Ideas for Honeymoon in Washington

KellyT6

We just decided to go to Washington for our honeymoon and want any suggestions and help that anyone can offer. We're open to any suggestions and although we don't want to be cheap about it, we are trying to be careful with our money.

We hope to spend some time in Seattle, Mt. Rainier, and the North Cascades. Are we missing any big places? We will arrive on a Sunday and leave the following Sunday (in October). We don't want to spend too much or little time in one place (and we're not sure how much is too much or little time in these places). Would it make more sense to stay in Seattle the whole time or stay a couple nights each at Mt. Rainier and the North Cascades as well? We don't want to be in the car or have a detailed plan to follow the whole time. We still want some down time to wander.

We hope to see some beautiful sights, do the touristy thing, city and mountains, maybe do a little hiking. Obviously we won't be able to see everything but I'm just hoping you all will have some ideas. What are the places you would not want to miss? I posted this on the honeymoon board but it was suggested that I try the Washington board so thanks in advance for any help.

jales

Hi!

If you are up in the north Cascades take Hwy 20 to Diablo Dam and Ross Lake. It is gorgeous, as well as the drive there. Mt Baker is also worth checking out, but wont be open for skiing/boarding at that point.

Another thing you might want to research is heading to the peninsula. Port Angeles, Sequim, Forks are all on the north end. Long Beach and Ocean Shores are great places on the coast. (Might get some cool storms there in October).

Sorry- i'm not very knowledgable about the greater Seattle area-- I'm way up by the Canadian border and don't go there much.

abrieckinthewall

I think Leavenworth would be a great place to see during your honeymoon. It is a couple hours east of Seattle, but it is so worth it. You can take some mountain roads on the way in and it is a beautiful drive. As well as the city itself. It's know as  "Bavarian Town" and it is just lovely.

kimberliyancey

I know you mentioned the cascades but I would strongly recommend the Olympic peninsula. One of my most favorite places and awesome hiking. We love lake quinault lodge and the quinAult rainforest is right across the street with great hiking! Love it there!! Its unlike anywhere I've ever been. Mr rainier is cool but in my opinion the Olympic peninsula has a lot more to offer...beaches, rain forests, hot springs, and mountains within 3 hours max of each other. What time of year are you going?

kimberliyancey

Oh, sorry just realized you said oct:)

Narginia

If you are up for a drive I would definitely visit Whidbey Island! Beautiful and full of fantastic views, and great little shops great for strolling around and browsing. I usually spend a weekend on Whidbey atleast once a year! If you aren't looking for a lot of high tech ammenities, we have stayed a cute rustic place called the captain whidbey, they have rooms and cabins that sit on Penn Cove and you can see Mt Baker as well. Just a thought!

If you want to stay in Seattle - Mt rainier can definitelybe a day trip - its not incredible far away.

The suggestion for the Olympic Peninsula is great too. If you like wine you could stay somewhere near Port Townsend for a night or two and do the winery tours out there. They are fantastic!

Hope this helps a bi!t

P.S.  How long are you coming for?

zoiesmurf

If you're interested in wineries, Woodinville has great wineries and a good tour through them. Woodinville is about 30 to 45 minutes northeast of Seattle, depending on where you are staying. Otherwise I'd say Rainier is a day trip, but the penninsula would be a great place to spend some time.

mgoss228

For ideas North of Seattle, I've always liked visiting La Conner, Camano Island, and the San Juan Islands.

kinmir30

As far as Seattle proper, the touristy things to do are Pike Place Market, the Space Needle/sculpture park....maybe head over to Kerry Park for a beautiful view of the Seattle skyline or even over to Alki Beach for a different view of the skyline, but equally beautiful. Another fun touristy spot is The Fremont Troll. Umm....those are all the things I can think of for Seattle things to do/see.

And I second everyone else's ideas........also, the San Juan islands could be a fun trip.....but you'd have to decide where else you wanted to go, because it would be hard to go to all these places in a week! haha.

Have fun! It should be a great trip! .....just remember to plan for rain in Seattle in October!

deeje55

If you are looking for some hiking, I agree with the idea of the coast, the Hoh Rainforest is gorgeous and some great hiking there.  Don't forget Mt. St.Helens too, there are some great hiking places around there too, may be a little snowy in Oct, but probably not too bad.  Do you snowshoe too?  That is fun, and just stay to the hiking trails, you will see some really beautiful sights.  Mt. Adams is very pretty too, quite a bit further south.  Olympia is centrally located and has some great things to see too, easy to explore the Hood Canal peninsula from there.  Feel free to PM me if you want some more detailed recommendations of those areas.

erinmmcd

Hang around Seattle for 1-2 days knocking the touristy stuff out (prepare for the likelihood of rain, somewhat chilly weather).

The Olympic Peninsula is nice, but for a honeymoon I feel like spending 2 or 3 days in the San Juan Islands would be more romantic (and beautiful too).  You could start in Seattle, drive up to Deception Pass for the day, catch the ferry into the San Juans that night, "island hop," then do the Olympic Peninsula afterward.

Or if you're interested in a better chance of dry, warmer weather, just drive East of the Cascade mountains into central or eastern WA.  There will be a ton of beautiful hikes out there with probably better weather.  Leavenworth (very touristy) as mentioned above is in central WA.

KellyT6

Thanks so much to everyone for the suggestions! Now we just need to make our plans.

KellyT6

Erin,

So if we spent a couple days in Seattle, a couple on San Juan Island, and then a couple in the Olympic Peninsula, is that doable? We arrive on October 9th, hopefully early afternoon and then leave on the 16th. The main problem I forsee is traveling back from the Peninsula to Seattle for our flight. Any idea how long it takes to drive from the Olympic Peninsula to Seattle? And to travel from San Juan Island to the Peninsula?

We'd really like to see the North Cascades, Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens but there just isn't time for everything. Do you think the schedule I mentioned above would be the best for a week long honeymoon?

Thanks!