Vancouver, BC, to Seattle, WA: Go East Through the Mountains

Begin your mountainous adventure in Vancouver, where natural landscapes meet urban delights, rich cultures, and outdoor play. Explore artisan shops and studios on artsy Granville Island (think: blown glass, one-of-a-kind jewelry, and more) before heading to the colourful Public Market. Pick up a freshly baked donut (or two) at local institution Lee’s Donuts, and work off the calories as you consume them on a stroll along the world’s longest uninterrupted waterfront path. 

If you’re eager to cover a lot of ground, join Westcoast Sightseeing or Landsea Tours for hop-on, hop-off fully narrated bus tours to Gastown, Chinatown, the North Shore, Granville Island, and the Sea-to-Sky Corridor. At day’s end, take your pick from the city’s hyper-local menus, with everything from food-truck fare to MICHELIN-starred restaurants.

Set off from Metro Vancouver via the Trans-Canada Highway 1, one of the world’s longest national highways, to the Fraser Valley, where the pace relaxes and fields and skylines expand. This is BC’s agricultural heartland, where foodies can indulge in the freshest fare from family-run farms, dairies, and U-pick berry and vegetable patches. (A self-guided farm tour is the best way to get your fill.)

For a cultural detour, head to neighbouring Chilliwack to learn about the culture, history, and stories of the Stó:lō Nation, whose territory extends from Langley to Yale.

Once you reach Hope, check out the community’s signature chainsaw carvings before heading southeast along Crowsnest Highway 3, a stretch of road that leads to small towns and plenty of natural wonders.

About 45 minutes into your journey, plan to stop at E.C. Manning Provincial Park, a year-round destination for hikers, campers, Nordic skiers, and dark-sky photographers. Should you wish to linger, check in at Manning Park Resort for four seasons of adventure.

British Columbia’s Similkameen is home to pastoral orchards, farms, ranches, and wineries and cideries. In Keremeos, the Fruit Stand Capital of Canada, you can explore the Bordeaux-style wines of Clos Du Soleil and the small-batch reds and whites at Corcelettes Estate Winery. In nearby Cawston, take in mountain views at Crowsnest Vineyards, sample the fruits of Forbidden Fruit Winery’s labours, or learn more about eco-friendly straw-bale construction techniques at Orofino Vineyards. (Tip: Book an overnight stay in one of Orofino’s luxurious suites that sit atop the winery’s barrel room.)

The region is also primed for outdoor play, thanks to more than 40 marked trails that stretch from E.C. Manning Park in the west to the Kettle Valley Railway in the east. Bonus: In fall, these trails glow gold, making for pretty pictures and even prettier views.

In Osoyoos, Canada’s only semi-arid desert, colours shift from bright green to sage to dusty orange. The Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, a state-of-the-art centre built into the hillside within a large conservation area, is a great place to learn about local Indigenous practices and wisdom, and the unique landscape. Also worth a visit: Nk’Mip Cellars winery—an Osoyoos Indian Band venture—situated next door at Spirit Ridge Resort.

Follow Highway 97 south and enter Oroville, Washington, via the Osoyoos border crossing.

In Washington’s Methow Valley, explore the art-forward community of Twisp or head to Winthrop, which blends Western flair with outdoor recreation. Case in point: Here, you can stroll along wooden boardwalks, head out on a hike, or enjoy horseback riding. For more outdoor fun, spend the day at Pearrygin Lake State Park or take a dip in the Methow River (bonus: come winter, the Methow Valley transforms into a stellar cross-country skiing destination).

Don’t miss The Confluence and TwispWorks for local art and the Shafer Historical Museum for Western history.

With 300 days of sunshine, a 50+-mile-long (80+-km) crystal-clear lake, mountain peaks, and Washington’s newest wine-growing region, Chelan has fast become a year-round draw. Start on the aforementioned Lake Chelan for swimming, boating, and paddling, or stretch your legs along the more than 250 miles (400 kilometres) of trails maintained for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Those looking to venture into North Cascades National Park can take a ferry to the tiny town of Stehekin, on the north end of the lake.

On the south end of the lake, swirl and sip at one of the many wineries surrounding the water, including Benson Vineyards Estate Winery and Tsillan Cellars. Tip: Pair your reds with Italian cuisine served at Tsillan Cellars’ Sorrento’s Ristorante, and raise a glass to your spectacular waterfront view.

Set in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, this Bavarian-style town is lauded for its intricate architecture, German food and beer, and unique storefronts. It’s also an outdoor recreation hot spot, thanks to rafting, ziplining, hikes through Lake Wenatchee State Park, and white-knuckle rides on Washington’s first alpine coaster at Leavenworth Adventure Park.

While in town, be sure to visit the quirky Nutcracker Museum, home to one of the largest collections of nutcrackers in the world, before dropping into one of the many wine-tasting rooms or sipping local beers on the patio at Icicle Brewing Company. 

Finish your adventure in Seattle, where you’ll find plenty of outdoor adventures, a thriving arts scene and coffee culture, and top-notch dining. Explore the newly developed Overlook Walk at Waterfront Park, which offers sweeping views of Elliott Bay and access to the Seattle Great Wheel. For skyline views from the water, rent a kayak or paddleboard and head out onto Lake Union or larger Lake Washington (keep an eye out for houseboats). Art and history lovers can enjoy a variety of museums covering everything from local music to glass art.

Dining is no less adventurous in the Emerald City, where local seafood and an outdoor fire pit beckon at Westward, authenticity is on the menu in the Chinatown-International District, and locally brewed coffee can be found on nearly every corner.

Header image: E.C. Manning Provincial Park | Similkameen Valley/Darren Robinson