As we speak I wish to convey you my Vancouver and Seattle itinerary. These cities on the west coast of North America are recognized for every part from their waterfront areas to their pure magnificence and nice eating places. On this promoting characteristic in partnership with Princess Cruises, I’ll present you what it’s prefer to spend 4 days in Vancouver and Seattle on both aspect of a cruise to Alaska.
Vancouver and Seattle Itinerary
I’ve traveled to North America for a 7-day Alaska cruise that may begin in British Columbia and finish in Washington state.
I’m spending 3 days in Vancouver earlier than I depart, and a day in Seattle after I arrive. I’ve flown right here with a media group of digital content material creators and journalists, and we’re excited to expertise the most effective of each cities.
We arrive in Vancouver the evening earlier than our itinerary begins. We’re staying on the Shangri-La, a 5-star luxurious resort within the coronary heart of the downtown space.
My room is spacious, with calm pure tones and floor-to-ceiling home windows searching onto the encompassing skyscrapers. It’s a terrific base for my time in BC.
Day 1: Vancouver
After dinner at Nightingale with an area pal and an excellent evening’s sleep on the Shangri-La, my Vancouver and Seattle itinerary begins with a day of sightseeing organized by Vacation spot Vancouver.
I’ve been to town thrice, however I’m excited to see some new-to-me sights on this journey.
On the suggestion of the pal I had dinner with the evening earlier than, I stroll over to have breakfast at Cafe Medina earlier than my official itinerary begins. It’s a well-liked place, and I arrive earlier than it opens to attend in line.
It’s well worth the effort. My smoked salmon with egg and cream cheese on foccacia goes down a deal with.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
Again on the Shangri-La, my group boards a mini-bus that takes us to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. It’s Vancouver’s oldest attraction. In-built 1889, the 450-foot (137-meter) bridge sits 230 toes (70 meters) above the Capilano River.
Round it’s every part from a collection of suspension bridges constructed up within the timber to suspended cliff-side walkways jutting out from a granite face, First Nations carvings, a present store, and different leisure.
We spend a pair hours strolling throughout the bridge and exploring the realm. I really like the best way the paths immerse us in nature and make us really feel like we’re 1,000,000 miles from town. The views of the river and the waterfalls within the distance are awe-inspiring, too.
Lunch
Leaving the bridge, our Vancouver and Seattle itinerary continues with lunch at Cardero’s Restaurant in Coal Harbour. Perched over the water, Cardero’s gives views of the mountains and Burrard Inlet from its eating room and outside terrace.
The menu has every part from grilled fish to steaks and wood-oven pizzas. We tuck right into a feast of seafood starters, burgers, and wild BC halibut as we take within the waterfront environment.
It’s an effective way to chill out after our morning’s adventures and recharge earlier than the afternoon’s actions. The carrot cake makes for a candy ending, too.
E-Bike Tour of Vancouver
Subsequent on our itinerary is an e-bike biking tour of Vancouver with Cycle Metropolis Excursions. They provide guided bike rides round Vancouver at a relaxed tempo.
After getting e-bikes at their store downtown, we go on The Stanley tour. It’s a three-hour guided experience that takes us by way of town’s well-known Stanley Park.
We cycle alongside the seawall, stopping on the Totem Poles, the Lady in a Wetsuit sculpture, and Beaver Lake as we take within the water and forest environment.
The tour is a enjoyable solution to see Vancouver and an effective way to get open air in one among its most beloved inexperienced areas.
Dinner
After returning our bikes, we head to dinner within the coronary heart of Vancouver’s historic Gastown district. Monarca Cocina Mexicana gives trendy Mexican and Latin-American fare in its stylish eating room.
We sit down and order a feast of spicy margaritas, fajitas, shrimp tacos, and rooster enchiladas because the room buzzes round us.
Day 2: Vancouver
The following morning our Vancouver and Seattle itinerary continues with gardens, purchasing, meals, and a few of the greatest views of town.
After grabbing a fast chew at an area espresso store referred to as JJ Bean, I meet my group in entrance of the Shangri-La to begin our day of sightseeing.
VanDusen Botanical Backyard
Our first cease is the VanDusen Botanical Backyard. This 55-acre (22-hectare) outside oasis is dwelling to over 7,500 plant species from all around the world.
