![A beautiful day in Seattle with Mt. Baker in the background]()
A beautiful day in Seattle with Mt. Baker in the background — Photo courtesy of Visit Seattle (Facebook)
A large public market, a city on the water, plentiful sightseeing and fabulous shopping – Vancouver and Seattle have a lot in common! Getting to Seattle from Vancouver is easy and is about a three-hour drive each way. If you have your own car, make sure to tune into radio 1130 am for border information and plan your route accordingly. Leaving first thing in the morning is the best way to avoid border line-ups.
For those without a car, you can hop on the Quick Shuttle that picks up at multiple locations in downtown Vancouver. Another option is to take the Amtrak train from Vancouver to Seattle. When traveling to the States, you must have a valid passport to get through customs, so be sure to have that handy!
Beecher's is a beautiful sight! — Photo courtesy of Beecher's Handmade Cheese (Facebook)
When you get to Seattle, your options are endless! However, a trip to Seattle wouldn't be complete without stopping at Pike Place Market. Snap shots as fish throwers show off their skill as they toss fresh fish caught straight from the Pacific Ocean. If you're in the mood for seafood, grab a (bread) bowl of hearty chowder from Pike Place Chowder and take a moment to sit back, relax and take in all the sights and sounds around you.
Cheese fiends, don't be scared of the line at Beecher's Handmade Cheese because once you sink your teeth into a bowl of their mac and cheese, the wait will be a distant memory. At the market are local artisans, florists and vendors that attract locals and tourists alike.
Beecher's mac and cheese — Photo courtesy of Beecher's Handmade Cheese (Facebook)
After you've had your fill at Pike Place Market, hop on the monorail at Seattle Center and when you get to the end of the line at Westlake Center, you will find yourself at Seattle's Space Needle. Take the elevator to the observation deck and enjoy the sights surrounding this beautiful city.
If you visit Seattle during baseball season, you must catch a Mariners game. Step inside Safeco Field, grab a hot dog and a cold drink and revel in the excitement of this competitive sport. Between innings, enjoy the views of Seattle's skyline and the sunset over Puget Sound.
It's never a dull night at Safeco Field — Photo courtesy of Safeco Field (Facebook)
There's so much to do and see in Seattle and a day trip is a great way to get your feet wet and have a taste of what this vibrant city has to offer. Vancouverites love making trips down to Seattle for a change in culinary scene, awesome shopping deals and a beautiful change in scenery. If you have your own car, the outlet malls along the way to Seattle are worth checking out.
Something neat to note is that both Vancouver and Seattle share views of gorgeous Mt. Baker. So, when you're back in Vancouver, you never have to look far to be reminded of your day trip to Seattle.
