Planning a vacation- ISO advice (Seattle, Tacoma: rental car, rental, home)

[jennsnoopy]

Hi everyone. I frequent this forum a lot although I rarely post. My family and I live in New Mexico, the land of the dry. My husband and I are planning a vacation end of July to Washington, flying in from one of the main airports. Never been before.

We would like to see Seattle and Port Townsend. Can anyone tell me the best way to get from Seattle to Port Townsend by way of seeing neat things/towns along the way? We can plan a trip anywhere from 4-6 days. Will that be enough?

As whith most people that post here and live in the desert, I am excited if I see/experience any percipitiation at all. (I know that is your dry time but maybe we will experience a few raindrops?) Also, we love seafood so are there any good restaurants we should make a note to go to.

What type of clothing should we pack?

Thanks guys for the advice in advance.

[j_k_k]

For a truly Seattle experience, take a ferry. I don't know offhand which ferries go to PT, but lots of them cross the sound. One I know for sure is Edmonds-Kingston, which would give you a very nice drive enabling you to head south to Bremerton to see the Navy Yard (surely they have some form of public attraction beyond the sheer impressiveness of a main battle fleet; when I was a kid USS Missouri was there, before the Hawaiians jacked it, as if they didn't already have enough WWII nautical heritage). There's a bridge from the Kitsap Peninsula, where Kingston is, to the peninsula that contains PT. Fort Flagler is nearby, where my parents took me to help dig clams as a kid--a nice park. Plus, Edmonds is a very nice waterside community with a high quaint factor. The only unquaint thing is the long lines to drive onto the ferry, but there's no help for that, and it's worth the wait.

[jennsnoopy]

so you drive onto the Ferry? Do you stay in your car on the boat then?? See how clueless I am - the only body of water we have is the Rio Grande River, which is more of a slow moving mud puddle....

[j_k_k]

Originally Posted by jennsnoopy

so you drive onto the Ferry? Do you stay in your car on the boat then?? See how clueless I am - the only body of water we have is the Rio Grande River, which is more of a slow moving mud puddle....

Yes, you drive right onto the ferry, guided by traffic people so that you know exactly where they want you. Then you set your parking brake real well, go upstairs, and enjoy the ride either from inside through the windows, or out on the bow (or stern; the ferries are two-sided that way, so they don't have to turn around). When you see it getting ready to dock, make sure you remember where you parked, because if it's your turn for your car to move and you aren't in it, people stuck behind will have big case of the rear end with you. Drive off ferry, and go your merry way. Thousands of people commute to Seattle this way, though I think many go on foot, especially those headed for places within easy bus or walking distance of the dock. Fare isn't very expensive. For more info:

The ferries typically run hourly or so, so you don't really have to pick a particular time. Ride between Edmonds and Kingston is probably half an hour, if memory serves. It's generally very safe (there has been an accident or few over the years, but they are uncommon) and there are snack bars in the main cabin if you'd like a coffee while you experience it. You could take the long way back from PT if you liked (Olympia via US 101, then back north)--you'd have plenty of time. In fact, you have enough time to go all the way out to Cape Flattery (the very tip of the Olympic Peninsula, home of the impressive Makah Indian Museum), stopping at Port Angeles. For that matter, if you brought your passports, nothing is stopping you from grabbing a ferry from PA to Victoria to see a unique bit of Canada. You have a lot of options, and you're picking a very beautiful time.

[Idunn]

I've taken the ferry from Edmonds, WA to Kingston, WA, it was easy and fun, and relatively inexpensive. But I also did this mid-day, was not dealing with commuters, nor one, and not paying the fare on a daily basis. Edmonds is easily reached from Seattle, WA via I-5. As you approach Edmonds, watch the signs, then follow them into the lanes to the right where one waits in line until the next ferry ready to board. Then all traffic moves forward and boarding fairly automatic, with personal there to guide and help you. You'll pass a toll booth at which to buy a ticket for boarding. Once parked on the ferry, you do have the option of moving freely about. The ride to Kingston about 30-40 minutes. The water was gentle the few times I used this ferry, and likely usually is. If you've never done this before it can be an enjoyable excursion.

I haven't used these ferries, but you might also use the ferry near Mukilteo, WA to Clinton, WA on Whidbey island. Then drive north to just south of Coupeville, WA, taking the Port Townsend/Keystone ferry. You might check this last, as they may have altered the schedule.

If traveling all the way to Washington state, and as far as Port Townsend, WA, you might extend your travel a bit further and visit Olympic National Park. It would be well worth the visit. This national park is designated 95% wilderness, one of the last islands of true old growth forest left in the United States, and rather primitive with no roads crossing it. But access to one of the best parts of it is quite easy. From Port Townsend, just travel west a bit further to Port Angeles, WA, hang a left, pass by the Park headquarters for the relatively short drive way up to Hurricane Ridge. Once there you will discover a nice visitor center, and a magnificent view. If not overcast, that is, but this unlikely in July.

If more adventurous, and with the time, you might drive west from Port Angeles and all the way to the far west side of this park. You'd pass through the small town of Forks, WA, this of the movie 'Twilight' fame (if not actually filmed there), and eventually to the Hoh Rain Forest. This is the only temperate rain forest in the continental US, and a world apart from New Mexico. But look at a map first, as this a long excursion. Visiting Hurricane Ridge, however, is not, and if doing so probably pleased you did.

For that matter, from Port Angeles or Port Townsend you might continue south on US 101 along the Hood Canal through Liliwaup, WA. A lovely drive. This can take you at last to Olympia, WA, thence north on I-5 back to Seattle, WA. Or if the time, you might be more adventurous and turn northeast on WA 106 at Skokomish, WA to drive towards Bremerton, WA. There are options in ferries here, too, across Puget Sound. If you've come that far, I'll leave the rest of the details to you.

Puget Sound can be a gloriously lovely area, with July one of the best months weather wise. Have fun.

[Fat Freddy]

If I didn't live here, here's how I would do it:

You will most likely be coming in at SEATAC, the Seattle/Tacoma airport.
Pick up your rental car at SEATAC and explore Seattle.

When you have seen what you want in Seattle, drive north to Keystone where the ferry to Port Townsend leaves from.

After a nice ferry ride, you might even see some whales, you will land in Port Townsend. From there head west to Port Angeles.

That will take you through Sequim along the Straits of Juan De Fuca. In Port Angles, if you have time, you can take the ferry across to Vancouver, BC. Since you are so close, you might as well do it. If you do decide to go across into Canada, remember that the new law requires you to show your passport or equivalent ID to get back into the U.S.

From Port Angeles, head down 101 which will take you into the Olympic Rain Forest through Forks, and down the coast. The beaches south of Forks along 101 are the most scenic on the Washington Pacific Coast.

Keep on 101 and you go past Lake Quinault and on into Hoquiam and Aberdeen. This is logging country, and although it's boom days are long past, you can still smell the fresh cut logs as you pass through town.

From here go west towards Olympia, the state capitol, and it's just a short trip back to SEATAC.