Vancouver B.C.

A sidetrip to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is just a 140 miles north of Seattle. You can drive the I-5 Freeway; take a Greyhound bus or Quick Shuttle which will take about three hours depending on the boarder crossing. I prefer to take the scenic Amtrak Cascadian train that puts you right in the heart of the city. Board the train at King Street station in Seattle, sit on the left side going north for the best scenic views on the four hour ride to Vancouver. (www.amtrakcascades.com) Bring your passport!

Public transportation is the way to go here. Catch the SkyTrain across the park from the train station for an elevated ride downtown.

Like Seattle, Vancouver is surrounded by water and mountains. To enjoy the water take a SeaBus catamaran across Burrard Inlet to North Vancouver, then catch a bus to Grouse Mountain.

A cable car will get you up the mountain for a panoramic view of the city, the Strait of Georgia, English Bay and even Washington's Mount Baker on a clear day. Go at sunset for views of twinkling city lights and dinner at the lodge.

Back to the city, Stanley Park is a must see. Walk the seawall, bike the circle road or hike the forested trails of this 1,000 acre park. Watch for the display of Coast Salish totem poles. Lovely view restaurants are located in Stanley Park.

It’s fun to walk around the city to experience Vancouver’s unique neighborhoods. Start at Canada Place and the Olympic Plaza on the waterfront, go on to Gastown shops, over to Chinatown to see the Classical Chinese Garden, back down Georgia Street for underground shopping at Pacific Place, over to fashionable Robson Street and on to the Granville Island market.

A passenger ferry will get you across False Creek to the food stalls, galleries and craft shops on the Island.

Consider a trip to Whistler, the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Whistler Express buses travel the Sea to Sky Hiway to this world class ski resort. For summer visitors there is the Rocky Mountaineer train to Whistler. Hiking and biking trails go from the Village or take the 6,000 foot Peak to Peak Gondola ride for amazing mountain top alpine views. www.whistler.com

Now, back to some more Seattle Side Trips! Use my travel video: Washington State A Scenic Tour to plan some.