I’ll be headed to Puget Sound in the coming weeks. I don’t want to miss a scenic view! Are there some definite “do not miss” famous vistas I should be sure to hit? What about on Vancouver Island or down to Portland, Oregon area?
Mt Ranier, especially if it turns pink at sunset (on the rare sunny day), maybe from the Space Needle. The Columbia River Gorge, east of Portland. The sea stacks along the Washington and/or Oregon coast (Oregon’s coastline is a lot more accessible). Olympic National Park - on the western park of the Olympic Peninsula… especially the ocean near La Push (discovered by Twilight fans but still nice) and the Hoh Rain Forest.
More if I think of them…
If you’re driving Seattle to Portland, make time for a side trip to the Mt. St. Helen’s interpretive site. The whole place is fascinating (and sobering). The IMAX theater presentation of the eruption is almost like being there, but a lot safer.
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Kerry Park is the place to go for what is probably the most famous view of the Space Needle, the Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier (if the weather permits). Examples.
I’m not familiar with local place names there, but I’ll never forget taking the ferry from Olympic Peninsula to downtown Seattle. Cloudy (surprise!) with late afternoon sunlight breaking through sporadically. The views of the Seattle skyline were wonderful.
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If you care for either rock & roll or science fiction, make sure to stop by EMP. It’s fairly inexpensive to tour both museums and they’ve got a very impressive collection of memorabilia.
If you’re into that sort of thing, you can visit Jimi Hendrix’s grave in Renton, or make a stop by Mud Bay in Olympia, where Kurt Cobain’s ashes were scattered.
If you make it as far south as Portland, make sure you visit Chinatown - it’s a bit run down these days, but it’s got some unique architecture, and there’s a very large sign for a (now-closed) cocktail bar that will definitely get a chuckle out of you. (I won’t spoil it, but if you see it, you’ll know which one I mean.)
And…what about going the other direction to Vancouver Island?
There is a ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria B.C. if that’s what you are thinking. Bring your passport, I have never tried it but I don’t think it’s that long of a ride, probably has good views and Victoria is beautiful.
Also a ferry from Anacortes to Sidney, if you go with this one be prepared to rent a car, Sidney is about a $70.00 cab ride from downtown Victoria.