As we speak I wish to convey you my Vancouver and Seattle itinerary. These cities on the west coast of North America are identified for the whole lot 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 wish 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 perfect of each cities.
We arrive in Vancouver the night time 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 encircling skyscrapers. It’s a terrific base for my time in BC.
Day 1: Vancouver
After dinner at Nightingale with a neighborhood pal and a very good night time’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 night time earlier than, I stroll over to have breakfast at Cafe Medina earlier than my official itinerary begins. It’s a preferred 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. Inbuilt 1889, the 450-foot (137-meter) bridge sits 230 ft (70 meters) above the Capilano River.
Round it’s the whole lot 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 like the best way the paths immerse us in nature and make us really feel like we’re one million 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 presents views of the mountains and Burrard Inlet from its eating room and out of doors terrace.
The menu has the whole lot 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 a good 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 journey 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 strategy to see Vancouver and a good way to get open air in considered one of 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 presents 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 hen enchiladas because the room buzzes round us.
Day 2: Vancouver
The subsequent morning our Vancouver and Seattle itinerary continues with gardens, procuring, meals, and a few of the finest views of town.
After grabbing a fast chew at a neighborhood espresso store known as JJ Bean, I meet my group in entrance of the Shangri-La to start out our day of sightseeing.
VanDusen Botanical Backyard
Our first cease is the VanDusen Botanical Backyard. This 55-acre (22-hectare) out of doors oasis is dwelling to over 7,500 plant species from all around the world.
It has the whole lot from a hedge maze to waterfalls, gazebos, flower beds, and lakes. There’s additionally a restaurant, cafe, customer middle, 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 varieties of tropical crops below its giant dome.
Exterior we spot the whole lot from fountains to gardens and sculptures as we take within the views of Vancouver from a vista level within the park.
Fundamental Avenue
We’re working forward of schedule, so our Vancouver and Seattle itinerary continues with an impromptu cease on Fundamental Avenue. This highway is lined with classic clothes retailers, hip boutiques, and common cafes and eating places.
We spend an hour looking the shops and taking on the street artwork as we make our method from Riley Park to Mount Nice. It’s a enjoyable strategy to spend the early afternoon, and it provides us a very good really feel for Vancouver’s native areas.
Lunch
From Fundamental Avenue we head to lunch at Miku. Recognized for its signature Aburi-style sushi that’s calmly seared and infused with savory sauces, its menu presents the whole lot 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 the whole lot from miso soup to sashimi, rolls, grilled fish, nigiri, and a scrumptious dessert. It’s my favourite meal of the journey.
Seaplane Trip in Vancouver
From lunch we stroll over to take a scenic seaplane tour over Vancouver with Harbour Air. The journey showcases a few of the finest 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 journey 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 presents West Coast fare with waterfront views.
We sit within the shiny, up to date 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 the whole lot from tartare to scallops and halibut. A dessert sampler and glorious wine pairing spherical out the meal.
Day 3: Vancouver
The subsequent 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 out of doors 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 considered one of 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 short journey to the island.
As soon as there, I head straight for the Granville Island Public Market. This lined quantity is buzzing with stalls promoting the whole lot 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 power 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 the whole lot from boutiques to workshops and breweries. I pop into a number of, testing the wares and looking for presents.
Once I’m accomplished 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 the whole lot 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 members lived right here after I was rising up, so I’ve been visiting this metropolis within the Pacific Northwest my entire 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 gasoline 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 filled with impartial retailers, hip bars, and funky cafes.
Ultimately we attain the Fremont Troll, a big sculpture below the Aurora Bridge. Created by Steve Badanes in 1990, it’s now a neighborhood landmark. We pose for a bunch picture right here, then depart for Queen Anne.
Queen Anne
Queen Anne is among 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 area is understood for its sweeping views of the Seattle skyline.
We hop off the bus to take footage of the whole lot from the House Needle to Elliott Bay. Clouds obscure the Olympic Mountains and Mt. Rainier, but when they have been absent we’d be capable to see the peaks.
Seattle Heart
From Kerry Park our itinerary continues with a drive to Seattle Heart. This place is dwelling to well-known landmarks just like the House 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 House 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 accomplished, 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 of Seattle’s unique farmers’ market, Pike Place is a good place to get into town’s soul.
We stroll up and down the slim 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 accomplished, we decide up lunch from a neighborhood store known as Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. It goes down a deal with as we watch cheese being made in an enormous 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 the 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 all the time beloved the latter’s cool up to date design, and I can’t assist taking the elevator to the interior viewing platform on the prime.
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 realize entry. We discover the hands-on marine reveals, 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 come back again and uncover extra of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia.
In case you’re excited about occurring the same tour, you’ll be able to check out Princess Cruises’ Alaska cruises with excursions in Vancouver and Seattle right here. Comfortable travels!
Discover this publish useful? Purchase me a espresso!
New right here? Be a part of 1000’s of others and subscribe to the A Girl in London weblog through e mail.
A few of the hyperlinks on this weblog publish are affiliate hyperlinks. For free of charge to you, I earn a small fee once you click on on them and make a purchase order. It doesn’t have an effect on the best way you store, and it’s a good way to assist the A Girl in London weblog.
Pin it!
