VANCOUVER, VICTORIA, WHISTLER
In British Columbia, nature shapes culture. Framed by the Pacific Ocean and coastal mountains and the wilderness tugs at the edges of town, lose yourself in Vancouver’s urban oasis by visiting its stunning parks, beaches, peaks and trails. Vancouver is on the doorstep of wild, which makes it easy to step further into nature and explore the endless possibilities of the outdoors.
Stanley Park
http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park.aspx
Stanley Park is a designated national historic site of Canada.
The Totem Poles, the Aquarium, the lighthouse, the easy walking paths, the playgrounds, the beaches, the bike trails, there is definitely something for everyone here.
Sea Wall
http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/seawall.aspx
If you want a true Vancouver experience, run, walk or bike the seawall. You will get a sense of the outdoor passion that many Vancouverites have. Because it is flat and safe, people of all ages use the seawall area. It is a real family place and a way to get away from traffic snarls and honking horns. It is also close to bike rental outlets and, being flat, safe and accessible, it is perfect for a bike outing with the family.
Bike the Sea Wall for an unforgettable memory of Vancouver and its beauty.
Capilano Suspension Bridge
https://www.capbridge.com/
This is a great little side trip that is close to downtown. Just minutes from downtown Vancouver, you will be able to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and learn about this unique environment, while also getting a real kick of adrenalin. If you are uneasy doing heights, just stay home, or hang out in the gift shop for the hour it takes to walk around.
Grouse Mountain
http://vancouversnorthshore.com/things-to-do/attractions/grouse-mountain/
Known as both a resort and an attraction, Grouse Mountain is a popular North Vancouver year-round mountain playground. There is no better view of Vancouver’s North Shore and the city of Vancouver than the one you will see from the famous Grouse Mountain Skyride, an aerial tram that ferries visitors up the mountain 365 days a year.
Science World
https://www.scienceworld.ca
It is a very fun and educational place with a good hands-on element to it. When you go, you will need to pick the right time as it can get very busy and there are usually many kids there.
The right place for the science Kids.
Aquarium
https://www.vanaqua.org
The aquarium is very interesting for young and old. The aquarium is large and easily a 2 to 3-hour visit will allow you to see everything. Well worth it.
English Bay
http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/english-bay-beach.aspx
English Bay is one of the most relaxing areas of Vancouver. The walk alone is beautiful. You can see almost anything you desire. The beach is very wide and the city has put logs everywhere so people can rest against them and relax, read, people watch, or just enjoy the view of the Bay and the ocean beyond.
Granville Island
http://granvilleisland.com/
Great place to show off the Vancouver City. Fantastic market. From the great buskers to the glass blowers, to the artist studios, to the market, to the water park, this place is always hopping. Lots of native Indian Art to purchase. There is also a children's play store. It is a unique place with true character. The architecture and urban planning used here really capture the industrial past. A must visit place when in Vancouver.
Canada Place
http://www.canadaplace.ca/
A beautiful place to wander around, visit shops, stop in a cafe or just sit on a bench and wonder at the beauty of Vancouver. There is so much to watch - the Olympic Flame, the cruise ships, the boats, floatplanes, the helipad...and the people.
Robson Street:
http://www.tourismvancouver.com/vancouver/about-vancouver/vancouvers-neighborhoods/robson-street/
Robson is always worth a walk, whether to look in shops and dream, eat possibly great food, or just enjoy the vibe. Always crowded, you must be able to handle many people and the vibe. The sights/smells and sounds of the city make this place happen. Yes, Robson has some good shopping. However, for true fashionistas, Alberni Street (steps away, 1 block over) and the one block of Burrard Street between Robson and Alberni must be included. It only steps away.
Beaches
There are few beaches that surround downtown Vancouver; they are mainly Kitsilano beach, second beach, third beach and Jericho beach. Each beach has its uniqueness in attractions with picnic tables and playing grounds for kids.
Arts and Culture
If you’re a fan of Art and Culture do visit the exhibits of Vancouver Art Gallery.
