Need to benefit from your Seattle to Vancouver drive? From harbour cities and historic fishing villages to state parks, vineyards and aviation museums, there are an abundance of hotspots to go to on the comparatively brief drive from Seattle to Vancouver.
Regardless of being in two completely different nations, solely 140 miles separates the cities of Seattle and Vancouver – you may drive your entire distance in beneath three hours if the visitors is in your aspect. However once you see simply what number of wonderful locations and points of interest there alongside the route from Seattle to Vancouver, you may agree that it’s price dedicating at the very least a few days to this epic street journey.
Whereas making your means from the States to Canada, you may go by way of historic coastal cities, charming fishing villages and harbour cities. Favor nature? Seashores, mountains, rolling vineyards and state parks are simply of the landscapes you’ll encounter in your Seattle to Vancouver street journey.
Right here’s a number of my favorite stops on the drive from Seattle to Vancouver that will help you plan your journey on wheels.
The place to go to on a Seattle to Vancouver street journey
From the charming stateside city of Edmonds all the best way north to the height of Canada’s Grouse Mountain, listed below are one of the best locations to go to in your Seattle to Vancouver drive.
1. Edmonds
Edmonds is a captivating little coastal city with pleasant eating places, cute shops and public seashores. It’s identified to many Seattle locals because the ferry terminal to the Olympic Peninsula, residence to the Olympic Nationwide Park. You’ll be able to watch the ferries coming and going with a scorching drink from a café such because the Waterfront Espresso Firm.
When you’re right here, you may wish to try the journey centre of well-known American journey author Rick Steves. There are additionally a couple of museums, together with the Edmonds Historic Museum and the Cascadia Artwork Museum.
Edmonds is simply 19 miles from central Seattle, and also you’ll in all probability solely must spend round an hour right here.
2. The Boeing Everett Manufacturing facility
After enjoyable by the waterfront in Edmonds, drive 11 miles north to the Boeing Everett Manufacturing facility. Right here, you may embark on the 90-minute Boeing Way forward for Flight tour to witness actual planes being made on the meeting traces.
This peak into the method of producing aeroplanes is clearly a should for aviation lovers, however I’d advocate it to anyone who’s enthusiastic about how flying works. For those who don’t have sufficient time to take the tour, you may nonetheless soak up panoramic views of the Boeing Everett Manufacturing facility, Paine Area and the North Cascades mountain vary from the Sky Deck.
You’ll in all probability must put aside one to 2 and a half hours to go to the Boeing Everett Manufacturing facility, relying on whether or not or not you wish to take the Way forward for Flight tour.
3. Wenatchee Wineries
Take pleasure in a tipple of the fantastic stuff now and again? It won’t be as effectively often called Sonoma or Napa Valley, however Wenatchee has earned itself a stellar status as a high wine producing area over the previous few years.
This rural agrarian group produces 99% of all Washington’s wine grapes. A few of the most scrumptious varietals grown right here embrace Riesling and the extremely acclaimed Chardonnay.
For those who fancy treating your self to a number of the state’s most interesting, you may take a tour of a vineyard such because the Stemilt Creek Vineyard, the Martin Scott Vineyard or the Chateau Faire Le Pont Vineyard.
It takes about two and a half hours to achieve the wineries of Wenatchee from the Boeing Everett Manufacturing facility, and on condition that this wine area isn’t on the best way to Vancouver, it’ll add 5 hours of driving plus a couple of hours of exploration time to your Seattle to Vancouver street journey. Nonetheless, it’s a worthwhile addition to your getaway should you’re a wine connoisseur.
Only a observe, should you’re driving by way of Washington, you’ll must get hold of a global driving allow to drive legally. For those who’ve bought your individual licence, you may get one very simply on that hyperlink.
4. Whidbey Island
Whereas driving from Seattle to Vancouver, you may wish to squeeze in a go to to Whidbey Island after touring the Boeing Manufacturing facility. This widespread weekend getaway spot is residence to quaint cities, miles of shoreline and scenic mountain climbing trails that traverse state parks.
