Seattle or other vacation in the Winter

[teigyr]

Seattle isn't bad at all during November. Before I lived up here, I lived in Southern Calif. I never minded the weather each time I visited (and it was a lot), in fact I found it quaint. There IS tons to do up here. Even if you don't rent a car, you can get from the airport to the hotel to a bus to a ferry.

I recommend it and because it'd be "off season", you could get a fantastic hotel at a fairly good rate.

Oh and re an Alaska cruise...I think it might be too late for that? But trust me, the ferry system down here will take you to some awesome places, if you want.

[StressFree]

We went to Seattle in the summer and it was a nice time to go. But then again I'm in Socal and cannot handle cold weather. We did the underground tour which was really neat to see. I agree if you have the time drive to Vancouver it's a nice drive. I didn't know that you need a passport now. All my friends said that so far this year has been a bit warmer I don't know how the fall and winter is going to be though.

[Cataboo]

Vancouver, Vancouver island & Alaska cruises are gorgeous.


I just booked tickets to Costa rica for NOvember because the airfares were quite reasonable ($277 roundtrip)

You would of course need a passport for that... but you can have an expedited one made.

[Aggie_Ama]

We are going to Alaska next summer, college close friend moved there. Since we don't have to have a hotel we can really save a lot and see someone we don't get to see nearly enough.

We like going places in the off season, low crowds and can see the real personality of a place. Plus we have always discussed moving the PNW, so why not go at a "great weather" time. We just need to buy raincoats, because you rarely need one in Texas!

Is there a way to find out about the ferry and buses? We would prefer not to deal with the headache of a rental car!

[KnottedYet]

We like going places in the off season, low crowds and can see the real personality of a place. Plus we have always discussed moving the PNW, so why not go at a "great weather" time. We just need to buy raincoats, because you rarely need one in Texas!

Is there a way to find out about the ferry and buses? We would prefer not to deal with the headache of a rental car!

The Big Picture: http://www.kingcounty.gov/transportation.aspx
The busses: http://transit.metrokc.gov/
The ferries: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/
The light rail: http://www.soundtransit.org/Riding-S...Light-Rail.xml

As far as raincoats are concerned: our rain is fairly light, but quite steady. I'm happiest in a good wool sweater carrying an umbrella. Some folks wear hats and dispense with the umbrella. Often we just walk around in the rain without bothering. It isn't a thunderstorm kind of rain, more like a persistent annoying drizzle. If you don't already have raincoats, don't bother buying any for this trip. Just bring collapsible umbrellas and a sweater. You'll be fine! (and if you do need a rainjacket after all, REI's flagship store is easy to find! http://www.rei.com/stores/11 )

Good place to rent bikes (and on a major urban rails-to-trails): www.recycledcycles.com and specific to their rentals: http://www.recycledcycles.com/rentals You can ride the trail to Theo Chocolate, and my (and a few additional TE'er's) other favorite bike shop www.freerangecycles.com ! Going the other way on the same trail will get you to this fantastic brewery in the county: http://www.redhook.com/AgeCheck.aspx?p=41

(oh, and the trail will take you to the Pacific Ocean in one direction, Lake Washington in the other direction, and stuff like that... but who cares when there's bikes, chocolate, and beer?)

[Trek420]

The chocolate http://www.theochocolate.com