It has every part from a hedge maze to waterfalls, gazebos, flower beds, and lakes. There’s additionally a restaurant, cafe, customer heart, and present store on the grounds.
We spend time strolling alongside the paths, taking within the seasonal blooms, and getting misplaced within the maze. The solar is shining and it’s a terrific day to be open air.
Bloedel Conservatory
Our subsequent cease is Queen Elizabeth Park, the place we stroll over to tour Bloedel Conservatory. There are greater than 100 unique birds and 500 forms of tropical crops below its giant dome.
Exterior we spot every part from fountains to gardens and sculptures as we take within the views of Vancouver from a vista level within the park.
Primary Avenue
We’re operating forward of schedule, so our Vancouver and Seattle itinerary continues with an impromptu cease on Primary Avenue. This street is lined with classic clothes retailers, hip boutiques, and widespread cafes and eating places.
We spend an hour searching the shops and taking on the street artwork as we make our method from Riley Park to Mount Nice. It’s a enjoyable solution to spend the early afternoon, and it provides us an excellent really feel for Vancouver’s native areas.
Lunch
From Primary Avenue we head to lunch at Miku. Recognized for its signature Aburi-style sushi that’s flippantly seared and infused with savory sauces, its menu gives every part from Sumiyaki-grilled meats to desserts created by a Kyoto-trained pastry chef.
We settle right into a desk with a view of the cruise ships within the port. We order one of many restaurant’s set menus and revel in every part from miso soup to sashimi, rolls, grilled fish, nigiri, and a scrumptious dessert. It’s my favourite meal of the journey.
Seaplane Journey in Vancouver
From lunch we stroll over to take a scenic seaplane tour over Vancouver with Harbour Air. The experience showcases a few of the greatest views of town and its pure environment.
From islands to shoreline and the Vancouver skyline, we soar over this a part of British Columbia as we take within the sweeping panoramas. It’s spectacular.
Dinner
After the seaplane experience we clean up again on the Shangri-La, then head to dinner at 5 Sails within the Canada Place Conference Centre. This fine-dining restaurant gives West Coast fare with waterfront views.
We sit within the vibrant, modern eating room with floor-to-ceiling views of Stanley Park, Coal Harbour, Vancouver’s North Shore, the Lions Gate Bridge, and the ski resorts within the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
Our 4-course tasting menu options every part from tartare to scallops and halibut. A dessert sampler and wonderful wine pairing spherical out the meal.
Day 3: Vancouver
The following morning our Vancouver and Seattle itinerary continues with a day of free time. I begin with a leisurely morning on the Shangri-La spa.
The outside pool and scorching tub are nice locations to chill out and absorb the views of the skyscrapers in downtown Vancouver, and the steam room is a deal with.
Granville Island
Afterwards I do know precisely the place I’m going: Granville Island. It’s one among my favourite locations in Vancouver, and I can’t wait to go to it.
I stroll by way of city to get to the ferry on the Aquatic Centre, then hop on board for the fast experience to the island.
As soon as there, I head straight for the Granville Island Public Market. This coated quantity is buzzing with stalls promoting every part from recent produce to ready meals, pastries, and crafts.
I browse the products, choosing up a croissant as I take within the colours and smells of the market. There’s an vitality right here, and it’s a terrific place to spend a day in Vancouver.
Exterior, I stroll round to discover the remainder of Granville Island. There’s every part from boutiques to workshops and breweries. I pop into a number of, testing the wares and searching for items.
Once I’m carried out exploring, I head again to the Shangri-La, take a look at of my room, and meet my group to board our cruise to Alaska with Princess Cruises.
We spend 7 days visiting every part from Juneau to the Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, and Ketchikan earlier than arriving in Seattle.
Day 4: Seattle
We disembark early within the morning. Port of Seattle has deliberate a full-day itinerary for us, and I can’t wait to expertise it.
A few of my family lived right here after I was rising up, so I’ve been visiting this metropolis within the Pacific Northwest my complete life. It’s good to be again.
Fisherman’s Terminal
My group boards a mini-bus for the primary a part of our day. We head to Fisherman’s Terminal on the south aspect of Salmon Bay. Once we arrive, we take within the boats within the marina and take a look at the native eating places and surrounding space.
