for in Seattle. What about the ferry to Bremerton? Or would that be a big dud like Bellevue?

Bremerton may be okay if you don't want to take up a whole day, but you've already been to Bainbridge, right? I'm biased, but I think Bellingham is much cooler than Bremerton or Bellevue, and may be an enjoyable option. It's half of the travel time to Vancouver, and very easy to make into a day trip- and it's a very pretty stretch of track. Bham is a scenic, funky, very accessible, pedestrian-friendly town- and size/attitude-wise, more along the lines of Flagstaff, Missoula, Eugene, Asheville, Bend, Boulder back in the day, etc., etc. It has many cool neighborhoods, the youthful (but not overwhelming) influence of a decent-sized university, and multiple interesting centers of commercial activity- the train station is in Historic Fairhaven and is connected to downtown connected by a gorgeous boardwalk on the water and easy walking/biking trails, or frequent bus service. Anyway, the city has a quaint charm, with plenty of indoor options (bookstores, cafes) or outdoor options (kayaking, world class mountain biking, great parks) within easy walking distance. Oh, and we have the best beer scene in the state, though I'm sure some Seattleites may disagree.....

Drone view of the area:
https://vimeo.com/195260295

Drone view of Taylor Dock:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aNSLLP0oKw

Lifestyle overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAGIhUhSKJo

Brewery/Tap Trail map:
http://www.taptrail.com/bttpassport/

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Losfrisco

I almost wish you hadn't mentioned it because a train trip to Vancouver really got the gears turning in my head. That would be 8 hours travel time and I wouldn't stay over night as airbnb is already paid for in Seattle. What about the ferry to Bremerton? Or would that be a big dud like Bellevue?

Yeah, Vancouver would be an all-day thing, and best for an over-nighter. Bellingham would be closer to four hours travel time, with more time for exploring.

There's not much in Bremerton to see, unless you want to tour a navy destroyer (it's free). Better idea would be to take the ferry to Bainbridge Island - there are some good restaurants there. Visit the Waterfront Park & City Dock.

https://www.google.com/maps/search/r...22.5198923,16z

For October, I'd do the Arboretum and Japanese Garden. The fall colors should be brilliant. If the dates line up, you can partake in a traditional tea ceremony.

https://www.seattlejapanesegarden.org/tea-ceremony/

[Losfrisco]

Originally Posted by bartonizer

Bremerton may be okay if you don't want to take up a whole day, but you've already been to Bainbridge, right? I'm biased, but I think Bellingham is much cooler than Bremerton or Bellevue, and may be an enjoyable option. It's half of the travel time to Vancouver, and very easy to make into a day trip- and it's a very pretty stretch of track. Bham is a scenic, funky, very accessible, pedestrian-friendly town- and size/attitude-wise, more along the lines of Flagstaff, Missoula, Eugene, Asheville, Bend, Boulder back in the day, etc., etc. It has many cool neighborhoods, the youthful (but not overwhelming) influence of a decent-sized university, and multiple interesting centers of commercial activity- the train station is in Historic Fairhaven and is connected to downtown connected by a gorgeous boardwalk on the water and easy walking/biking trails, or frequent bus service. Anyway, the city has a quaint charm, with plenty of indoor options (bookstores, cafes) or outdoor options (kayaking, world class mountain biking, great parks) within easy walking distance. Oh, and we have the best beer scene in the state, though I'm sure some Seattleites may disagree.....

Drone view of the area:
[vimeo]195260295[/vimeo]
https://vimeo.com/195260295

Drone view of Taylor Dock:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aNSLLP0oKw

Lifestyle overview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAGIhUhSKJo

Brewery/Tap Trail map:
The BTT Passport | Tap Trail |

Can you compare Bellingham to a city in California? Would it be like Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Chico, etc? I've never been to any of the places you compared it to.

If Seattle even had a beer scene, I missed it in my '16 trip. Wasn't really seeking beer though. No one has even suggested Everett, so I guess that's out too. I really like the idea of chilling in a smaller, off the beaten path PNW town for a day though. Something that evokes "Twin Peaks" but a little busier.

[bartonizer]

Originally Posted by Losfrisco

Can you compare Bellingham to a city in California? Would it be like Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Chico, etc? I've never been to any of the places you compared it to.

If Seattle even had a beer scene, I missed it in my '16 trip. Wasn't really seeking beer though. No one has even suggested Everett, so I guess that's out too. I really like the idea of chilling in a smaller, off the beaten path PNW town for a day though. Something that evokes "Twin Peaks" but a little busier.

I'm not sure I can think of a town that's similar in California, other people may chime in with comparisons. Maybe Santa Cruz a little bit? Anyway, the population is around 90,000, metro around 225,000.

Geographical note: Between Mt. Vernon and Bellingham, the landscape abruptly transitions between farming lowland and the Chuckanut Mountains, a low-lying range and the only part of the Cascades where the mountains touch the water. The track hugs the water and gives you a front row seat. As you emerge from the mountains, you arrive at Bellingham's station in Fairhaven, an adorable, historic, neighborhood, somewhat similar to the town you describe (it was its own town before being absorbed into Bellingham), intimate, but with enough going on for you to spend half or your whole day. Here's a good website to visit: https://www.fairhaven.com/.

Apart from restaurants, bookstores, specialty stores, walking trails, parks on the water, etc. you can easily rent a bike or walk from to Bellingham's most popular tourist attraction: the several mile long boardwalk over the water and trail (with fantastic views of the San Juan Islands and weather permitting, the Canadian Coastal Range) between Fairhaven and Downtown, which is funky and filled with independent shops, restaurants, breweries/beer gardens and museums. If you're here on a Saturday, the Farmer's Market downtown is definitely worth checking out.

While you may not necessarily be seeking out the beer scene, it's worth exploring while Bellingham. FWIW, Seattle, in fact, has tons of breweries- and many of them are quite good. But they're scattered around a big city, obviously. In downtown Bellingham, you can safely and easily walk or bike between about 10 of them- and not risk your life in doing so.

Returning to the station is easy- either via the trail, or by uber or frequent, $1 direct bus service between downtown and Fairhaven.

Again, Bellingham is not a suburb or exurb trying to find its identity and deal with Seattle's explosive growth (no offense Bellevue and Everett). It is much more of a destination-with a distinct flavor (quintessentially NW- the nickname is "the city of subdued excitement") but not too touristy.

If you want specific suggestions, I'd be glad to offer them. In the meantime, I'd search for things Bellingham or Fairhaven-related, maybe even at some places around here on Instagram for fun.... look up Whatcom Falls, Boulevard Park, Fairhaven, Bellingham Bay, etc. I think you'll like what you see....

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bellingham/

[Losfrisco]

Update (posting from Bedlam Coffee in Belltown): Plan is to take Amtrak to Bellingham on Monday. Reviewing this thread for Seattle suggestions now.

[bartonizer]

Originally Posted by Losfrisco

Update (posting from Bedlam Coffee in Belltown): Plan is to take Amtrak to Bellingham on Monday. Reviewing this thread for Seattle suggestions now.

Well, the weather is certainly cooperating. I'll be interested to hear about your experience!