Pacific Northwest Triangle Self Drive Discovery

Welcome to Seattle! Upon arrival at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, you will pick up your rental vehicle and drive approximately 30-minutes into downtown Seattle.

Seattle is built on the traditional territory of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes. It is located between Lake Washington and Puget Sound with two nearby mountain ranges, the Cascades to the east and the Olympics to the west. Seattle features a year-round mild marine climate with abundant lush vegetation and is nicknamed the Emerald City. Highlights include the Boeing Future of Flight Tour and Aviation Center, the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum, the Experience Music Project, the Museum of Pop Culture, Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, the Seattle Underground Tour, the Space Needle, or enjoy a Seattle Harbor cruise.

Today you will drive approximately 3-hours from Seattle to Vancouver, Canada. En-route stops may include Boeing Future of Flight and for any aviation enthusiast ensure to get the Boeing Backstage Pass or just across the border check out White Rock's quaint waterfront lined with countless cafes, restaurants, and boutiques or take a stroll out onto the White Rock Pier.

Simply a city like no other, Vancouver effortlessly combines the excitement and energy of a modern city with the invigorating appeal of the great outdoors. No day in this city is typical: start with a waterfront breakfast at Granville Island Public Market and end with a sunset cocktail on a mountain-top patio. In between, paddle out on a kayaking adventure, and shop a neighborhood or two. It’s truly a “city of nature,” with stunning views of temperate rainforest and majestic peaks reflected on glass skyscrapers; sparkling with sophistication and energy, yet relaxed and laidback. In Vancouver, you won’t have to choose between the city and nature. Some highlights include the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, Bloedel Conservatory, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Flyover Canada, Grouse Mountain, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, Stanley Park, the UBC Botanical Garden, the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Vancouver Aquarium, the Vancouver Maritime Museum, the Vancouver Lookout, Van Dusen Botanical Garden, or enjoy a Vancouver Harbour cruise.

Today you will drive approximately 3-hours, 15-minutes including a 1-hour, 35-minute ferry ride from Vancouver to Victoria. En route, you will cruise through the Southern Gulf Islands passing the islands of Galiano Island, Mayne Island, Prevost Island, North Pender Island, Salt Spring Island, Portland Island, and Piers Island.

Victoria is poised at the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island and is surrounded by water. Downtown restaurants and shops pour into the Inner Harbour, which is a hive of activity. Dockside markets and pop-up concerts are flanked by the iconic Parliament Buildings and The Fairmont Empress. You could easily spend hours here, but for those who enjoy the water, this is just the start. Aquatic adventures stretch in every direction: white-sand beaches, breaching whales, and teeming tidepools are all within easy reach. Highlights not to be missed include the British Columbia Legislature, Butchart Gardens, Craigdarroch Castle, Royal BC Museum, Tea at the Empress, whale watching, or enjoying beer, cider, spirits, or wine tasting.

Today you will drive approximately 5-hours including a 1-hour, 30-minute ferry ride, and a 35-minute ferry ride from Victoria to Seattle. En route, you will drive along the outskirts of Olympic National Park. With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. If time permits, drive round-trip on Hurricane Ridge Road from Port Angeles, Washington to Morse Creek Overlook for views of the Strait of Juan da Fuca, Victoria, and Mt. Baker. Another highlight on your way back to Seattle is the drive across the Hood Canal Floating Bridge.

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel and drive approximately 30-minutes to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport where you will return your rental vehicle and check-in for your onward flight.