Victoria to Seattle: Two Day Itinerary

Want to explore the USA and Canada, but have limited time? We have you covered — From The Butchart Gardens, to the most popular spots on the Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park, here are our recommendations to make the most of your two-day itinerary from Victoria, BC (or if you're starting in Vancouver) to Seattle, WA. We've included two different itinerary options for your two-day, two-nation vacation — Stay overnight in Victoria, BC or stay overnight in Port Angeles, WA.

The Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC

Option #1 - Overnight in Victoria, BC

Day One - Explore Victoria

9:00am Depart Vancouver on BC Ferries from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. 
10:35am Arrive at Swartz Bay ferry terminal in Victoria, depart for The Butchart Gardens. The Butchart Gardens admission can be purchased through Black Ball Ferry Line. 
11:00am Arrive at The Butchart Gardens.
1:00pm Depart The Butchart Gardens.
1:45pm Explore downtown Victoria at your leisure and check into your hotel accommodation. 

Book an exclusive Victoria hotel + ferry package through Black Ball Ferry Line. Save BIG on Victoria hotels and receive FREE hotel parking! We’ll also waive your ferry reservation fee.

BOOK A VICTORIA HOTEL PACKAGE

Here are our recommendations on how to make the most of the rest of your day in downtown Victoria:

1) Eat like a local in downtown Victoria

2) See Victoria on Gray Line's Hop-on, Hop-off City Tour
Experience Victoria like no other aboard one of our authentic British Double Decker buses! The Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour is designed to allow you the flexibility to explore the many points of interest Victoria has to offer. Your ticket allows you access to unlimited Hop-On Hop-Off privileges for either 1 or 2 days depending on which pass you choose to purchase. Hop-on, Hop-off admission can be purchased through Black Ball Ferry Line.

3) Explore the Royal BC Museum
See all of British Columbia at the Royal BC Museum, a world-class museum of natural and human history. Experience authentic artifacts and highly realistic settings -- from the Woolly Mammoth in his rocky, icy world to a tar-scented trip on the HMS Discovery. Stroll through Old Town's wood-cobbled street and enjoy its shops, cinema, and railway station. Royal BC Museum admission can be purchased through Black Ball Ferry Line.

Fisherman's Wharf in Victoria, BC — A stop on the Hop-on, Hop-off City Tour

Day Two - Day Trip to Port Angeles

9:00am Arrive at Black Ball Ferry Line in Victoria for US Immigration.
(If you are traveling in a vehicle, you must be at the terminal 90 minutes prior to your departure, or 30 minutes prior for walk-on passengers.)
10:30am Ferry departs for Port Angeles. 
12:00pm Arrive in Port Angeles, and go through US Customs. Here are our recommendations for a day trip to Port Angeles (you'll have plenty of time for one of the following):

1) Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park
Begin the journey at sea-level in Port Angeles and continue 5,200 feet elevation atop Hurricane Ridge. Enjoy a front-row view of the snow-capped Olympic Mountains! Book a Hurricane Ridge guided tour through Black Ball Ferry Line (only available on select days).

2) Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls in Olympic National Park
Lake Crescent is glacier-fed, and its crystal-clear waters provide one of the most beautiful shades of blue in the Pacific Northwest. Optional 2.8km round-trip leisurely walk to Marymere Falls.

3) A scenic flightseeing tour with Rite Bros Aviation and guided Port Angeles Underground and Heritage Tour
From the comfort of a small plane, you'll be treated to an exclusive look at the sites and wonders of the Olympic Peninsula. Book a flight sightseeing tour through Black Ball Ferry Line. Then, enjoy a 2-hour guided tour of the city’s downtown area. Your expert tour guide will captivate your group with tales of the city spanning more than 100 years, and glimpses into what remains of a long-ago era. Book the Underground Tour through Black Ball Ferry Line. 

4) Try the local brews on a self-guided craft beer adventure
Sample the fine flavors of some great craft beers on the Olympic Peninsula on this self-guided tour of Port Angeles' best pubs and breweries. Receive a pint each from 3 local brewers. All 3 tasting locations are in downtown Port Angeles, and less than a 5-minute stroll from each other and the ferry terminal.

BOOK A PORT ANGELES DAY TRIP

OPTION 1 - Continue to Seattle, WA 
Scroll down for places to stop along the way to Seattle, and things to do in Seattle.

