Vancouver or Seattle?

[CenTexGal]

Hi everyone,

 

We are sailing from Whittier to Vancouver Aug. 31 arriving on Sept 7. We are flying home from Seattle on the 9th. We can't decide whether to take the noon train to Seattle on the 7th or spend one day in Vancouver and go to Seattle on the 8th. Not being familiar with Vancouver we didn't know how convenient it would be to get around and see anything in 24 hours. Maybe it would be better to go on to Seattle and rent a car for a couple days to see the sights. We have never been to Vancouver, but have lived in Seattle and LOVE it. Our friends going with us have never been to either place.

 

Any thoughts and opinions????

Thanks!

[lovingretirement]

Hi everyone,

 

We are sailing from Whittier to Vancouver Aug. 31 arriving on Sept 7. We are flying home from Seattle on the 9th. We can't decide whether to take the noon train to Seattle on the 7th or spend one day in Vancouver and go to Seattle on the 8th. Not being familiar with Vancouver we didn't know how convenient it would be to get around and see anything in 24 hours. Maybe it would be better to go on to Seattle and rent a car for a couple days to see the sights. We have never been to Vancouver, but have lived in Seattle and LOVE it. Our friends going with us have never been to either place.

 

Any thoughts and opinions????

Thanks!

 

You certainly have time to see a lot in Vancouver in one day. If you rent a car, you can tour Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Lynn Canyon Park, and see some other scenic areas. We usually drive up from Seattle when we are coming for a cruise, and we can do all of this in one day. Then, we drive back to Seattle for the night. Sometimes crossing the border can be hectic, but must be done.

[gertz]

Are you sure there is a noon train? Also you will love the Island Princess. Hope you have a covered balcony.:D

[vantec]

My vote is spending a day in Vancouver. They have a great Hop On Hop Off Bus that covers so much, plus it is a very walkable town if you prefer doing that, very interesting.

[Vexorg]

As for Seattle, I'd say you can hit most of the highlights in a single day (or even half a day if that's what you have) and not have to rush too much. Most of the big attractions are concentrated into a relatively small area, and getting around is fairly easy. I'm not all that familiar with Vancouver, but quite enjoyed just wandering around the last time I was up there.

[Umbarger]

Spend a day in Vancouver, it is gorgeous. We did a full day tour and loved it. Don't want to miss Vancouver especially if you havent visited before. :D

[ricew001]

Definitely spend the time in Vancouver, we did that and enjoyed it very much. It was cheap since we rode the hop on hop off bus. It was just cool hanging out in the city. it was 8 years ago and we looked at the pictures just last night!

You will have a wonderful time!

[YVRCanuck]

There are 2 Amtrak trains that leave Vancouver for Seattle. One leaves at 6:40 am and the other leaves at 5:45 pm. There is so much to see and do in Vancouver;

 

- Stanley Park - rent a bicycle and ride around the seawall, http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/

- Robson St - great for shopping and lots of restaurants,

- Capilano Suspension Bridge http://www.capbridge.com/thebridge.php

- Whistler Mountain (this is more of a 2 or 3 day trip) http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/index.htm

- Granville Island - great public market http://www.granvilleisland.com/

- Chinatown - lots of shops

 

Just to name a few things to do in Vancouver.

 

If you are only planning on being in Vancouver for the day, then the Vancouver Trolley Bus (hop on - hop off) will give you a good taste of Vancouver.

 

Hope this helps

[CenTexGal]

Are you sure there is a noon train? Also you will love the Island Princess. Hope you have a covered balcony.:D

 

You are right...there is no noon train...I had put in Vancouver Wa. by mistake when I was looking at the Amtrak schedule:( I guess we will see Vancouver before heading to Seattle.

 

I don't know if we have a covered balcony or not, I don't think so. We are on Dolphin deck cabins 230 and 232.

[CenTexGal]

Thanks everyone, I guess we will spend one night in Vancouver. You have all made it sound like such a great place to see. I can't wait!!!!!

[IECalCruiser]

You are right...there is no noon train...I had put in Vancouver Wa. by mistake when I was looking at the Amtrak schedule:( I guess we will see Vancouver before heading to Seattle.

 

I don't know if we have a covered balcony or not, I don't think so. We are on Dolphin deck cabins 230 and 232.

According the this website, D230 and D232 have covered balconies.

 

http://mysite.verizon.net/res76zxu/princessbalconies/id4.html

[CenTexGal]

According the this website, D230 and D232 have covered balconies.

 

http://mysite.verizon.net/res76zxu/princessbalconies/id4.html

 

Thanks for the info...that is GOOD news:D

[newtocruising]

We are taking Quick Coach to Seattle from the Vancouver dock. We have a 1pm flight out the next day. My question to you, since you have lived there before, where to stay downtown. The quick coach will drop us at the Best Western (corner of Taylor and John). Looking at Westin or Hilton. Will want to hit the needle and pike market. Wondering as far as walking, which would be more convenient. I have Hilton points, so that would be free.Afraid that is all we will have time for. Wish we had a later flight out.

 

Rather than hijack your thread, you can respond on the roll call thread or email me flossumifugotum@yahoo.com

[Putterdude]

Being a native Vancouverite I could be a bit biased but I would spend my time in Vancouver. There are 2 HOHO which will allow you to see a tremendous amount of the city in a day, here are links for your convenience. My preference is the Vancouver Trolley and the commentary is live and it is taped on the Big Bus.

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/

http://www.bigbus.ca/

[CenTexGal]

Being a native Vancouverite I could be a bit biased but I would spend my time in Vancouver. There are 2 HOHO which will allow you to see a tremendous amount of the city in a day, here are links for your convenience. My preference is the Vancouver Trolley and the commentary is live and it is taped on the Big Bus.

 

http://www.vancouvertrolley.com/

 

http://www.bigbus.ca/

 

Thanks you so much...this is very useful information...we had decided to go on to Seattle the first day, but now I am undecided AGAIN!!!!!:confused::)