I would skip renting a car that night when you arrive and just make a home base downtown Seattle by taking the light rail there. Plenty of nice lodging options from economy to posh. Stroll around the city, have dinner, retreat for the night. Spend the next day exploring the city. Then fetch your car somewhere next morning after breakfast if you decide to explore the area (there should be rental locations downtown or you can take the rail back to the airport if you wish so). Mr Rainier is a day trip for us. We never stayed in the park overnight (other than for purposeful camping). It is spectacular!
@zipyourlips we have been to Vancouver the city several times. I agree it’s a great city. I’m trying to narrow my list of spots not add more. LOL.
@BunsenBurner I’ll look into renting a car from downtown.
@BunsenBurner should we consider just visiting Mt Rainer for the day from Seattle?
@busdriver11 what hours are considered rush out in the Seattle area? Our flight is just 2 1(2 hours and we are coming from the same time zone so if we didn’t have traffic to deal with we could drive a bit that first night.
If your flight lands at 4:45, by the time you deplane and get your rental car, it will be close to 6. Traffic will still be a major cluster at that time. Another thing to consider… Parking downtown is not cheap! Easily $40 a night at some centrally located places. The train is awesome for getting to downtown. Safe and clean, and costs less than $4 per person.
You can easily visit both Sunrise and Paradise areas of Mt Rainier in one day and do a short hike at either or both. We would take our visitors there for a day trip from our house north of Seattle.
When we visited Seattle, we chose to use public transit and taxis. We avoided renting a car until we were driving out of the city to Ranier. Paying for parking when you can find a space is pretty expensive. Much of the city is walkable or there are also good transit options.
Definitely fly Kenmore to Lopez if your bags are light enough. They have a limit. The flight is short and you land on the water, which I think is fun. It will save you the drive to Anacortes. If your H’s friend has a car on Lopez, you won’t need one. If not, that may be a reason to do the ferry.
Plus add to the fact that the ferry is surprisingly expensive.
Biking on Lopez Island is something I really enjoy doing, we generally take our bikes on the ferry there every few years.
Regarding hiking at Rainier, also crowded on weekends, better for a weekday. ?
We walked to our downhill destinations from our rented condo in Seattle, and took Uber back… it is very hilly like San Francisco… a good workout for sure, but we weren’t keen on walking uphill so much on our vacation! Uber was super convenient.
Although you have been to the city of Vancouver, Victoria on Vancouver Island is worth a ferry trip. Unfortunately, the ferries might be sold out for the Summer. Will need a passport if venturing into Canada if you plan to return to the US.
We just got back from one week in Seattle visiting son. Weather was beautiful. We had a great Airbnb. Can’t wait to visit again, maybe next summer!
We usually stay at a moderate hotel near the airport- using their shuttle to/from the airport when getting in late and leaving early. We rent the car the next day and return it in the evening. We have schlepped bags to the light rail station and used off site car rentals- some bad, others fine.
Be careful and check the weather before going to Mt Rainier. Apparently it just snowed! Can’t believe that’s still happening this time of year. Unless you have gear for a snow hike, you have to definitely research this.
Yes, good point, bus! If OP is going in early August, chances of a snowfall should be quite low. The alpine meadows in bloom at Paradise are amazing that time of the year.
Really, wouldn’t you think August would be perfect? And the wildflowers!
But beware of fires!
I hope for all of us a fire free season. I’m know it won’t happen but at least I can hope.
My D got married on Saturday and I am still exhausted. As soon as I have some energy I need to get planning. I saw my friend today with the place in Gig harbor and she gave me the dates she will be in Washington. As you all have suggested she said I should plan on seeing her first or last as she isn’t far from the airport.
Moving forward I decided we will have two weeks give or take a day. I got a one night reservation in Mt Rainier at the Paradise inn. The reservation in Mt Rainier is a Tuesday. We would arrive in Seattle on a Saturday late afternoon. Am I correct in assuming I won’t have rush hour traffic into Seattle on a Saturday?
Where would you stay in Seattle? I’ve been several times to Pikes Market. I can’t remember where we stayed in the past as it was a lot of years ago. I want to go to the Chihuly glass museum. I would also like to go to the Ballard locks. I also like to wander neighborhoods. H isn’t a city person but he is a good sport as long as I don’t have him driving a lot. Restaurants? Nothing super formal.
I still need to figure out if we will go to Lopez Island from Mt Rainier or if we will do the Cascade loop and then Lopez. We will go to Gig harbor last.
Saturday afternoon should be clear… unless there is something major going downtown (check the Seafair schedule and game schedule!). I can’t comment on the lodging because we rarely stay downtown. There are all sorts of options here. The new Hyatt Regency just opened on Olive & 8th. It looks nice (I am looking at it from my bus window as we speak). Alternatively, you can stay elsewhere. There are some hotels in the lower Queen Anne area that would place you close to the activity and give you the taste of the neighborhoods. MarQueen hotel or Hotel Max (?) I think. There is also Homewood Suites closer to the water. Lots of eating options around for sure.
Downtown Four Seasons and Fairmont Olympic are posh and popular but on the pricy side.
We tend to stay in moderate hotels in the suburbs, especially with the high season rates. Use it for sleeping mainly. Pick a place with light rail service and you can avoid using your car for city center activities. Do figure in the hotel parking rates- I have seen $30-35 per 24 hours.