Seattle or other vacation in the Winter

[Aggie_Ama]

I inherited a small amount of money from my Nanny passing and would like to use it how she would have, travelling or living it up. I know a charity is more honorable but Nanny would have wanted us to do something fun. She loved the sea and sea food, so we were thinking coastal. DH and I are trying to visit all 50 states and have never been to Washington or Oregon. So we thought Seattle might be fun for a 5 day weekend excursion but it would likely be early November. How is the weather? We want to see all the touristy stuff like the Space Needle, the zoo, etc... Suggestions? Alternate vacation spot? We have warm winters so we don't need to escape to Florida but bitter cold will be a bit much for us Texans!

[BikingNurse]

if you want to go to the zoo. I suggest woodland park zoo
http://www.zoo.org/zoo_info/planning/activities.html
Some good walking and you see the animals in their habitat not so much of a glass box. We went there a few weeks ago. There is also point defiance zoo. I don't remember it well I haven't been there since I was 4. And also hit up Pike Place Market. it's a must see and it's really fun.
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/frameset.asp?flash=false

[Biciclista]

Seattle isn't the best place to be in later November, December, or January for touristing. THe days are very short and if it's cloudy (and it generally is) it is even darker. I guess early November wouldn't be so bad. It won't be frigid, probably in the 40's.There are certainly a lot of things to do, but traffic stinks too.

Our zoo is really nice !

[Aggie_Ama]

Seattle isn't the best place to be in later November, December, or January for touristing. THe days are very short and if it's cloudy (and it generally is) it is even darker. I guess early November wouldn't be so bad. It won't be frigid, probably in the 40's.There are certainly a lot of things to do, but traffic stinks too.

Our zoo is really nice !

Oh dang! I forgot about you being so far north and having short days. It would likely be early November though. I love zoos, I don't like to travel anywhere that doesn't have one.

[salsabike]

Amanda, we have a wonderful zoo, and early November is a good time to see the animals, since cool weather seems to make them more active. We have two snow leopard cubs who are going outside in a really wonderful enclosure, every day!

Don't be afraid to come here in early November. It'll be cool and grey, might rain, but it's perfectly do-able. We don't get bitter cold here at all, ever. It'll likely be in the 40s.

[salsabike]

PS We could meet you! That would be great.

[Blueberry]

Good for you for thinking of what she would have wanted! You'll have photos and memories - and what a great way to remember her!

Another suggestion to throw out there - we visited San Diego around that time last year. The weather was beautiful - the zoo is great, there's a wild animal park I didn't go to, the ocean is fabulous in La Jolla (and there are seals and sea lions), there's great biking, you can do a day trip to the mountains, etc.

I still want to visit Seattle - our trip this year didn't happen because we erred on the side of staying home with a sick kitty. However, I'll have time off in late March/early April and might think about it then. It's the top of my list - just wanted to throw another option out there.

CA

[crazycanuck]

I'm out of my depth here but i'll make an attempt..

Can you do a mtn bike trip to Moab at that time of year? Since you're into dirt, why not take them on a vacation??

[Ana]

I vote for Hawai'i! It was one of the best vacations of my life

[Aggie_Ama]

I vote for Hawai'i! It was one of the best vacations of my life

Our budget isn't that big. My Nanny would have loved to have gone there. San Diego zoo is high on my list but DH is still liking Seattle because it seems to have a variety of cool things.

He did ask if we could find hiking and rent decent bikes where ever we go. Temps in the 40's sounds about like our weather, we are just a little shy about snow!

[buddha_bellies]

Oh! I love the underground tour. You might want to check that out.

And are you planning a day trip up to Vancouver too?

[Biciclista]

there are a few great bike shops here that rent bikes and yes, nice places to go riding!

[Drtgirl]

There are so many outdoor things to do here, even in November. Are you renting a car? If so the possibilities are unlimited! Some of my faves:

-Trip to the Olympic Peninsula (Hoh rainforest and beach/tidepools). See here for some photos of our last trip: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8242701...7607084202975/
-Day hikes around Mt. Rainier (maybe snowshoeing depending on where you go)
-Day hikes closer to Seattle along the I-90 corridor. There are dozens of places to hike in the foothills.

As for riding, there are a couple shops that rent bikes. Bring rain gear for sure!

PM if you want more info!!

[shootingstar]

We spent a few days in Santa Fe, NM area at end of October and loved it. Dry, sunny...no rain. The colourful rock formations around Georgia O'Keefe (the artist's) Ghost Ranch estate is just gorgeous..

However, a foreign country...is just a 4 hr. train ride (1 hr. for border crossing checks) from downtown Seattle to downtown Vancouver, British Columbia.

From Vancouver, B.C.
lst photo is a cove area within North Vancouver that we bike to frequently. Local mountain have hiking trails. 29 kms. from home. Kayakers go up the inlet. There is also kayaking directly in downtown Vancouver. We see the kayakers paddle by from home.
2nd photo is from a local park, within city. Actually park has soaring old growth Douglas fir trees, etc. Located in a wealthy area overlooking a strait.

[Aggie_Ama]

ShootingStar- Vancouver is on our list of places to see but since they changed the laws and you need a passport I have to wait to get one. I have never left the US. Sad but true!