One of the nice things about living in Seattle, besides the fact that it's one of the nicest cities with amazing food and sites, is that there is so much that surrounds it! And while it's easy to get bored in the mundane repetitiveness of school and work, it can be nice to have so many things just a couple hours drive away. Just easy enough to make a little weekend trip out of it!
1. Vancouver, BC
ETA from Seattle: 3-7 hours depending on traffic and the wait at the border.
Reasons to visit: Vancouver is by far one of my favorite cities on the west coast. Not only is it in Canada, so you feel a little bit of a foreign flair when you see all the French translations, but the drinking age is 19! Depending on where you stay as well, you can usually find Airbnbs for pretty cheap on the outskirts of the heart of Vancouver - and then you can either drive, walk or use public transportation to your own discretion.
2. Portland, OR
ETA from Seattle: 3.5-5 hours depending on traffic
Reasons to visit:
3. Olympic National Park, WA
ETA from Seattle: 2-6 hours depending on traffic and where you go
Reasons to visit: Whether you go for a long day hike or for a long weekend, Olympic National Park has a little bit for any type of getaway. From Hurricane Ridge, a moderate hike with impeccable views of the Olympic mountains, to the Hoh Rainforest, one of the largest rainforests in the U.S. with its own share of campsites and hikes - Olympic National Forest won't fail to impress and make for an amazing weekend getaway.
4. Leavenworth, WA
ETA from Seattle: 2.5-5 hours depending on traffic and snow conditions
Reasons to visit:
5. Victoria, BC
ETA from Seattle: 2.5-5 hours depending on the ferry you take and sea conditions
Reasons to visit:
6. Mount Rainier National Park, WA
ETA from Seattle: 2-4 hours depending on traffic
Reasons to visit:
7. San Juan Islands, WA
ETA from Seattle: 3.5-8 hours depending on traffic and ferries
Reasons to visit:
8. Port Townsend, WA
ETA from Seattle: 2-4 hours depending on traffic
Reasons to visit:
9. Cascades, WA
ETA from Seattle: 1-6 hours depending on traffic and where in the Cascades you go
Reasons to visit:
10. Whistler, BC
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ETA from Seattle: 4-8 hours depending on traffic, border control, and snow conditions
Reasons to visit: Besides being a little on the pricier side of this list, Whistler is still pretty affordable and an exquisite place to enjoy any season.
