# Things to do in Seattle, Victoria and Vancouver **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 24, 2002, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651 "2002-06-24T03:51:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/1 "2002-06-24T03:51:55Z")
My family is going on a tour of Seattle, Victoria and Vancouver next week. Does anyone know of some fun and interesting things to do? We will have six kids along from 6 to 16, so some ideas that will let me seem like a cool uncle would be great. I would also be interested in activities for the adults. ---
**Author:** ![Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/db5fbb/32.png) [@Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fred)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/2 "2002-06-24T05:11:24Z")
Stanley Park in Vancouver is quite nice. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/3 "2002-06-24T05:18:32Z")
The Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria is a must see. Kids will also joy a trip to Rogerā€™s Chocolates in Victoria, with the lawsuit proof slogan ā€œQuite Possibly the Worldā€™s Best Chocolateā€. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/4 "2002-06-24T13:07:44Z")
Thanks **grim spectre** , it looks like a great place on their web site. Excellent suggestions **BobT**. Of course the trip to the factory will set off the inevitable debate between milk chocolate lovers and dark chocolate purists in my family. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![flyboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/4da419/32.png) [@flyboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flyboy)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/5 "2002-06-24T16:36:44Z")
[Butchart Gardens](http://www.butchartgardens.com/main.php). ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/6 "2002-06-24T17:12:55Z")
Seattle and vicinity: Pacific Science Center (in Seattle) Space Needle (itā€™s just a high tower, but how can you say youā€™ve seen Seattle without going to its most famous landmark?) The IMAX theater at Pier 59 - especially the show about Mt. St. Helens (in Seattle) Boeing Airplane Factory Tour (in Everett, about 1/2 hour north of Seattle) Washington State Museum (in Tacoma, about 1/2 hour south of Seattle) Vancouver: Stanley Park (as others have mentioned) Pacific Space Centre Enjoy your trip! We loved ours. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Derfel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lord\_Derfel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Derfel)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/7 "2002-06-24T17:21:06Z")
In Vancouver, take the kids to Science World. They have an exhibit on flight right now that looks pretty cool. You can take the tram up to Grouse Mountain and enjoy the spectacular view. Thereā€™s always Stanley Park, and the Museum of Anthropology at the University of BC. The Vancouver aquarium used to be cool, but I havenā€™t been since they got rid of the orcas. Thereā€™s still some cool stuff there, apparently. The jazz festival is going on right now - Iā€™m not sure when it ends. The kids will like Gastown and Granville Island (Thereā€™s a train that runs at certain times from Science World to Granville Island that might be fun, or you can take a water taxi). Go shopping on Robson St for the high end stuff, or head down to Commercial Drive for more casual, funky atmosphere. If the weatherā€™s nice, head down to Kits or Jericho beach. Thereā€™s a ton of stuff to do here, especially if you like the outdoors. In Victoria, take the kids to the wax museum and the undersea gardens. When I was a kid we went to Butchart Gardens, and I remember being bored out of my skull (Oh, look. More flowers. Hooray.). The adults might like it, but the kids probably wonā€™t. Go whale watching, or do a guided kayaking tour. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/8 "2002-06-24T18:12:10Z")
Ooh - almost forgot about the Vancouver Aquarium (which is actually in Stanley Park). That is one awesome aquarium. Chaim Mattis Keller ---
**Author:** ![BrattiAtti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@BrattiAtti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrattiAtti)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2002, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/9 "2002-06-24T19:12:10Z")
**freesok** seconds the Pacific Science Center in Seattle. He also recommends visiting the aquariam at the waterfront. Pike Place Market (he says) is famous. Record shopping in the U district (45th and University Way). Laser shows at Seattle Center, which probably ties in with PSC. He says eat fish at Ivarā€™s on the waterfront and feed the seagulls while youā€™re there. Hop on a WA State ferry from the waterfront; they go all over. And now **freesokā€™s** list is exhausted. He grew up near Seattle, btw, so Iā€™m guessing he knows what heā€™s talking about. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/10 "2002-06-25T01:13:57Z")
Cancel the trip to the Boeing plant. Only children 12 and above are allowed. I worked at the Everett plant for 4Ā½ years. With all the tourists in the summertime, you feel like you are in a zoo. I will suggest the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle over the zoo in Vancouver. They have the baby elephant. And no one has mentioned the #1 tourist trap, er, attraction in Seattle, Pike Place Market. It is the place where people throw fish for fun. And Seattle has one of the best fireworks shows anywhere on the 4th. And the 4th is just another day in Vancouver, as my wife discovered a few years ago. Mrs. 72 while visiting Vancouver about 5 years ago: ā€œIt looks like everyone is working today here, donā€™t they know itā€™s a holiday?ā€ Me: ā€œYes, they probably know that it is a holiday in the U.S.ā€ Mrs. 72: ā€œThen why is everyone working then?ā€ Me: ā€œBecause we are not in the U.S.ā€ Mrs. 72: ā€œOhā€ ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/11 "2002-06-25T11:18:54Z")
