We're headed off on vacation soon, and I'm busy procrastinating.  There are so many other things to do other than vacation planning, such as reading everyone else's blogs.  I'm telling you -- it's insane how many cool blogs and projects there are out there to check out.

But back to the task at hand.  We're traveling to Seattle and Vancouver and will have about 4 full days in each city.  I've done enough research that I've pretty much got our must-do's down, but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything and that nothing on our list is a total flop.  If you've been to any of these places and have an opinion either way, please let me know!

I should also tell you that my husband and I are in our mid-30s and love to explore neighborhoods, both from an architecture perspective and just to participate in the vibe of a place.  We don't always follow the same path that the typical tourist would.  But ... we have a picky 14-year-old son who would rather be inside playing video games than out walking and expending energy, so we have to throw out some things we'd rather do and add in some things to keep him entertained.  That's love, I guess.

Here's what's currently on the list of contenders:

Seattle

• Experience Music Project & Science Fiction Museum at Seattle Center
• See the city skyline from the top of the Bank of America Tower (which I hear is much better than from the Space Needle -- do you agree?)
• Underground Tour and other sightseeing and shopping at Pioneer Square
• Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour (not sure about this one -- anybody done it?)
• Pike Place Market and Olympic Sculpture Park at the waterfront
• Fremont for the Theo Chocolate Factory Tour, and to see troll and check out the neighborhood
• Hiram M. Chittendam Locks (to watch the salmon)

Vancouver

• Day trip up the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler (which stops should we make along the way?)
• Ziplining in Whistler, hopefully
• Capilano Suspension Bridge and new Cliffwalk, and maybe the Capilano Salmon Hatchery and Cleveland Dam
• Stanley Park and the Seawall
• We're staying in Kitsilano, so we'll check out the neighborhood
• Would love to catch an on-location filming of Fringe or Psych (or a movie) if the timing works out
• Granville Island (will walk from our condo)
• Shopping and sightseeing at Gastown, Yaletown, Main Street, Chinatown, Robson Street and Commercial Drive 

I think I'm going to have to cut some things out, so let me know if there's anything that's just kind of okay but not super.  I would love to go sea kayaking or whale watching or something but I'm not sure if it'll happen.

Lastly, we love food, so if you have any great food recommendations in either city, we'd love to hear those too.  Much to The Mr.'s chagrin, we can't go anywhere too exotic thanks to the picky teenager.  Gotta have some form of burger, chicken, macaroni or pizza on the menu, ya know!?

Thanks so much in advance for any input you have to share!!!

 
Seattle and Vancouver photos via Google Images.