My opinion? Do you like nature? the wilderness? if so...
then skip Seattle, and instead rent a car (or take your own) and go to the Olympic National Park...a well-kept secret in the U.S. imo ...and be sure to see the indescribable Hoh Rainforest...the only Temperate rainforest, I believe, in the world (??) You can see the awesome sea stacks in the Pacific, hike the rainforest and see all its phenomenal glory, and also drive up the snowcapped Olympic mountains in one day!! We stayed at the cabins at Kalaloch Lodge -- full kitchen, everything you need, right on the cliffs overlooking the ocean.
And...hike the Cape Flattery trail to the furthest NW edge of the US. And to see Canada...take the ferry from the Pacific Northwest Peninsula to Canada...one leaves from ... um...I forget the town's name...straight north after you cross Puget Sound...beautiful little historic village on the water, views of Canada across the way.
Want to see pictures? Just ask...don't get me started...my son (21 at the time) and I made this trip last year (in March '03), and it ranks right up there with our trip to Europe...almost...and we plan to go back. A week was just not enough time. We drove very little in Seattle ... as little as possible, and did nothing there but deal with the airport.
If you have children...this place is a must-visit. They can see all the kiddie attractions a city offers anywhere....but they can only see the unique natural wonders of the temperate rainforest, the sea stacks, the coastal cliffs, the snow-capped mountains...ok, I'll stop.
~ Shirley