Thnks for your suggestions **flyboy88** , **cmkeller** , **Lord Derfel** , **BrattiAtti** and **racer72**. We are going to be in Vancouver on the 4th, just like Mrs. 72. But we will celebrate anyway! ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/12 "2002-06-25T11:22:09Z")
The first word in the post above is **Thanks**. :o ---
**Author:** ![Nightsong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nightsong/32/3083_2.png) [@Nightsong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightsong)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2002, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/13 "2002-06-25T15:22:04Z")
If you like tea, go to a place that serves High Tea! Yummy scones, clotted cream, good teaā€¦ yumā€¦ šŸ˜ƒ You can go upscale (Empress Hotel, in Victoria), or relatively down scale (places that donā€™t care much about what youā€™re wearing, so long as everything is covered). * * * \<\< Tea. No tea. \>\> ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/14 "2002-06-26T06:59:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by racer72 \* > **And Seattle has one of the best fireworks shows anywhere on the 4th.** Having seen this on TV, I have to agree with you. Now that weā€™re here, is there anyplace thatā€™s particularly good (ideally with parking) to watch it from? ---
**Author:** ![Dieter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dieter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dieter)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/15 "2002-06-26T07:18:25Z")
For the fireworks show in Seattle, it depends on which one. Granted I havenā€™t lived there for years but they used to do a show over Lake Union and over the waterfront downtown. I prefered to hit up the north or northeast side of Lake Union because you could see both shows. Iā€™ve never had much trouble finding parking near Gasworks park because there is a fair amount of residentual blocks north of it. There is a very small and almost unknown park on the west side of Capitol Hill, right at the end of Bellevue Place E. [MAP](http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?mapdata=xU4YXdELrnAYV6PVtbrg29qxPi6dqcVJ8r5YuDiZ8xnQ89rfQzzQ8HiKH40cdTUt0wIZf%252fxL4KdUhv9ARyspkDt542JkdHcFdLCYoZ%252bq1KHmriV0hUdC0p%252bAEwgBVrRBHIcZ0WXCyM1nqlAf6awC%252fTdJOWrxloUoCkXFHo8LfARcZVhuWSpqNRhLYYWSkWGcfQx3H6%252f9VQmBXTpRqUqfeXu2hFjfIF3xxmfdR9PKbycgR7p6DE7Vz04BkmHAkp2iYGDNW0CJ0l3bdg1q%252brZDKAhsJEHTdi9k&click=center&map.x=139&map.y=248) (I hope the link works) You will almost never find parking because in all I think thereā€™s only 4-5 spots. But sometimes there is parking on Lakeview and you can walk over. This, IMO, is THE prime place to watch the fireworks in Seattle. ---
**Author:** ![Dieter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@Dieter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dieter)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2002, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/16 "2002-06-26T07:21:51Z")
Opps. That map above didnā€™t work. Letā€™s [try this one](http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?location=uz8wlFfc2WkI7C4awcL2yGaeUaHHDk4dhk0ScVp3rU72VZqkVxkqUy7hYz5HOYfwYWL5B224uSULJrApMySDUNPUUrfWMJNNdeOEzlVDCXc%3d&address=Bellevue%20Pl%20E&city=Seattle&state=WA&zipcode=&country=US&addtohistory=) ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/17 "2002-06-27T13:13:20Z")
\ummmmā€¦tea\ Looks like weā€™ll be in Seattle for the Vancouver Jazz Fest and in Vancouver for the Seattle fireworks. ā˜¹ But weā€™ll still have a good time. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/18 "2002-06-27T14:12:20Z")
Lord Derfel: > [@](#): > > The Vancouver aquarium used to be cool, but I havenā€™t been since they got rid of the orcas. When did they do this? I was there in March of 2000, they still had orcas. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Derfel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bb73d2/32.png) [@Lord\_Derfel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Derfel)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2002, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-to-do-in-seattle-victoria-and-vancouver/115651/19 "2002-06-27T16:14:07Z")
They shipped Bjossa down to Sea World in San Diego last year. Checking the [Aquarium web site](http://www.vanaqua.org), it seems that she died shortly after she was moved. ā˜¹ They still have the belugas - one is pregnant. Click on the web cam link to see them live. Pretty neat.