Quote:
Originally Posted by scottz
We will be in the Seattle area this summer and want to take the ferry to Vancouver Island (leaving the RV in Seattle). It looks like the ferry leaves Anacortes in the morning, arriving Sidney about 11am. The return trip would be the next day or following day, departing Sidney about noon. On the return trip, we plan to stop over at Friday Harbor for a few hours.
Here are the questions:
*Would one day be enough on the island or should we plan for two?
*What should we plan to do/see while on Vancouver Island?
*Any recommendations where to stay the night? Sidney? Any specific hotels?
*What should we do with the four or five hours we may have at Friday Harbor?
*Is this plan too ambitious?
Thanks
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Hi,
We live in Sidney, where the WA state ferry lands from Anacortes. My recommendation is to plan on two days; when you get off the ferry, head to Buchart Gardens, about a 30 minute drive from Sidney. Dine in a variety of restaurants, from the White Spot chain (think Cracker Barrel without the attached store) to the high end Brentwood Bay Hotel and Spa [5 star]. The next day check out the shops and sights in downtown Victoria, and if you are at all interested in history and geography, a visit to the Royal B.C. Museum is a must. Many visitors cannot believe how interesting this museum is, and so well curated. There are also Craigdarroch and Dunsmuir Castles to visit. Lastly, stroll on Fishermans' Wharf and have fish and chips or freshly-caught Dungeness crab [which we prefer over lobster !]. If there is any time left, walk downtown Sidney, and then get in line for the Anacortes ferry, which is just outside the downtown Sidney core. Be aware that once you get into the ferry terminal, you cannot leave the compound [US. Customs' rules, not ours !]. A couple of suggestions regarding travel: get fuel in the U.S. before coming, leave all weapons in the U.S., and change some USD into Canadian currency if you want to get a decent exchange rate, or plan on using your U.S. credit card for your bank's exchange rate and fees. Of course you all will need a valid passport or enhanced drivers license.