Scott

My wife and I plan a US holiday of about 10-12 weeks from Sept '03, staying at about 5 places only: Seattle area, Boston area, NYC, Washington, then somewhere in the south for milder weather (Charleston, perhaps).

In Seattle area we are wondering about 3-4 weeks on an island, and have narrowed it to Vashon or Bainbridge. But from this distance (I am writing it in Canberra), it is difficult to know which to choose.

Does anyone have a view on this?

Don

IMHO, I'd rather not spend 3-4 weeks on either of them--I'd go stir-crazy.

But if I had to choose one it'd be Bainbridge. I like Winslow and the Bloedel Reserve (beautiful gardens). Bainbridge provides easier access to day-trip places like Poulsbo (Nordic heritage), Port Townsend (quaint town with lots of Victorian architecture), and Hurricane Ridge (scenic views in the Olympic Mountains). You're closer to ferries to Victoria, BC and Whidbey Island. And you're a half-hour ferry trip from Seattle.

Vashon would be closer to the southern end of Puget Sound (Tacoma, Olympia) and Seattle, and it's more bucolic than Bainbridge, but I prefer the options available from Bainbridge.

Rabbit

I've stayed on Vashon, but not on Bainbridge. Vashon was very nice - I stayed at the Swallow's Nest Cottages (www.vashonislandcottages.com) - not fancy, but peaceful. You might want to consider Whidbey Island, especially if staying for that long of a visit. It's beautiful, with interesting towns (Langley, Coupeville...) and Deception Pass, at the north end, is breathtaking. Easy ferry access to other areas, including Seattle. A gorgeous place to stay there is Guest House Log Cottages (www.guesthouselogcottages). Hope this helps

Dick

I live on Vashon, which I love - but it's not a place you would want to spend more than a day. Bainbridge offers more to see, and I would prefer Whidbey. Suggestion - stay in Seattle (perhaps at Inn at the Market) and take day trips to Vashon, Bainbridge, and even up to Whidby. There is a lot of wonderful stuff in Seattle - and some world class restaurants!

JVS

Also consider the San Juan Islands. (Particularly Orca's Island) I spent a week there (Its about a 1.5 hr drive to the ferry from Seattle)and it was very beautiful-everything from hiking Mt. Constitution, camping, gourmet restaurants, hitch hiking (totally safe there)and orca watching on the ferry ride.

sgorces

Bainbridge is basically a high-end residential suburb of Seattle. Vashon is pleasant but mainly rural residential and small farms. I vote with JVS for the San Juan's. Friday Harbor is a pleasure to walk around. There are some great cabins at the north shore called Lonesome Cove. A favorite activity in the San Juan's is Island hopping.

Nearby Vancouver Island (in Canada) is excellent for touring. With 3-4 weeks, you should definitely drive up Vancouver Island. I love Yellow Point Lodge. It sits on its own peninsula near Nanaimo B.C. It has fine cabins with wood stoves right on the bluffs above the waves. If you go, don't miss Victoria, the provincial capital, and Buchart Gardens just north. Victoria can be reached by ferry from Seattle, Port Angeles, or the San Juans. The US/Canadian border has tightened up but you will have no problems if you're an American citizen and bring a passport.

sgorces

I did not notice the origin of your message before. I would not expect any problems for touring Australians with a passport crossing into Canada either.

Scott

Many thanks for the helpful replies - we are very appreciative.

John

Of the two, Bainbridge is the logical choice, because it has ferry connections to downtown Seattle (no car needed if your destination is in the downtown area) and road connections to the Olympic Peninsula and other areas; whereas the Vashon ferry goes to an outlying area of Seattle (West Seattle, nice but 15 min. car ride to downtown) and there are no bridges off the island.

But 3-4 weeks is a long time for either place, especially if the time frame falls in October or later, when the weather might be gray and drippy and cabin fever will be a hazard. You might consider splitting your Puget Sound time between one of the islands (including possibly the San Juans or one of the Gulf Islands between the BC mainland and Vancouver Island in Canada) along with some city or inland/mountain time (Seattle or Vancouver, or a week in Banff - splendid in the autumn and a long day's or easy two day drive from Vancouver.)

Do note that Charleston in October can occasionally be in the path or spillover area of tropical storms or hurricanes.