9 days in Seattle, Olympic National Park & Mount Rainier National Park Itinerary

Nicknamed the "Emerald City" because of its abundant evergreen trees, Seattle is the cultural and business center of the Pacific Northwest, as well as a popular holiday destination.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Thu): enjoy breathtaking views from Space Needle and then explore the world behind art at Chihuly Garden and Glass. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 4th (Fri): stop by Chukar Cherries, then get a taste of the local shopping with Pike Place Market, then take a leisurely stroll along Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, and finally wander the streets of Pioneer Square.

To see more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Seattle sightseeing planning website.

Kalamazoo to Seattle is an approximately 8.5-hour flight. You can also drive. The time zone changes from Eastern Standard Time to Pacific Standard Time, which is usually a -3 hour difference. When traveling from Kalamazoo in September, plan for little chillier days and about the same nights in Seattle: temperatures range from 72°F by day to 56°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 5th (Sat) so you can travel to Olympic National Park.

In Olympic National Park, ancient rainforests and ocean tidal pools at lower elevations contrast with wildflower-filled alpine meadows and snowcapped peaks.

Escape the urban bustle at Ruby Beach and Olympic National Park. Step out of Olympic National Park to go to Quinault and see Quinault Big Spruce Tree, which is approximately 1h 5 min away. The adventure continues: cruise along Hurricane Ridge, hike along Second Beach Trail, take in the dramatic natural features at Olympic Peninsula, and kick back and relax at Rialto Beach.

To find where to stay, other places to visit, more things to do, and more tourist information, read Olympic National Park day trip app.

You can do a combination of ferry and bus from Seattle to Olympic National Park in 5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Plan for little chillier temperatures traveling from Seattle in September, with highs in Olympic National Park at 67°F and lows at 50°F. On the 9th (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly to Mount Rainier National Park.

The star attraction of Mt.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Thu): trek along Skyline Trail and then take in the awesome beauty at Mount Rainier.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Mount Rainier National Park trip planning app.

Traveling by flight from Olympic National Park to Mount Rainier National Park takes 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of bus, ferry, and shuttle. Expect a daytime high around 71°F in September, and nighttime lows around 49°F. On the 11th (Fri), you're off to home.