OPTION 2 - Depart for Victoria, BC
4:20pm Arrive at the Port Angeles ferry terminal.
(If you are traveling in a vehicle, you must be at the terminal 60 minutes prior to your departure, or 40 minutes prior for walk-on passengers.)
5:20pm Ferry departs for Victoria at 5:20pm.
6:50pm Arrive in Victoria and go through Canada Customs.

M.V. Coho passing the Odgen Point Breakwater

Option #2 - Overnight in Port Angeles

Day One - Visit The Butchart Gardens, then depart for Port Angeles

9:00am Depart on BC Ferries from Tsawwassen ferry terminal. 
10:35am Arrive at Swartz Bay ferry terminal, depart for The Butchart Gardens. The Butchart Gardens admission can be purchased through Black Ball Ferry Line. 
11:00am Arrive at The Butchart Gardens.
12:45pm Depart The Butchart Gardens.
1:30pm Arrive at Black Ball Ferry Line in Victoria for US Immigration.
(If you are traveling in a vehicle, you must be at the terminal 90 minutes prior to your departure, or 30 minutes prior for walk-on passengers.)
3:00pm Ferry departs for Port Angeles. 
4:30pm Arrive in Port Angeles and go through US Customs. Enjoy the evening at your leisure. We recommend...

1) Shopping and dinner in downtown Port Angeles
Pick up a souvenir, or special item to commemorate your trip! Downtown Port Angeles is filled with local antique stores, clothing, quaint bookstores, and other small shops.

Then, enjoy a local bite. There are so many great restaurants in Port Angeles to choose from... For something a little more casual, Next Door Gastropub and BarHop Brewing are local favorites. Or, treat yourself to a fine-dining experience at Kokopelli Grill or Bella Italia. 

2) Stroll along the Port Angeles waterfront
Begin at Port Angeles City Pier, overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca and located beside our ferry terminal. Then, continue on to the Olympic Discovery Trail where you'll pass Hollywood Beach in front of the Red Lion Hotel. Enjoy sunset at the beach, or stroll along as much trail as you'd like. The Olympic Discovery Trail spans about 140 miles/225 km between Port Townsend and La Push on the Olympic Peninsula. 

3) Try the local brews on a self-guided craft beer adventure
Sample the fine flavors of some great craft beers on the Olympic Peninsula on this self-guided tour of Port Angeles' best pubs and breweries. Receive a pint each from 3 local brewers. All 3 tasting locations are in downtown Port Angeles, and less than a 5-minute stroll from each other and the ferry terminal. 

Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park

Day Two - Continue to Seattle or return to Victoria

7:15am Enjoy breakfast in Port Angeles. We recommend First Street Haven or New Day Eatery, for a sit-down breakfast, or the Great Northern Coffee Bar, if you are looking for a light snack and coffee to-go. 
8:00am Depart for Lake Crescent & Marymere Falls, or depart for Hurricane Ridge... OR, if you have some extra time and aren't ready to leave the Olympic Peninsula, do both! We recommend allocating at least three hours for each activity (which includes drive-time and time for exploring).

OPTION 1 - Depart for Victoria, BC
11:00am Leave Hurricane Ridge or Lake Crescent.
11:45am Arrive at the Port Angeles ferry terminal.
12:45pm Ferry departs for Victoria at 12:45pm.
(If you are traveling in a vehicle, you must be at the terminal 60 minutes prior to your departure, or 40 minutes prior for walk-on passengers.)
2:15pm Arrive in downtown Victoria and go through Canada Customs.

OPTION 2 - Continue to Seattle, WA
Seattle is about a 2.5-hour drive from Port Angeles. If you'd like to stop for a stretch (or two), there are many great places along the way. 

Point Wilson Lighthouse in Port Townsend, WA

Optional stops on the way to Seattle

Downtown Seattle, WA

Iconic things to do in Seattle

Pike Place Market: Be sure to check out the original Starbucks.
The Gum Wall: A stop at Pike Place isn't complete without leaving your chewing gum with everyone else's!
Space Needle: The best views in the city.
Chihuly Garden and Glass: Extravagant displays of Dale Chihuly's art pieces.
Museum of Pop Culture: Dozens of exhibits on everything (and more) you never knew about contemporary pop culture.
The Museum of Flight: One of the largest collections of airplanes and space vehicles in the USA.
Discovery Park: Need some fresh air? Take a stroll through this 534-area park.
The Seattle Great Wheel: A 175 foot iconic Ferris wheel located at Pier 57 in downtown Seattle... You can't miss it!