Whistler
Whistler one of the North America’s largest ski resort needs no introduction. You can take a Gondola ride to watch the 360° stunning views of Blackcomb Mountain, glaciers and stunning lakes. You can dine in the rooftop of world with a view of the slopes and mountains. Whistler can be reached from Vancouver via shuttle bus, floatplanes and helicopter service. For details, please visit Whistler tourism.
Victoria
http://www.tourismvictoria.com/
One of the British cities in North America, but there is more to Victoria than tearooms, antique shops, and galleries (though there are plenty of those). Victoria boasts of the World famous Butchart Gardens and many other attractions. The breath taking ferry ride from Vancouver to Victoria indulges you with unforgettable landscapes.
Cruises from Vancouver and Victoria
There are cruises available from Vancouver and Victoria to Alaska through the beautiful inside passage. This cruise passes through the picturesque passage with dazzling glaciers, wildlife and the untamed beauty of British Columbia and the rugged wilderness of Alaska. Navigate through the narrow fjords, First Nations villages, and other geological formation. This is an adventure of a lifetime.A 7-day Alaska cruises can be booked through princess.
The following are other sites from which cruises can be booked from Vancouver or Victoria.
https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US.html
https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/port-of-call/vancouver-cruises
https://travelbestbets.com/cruises/alaska-cruises/
https://www.alaskacruises.com/
There are also cruises available from Vancouver and Victoria to the majestic Hawaiian Islands.
SEATTLE
Mountains, lakes, rivers and the ocean surround Seattle. It is a place where available outdoor outing choices are unlimited that too within a 50-mile driving distance.
Majestic Mountains
Mt. Rainier
Mt. Rainier is about 2-hour drive from the hotel. It is a volcanic mountain; last eruption was in 1894. It is a majestic mountain worth driving up to the popular Paradise visitor center which is at 5,420 feet. You can walk further up the trails until you hit snow. Paradise visitor center is the most visited center. You will see the Narada Falls on the way up, which was named after Narada the Hindu sage. Though there was a sign describing why the name was chosen, in our recent visit that sign got removed. A rainbow at the bottom of the falls is a constant sight.
On your way up you will see Nisqually Glacier. Due to global warming, Nisqually Glacier which use to flow right to the bridge receded 4,500 ft. from 1857 to 1951. It's been "retreating" since then, is still going on today, no greater or lesser than the receding has been since the early 1900.
The Sunrise visitor center may not be open in early July. It has a spectacular 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains.
Mt. St. Helens
On May 18, 1980, a major volcanic eruption occurred at Mount St. Helens. It is still active!!! The crater is spewing lava, and smoke until recently. During the 1980 to 1986 and the 2004 to 2008 eruptions—Lava oozed onto the crater floor, building domes taller than the Empire State Building and restoring 7 percent of the volume lost in 1980.
It is about 3-hour drive from the hotel. You will see terrains swept by lahar while driving up to the crater and the visitor center. You should not miss the two visitor centers, the Forest Learning Center and the Johnston Ridge Observatory. The visitor centers have lot to see and learn.
The two mountains, Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens are on Interstate I-5. If you are driving to Seattle on I-5 North, then you can stop by to visit the two mountains.
Mt. Olympia
Mt. Olympic National Park is a Land of Beauty and Variety.
With nearly one million acres, Olympic encompasses several distinctly different ecosystems and protects a rich mosaic of natural and cultural history. Untamed rivers flow from glacier-capped peaks through valleys of old-growth forests, waves crash against a shoreline rich with life, and only trails traverse the vast interior of this internationally recognized wilderness.
Parks
Discovery Park
With over seven miles of wilderness trails and 534 acres of forests and meadows, Discovery Park is the perfect place to get away from it all - and it's right here in the city! To visit the south beach and/or the lighthouse, your best bet is to stop in first at the Visitor Center, where they can direct you to the walking trails that lead down to the beach and lighthouse. The trip back up to the bluff from the lighthouse can be a bit strenuous, so if you're not in decent physical shape, or you've got small kids in tow, there's a shuttle bus that will take you down to the lighthouse from the Visitor Center.
