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Use patience and persistence to find accommodations. These are often (although not always) right outside the main Olympic Stadium and have the host mascots running around, interactive games and exhibits, giant jumbotrons showing live events and highlights, and the like. If you are still a massive Twilight fan, Forks is a must-see. Bear canisters are also required in the park you can either rent one from the visitors center, or bring your own. Would you offer any additional advice for reversing the route to travel clockwise? With a long weekend lets call it 3 days in Olympic National Park you probably wont be able to make it to all of those regions. You have to go out and around to access the lake, which is worth a stop for the Cape Alava Trail. After a great day of exploring, head back to explore Port Angeles attractions and enjoy a meal in town. Whaley and Bennett usually start planning 3-6 months after the end of the previous Olympics. Each site is equipped with a fire pit and picnic table. I also find it the most pleasant time to visit the Pacific Ocean, as the water here is quite cold year-round. Permit reservations for the summer season (May 15th through October 15th . While its now decommissioned, it provides some beautiful photography shots to end your Olympic National Park loop drive. 10. The sea stacks at the south end of the beach are known as Point of Arches. Travel light to each event. Id like to offer a third (and potentially quicker) way to get to the Olympic peninsula, which would be driving North out of Seattle to Edmonds, and taking the 30-minute ferry to Kingston. Visitors enjoy the majestic walks and hiking trails in the Hoh Rainforest. The drive will take you about four hours without traffic. Stop at the visitors center to listen to rangers conduct interpretive programs and inform you about hikes, They have some amazing summer hikes to go on during your drive around the Olympic Peninsula, and Hurricane Hill is a popular three-mile trail you can do from the visitors center. The town of Aberdeen, population16,400, is a good spot to end your Olympic Peninsula road trip, as it is a straight drive inland from Aberdeen to Olympia where you can join up with Interstate-5 and head north to Seattle. See Trip Ideas for recommendations based on your available time. This bridge was originally built in the 1920s for a logging railroad and was the second-highest railroad bridge in the country for years. Sequim hosts the annual Lavender Festival during July, and many people come from Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula just for this. For details on transportation, venue locations, things to do and see, and more, the official site of the Local Organizing Committee is the place to start. If you dont want to take the southern loop to get home, head back along 101 from the Hoh Rainforest towards Port Angeles to make your way back to Seattle. The second would be to stay outside of Tokyo's city center, and ride transport into the city. At this time, you can purchase remarkable things made from the local lavender farms. Click here for a larger view of the map. While you may decide to head home at this point, you can also extend your trip by one more night if you want to be rested first. Take your time exploring this region, as its undoubtedly one of a kind. Hoh Rainforest is one of the natural wonders of Olympic National Park and a must-see during your Olympic Peninsula road trip. Day 1 drive all the way to Medford, OR stoping in Redding and explore Shasta Trinity Forest and Cascade Siskiyou National Monument. But from Olympia to Seattle, that can sometimes be 3 hours. There are a couple of trails in the Hoh Rainforest that are worth doing, and both are short and easy and they leave from the visitors center parking lot. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. We wrote the Olympic National Park itinerary, which includes all the information you need to plan your trip what to do and see, where to stay, how to get there, and more to help you plan a 3 day, long weekend trip to Olympic National Park. Learn how your comment data is processed. Some of the higher elevation hiking trails are covered in snow making them inaccessible, but you can still explore some of the beaches and the rainforests. Port Angeles is the other major town youll pass through in the Olympic Peninsula, home to almost 20,000 people. As youll see in my suggested stops and itineraries, the Olympic Peninsula isfull of things to do. If you want to camp, stay at Mora Campground, which is about five minutes from Rialto (perfect for sunset) and is a nice campground that we enjoyed we stayed there on our trip. Before you launch into planning your trip, here are a few quick tips to help you along the way. Reddit, Inc. 2023. Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has given what appears to be his first interview since his aborted mutiny; Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline have been spotted using "seized" North Korean rockets . Lock down your flight and don't worry about a visa. If you have an extra day, spend an extra night along the southern coast, either at Kalaloch Lodge or Lake Quinault Lodge. If you need a light snack, coffee, or the internet to check in, you can stop at the Quinault Internet Cafe for a bit. IfyouchooseOptionB, youll have a little more time in the day. Its one of the highlights of Olympic National Park. Its a significant seafood and timber provider and supplies a range of boutique shops and art galleries. Thank you so much for this detailed article! If youre visiting the Pacific Northwest and plan to do an Olympic National Park road trip, a lot of the items on my Seattle packing listwill be helpful. Almost 9 million people ride the Tokyo Metro on a normal day; an additional half-million people won't strain the system too badly. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Here are a few nearby recommendations. You can stop at a variety of intrepid businesses still capitalizing on the moment of glory Forks has enjoyed thanks to the books/movies Dont be surprised that it looks nothing like whats in the movies! Thanks for your comment, Susan, but I dont agree with it. Japan is upgrading facilities throughout the country to accommodate tens of thousands of visitors, including with first-of-its-kind robot assistants in Tokyo. Its an easy walk along a boardwalk, and its perfectly doable for kids. You can already register for Tokyo 2020 tickets, but Whaley and Bennett say there will also be tickets available on the same day, so there's no need to totally freak out. To avoid the crowds, late spring (just after Memorial Day) and early fall (mid-September through mid-October) are also a good time to be there, though the weather is going to be a little more hit or miss. Satya Soviet Patnaik shields himself from the sun while waiting in line to take a photo at the historic Welcome to Las Vegas Sign during a heat wave in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 14, 2023. Basically, all it means is that travelers from visa-exempt countries, which includes the United States, only need a travel authorization to enter 30 European . This Olympic National Park Weekend Itinerary is perfect for people who live in Seattle. When you step out of your car in Hoh Rainforest, its easy to see why First Nations people in Washington thought these woods were home to spirits. Start your trip to the Olympic National Park and then head to the gateway city of Port Angeles. Note that most of the following tips apply to both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which tend to occur about two weeks apart. Editors note: The 2020 Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo have been postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. My daughter is a Twi-hard and wants to stop at Bellas house, Forks high school and all those beautiful spots from the movie. If youre a huge Twilight fan, Forks is a must-visit. It pays out after two visits (each visit costs $30, the pass costs $80). This is where the restoration project removed the dam and added it back to the longest river course in the Olympic Peninsula. On your first night, you should stay either near Lake Sutherland along the lake itself, or in nearby Port Angeles. There are some stunning historic buildings downtown to check out if you like architecture. Still, the locations of the lodges really cant be beat, and some offer cozy cabins with full kitchens so that you can cook for yourself and save a bit of money (though youll need to bring your own cooking equipment and groceries). Planning a Trip to Olympic National Park? The good news is that its flat! This ride takes about an hour, and once you disembark youll turn your wheels north on Highway 101. You can go hiking, forest bathing, wander along the coast, or sample your way through the small coastal towns in Washington. CoSport is where you get the tickets. Visitors can now enjoy the stunning scenery at the Elwha River Valley and see how the ecosystem has flourished. We are planning a trip next year from New Orleans while my husband has a conference in Portlandwe were thinking of driving Hwy 1 down to Disneylandand catching . In general, Option A gives you more time to explore the towns and communities on the Olympic Peninsula; Option B gives you more time to explore the natural scenery and great outdoors. For example, at one recent Olympic Games my family went to a tae kwon do event when our son was involved in the sport, and we even saw his teacher there working as a judge. If youre interested in more hikes, Sol Duc Falls, Mink Lake trails, and Lovers Lane are popular. There are two short loop trails through the lush rainforest that start near the Visitor Center. You can go on this trip anytime during the year, but you should note that the area does get snow during the winter. Its nestled north in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains and is always a peaceful place to stop. She's been to hundreds of places all over the region and started this website to help others discover the beauty of the area and create their own trips. 2. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. Ive put together a ton of travel tips, a list of the best stops on an Olympic Peninsula road trip, and two itineraries you can choose from when planning your trip. Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport, is located just 15 kilometers south of central Tokyo, or a 15-minute train ride. In 2018, the couple spent a couple of days in Seoul, which was a two-hour ride on the high-speed train to PyeongChang. Bald eagles and other kinds of coastal birds call these beaches home, and youre sure to spot at least a few seagulls if nothing else. Start your time in Olympic National Park off with a trip up to Hurricane Ridge, which is an interesting journey that takes you from sea level in Port Angeles up more than 5,000 feet to the Hurricane Ridge VIsitors Center. Close out your second night with sunset at Rialto. Ive done so a few times myself, including for the first time in early 2015. This means your trip will take longer since you have to go around the park, but its worth it since this is one of the best scenic drives in Washington State. So far this is what I have in mind. For the purposes of this guide, lets think about Olympic National Park as five different regions. The venues are set years in advance, so you can start searching fairly early on. The Hoh Rainforest is a temperate rainforest, which means mild temperatures and tons of precipitation. If you have can train twice per day, covering one discipline 3-4 times a week, a mid-volume plan is probably a good fit. If you have an extra night to spare, spend it either at the Kalaloch Lodge or Lake Quinault Lodge (or one of the nearby campgrounds) so that you can take in the rainforest, which has the biggest Sitka Spruce tree in the world, in all its glory. IfyouchooseOptionB, you could make the detour to Port Townsend (adding an extra 30 minutes of driving time), plus swing through Sequim and stop to stretch your legs by walking along Dungeness Spit. This is the best time to get great weather, but it is probably the most crowded. When choosing events, I have found this strategy to work well: First get something you really care about, and then choose something that seems interesting but you know very little about. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox, Where to Go Before and After the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Of any stops Ive mentioned so far, Id say its the #1 Must Stop on the list. There are three major items when planning an Olympic trip, a fourth one for the daily planning of seeing events and various tidbits. Consult the table below for mileages between park areas. Ed Hewitt started traveling with his family at the age of 10 and has since visited dozens of countries on six continents. I recommend driving around the Olympic Peninsula between May and August. If youre coming from SeaTac, wed recommend the Bainbridge Island ferry mainly because it gives you great views of Seattle and Mt. Youll want to prepare for extreme weather no matter which Olympics youre attendingpack plenty of warm layers for the winter Games, and prepare for heat if youre attending a summer event. Start your day off with a cup of coffee (duh) and a quick breakfast before hitting the road and heading up towards Neah Bay. If youre planning a trip to Washington and want to spend a few days in Olympic National Park, or are including the Olympic Peninsula on your Pacific Coast Highway road trip, here is the best way to road trip the Olympic Peninsula. All I can find online are ridiculously priced travel packages. Youll love all the spring hikes in Washington you can go on when other parts of the state still have snow. There are 14 campgrounds inside Olympic National Park (along with quite a few along the boundaries). Beach 4 is a cool spot to go tidepooling, and all of the beaches in the area are prime bird watching areas. You can no longer walk on the bridge due to safety concerns, but its fun to visit and imagine how life was when it was in use. Otherwise, youll be doing a ton of driving. You should also check out the Geyser Valley, Grand Canyon of the Elwha, and Goblins Gate. However, this will vary depending on where you stop and how long you stop there for. Luckily, that requirement is being waived for a select few countries, including the United States, during the . Im also a not-so-secret space nerd and speak fluent emoji! However, you could also choose to stay in one place during the whole trip and just drive back to it each night. Mike Whaley and Jason Bennett have been to four Olympic games. The summer season here is short so the 72 sites here get snapped up fast. Hurricane Ridge is the crme de la crme for day hikes on the Olympic Peninsula, particularly during summertime. Together they have some tips on how to start planning for a monumental trip. Sign up for our free newsletter. Here's everything you need to plan an unforgettable drive 'round the Olympic Peninsula. Dont miss our other guides to Washington States Amazing National Parks! Ive been using Roadtrippers for years to see exactly how long itll take from one point to the next and find new places to add to my itinerary! Here are some things to think about adding on to your trip. Olympic Lodge. Both ferries cost roughly the same, and take roughly the same amount of time. The ferry routes below will save you a a little bit of time, but it will cost more since you have to pay the ferry crossing on the route from the Seattle area heading west. The smell isnt great when the paper mill is operating, but there are some beautiful historic buildings including a Carnegie Library and the Jefferson County Courthouse and a cute downtown you can explore. You can make it as long or short as youd like weve done the 5 mile hike out to Mineral Creek Falls and back, and enjoyed it. How to Plan an Epic Olympic Peninsula Road Trip Valerie & Valise Are you planning an Olympic Peninsula road trip? 2:30. You can also stop year-round at stores such as Purple Haze Organic Lavender Farm and Olympic Lavender Company. You could do this hike first and then come back to the hot springs to relax for the afternoon. Another route is to take the Seattle ferry to Bainbridge Island and drive through the island to reach the Olympic Peninsula. From there, you can see the Olympic Range, including Mt. Head up north for a Vancouver Island road trip! Pro-tip: Get on the road early from Seattle to give yourself as much time as humanly possible to explore this part of the park on your first day. Here is the full list of authorized vendors by country for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.