Seattle, Victoria and Vancouver: A Family Quest for Crab Sandwiches, Orcas, and Sanity

If you’ve ever felt the need to reconnect with your roots, chase orcas through the Pacific, and brave suspension bridges with a toddler on your hip—all while keeping three little boys alive and mostly happy—have we got the itinerary for you!

This trip was part sentimental journey, part wild adventure: David wanted to visit his beloved aunt and relive his childhood summers in Victoria, BC. So naturally, we brought the chaos… I mean, the kids (ages 2, 4, and 6). What unfolded was an 8-day, three-city whirlwind of ferry rides, fish ‘n chips, and frantically searching for playgrounds like our lives depended on it.

Where We Stayed

Victoria, BC (3 Nights)
Our Airbnb was charmingly nestled in a quiet neighborhood but close to everything. Best part? Watching bunnies hop across the backyard while the boys ran wild in the grass. We pretended it was relaxing, and for about five minutes, it was.

Vancouver, BC (3 Nights)
This Airbnb was the one. You know when you keep coming back to the same listing and think, “It’s a splurge... but what if it’s worth it?” It. Was. Worth it. Modern, gorgeous, and literally backed into Trout Lake Park. Oh, and it had a playground and a trampoline in the yard. Basically heaven for our boys.

Seattle, WA (1 Night)
A quick stopover with a strong finish—we’ll get to that kraken tiki bar later.

Day 1: Planes, Crabs, and Ferry Panic

Flew into Seattle using Southwest points (because nothing says victory like free flights). Rented our car from an offsite Enterprise—had the hubby Uber there and we saved hundreds. Dad MVP status achieved.

Lunch was a crab sandwich from Burien Fish House because it’s illegal (probably) to land in the PNW without seafood.

With Nana’s flight delayed (cue nervous pacing), we distracted the kids at the Ballard Locks Fish Ladder and Seward Park with fish, boats, music, playgrounds, and nature galore. We burned so much energy we probably saved on bedtime battles.

Once Nana landed, we booked it to Port Angeles—David in full “Need for Speed” mode—because the Anacortes ferry to Victoria still hasn’t come back post-COVID. (Twilight fans, cue the Forks fangirl moment.)
Ferry info here

We made it with time to spare, breezed through customs (thank you, pre-filled forms), and rolled into downtown Victoria at midnight.

Day 2: Victoria Through a Kid Lens

The day started slow and sweet with downtown wanderings along the harbor, sipping imaginary tea at the Fairmont Empress and gazing at totem poles at Thunderbird Park.

We strolled Government Street and meandered through Beacon Hill Park, where the goats tried to eat our youngest’s hat. He’s fine. We also caught stunning views (and kites!) at Clover Point.

David dragged us to his beloved Miniature World from childhood, which, to be fair, totally won the kids over. Tiny trains? Yes, please.

Ended the day at Willows Beach, where the kids stacked driftwood and we stared dreamily at Mt. Baker.

Dinner? Big Wheel Burger to-go, devoured while the kids lost their minds (in the best way) on the playground plane at Beacon Hill Park.

Day 3: Orcas and Aunties

A slow morning spent with David’s aunt—bittersweet, cherished time that made this trip matter on a deeper level.

Later, we explored the floating village of Fisherman’s Wharf. The kids wore free life jackets, and we debated the best fish and chips: Barb’s or The Fish Store. I disgraced the family by preferring The Fish Store.

Playground above the wharf? A win. Fisherman’s Wharf Adventure Play

Nana, suddenly inspired by a dream of Orcas, took our oldest on a 3-hour Prince of Whales Zodiac tour. No life jackets—just full body flotation suits (James Bond meets Michelin Man). They saw humpbacks and orcas and got soaked. Totally worth it.

Day 4: Gardens, Ferries, and New Adventures

We said goodbye to Victoria and made a detour to the stunning Butchart Gardens. 55 acres of blooms, a carousel, open fields, and the best kind of chaos: kids running free.

Lunch at Red Barn Market and then hopped aboard a massive BC Ferry to Vancouver. This ferry had everything: restaurants, shops, a playground… if it had bunk beds, we’d have moved in.

Arrived in Vancouver, settled into our Airbnb, and ended the night with a peaceful stroll through Trout Lake Park.

Day 5: Birthday Bash + Island Treasures

Started the day at Stanley Park, where we visited the totem poles and discovered the delightful Stanley Park Railway. Major win for the littles.

It was also James’ birthday—his request? Spaghetti. Granville Island’s Public Market delivered with meatballs the size of his head and so many other options for the rest of us.

They ran wild at the Kids Market and the Adventure Zone, then splashed around at the Granville Island Water Park.

Parents-only tiki time at Shameful Tiki Room? Magical. Hula dancers, island drinks, and a night without spilled milk.

Day 6: Conquerors of Heights and Mountains

Early start to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, where I faced my fear of heights and nearly peed my pants (worth it). The kids lived their best forest-explorer lives.

Next stop: Grouse Mountain. The gondola ride? Breathtaking. At the top: grizzlies, a lumberjack show, raptor demos, and the most epic tree-top playground.

BeaverTail pastries fueled us up and on a whim (YOLO!) we drove the jaw-dropping Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler.

At Whistler Resort, the kids explored playgrounds under the Olympic rings, we watched downhill bikers do insane things, and capped it off with ice cream from COWS.

Day 7: From Canada, With Candy

Drove back to Seattle with a quick pit stop for Canadian candy because… obviously.

Checked out Pike Place (closed by the time we arrived—oops), gawked at the infamous Gum Wall, and had one last seafood hurrah at Ivar’s.

Then, one final tiki adventure at Inside Passage. Think kraken coming out of the wall, cocktails with tentacles, and drinks served in Amazon boxes. It was glorious.

Day 8: Headed Home

SEA-TAC wins bonus points for having a great kids’ play area—because when you’re flying with kids, every little miracle counts.

Final Thoughts:
This trip was a beautiful mix of nostalgia and discovery, ferry crossings and fish sandwiches, breathtaking views and bouncy playgrounds. With three boys under seven, it wasn’t always smooth sailing—but it was unforgettable.

If you're thinking about a Pacific Northwest trip with kids, do it. Just maybe pack extra snacks, a rain jacket, and nerves of steel.