Seattle and Olympic Peninsula (Page 3): I second this suggestion. And, spend a night at the Lake Quinault Lodge, in Olympic Nat'l. Park. But, be prepared for the "rain forest" to live...

RichinSeattle

MT Shooter wrote:

Hoh Rain Forest, its amazing! West side of Olympic Park

I second this suggestion. And, spend a night at the Lake Quinault Lodge, in Olympic Nat'l. Park. But, be prepared for the "rain forest" to live up to it's name. A day and night in Mt. Rainier Nat'l. Park is also well worth a visit.

A "moderately" priced hotel in downtown Seattle is the Mayflower Park, a couple blocks from the famous farmers' (Pike Place) market. The staff there will be very helpful in advising you where to wander in the city. Parking downtown is VERY expensive - Manhattan prices - so you might consider not renting a car until you are ready to leave the city.

I'm a Seattle native and will be happy to give you detailed info. Just PM me.

RichinSeattle

IzzyKap wrote:

Thanks. What part of Olympic Peninsula offers views of Mt. Rainier?

You can't see Mt. Rainier from most parts of the Peninsula. It's ~100 miles away. Drive to the south side of the mountain and spend a night at Paradise Lodge. Fall colors are spectacular there. (These shots were taken in September. No guarantees the weather will be this nice.)

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Paradise Lodge
Paradise Lodge...

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nickims2 Loc: Mississippi currently

Be sure and take the ferry to Victoria...drive all the way down Highway 1 to Portland then follow the Columbia River Highway to Mt. Hood. Awesome waterfalls close enough to walk to all along the road every mile or two. Unbelievable scenery!

RichinSeattle

nickims2 wrote:

Be sure and take the ferry to Victoria...drive all the way down Highway 1 to Portland then follow the Columbia River Highway to Mt. Hood. Awesome waterfalls close enough to walk to all along the road every mile or two. Unbelievable scenery!

All good ideas - IF they were going to stay a month.

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

RichinSeattle wrote:

All good ideas - IF they were going to stay a month.

All suggestions were greatly appreciated. It provides me with some great choices for this trip and trips to the region in the future. Thank you all.

Mark Bski Loc: A sleepy little island not far from Seattle

IzzyKap wrote:

I plan spending about 5 days in Seattle area at the end of September and would appreciate any suggestions for photo opportunities in Seattle, Mount Rainier and Olympic Peninsula.

The iconic photos of Seattle, the Puget Sound, and Mt. Rainier are taken from Kerry Park.

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/kerry-park

SAVH Loc: La Jolla, CA

The Olympic National Park has some fabulous scenery. I think one of the absolute highlights of the area is Lake Quinalt and the Lodge there. Several years ago we made reservations there for a night. As soon as we got to our room, I went back down to the desk and asked to stay a second night (would have asked for more if we had not been on a schedule.) The rain forest around there with beautiful moss covered trees and many waterfalls is a photographer's dream. And I agree that Port Townsend and the whole area provide great photo opportunities.

SAVH Loc: La Jolla, CA

The Olympic National Park has some fabulous scenery. I think one of the absolute highlights of the area is Lake Quinalt and the Lodge there. Several years ago we made reservations there for a night. As soon as we got to our room, I went back down to the desk and asked to stay a second night (would have asked for more if we had not been on a schedule.) The rain forest around there with beautiful moss covered trees and many waterfalls is a photographer's dream. And I agree that Port Townsend and the whole area provide great photo opportunities.

RichinSeattle

SAVH wrote:

The Olympic National Park has some fabulous scener... (show quote)

Lake Quinault Lodge

If you look closely at the chimney, you'll discover it has a "rain gauge" on it, showing the amount of rain there year-to-date. It measures in feet, not inches.

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EdR Loc: Gig Harbor, WA

You have many great suggestions. I would only add that you don’t try to get too many things in. Take your time and enjoy, and shoot. End of September is usually still good weather, and the crowds are a little thinned down.👍

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Oldnintheway wrote:

Seattle itself is worth at least one day. Pike st.... (show quote)

"Seattle itself is worth at least one day."

Be prepared for the pervasive effect of the homeless crisis. Seattle has an epidemic that has gone far out of control.

RichinSeattle

bsprague wrote:

"Seattle itself is worth at least one day."

Be prepared for the pervasive effect of the homeless crisis. Seattle has an epidemic that has gone far out of control.

I partially agree with Mr. Sprague, but he exaggerates. (The "epidemic" we suffer from is the same that is devastating LA, SF and Portland.) However, it sounds like the OP is more interested in the surrounding landscape AND has limited time, so I would suggest they use their time to visit the two Nat'l. Parks being discussed and save a bunch of money (and time) visiting the city.

In one day, all they'd be able to do is to check into a $200/day hotel, walk to and around the public market, have a nice dinner and plan their next day (remembering the three-hour time difference from what they are used to). Instead, rent a car at the airport (well south of downtown Seattle) and head directly to your first destination. About 1 1/2 hours to Mt. Rainier/Paradise or 2 1/2 hours (at least) to Lake Quinault.

Then maybe a loop drive around the peninsula and back to the airport.

Last suggestion is to fly Alaska Air directly from Reagan Nat'l. AP to Sea-Tac. Costs a bit more than using BWI or Dulles, but MUCH more convenient.

Hope that helps.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"I partially agree with Mr. Sprague, but he exaggerates."

Maybe not!

I grew up there. So did my parents and grandparents. And, I agree that Seattle is not alone. I also now completely avoid the core of the city that I loved growing up in.

The city was once one of the most beautiful and friendly USA "towns". It was glorious. The skyline still is. Unless you want it to be a lesson in broken humanity, I would NOT make it part of any vacation.

The local ABC affiliate produced a video that both shows and explains the situation. It also offers hope.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpAi70WWBlw&t=8s

Oldnintheway

"Unless you want it to be a lesson in broken humanity, I would NOT make it part of any vacation."

No doubt there is a problem, but this is ridiculous.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

The end of September is usually beautiful here in the Seattle area. How much time do you have to drive and explore? A driving trip around the Olympic Peninsula will take all of one day if you don't stop to take many pictures. If you really plan to explore the rain forest and/or beaches you will need to spend at least one night (two would be better) on the Peninsula. Here's my suggestion. The Quileute Tribe rents cabins on the beach in the little town of La Push (find Forks on the map and go west to the ocean). From there you can visit three Olympic National Park beaches that are among the most beautiful places I have ever been. You will also be a fairly short drive from the Hoh River Rain Forest, an amazing place for photography. All this will eat up a good portion of your five days. A visit to Mount Rainier will take all of one day. I have a gallery on my pbase web site of Seattle specific images (see my tag line below). Feel free to take a look around my Seattle gallery to get some in city ideas if a full day or longer excursion is not on your agenda.