Driving from Vancouver to Seattle

[lotusrjy]

We are planning to be in Seattle on the 7th Oct. Can someone gives us an idea what to visit in Seattle apart from the following list


* Seattle - Pike Place Market with the infamous flying fish, Ye Olde Curiousity Shoppe, Boeing plant factory tour, Museum of Flight, Space Needle


Also we will enter Seattle through the Peace Bridge and are thinking of returning through Abbotsford, BC.

I am wondering what is the best route to take from Seattle to Abbotsford...

I am looking for a scenic route..

A day or two is what we planning.

[PNW Judy]

You might also enjoy:
* Seattle Aquarium on the waterfront
* Pacific Science Center at Seattle Center
* Experience Music Project (as much for its strange architecture as for its exhibits) at Seattle Center
* Pioneer Square (the oldest part of Seattle still standing)
* Bill Speidel's Underground Tour starting at Doc Maynard's in Pioneer Square (showing you the parts of Seattle no longer "standing")
* The Gold Rush Museum near Pioneer Square
* Hiram Chittenden Locks to see the salmon going up the fish ladders. To get to them, you walk through a lovely garden but I don't recall the name
* The Fremont District - a neighborhood north of downtown Seattle that is very unique and a lot of fun to walk around. Lots of strange art (the giant troll holding a fullsize VW Beetle, the statue of Lenin, the commuter art, etc) and unique shops. Just a really cool neighborhood to explore.
* Smith Tower near Pioneer Square. At one time, the tallest building west of the Mississippi. Now dwarfed by modern skyscrapers but it's fun to ride to the top and have a look-see around.
* Salmon Dinner at Tillicum Village on Blake Island...tickets can be bought in Pike Place Market
* SAM - Seattle Art Museum
* No stop to Seattle would be complete without eating a meal at the original Ivar's Acres of Clams restaurant down on the waterfront....I believe it's now simply called Ivar's. I saw this not because the food is better than elsewhere. It's good, but not jaw-dropping. But because Ivar Haglund was such a well-known character in the PNW for decades. I still vividly remember the crazy commercials for Ivar's with the "running of the clams" and other crazy takes on PNW seafood from my childhood. Good memories.
* Renting a canoe or kayak to paddle Lake Union

Well, this should keep ya busy!

Hwy 9 parallels I-5 north taking you directly into Sumas/Abbotsford. You can pick it up a bit east of Woodinville off the 522. It will take you through some farm country, forests, valleys, and is a pretty route.

Another lovely drive is Chuckanut Drive. On the north end, it ends in Bellingham. From Bellingham, take the 542 to Hwy 9 and into Sumas.

Of course, you could also take Chuckanut Drive on the way south and then Hwy 9 on the way back north thus avoiding I-5 for most of your trip.

I really don't see how you can do this all in one day. To really enjoy this trip, I think you will need 2 full days, minimum.

[K. Smith]

You also might want to look at the Archie McPhee shop in Ballard, it's pretty unique.