You’ll be able to take in a number of the most stunning settings of Whidbey Island at points of interest such because the Deception Cross Bridge and the Deception Cross State Park. I’d additionally advocate navigating the Kettle and Bluff Trails within the Fort Ebey State Park.
Of all Whidbey Island’s fairly cities, my favorite might be Langley, which is a haven for native artists. Simply up the freeway from Langley is Greenbank Farm, residence to a century-old barn and several other trails working by way of fields as soon as occupied by the most important loganberry farm in the US.
In case you have time, I’d additionally advocate visiting the historic downtown space and pier of Coupeville in addition to Fort Casey earlier than leaving Whidbey Island.
To succeed in Whidbey Island, you may board the ferry together with your automobile at Mukilteo close to the Boeing Manufacturing facility. You’ll be able to then drive north to Burlington to rejoin the freeway to the border with Vancouver. You’ll want a minimal of two hours for this detour, however you may simply spend an evening or two on Whidbey Island.
5. Chuckanut Drive
Stretching for about 20 miles across the perimeter of the Chuckanut Mountains between Bellingham and Mount Vernon, Chuckanut Drive is a brief and more-than-worthwhile detour off the I–5.
This two-lane street affords sweeping views of lush forest backdropped by the Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands. A number of pullouts supply house to park your automobile and take up the sights. In case you have sufficient power to hike, you may take in even higher views alongside the Oyster Dome path.
For those who want a meals break whereas exploring Chuckanut Drive, I like to recommend stopping at Taylor Shellfish to dig into scrumptious, native seafood. If you wish to spend the night time amid the world’s nature, you may camp on the Larrabee State Park.
6. Bellingham
Subsequent up in your Seattle to Vancouver drive is the small coastal metropolis of Bellingham. Residence to the Western Washington College, Bellingham is a captivating and historic place with a barely funky vibe because of the youthful members of its inhabitants.
For those who’re within the temper for a little bit of artwork, tradition and historical past, browse the fascinating shows of artworks and artefacts on the Whatcom Museum. Favor hands-on displays? You’ll in all probability love the SPARK Museum of Electrical Innovation, which showcases 4 centuries of human evolution from the 16th century.
For those who’d reasonably spend your time outdoors, I’d advocate the 241-acre Whatcom Falls Park, the place you may comply with mountain climbing trails to pure wonders that embrace 4 units of cascading waterfalls.
7. Birch Bay State Park
Located in a serene cove between Blaine and Bellingham, Birch Bay State Park is a tranquil rocky seaside that provides unimaginable views of the North Cascades and the Canadian Gulf Islands.
At low tide throughout clamming season, you may seek for a wide range of shellfish on the uncovered mudflats. It doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you go to, you may rustle up an al fresco meal in nature utilizing firepits, grills and picnic tables dotted alongside the seaside.
As Birch Bay is extra about absorbing the sights than sunbathing and swimming, you’ll in all probability solely must spend an hour or so right here in your Seattle to Vancouver drive.
8. Blaine
Blaine is a quiet and cute village positioned simply off the freeway earlier than the US-Canada border. With its charming waterfront retailers, bustling marina and wonderful playgrounds, Blaine is a implausible place to go to with the children on a street journey from Seattle to Vancouver.
You’ll discover a pirate ship-themed playground proper subsequent to the marina, so the children can put on themselves out when you benefit from the boats coming up and down on the water. You’ll be able to seize snacks and occasional from the lighthouse-shaped Starbucks simply across the nook.
Whereas Blaine is a pleasant coastal city, there’s little to do past the marina. I’d advocate stopping right here for a 30-minute pit cease so the children can stretch their legs earlier than crossing the border into Canada.
9. Peace Arch State Park
Simply earlier than crossing the border into Canada (or maybe I ought to say whereas crossing the border), you may wish to discover a picnic spot within the Peace Arch State Park, which sits proper on the border of Seattle and Vancouver.
The spotlight of the park is the centrepiece from which it takes its title – the Peace Arch. This monument dons the US and Canadian flags, making it a implausible selfie spot.
10. Deas Island Regional Park
Your first cease after crossing the border into Canada would be the Deas Island Regional Park, which occupies an island within the Fraser River in South Vancouver. Widespread actions at this sprawling wooded park embrace boating, fishing, mountain climbing and horse using.