From Fisherman’s Terminal it’s a brief stroll over to Caffe Appassionato within the Magnolia neighborhood. This place is understood for its high-quality espresso. We order espresso drinks and pastries to gas us for our day within the metropolis.
Fremont Troll
Leaving the espresso store, we drive by way of Fremont. This bohemian space on the north financial institution of the Lake Washington Ship Canal is stuffed with impartial retailers, hip bars, and funky cafes.
Finally we attain the Fremont Troll, a big sculpture below the Aurora Bridge. Created by Steve Badanes in 1990, it’s now an area landmark. We pose for a gaggle picture right here, then depart for Queen Anne.
Queen Anne
Queen Anne is without doubt one of the oldest residential neighborhoods in Seattle. It’s full of fairly homes fronted by stunning gardens.
We drive by way of the realm, then cease at Kerry Park. Positioned close to the highest of Queen Anne Hill, this small inexperienced house is understood for its sweeping views of the Seattle skyline.
We hop off the bus to take photos of every part from the Area Needle to Elliott Bay. Clouds obscure the Olympic Mountains and Mt. Rainier, but when they had been absent we’d have the ability to see the peaks.
Seattle Middle
From Kerry Park our itinerary continues with a drive to Seattle Middle. This place is dwelling to well-known landmarks just like the Area Needle, Chihuly Backyard and Glass, and Museum of Pop Tradition (MoPOP).
We’ve every been given a complimentary Seattle CityPASS, and we’ve used them to pre-book tickets to the three sights.
We take within the panoramic views from the highest of the Area Needle, admire the artwork on the Chihuly Backyard and Glass, and get impressed by Frank Gehry’s whimsical structure on the MoPOP.
Pike Place Market
Once we’re carried out, we stroll over to Pike Place Market. This 9-acre (3.6 hectare) public market in downtown Seattle is understood for its scrumptious produce, recent flowers, and fish throwing (yep, the distributors throw fish right here). The primary Starbucks is on web site, too.
Thought-about Seattle’s authentic farmers’ market, Pike Place is a good place to get into town’s soul.
We stroll up and down the slender passages, taking within the scent of recent seafood, the sight of colourful flowers, and the sound of the distributors shouting over the group.
Once we’re carried out, we decide up lunch from an area store referred to as Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. It goes down a deal with as we watch cheese being made in a large vat in a glassed-in room in entrance of us.
Sky View Observatory
From Pike Place Market, I stroll by way of downtown Seattle in direction of Pioneer Sq. to get to the Sky View Observatory.
Alongside the best way I pop into a number of retailers and enter the Seattle Central Library. I’ve at all times beloved the latter’s cool modern design, and I can’t assist taking the elevator to the inner viewing platform on the high.
As soon as on the Sky View Observatory, I meet up with my group and revel in panoramic views of town skyline. 73 tales above floor, it exhibits off Seattle’s skyscrapers, residential neighborhoods, port, stadiums, and the Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and Lake Union.
We get pleasure from canapes and cocktails as we watch our cruise ship depart for its subsequent voyage to Alaska.
Seattle Waterfront
After descending again to floor stage, we drop a number of members of our group off at The Alexis Royal Sonesta Lodge, then drive over to the waterfront to expertise a pair extra of town’s sights.
The primary is the Seattle Aquarium, the place we use the Seattle CityPASS to achieve entry. We discover the hands-on marine displays, admire fish and jellyfish within the glass tanks, and say hiya to the seals exterior.
Afterwards we stroll over to Miner’s Touchdown. Positioned on Pier 57, this place is dwelling to Wings Over Washington. It’s a flying theater expertise that transports guests on an aerial tour over the Evergreen State.
From the Olympic Nationwide Forest to Mt. Rainier, the San Juan Islands, Snoqualmie Falls, Walla Walla Valley, downtown Seattle, and Elliott Bay, we see the highlights of Washington.
Vancouver and Seattle Itinerary
From Miner’s Touchdown we board our bus and head to Seattle–Tacoma Worldwide Airport for our flight dwelling.
We’ve loved our Vancouver and Seattle itinerary, and seeing extra of the area on Wings of Washington has whetted our appetites to return again and uncover extra of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia.
In case you’re involved in happening the same tour, you’ll be able to check out Princess Cruises’ Alaska cruises with excursions in Vancouver and Seattle right here. Pleased travels!
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