Seattle Travel Forum

Hi, I'm hoping to get advice on how best to spend my time while visiting the NW coast of Washington. I will visiting from 6/25-7/5. I arrive in Seattle and was planning on spending my 1st few day's in the city- would I want to rent a car for use in Seattle?
- I really enjoy nature and the ocean. And am hoping to do numerous hikes, and would like to see a varity of marine life: whales, seals, ect.
- I don't tend to like really large crowds / or touristy type things. But would do for exceptional experience. Also, where is the best place to be on the 4th of July? .. Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.. MJ

While you are in the city of Seattle, you should visit the Experience Music Project (EMP).

It would be helpful if you told us more about yourself, so we can help you in constructive ways.

I hope you realize that Seattle is not "on the Pacific Ocean." It is on an inland sea called Puget Sound. To drive to the ocean, you would need a rental car and several days to spend on the Olympic Peninsula. You might want to take a whale-watching voyage from Port Townsend or from the San Juan Islands. The Hoh River Valley is great for a long hike and coastal rainforest experience.

You do not need a rental car for downtown Seattle, which is a very compact area, and walking or using the free hop-on/hop-off buses downtown is a good choice. On July 4th, there are major fireworks over Lake Union, and also smaller celebrations in smaller communities outside of Seattle.

If you don't like crowds and touristy items, I would not suggest the Experience Music Project (sorry previous poster). For an "exceptional experience," as per your words, we don't have enough knowledge about you to know -- do you want kayaking? fine dining? art experiences? great hikes in the Cascades or Olympic Mountains?

I'd suggest you look at the many travel pages under Washington State, and then do some guidebook research. Best wishes, and I'd be happy to answer more specific questions.

I agree with previous poster - a little more information would help customize your trip. If you have a rental car and don't mind driving up north, I would travel to Anacortes and take the ferry up to Friday Harbor through the San Juan Islands. This is a breath-taking ride of 2+ hours and then there are numerous things to see on the Island, including taking the tour all the way around to the resort on the other side (you can rent a bike or take the tour bus). I've see whales and seals on this trip at various times.

Issaquah and Sammamish are other quiet places that you can get in some hiking and quiet time without the huge crowds.

Fourth of July is easy to see the Ivar's Display (the huge fireworks display over Lake Union) from about anywhere.

Best of luck!