VA2007 - Day Trips - Seattle

Just as Sleepless in Seattle was becoming a distant, teary memory, Grey's Anatomy brought the world's attention back to this rainy corner of the coast. Vancouverites and Seattleites have a lot of love for each other — them for our public beaches and local ski resorts, us for their great shopping, brewpubs, music scene, happy hours — actually, the list is long. Vancouver's own Granville Island was modelled after the Pike Place Market. Its reputation as a tourist mecca shouldn't dissuade you from visiting — there's something about watching fishmongers toss 30-pound salmon over your head (a feat for which they've won a Guinness World Record) that warms the heart. Head to the U-district after that — short for the University of Washington, where the main drag offers quirky stores, coffee shops and a stop at the Big Time Brewery for a pint of Bhagwan's Best IPA (the crowd gets feisty if there's a Huskies game on). Head over to newly cool Ballard at the end of the day for a pierside dinner at Ray's Boathouse, a Seattle original. Dig into cold smoked Alaskan king salmon, paired with one of 700 bottles from their award-winning wine list, and you too will become smitten with Seattle's charms.

Getting there: Head south out of Vancouver on Highway 99, which becomes the I-5 once you cross the border into Washington. Total travel time is approximately two and a half to three hours, depending on border traffic.
Amtrack also offers train service between Vancouver and Seattle (amtrak.com).
Pike Place Market, 206-682-7453.
Big Time Brewery, 4133 University Way N.E., 206-545-4509.
Ray's Boathouse, 6049 Seaview Ave. N.W., 206-789-3770.

Insider Secret

Shopper alert: Betty Blue sells last season's style from designers like Zac Posen, Jimmy Choo and Chloe at deeply discounted prices (picture Winners with better shoes and minimal rack-hunting). 608 Second Ave., Seattle, WA, USA, 206-442-6888. — Rosemary Poole