Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Researching for an August 2017 eight-day vacation for a family of five with three high school age boys.
Considering Seattle, Vancouver, and Denver. Visited each city 20 years ago before kiddos.
We like to sight-see, hikes (moderate), typical touristy things. Hubby and sons not shoppers. Like to hike but not overnight.
Would it make sense to combine Seattle and Vancouver into the same trip? They're only like a 3-4 drive apart, aren't they (though I can't comment on the border crossing)? Then, you hit 2 of the 3 using each of those cities as a jumping off point for possible side trips. Personally, that's what I would do.
If you opt for Denver, I would suggest flying in and spending a couple of nights there to get acclimated to the altitude, and then spending the remainder of the time in the mountains, like Rocky Mountain National Park/Estes Park, somewhere in the Summit County ski areas (which are great in the summer) and/or Glenwood Springs. A lot of people will also suggest Colorado Springs to see Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak etc.
An option is taking the Amtrak Cascades train from Seattle to Vancouver and back. Quite affordable ($160/rt for five, $190/rt refundable) and much more relaxing than driving. Just give the teens the run of the train and sit back and enjoy the view. Runs along Puget Sound much of the way. Get to the station early and ask for "waterside" seats.
Concur on the Vancouver+Seattle idea. Two great cities and not entirely similiar.
Alternatively, either of the two would make a good eight days, with the most variety of destinations in terms of hikes, glaciers, ferries, etc., much of which is available without a car from downtown. Both are also fairly sizeable in terms of urban tourism. Both are bone dry in August. Denver is a nice city but doesn't offer the same level of natural or urban activities.
No question Seattle or Vancouver B.C. Do not even consider Denver it doesn't compare to those two for an Aug vacation. Seattle/Van offer incredible mountains, ferry rides to islands, nice museums, beautiful rivers, beautiful green thick forests, great dining, walkable neighborhoods, temps in 70's with cool nights, excellent seafood and more.
No question Seattle or Vancouver B.C. Do not even consider Denver it doesn't compare to those two for an Aug vacation. Seattle/Van offer incredible mountains, ferry rides to islands, nice museums, beautiful rivers, beautiful green thick forests, great dining, walkable neighborhoods, temps in 70's with cool nights, excellent seafood and more.
That's unfair. Denver has plenty to do in August. It should definitely be considered.
That's unfair. Denver has plenty to do in August. It should definitely be considered.
I lived in Denver for several years until very recently, and concur it's a wonderful city and definitely worth consideration. But, for the purposes of a vacation in August, I just think Seattle + Vancouver offer more (particularly when combined). OP, if you do Denver, you absolutely have to add in some mountain locations to make the trip worthwhile for a timeframe like that, IMO.
Would it make sense to combine Seattle and Vancouver into the same trip? They're only like a 3-4 drive apart, aren't they (though I can't comment on the border crossing)? Then, you hit 2 of the 3 using each of those cities as a jumping off point for possible side trips. Personally, that's what I would do.
If you opt for Denver, I would suggest flying in and spending a couple of nights there to get acclimated to the altitude, and then spending the remainder of the time in the mountains, like Rocky Mountain National Park/Estes Park, somewhere in the Summit County ski areas (which are great in the summer) and/or Glenwood Springs. A lot of people will also suggest Colorado Springs to see Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak etc.
Seattle and Vancouver would make a great combined trip. They are only 2.5 hours apart.
If you take the Amtrak Cascades, the trips length is 4 hours 25 minutes. Border crossing is quicker than a car, especially in August. Also when booking make sure it's the train and not the Amtrak Bus you are booking. The booking should be clear, but many don't realize that they run a bus as well and it's on the same reservation page as the train.
Driving times are difficult to gage in August, because of the border wait times. It could be 20 minutes, or 3 hours or more. Depends on time of day and day of the week. The train avoids this.
Also note that August 7th is BC day a public holiday so that is a VERY busy weekend in Vancouver since it coincides with Gay Pride and the Celebration of Light ( International Fireworks Competition ) on the Saturday before BC day. They haven't officially announced the fireworks dates yet, but that is the usual pattern ).
That weekend is a great time to come to Vancouver. Starting mid-August the weather usually gets cloudier with more chances of showers. Again, that is the usual pattern, but the weather these days is always a surprise.
I'm not sure how experienced you are as hikers, but a word of caution when hiking in the North Shore Mountains. Every year a few tourist underestimate how easy it is to get disorientated and go off trail. Some survive, sadly some don't. Just because you can see the mountains form downtown and they are so close, doesn't mean they are like a city park.
I don't know how much time you have, but one way to get to Vancouver from Seattle, is to take the passenger Victoria Clipper
To Victoria on Vancouver Island. Beautiful place where you could spend one night, then take http://bcfconnector.com to Vancouver. The ferry terminals are not in the cities, so the connector bus will take you to the dock and then goes on the ferry. Your luggage is stored on the bus, you go up and enjoy a meal or watch the scenery, once done, back on the bus into Vancouver. It's a gorgeous ride.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
