Seattle Travel Forum

We're going to be in Seattle for 3+ days and then hike the peninsula for 5 days the 2nd week of Sept. Will be staying just a few blocks north of Pike Place and leaving for the peninsula on a Monday morning (Sept 14). Would like to maximize our time that day exploring Port Townsend and surrounds, and are staying in Port Angeles that night so we're close to Hurricane Ridge the next morning. Do you think we should ferry out via the Seattle main terminal or Edmonds? As we're going west, is there a huge difference in wait/travel time? I'm leaning towards Edmonds as if seems to be a little less hectic...

I'd also welcome any great recommendations from you Seattle-ites on things we shouldn't miss! Besides Hurricane, will do Hoh, Lake Crescent, and as many coastal beaches as we can fit in during low tides - will be in P.A two nights, Forks for two nights, and Ocean Shores one night before driving back to SeaTac. In Seattle, will do some of the larger parks, sculpture garden, art museum, Pike's and some puttering along the waterfront. Can't wait!

Thanks for your help!!!

I can't help you out on the choice of the ferry terminal but I do have some advice on your visit to the Coast. I passed through there last year. We stopped in Ocean Shores for an hour and I've never seen wind so strong. While this might be great for flying a kite it was clearly miserable for walking or lying on the beach.

Just a bit north of there was Pacific Beach and Moclips. We stayed in the latter community. The weather was completely different and most enjoyable. Food for thought!

Thanks Robert -unfortunately, we've already booked Ocean Shores but don't plan to spend time laying about in the sand. We're coming down from Forks and spending the day exploring the wilder Olympic Coast beaches along the way - it's just a place to crash before heading back to Seattle.

Sorry I didn't see your post until today. You've already mapped out a quite good itinerary, and you'll be happy with it. Mid-September is a good time to visit. I would definitely use the Edmonds ferry terminal as opposed to downtown -- which is very congested, and wait times over to Bainbridge can be dubious, even in September. Edmonds is a pleasant small town itself, if you have time for a half-hour wander before putting your car on the ferry. Have fun, and I hope you have good weather!

Marianne, thanks so much for the advice! I though Seattle Main might be OK as we're going west instead of east, and leaving on a weekday but, well, I wasn't sure. Any idea how long a drive it will be to Edmonds from downtown Seattle? And is the scenery nice? My other half thinks that the drive from Bainbridge might be more interesting but I'll defer to a local here! I might have a few other questions too...

You're welcome. Your two choices:
(1) The drive to Edmonds from downtown Seattle is crummy, but better than messing around with traffic downtown. You'd take Rte. 99 (Aurora Blvd. = ugly!) until you get to about N. 200th Street (big Costco on right side), and right thereafter is a roundabout that says "Edmonds," and thereafter the drive is fine, with directions to the ferry terminal clearly signed. You arrive on the other side in Kingston, and from there the drive is pastoral and attractive.

(2)Downtown: messy traffic. Once on the ferry to Bainbridge, you're OK. You get off in Eagle Harbor, and yes, Bainbridge is a cute town, mainly an upscale bedroom community of Seatle. (My S.O. has a house there). And eventually you end up on the same route toward Port Townsend/Port Angeles, which is very attractive -- watch for deer and sometimes elk around Sequim.