What to See and Do in Vancouver, BC and Seattle?

[Dave Jenkins]

My wife and I plan to be in Vancouver, BC for two days and Seattle for a day in September as we make our way back from a trip to Alaska. We would welcome any suggestions as to things to see and do (not necessarily photo-related) in those two cities/areas.

 

[seakayaker1]

Lots to do in Seattle, not sure what your interest are but a few things .....

Museum of Flight

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks where the fresh water system meets the Puget Sound is interesting, there is the fish ladder and the a salmon run may be occurring depending on the time you visit in September. The gardens and sounds are well maintained and there is always marine traffic, large and small, passing through the locks.

Seattle Center and the Space Needle always have a number of events happing, The EMP museum is always a fun spot and is located adjacent to Seattle Center. Also the Pacific Science Center is also located adjacent to the Seattle Center and always have interesting exhibits and something good playing at their IMAX theater.

If you are in town on Labor Day Weekend there is also the music festival Bumbershoot that runs September 5, 6, & 7.

A dinner reservation around sunset at Salty's restaurant along Alki Beach in West Seattle is a great way to watch the Seattle Skyline light, a fantastic view.

Just hanging out downtown with the Pike Street Market, the Aquarium, the many waterfront shops, the Seattle Art Museum, and downtown stores.

There is also the chance to see a Mariners baseball game if they are in town. Good seats are always available.

There is also Volunteer Park with the Conservatory and the Asian Art Museum. Right next to Volunteer Park is the Lake View Cemetery considered Seattle's Pioneer Cemetery where many of Seattle's founding families are buried. You will also find the grave site of Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee on the grounds.

There are gardens and urban trails as well, a lot to find in Seattle and I am sure you will find something fun and interesting to fill your visit.

Enjoy and happy to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to send along a PM or email.

 

[Shac]

All these should be easily accessible by bus : - The Anthropology Museum on Point Gray, next to Univ. of BC; Granville Island Market; Stanley Park great to walk around the sea wall - also the Vancouver Aquarium there; via the Seabus to Grouse Mountain (North Vancouver - with gondola to the top).
You might have seen this as well
http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g154943-Activities-Vancouver_British_Columbia.html

If you have any specific Q's - feel free to e-mail me

 

[Manuel Patino]

If you drive there, the approach to Vancouver from Seattle offers a wonderful sight of the city. In addition to the wonderful suggestions by other, the Chihuly Garden and Glass is an exhibit in the Seattle Center and The Museum of flight are definitely worth seeing. Definitely take a lot of pictures though... Too many wonderful opportunities will await you. 🙂

 

[summar]

In Vancouver the Sun-Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden is worth a visit:
http://vancouverchinesegarden.com/
The location is in Chinatown, on the eastern edge of city centre.

 

[Bingley]

Vancouver, B.C. is a great walking city, with more of a European feel (IMO) than Seattle. Lots of street photography opportunities, including downtown, the Gas Town historic area, along the beaches (e.g. Kitsilano), and in Stanley Park. Lots of good restaurants, too, including Itzikaya (sp) places and especially Banana Leaf (highly recommend the larger branch of that restaurant in Kitsilano). Look at Tom A's photostream on Flickr for further clues.

 

[WJJ3]

There is also Volunteer Park with the Conservatory and the Asian Art Museum. Right next to Volunteer Park is the Lake View Cemetery considered Seattle's Pioneer Cemetery where many of Seattle's founding families are buried. You will also find the grave site of Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee on the grounds.

you beat me to it! Volunteer Park area is great and would be my first recommendation for a day in Seattle. Grab a coffee on 15th and walk north into this area

 

[seakayaker1]

.... rent a rowboat from the Center of Wooden Boats on Lake Union and see the Floating homes!


...... to see the floating homes, Gas Works Park, the Lake Washington Ship Canal, the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Shilishole Bay, and Elliot Bay with a great view of Downtown Seattle skyline from the water take the Argosy Locks Cruise.


.... there is always the Underground Tour.


..... and of course the Duck Boat tour.

 

[back alley]

in vancouver...the market for sure...stanley park...the sea wall is a great walk!
i recommend the sylvia hotel as a quaint place to stay and it's so close to the water.

 

[back alley]

and if you're there on a friday there is always coffee with tom and company.

 

[KenR]

Airplanes

Airplanes

How 'bout the Museum of Flight and the Boeing factory tour in Everett, Wa. (It's about an hour north of the city.)