Pacific Northwest Perfection: Seattle to Victoria and Back Again — A 10/10 Adventure Worth Repeating Some trips just hit different—and this one was everything we could’ve hoped for: easy, affordable, full of local flavor, and packed with just the right blend of relaxation and exploration. 🚋 All Aboard to Downtown Seattle Getting into the city couldn’t have been easier. We hopped on the northbound tram just outside the airport terminal and arrived in downtown Seattle in about 50 minutes—for only $3. Affordable, convenient, and stress-free? Yes, please. 🍕 Pizza + Local Beer? Yes. Once we hit the city, we made a pit stop at Ailbi Restaurant for some delicious pizza and a local gem of a beer—Fury Red. Great vibe, great bite. 💤 The Charter Hotel - Curio Collection by Hilton We checked in at The Charter, just two blocks off Pike Place Market. The rooms were spacious, stylish, and super comfortable—definitely recommend it for anyone wanting to be close to the action but still enjoy a peaceful retreat. 🚢 Ferry Time: Smooth Sailing to Victoria A quick Uber got us to the ferry terminal. Check-in was a breeze thanks to the ever-cheerful Hope, and we checked our bags for $20. We also upgraded to Comfort Class for just $20 per person—totally worth it for the comfy seats and private table, perfect for card games and relaxing. Upgrading to a different class of service for this low fee can only be done once onboard the FSR Clipper. There’s plenty of space onboard—the ferry holds around 500 passengers and offers several restrooms along with a snack and drink bar (including a few hot food options). You can enjoy the views from inside or head out to the observation deck for some fresh air and photo ops. The seating faces in both directions, which is helpful for anyone prone to motion sickness. While our ride was smooth, keep in mind the route does hit some open ocean water, so conditions can vary. 🍽️ Eat Like a Local I always say—check with the locals on the best places to eat. Everyone has a different favorite, but usually there’s one spot that comes up again and again. That’s the one you go to. Our local Canadian friends did disappoint with their suggestions, and we made it a point to hit as many of the local gems as we could. Here's where we landed for a few of our meals: • Bard and Banker – first round of fish and chips for this trip and it didn’t disappoint • Jam Café for breakfast. Long line, but oh so worth the wait! • Bartholomew’s – yep you guessed, British Pub and a local fav! Just missed music trivia. • Crust Bakery for breakfast! Yep, another line, every kind of pastry you can think of. • Browns Social House this is were we finally learned that sharing meals is a must. The portion were generous, and the drinks tasty! • Finest at Sea! This was absolutely the best fish and chips, the portions were large. Nope we didn’t share, still haven’t learned our lesson. We’re always on the hunt for local, fun, and off-the-beaten-path places—not just for meals but for experiences too. Want to really connect with a destination? Check the local event calendar for things like bingo or trivia nights. They're low-key, super fun, and there’s no better way to meet locals who’ll gladly steer you toward their favorite eats (and maybe even join you for a round!). 🇨🇦 Victoria Vibes Victoria Day was right around the corner, and the city had a festive energy despite the cloudy skies. We were greeted at the Fairmont Empress by a charming bellhop who took our bags so we could check our room status. The lobby was stunning—fresh orchids, beautiful chandeliers, and that classic, refined elegance. Check-in was early and seamless. The staff were welcoming and even pointed us toward a great lunch spot, Bard and Banker, 2nd recommendation for this location. I’d be remiss if I didn’t share my favorite drink of the entire trip—the Empress 75, served in the elegant Q Bar. This stunning cocktail is made with Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, sparkling wine, lemon juice, and a touch of simple syrup. The real showstopper? It’s served with grapefruit pearls delicately presented on a dainty silver spoon. Vibrant, floral, and perfectly refreshing—it truly felt like sipping royalty in a glass. 🌺 Butchart Gardens To save some time when we got to Victoria, we booked our Butchart Gardens tour on the ferry and saved ourselves some money! More money for shopping! This tour was via Greyline and planned for 2 hours at the garden, which we left was good, maybe another hour would have been the crème de la crème. We spent the two hours wandering through blooming azaleas and rhododendrons. Even with cloudy skies, the colors were vivid and soul-soothing. A must-do. Hop-On Hop-Off Bus + Chinatown + Fisherman’s Wharf Our Friday adventure included a deep dive into Canada’s oldest Chinatown, complete with a stroll through Dragon Alley and Fan Tan Alley, both full of character and history. Then it was back on the bus to explore Fisherman’s Wharf with its small town of quaint and qwerty brightly colored homes. There is plenty of food options here as well. The Hop-on Hop-Off Bus is a great way to explore Victoria and the surrounding area. The double decker is great when the weather is good and let's just say the drivers know they just about everything. It was worth our time and money! ☀️ Sunday Send-Off On our final day, we sipped Starbucks and caught the 10:30am Harbor Water Taxi “Boat Ballet”, a delightful show offered Sundays in May and June (and Saturdays/Sundays in July and August). This is a must see and highly recommended! We shopped our hearts out, caught another scenic water taxi to The Finest at Sea, and then it was time to Clipper back. The ferry ride was lively as we chatted with Maddy and her Gaelic football crew, the Seattle Gaels, making it a surprisingly fun journey home. 🌮 Final Night in Seattle We closed out our trip with Cadillac margaritas, chicken quesadillas, and steak tacos—because vacation calories don’t count. 🌅 Breakfast Before Departure We wrapped things up with breakfast at Bacco’s—Eggs Benedict, bacon & cheddar breakfast sandwiches, Quiche Lorraine, and sunrise mimosas (strawberry and blackberry). The perfect sendoff. 🌸 Pike Place Market & Pier 52 Before heading out, we strolled through Pike Place Market—those flower stalls always get me. Then we explored Miner’s Landing (Pier 52). If you're into attractions, check out: • Wings Over Washington: A flying theater ride with a Pacific Northwest twist. • Seattle Great Wheel: Even on a super windy day (16 mph gusts!), the gondolas felt stable—and I say that as someone not wild about heights. A little Stanley Park Lager helped too. 😉 ________________________________________ 🌈 Final Thoughts: A Must-Do Trip Even with clouds and wind, this was a 10 out of 10 adventure. It had everything—gorgeous views, delicious food, cultural moments, and a ton of fun. On Our List for Next Time: • Hiking and the rainforest • Hot tub boat experience in Victoria • HAVN Saunas ✈️ Recommended For: • Solo travelers • Girls’/Guys’ Trips • Couples • LGBTQ+ travelers • Families We can’t wait to go back—and we’re already dreaming of round two.