1

I strongly suggest you obtain a guidebook for the Pacific Northwest or ones specific to Seattle or Vancouver. You can download them from this website or find older versions at your local library. The guidebooks are more comprehensive than anything you will find here. This site is best when asking specific questions. AFAIK, the region isn't known for its white water rafting but everything else you will find in abundance.

http://www.vancouvertrails.com/
http://vancouverhiking.tripod.com/
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/
http://www.juandefucamarinetrail.com/
http://www.nps.gov/olym/index.htm

Casino

One thing you may want to think about is taking the ferry from Seattle to Victoria and then spending some time on Vancouver Island. Rent a car there and explore around. You can then take the ferry from Vancouver Island to Vancouver, renting another car on the days you want to leave the city. It is true, however, that it can sometimes be cheaper to rent a car in the US than in Canada.

Have fun!

2

Seattle sucks.

3

If you're driving from Seattle to Vancouver, you'll pass right by the Tulalip casino- an hour and a bit north of Seattle. For the activities you want- atv hiking, rafting, you might like to spend 3-4 days in Whistler, 2 hrs north of Vancouver. It is beautiful, and you should be able to find some good deals in the Village center.

4

I agree with hardnose, Seattle is lacking compared to Vancouver, Portland, San Fran. The drive between Seattle and Vancouver is largely urban sprawl and little suburby towns (ie. boring). I'd spend my time in Van and north of that (whistler), Olympic Peninsula, San Juan/Gulf Islands, or Vancouver Island.

5

Vancouver is more of an international and dynamic city than Seattle.In some ways it is Canada's San Francisco and Seattle is America's Victoria BC. despite all the hype about Seattle and Microsoft/Boeing etc. I live in Seattle and I would recommend SOME time here but spend the majority of your time in Vancouver. There will be more to do and more dramatic landscape closer to the city. There are also something like ten city beaches across Vancouver, Stanley Park, more diverse shopping, etc.I just went up to Vancouver to buy jeans from my fav line because the store there had the complete line to choose from. Not so here.

6

Ouch, not much love for Seattle on here. I've spent a lot of time in both cities and they both have a ton going for them if you get out of the downtown areas.

In Vancouver, Stanley Park is a can't miss as well as Granville Island, and if you have time you need to head up the Sea to Sky Highway towards Whistler for some breathtaking views.

In Seattle, head to Ballard, Capitol Hill, Phinney or Fremont to see the real city. Stay away from downtown unless you are jumping a ferry to Bainbridge or the San Juans (or if you really want to see the Market.....) Skip the Space Needle etc. Also, get out to see Paradise at Mt Rainier or drive up Highway 20. If you are looking for whitewater, head to the east side of the cascades. You can find rapids within 1.5 hrs from the city.

Both cities are pretty overrun with condos and commercial scrapers if you stick to the city centres.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/03/27/travel/27hours-seattle.html

7

I just came back from Vancouver (10 days) - I went to Seattle for the day and I would NOT recommend going there. Such a boring city, way better to spend the time in BC but it's not that far if you wanted to go.

I loved my trip but if I had to do it again I'd spend more time going up north to Vancouver Island.