Day Trips from Seattle

[dioxide45]

We have an Alaskan cruise from and returning to Seattle. United Airlines has been effing around with the flights so much that we made a change to where our flight won't depart until 11:00pm. Our cruise returns at 6am and we figure we would be off by 9am. We've rented a car for the day. We have been to Seattle before and did the usual highlights and will have two days in Seattle before the cruise, so we are looking for something to do that would be an easy day trip outside the city. We aren't hikers nor very adventurous, but like driving around and stopping to see a few sites. Any ideas?

 

[jacknsara]

If you haven’t been to Paradise on Mt Rainier, then if visibility is great, then it’s a great day trip that doesn’t require hiking. I believe they require reservation. https://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm
Edited to add if you can’t see the top of Rainier because of clouds, if you drive there you may find yourself in the clouds and unable to see much of anything.

 

[davidvel]

Fun to take the ferry over to Bainbridge Island. Very unique experience.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Snoqualmie Falls is a short trip.

Deception Pass is a bit further, but is nice.

 

[Passepartout]

Boeing airplane museum is cool if you're into that sort of thing. Experience Music Project at Seattle Center is worth it. Chihuly Glass museum in Tacoma. Maybe a Mariners game?

 

[easyrider]

I like a ghost tour that ends at Kells Irish Pub. Sunset at Salty's on Aki Beach. Kenmore Air from Lake Union to Victoria BC Harbor for an English Beer or tea. Maybe even a trip to Buchart Gardens while in Victoria. Kenmore Air does have stops in the San Juan Islands that would be fun. Friday Harbor would be my pick after Victoria.

Driving the West Seattle shoreline near Alki Beach might be fun. Plenty of consignment and odd shops to see. We use to drive the Aurora Highway from Seattle to Everett. You could stop and see the Troll under the bridge then continue to other places like the Mulkilteo Water Front. This Highway does go through a kind of seedy area near Seattle for a couple of miles. Plenty of aircraft type things to see off this road.

Once you get to Everett you can continue to Highway 2 to Snohomish to see all of the antique shops. From Snohomish you can drive to Snoqualmie Falls. Then make your way back to Seattle.

Bill

 

[TolmiePeak]

Mt. Rainier is the obvious choice. Even if you don't hike driving up to Paradise and then Sunrise is top notch. It can be foggy at times but towards the Summer months you should have great views.

 

[TolmiePeak]

I like a ghost tour that ends at Kells Irish Pub. Sunset at Salty's on Aki Beach. Kenmore Air from Lake Union to Victoria BC Harbor for an English Beer or tea. Maybe even a trip to Buchart Gardens while in Victoria. Kenmore Air does have stops in the San Juan Islands that would be fun. Friday Harbor would be my pick after Victoria.

Driving the West Seattle shoreline near Alki Beach might be fun. Plenty of consignment and odd shops to see. We use to drive the Aurora Highway from Seattle to Everett. You could stop and see the Troll under the bridge then continue to other places like the Mulkilteo Water Front. This Highway does go through a kind of seedy area near Seattle for a couple of miles. Plenty of aircraft type things to see off this road.

Once you get to Everett you can continue to Highway 2 to Snohomish to see all of the antique shops. From Snohomish you can drive to Snoqualmie Falls. Then make your way back to Seattle.

Bill

Victoria is nice but his cruise will stop there the day before.

 

[TolmiePeak]

You could always stop by the Camlin Hotel for a Worldmark Owners Update....

 

[easyrider]

Mt. Rainier is the obvious choice. Even if you don't hike driving up to Paradise and then Sunrise is top notch. It can be foggy at times but towards the Summer months you should have great views.

The Crystal Mountain Gondola ride would be the best view of Mt Rainier, imo. Then a burger and beer at the historic Naches Tavern. I love Paradise and Sunrise but both areas, for me anyway, requires some steep hiking to see anything.

Bill

 

[sue1947]

We have an Alaskan cruise from and returning to Seattle. United Airlines has been effing around with the flights so much that we made a change to where our flight won't depart until 11:00pm. Our cruise returns at 6am and we figure we would be off by 9am. We've rented a car for the day. We have been to Seattle before and did the usual highlights and will have two days in Seattle before the cruise, so we are looking for something to do that would be an easy day trip outside the city. We aren't hikers nor very adventurous, but like driving around and stopping to see a few sites. Any ideas?

Week day or weekend? and what month? Traffic issues and the amount of daylight will make a difference.
A ferry ride to Bainbridge or Bremerton and back via Vashon Island to West Seattle and then to the airport (Seatac or Paine?) is a nice option, but not if your timing includes a likely 2-3 hour wait at the ferry dock.
If summer, the drive down the east side of Mt Rainier and up to Chinook Pass is a beautiful drive. However, on a sunny weekend, you may not find a place to park. It's an easy side trip up to Sunrise on the NE side of Rainier, but again, parking will be an issue on weekends or even on weekdays. However, neither spot may be open if your trip isn't in the summer.

The drive up to Deception Pass State Park either via I-5 or via Whidbey Island is a nice one. There's a ferry for the Whidbey Island part and that can back up depending on the timing.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

If you're interested in wine tasting, Woodinville is loaded with tasting rooms.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

The drive up to Deception Pass State Park either via I-5 or via Whidbey Island is a nice one. There's a ferry for the Whidbey Island part and that can back up depending on the timing.

If you want to ride the the ferry, I recommend to drive north to Mt. Vernon, and then take Hwy 20 west to Fidalgo Island, then turn south to Deception Pass before reaching Anacortes. After visiting Deception Pass continue south through Whidbey Island to Clinton, and then take the ferry to Mukilteo from Clinton. Referring back to my wine tasting comment, there are some pleasant wineries on the south end of Whidbey Island.

Prepare for it to be colder and and windy at Deception Pass, so plan accordingly. If it happens to be warm you can drop some layers, But if you aren't dressed warmly enough it will be unpleasant.

 

[jacknsara]

The Crystal Mountain Gondola ride would be the best view of Mt Rainier, imo. Then a burger and beer at the historic Naches Tavern. I love Paradise and Sunrise but both areas, for me anyway, requires some steep hiking to see anything.

Bill

Webcams from mt rainier https://www.rmiguides.com/mt-rainier/weather-info
Summit house restaurant at top on gondola https://www.crystalmountainresort.com/things-to-do/dining/summit-house-restaurant. Not sure about a webcam but the main photo shows what to expect when it’s clear.
It occurs to me that regardless of which you prefer, the view at the top of gondola is great if you cannot get a reservation on the day its required inside the national park.