If you are renting a car in Vancouver don't use Budget.
There was some stories on the news lately about the owner of 2-3 locations being investigated for all sorts of fraud and bogus charges. Many of their former employees came forward and shared stories of ripping people off.
Don't stay in Richmond. Stay in downtown Vancouver. There are plenty of hotels in downtown Vancouver you can book for well under $100 a night through expedia. If money is the issue, stay at the Best Western instead of the fancier hotels. You also do not need a car for the stay in Vancouver. Most things you will want to do are located in or around downtown. I'd recommend the following:
1) Downtown Vancouver: this includes, Gastown, Robson Street, the West End, and Stanley Park. This is for the "Vancouver Experience".
2) Granville Island: for the tourist experience.
3) Main Street and Commercial Drive: for the hipster experience.
If you do have access to a car though, I'd recommend booking a couple of nights in Whistler too. Hotels there can also be had for relatively cheap these days, especially in March. Skiing in March in Whistler is great. If you don't ski, it's still a great place to spend a day or two.
We've done the BC to Seattle trip a few times -- this is going back a few years when flights to BC were really cheap -- and had no issues with the rental car (I think we used Enterprise most if not all of the time). Personally, I would rather spend more time in Seattle versus Vancouver but I guess that's just personal preference.
As has been mentioned already, Seattle has some good outlet malls and nice zoo as well. We went to the aquarium probably 5 years ago, long with Pike Place, etc. MLB and NFL games are also a good time, but that won't be happening in March (maybe a stadium tour instead?).
While I totaly agree, there's probably a less condescending way to phrase this. I find that the best places are stuff you randomly find when walking around. I really enjoy just strolling around for a few hours in new cities and finding a watering hole or some live music.
That said I did go to the flight museum which is totally awesome. Esp. the WWII room. Also went to the zoo (I usually boycott zoos, but had a few hours to kill and it was on the way) blows Calgary zoo out of the water, feels more like a park with animals than a zoo.
Its a Farmer's Market with a plethora of cool things to buy or just window shop. There is a fish market there where the employees hurl fish around. Its pretty entertaining to watch.
Near the market is the Gum Wall. Thousands of people have stuck gum to a wall in an alley, and the entire surface is caked in gum. Its pretty amazing in a sort of disgusting way. haha
I'm not usually one for tours, but the underground tour is very informative, and quite good.
Personally I would drive a little further to Portland it is cheaper and has way better dining than Seattle. If you are looking for some variety you will get that rather than two more similar cities like Van and Seattle.
Very affordable, nice downtown hotels and cheap great food and booze, the best mass transit in the US, one of my favourite cities.
Personally I would drive a little further to Portland it is cheaper and has way better dining than Seattle. If you are looking for some variety you will get that rather than two more similar cities like Van and Seattle.
Very affordable, nice downtown hotels and cheap great food and booze, the best mass transit in the US, one of my favourite cities.
Apartment hotel which is a 1-2 minute water taxi ride from Granville Island market. Prices were cheaper than regular hotels and the place was very clean. The apartments have kitchens, which was great as you can go over to Granville and get fresh food to make breakfast/lunch/dinner, depending on what you don't want to go out for. Apartment is a bit off the bigger main streets of DT Vancouver, but a short taxi ride. If you have a car, they have underground parking. Last time I stayed there, they didn't have wireless, but they may now. If not, there were a tonne of open SIDs from the surrounding apartment buildings.
For eats, use Yelp or Urban Spoon, and find some little gems to go eat. I went to this Sushi place way off the beaten path where the guys making Sushi were in their 70s and it was amazing. Had to wait a bit but the Sushi was some of the best I've had. There's also a really good desert bar on Denman St, but I can't remember what it's called.
Clean, nice hotel with decent prices. Bit outside of the main downtown areas, but a quick bus ride will get you down there. Short walk to Key Arena, Space Needle, EMP/Science Fiction museum. There's a Starbucks right next door, if you like them. A couple decent restaurants nearby. Same thing though, look at Yelp and US and find the gems. Even though Pike's Place is a typical touristy spot, highly recommend checking it out. Really enjoyed that experience. EMP and Science Fiction museum were awesome.
I can't say if it is still any good, but they had a great patio. Years ago my wife and I had a lovely long romantic dinner here. The place was really good.
Granville Island is an awesome place to visit. But if you eat there, stay inside. The seagulls will maul you as soon as you step outside. If you're lucky enough to find a seat, they'll take your ginger beef right off your plate.