Deception Pass State Park
The most popular of Washington's State Parks, Deception Pass State Park has it all - beaches, horse trails, fishing, bird watching, old-growth forests, abundant wildlife, 38 miles of hiking trails, over 300 campsites, crabbing, clamming, boat rentals, and so much more - all on 4,134 acres with stunning views and beautiful wilderness at every turn.
While visiting the park, you'll want to be sure you venture out onto the Deception Pass Bridge, which connects Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands. Park your car in the small lot at the south end of the bridge and walk out along the pedestrian walkway on either side of the bridge for some stunning photo opportunities.
Alaska Cruises
Beautiful Alaska is best viewed from a cruise ship. Seattle is a busy port in summer for an Alaska trip, trips should be booked as early as possible. These are 7 day cruises. You can plan the cruise prior or after the convention. The best day to plan the cruise trip will be July 5, 2016, after the convention as several cruise lines have cruises on this date. You can go to www.cruisesonly.com to search for available cruises on the dates you prefer. You can also try other travel agents or internet travel sites, like expedia, etc.
Seattle Attractions
There are two shopping Malls within walking distance from the hotel, the Bravern, and the Bellevue Square Mall. Opposite Bellevue Square Mall is the Lincoln Square Plaza with a Movie Theater and a Games Arcade. The entrance has a colorful chandelier of famous glass artist Dale Chihully. Nearby is the Bellevue Arts Museum.
Please note that you can visit Seattle downtown by Metro bus. The main Metro bus terminal is very close to the hotel, a 5-minute walk. Use the Metro link to find the bus routes. Once you reach Seattle downtown, you can take the Monorail to see the Space Needle, Experience Music Project (EMP) Museum, Pacific Science Center, and the Dale Chihully Garden and Glass. From there you can visit the Ballard Locks.
The link Seattle Waterfront/Ferries/Shopping/Dining has all you want to know about Seattle. We are listing below the important ones for easy finding.
Pike Place Marketis a tourist attraction site of downtown Seattle. It is real fun to see the fish throwers. The Mountain and Ocean view is breathtaking. The first Starbucks is right there with a big line of coffee drinkers. Below the market is the waterfront walk along the Piers with the Ferris Wheel, the Aquarium with an octopus. The local sightseeing boats are all located there. The Alaska cruises starts from one of the Piers.
Within walking distance is the Seattle Art Museum , the Seattle's Underground Tour and the Westlake Center for a ride on Seattle Monorail, a quick and easy transport to Space Needle from downtown Seattle.
If you want to know about the wine making process up to bottling ready for sale, then the link below is the place to visit. At the end of the tour, you get an informative talk on wine tasting and of course get to taste about five different types of wine.
The Museum of flight and the Boeing factory visit will be an educated tour for children and adults. In the Museum of Flights, you will be able to go inside a retired Air Force 1 and a retired commercial supersonic Concord. You would also like to get inside a simulator and feel the ride.
The Space Needle complex has other attractions close to each other, the EMP Museum, the Pacific Science Center, and the Chihully Garden and Glass.
Other links to places of interest are provided below.
The Ballard Locks , Must not miss the Ballard locks, a US Army Corps of Engineers design completed in 1917. Officially known as the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, the Ballard Locks is one of Seattle’s most popular tourist attractions, especially during the sunny months. The grounds also feature a Salmon fish ladder and the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden — one of the most beautiful park settings in Seattle.
Snoqualmie Falls. The Snoqualmie Casino is close by on the way.
If you are planning to go for Alaska Cruise, you should plan early as the tour dates and availability in July is on very high demand.
Below is the list of boat tour vendors. Argosy also has one day or two days’ tour to Victoria Island in Canada.
Argosy has tours to Tillicum Village adventure. A cruise to historic Blake Island — legendary birthplace of Chief Seattle.
Argosy Cruises of Seattle's Waterways
San Juan Island Whale Watching Tours
You can go directly to San Juan Island if you drive to Anacortes and take the ferry with your car. You can also go to the Victoria Island in Canada by ferry from there. Once you are in San Juan Island, you can take a local Killer Whale watching tour or sit by the Lighthouse and wait for the whales to swim by two times a day (a luck factor is involved here on seeing the whales swim by).