When you’re right here, you may immerse your self within the native historical past. The park is called after John Sullivan Deas, an African-Canadian tinsmith who opened a cannery right here in 1873.
11. Steveston
Whereas technically part of Richmond, Steveston is a definite group that lies on the Fraser River delta. It might be a comparatively small city, nevertheless it’s steeped in historical past. There are additionally fairly a couple of nice waterfront outlets and eating places.
You’ll be able to acquire insights into the historical past and heritage of Steveston by visiting the Britannia Shipyards Nationwide Historic Website, the place you’ll uncover 19th-century canneries, residences and boatyards by the river. On the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Historic Website, you’ll discover out about Steveston’s previous as British Columbia’s main producer of canned salmon.
When you’re right here, you may wish to refill on candy treats, drinks and snacks from the UK on the Better of British Retailer. Whenever you’re feeling peckish, bask in a spot of waterfront eating at a restaurant such because the Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant. For those who merely wish to chill and let your hair down, pattern a couple of native beers at Britannia Brewing.
12. Richmond
Richmond is the final cease in your Seattle to Vancouver drive earlier than your attain the town of Vancouver itself. Whereas Richmond is technically a metropolis, it lies simply to the south of central Vancouver inside the Larger Vancouver Regional District. It’s additionally residence to the Vancouver Worldwide Airport.
Like Vancouver, Richmond is known for its Asian heritage. You’ll discover many eating places specialising in cuisines reminiscent of Chinese language, Korean, Filipino and Japanese. Golden Coin Restaurant is one in every of my favorite Chinese language eateries within the metropolis. You’ll discover extra eating places in addition to outlets within the Golden Village District.
Essentially the most well-known landmark in Richmond might be the Worldwide Buddhist Temple, an ornate construction that takes design affect from Beijing’s Forbidden Metropolis palace complicated.
13. North Vancouver
After seeing the sights of Richmond, I’d recommend driving on to North Vancouver with the intention to soak up birds-eye views of your entire metropolis and coast to conclude your street journey.
My favorite exercise in North Vancouver is the Skyride cable automobile journey to the height of Grouse Mountain, which is the place you get one of the best views of the North Shore Mountains and the Strait of Georgia. After the cable automobile journey, face your concern of heights once more by crossing the suspension bridges over Lynn Canyon and Capilano Canyon.
Whenever you wish to chill out, you may refill on native bites and purchase a couple of souvenirs from the Lonsdale Quay Market, which is residence to over 60 domestically owned retailers. If the climate is in your aspect, you may pack a picnic to take pleasure in at Cates Park by the waterfront.
There are many nice methods to see Vancouver in a day, and right here’s a quicklist of the finest issues to do in Vancouver regardless of how lengthy you’ve gotten there.
What are your favorite stops on a Seattle to Vancouver drive?
To say that the space between Seattle and Vancouver is lower than 150 miles, there are an astonishing variety of fascinating and exquisite locations to go to alongside this street journey from the States into Canada. Above, I’ve detailed 13 of my favorite locations to cease in your Seattle to Vancouver drive, however there are various extra I might’ve added.
In case you have the time and wish to squeeze extra points of interest into your street journey from Seattle to Vancouver, you may wish to think about the Olympic Nationwide Park, the Okanogan-Wenatchee Nationwide Forest and the Golden Ears Provincial Park. There’s additionally the Boundary Bay Dike, Skagit Valley, Anacortes… the listing might go on and on.
In case you have any extra time, you may drive from Vancouver to Banff, to make your journey much more epic.
The place are your favorite locations to go to on the drive from Seattle to Vancouver? Let me know what I ought to add to this text within the feedback under.
Fast listing of one of the best stops on a Seattle to Vancouver drive
- Edmonds
- The Boeing Everett Manufacturing facility
- Wenatchee Wineries
- Whidbey Island
- Chuckanut Drive
- Bellingham
- Birch Bay State Park
- Blaine
- Peace Arch State Park
- Deas Island Regional Park
- Steveston
- Richmond
- North Vancouver
