Advice: Seattle/Boeing/Vancouver/LAX

[Sprucegoose]

Hi Guys,

Planning to visit Seattle. Fly in from LAX. (try for a KUPP on AA) Where to stay if want to visit Boeing and then catch the train to Vancouver.

Spending 5 days in Vancouver and surrounds - any great ideas? I was looking at the Hilton there, but ist seems way out of the city. I take it the Waterfront is the place to be?

Then back to LAX to catch 107 to JFK.

Appreciate any input.

 

[kpc]

This website gives all the info about the tour: Boeing: Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour
When I visited the Boeing factory in 2010, I hired a car from Vancouver and did a day trip to the factory and Seattle. I did see a couple of hotels / motels nearby the factory (which is in the middle of nowhere!), but can't remember their namers so a quick google serach might be needed (edit: see: Future of Flight - Aviation Center & Boeing Tour ). To avoid missing out a tour spot, I prebooked tickets over the phone a few days prior but there were plenty of tickets on arrival (October, not school hols). If not driving, I think you need to take a tour originating in Seattle as public transport is limited. Hope that little bit helps

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Hi Guys,

Planning to visit Seattle. Fly in from LAX. (try for a KUPP on AA) Where to stay if want to visit Boeing and then catch the train to Vancouver.

Spending 5 days in Vancouver and surrounds - any great ideas? I was looking at the Hilton there, but ist seems way out of the city. I take it the Waterfront is the place to be?

Then back to LAX to catch 107 to JFK.

Appreciate any input.

When we did the Boeing Tour back in October 2009 I noticed that the Hilton Garden Inn is right opposite so that would be my pick. I would also allow a full day to do the Seattle Museum of Flight which we didn't see but by all accounts is fantastic.

Future of Flight Aviation Center - Hilton Garden Inn Seattle North/Everett

 

[draper]

Easy and enjoyable way to do it:
Fly into LAX (overnight if required)
Catch the COAST STARLIGHT TRAIN from LAX to Seattle
Train departs LA @ 10:15 Arrives Seattle approx 20:45 next night
This is one of the great train trips of the world. Book the best sleeper class available
Stay at the Doubletree Arctic Club Hotel in Seattle (short distance from Train Station and easy walking distance to everything) This is a Boutique Hotel that was once an old club.
Pre arrange the Boeing Tour for pickup from the Hotel (busy in the summer, tour ensures entry)
Bus to Seattle flight museum right outside Hotel door
Catch morning train to Vancouver (book business class seat LHS) departs 07:40 arrives 11:40. Business class ensures you are 1st through Canada Customs etc.
+ Great seafood in Seattle

Enjoy

 

[ckck]

I was there last June. I didn't stay at the Garden Inn opposite Boeing but when I saw the place (from the outside) I wish I did. I was staying in Seattle and I took the 510 Bus from town to Everett station. From there I took a taxi to the Boeing tour. The cost of the bus was about $3-4 each way and took about an hour. The cost of the taxi was about $20-25 each way and so all up the return cost was about the same as doing the bus tour Boeing Factory Tour With Transportation From Downtown Seattle Hotels (Mini Coach) from All Seattle Tours . I decided to take the public transport option as that way I could spend more time at the gift shop, in the hall with all the exhibits prior to the tour or head off into Everett should I wish. I didn't book a ticket to go on the Boeing tour, I just turned up around lunchtime and they were able to put me on the next tour. Mind you I was travelling alone so if you have greater numbers in your travelling party YMMV - it doesn't hurt to book.

As for the Amtrak train option, passenger trains in the US are notorious for being late. If you are travelling and have a deadline don't take the train. Having said that I travelled from CHI-SFO on the California Zephyr. It was a fantastic journey and as I was spending some days in SFO afterwards with no immediate deadline it did not worry me that we were many hours late into SFO. Check the amtrak website for details on how punctual their trains are (read: not very). I was in a sleeper and it is was a great way to see a lot of different scenery when you are not spending a lot of time in a country. (I was in the States for about three weeks.) The Amtrak "Cascades" pass through Everett to Vancouver - check the timetables though as not all trains may stop in Everett.

Another vote for the Museum of Flight in Seattle. I spent half a day there and I really could have spent the whole day. My profile pic of the Dreamliner was taken when I was looking out of a window at the museum only to find myself watching the Dreamliner coming into land.

Another vote for the seafood, the best crab I have ever eaten in my life was in Seattle.

hths

 

[Sprucegoose]

This is all good guys! Thanks!

always back the wisdom of the crowd.