Five Road Trips to take from Vancouver this Fall

Vancouver is the perfect distance to many great weekend getaway spots that are just a few hours drive away.  With more than one million properties across 30 different accommodation types to choose from, Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the most incredible places to stay, has put together some of the best weekend road trips to take before the summer ends.

Seattle, Washington (2.5 hours)

Only a short distance over the border, and a premier destination for all things arts, entertainment and leisure, a weekend getaway to Seattle is a no-brainer.  You’ll want to pack your appetite for this trip, especially when heading over to Pike Place Market, one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the United States.  Spanning across nine acres, the market is jam packed with everything from fish stores and butcher shops to owner-operate bakeries, produce stands and everything in between.  A few other stops to consider are at the Space Needle (the iconic observation tower that tops Seattle’s skyline) and the EMP Museum (a non-profit museum dedicated to “the ideas and risk-taking that fuel contemporary pop culture”).

Stay in the heart of Seattle, less than 1000 feet from Pike Place Market and with an impeccable view of the city skyline at Pike Place Luxury Suites by Barsala.

Kamloops, BC (3.5 hours)

Although considered by many to be a go-to winter destination, Kamloops makes for the perfect summer weekend road trip.  The short scenic drive leads into stunning sandstone canyons, plush grassland and evergreen timberlands that will make you never want to venture indoors.  With more than 100 lakes and a location in the middle of two rivers there is endless great fishing, canoeing and rafting.  Opt for a scenic city tour via the Kamloops Heritage Railway for a truly unique experience that includes a nearly century old trestle bridge crossing and train robbery reenactment.

Spend your nights at the South Hampton Inn and wake up to breathtaking mountain views nestled along the still river.

Kelowna, BC (4 hours)

For those looking to escape the city for a weekend, venture to nearby Kelowna for the best of all things outdoors and perhaps its biggest draw – wine! With five different wine trails and over 30 wineries in Kelowna and its surrounding area, it is clear this is a wine lover’s paradise. For those who love the outdoors, Kelowna boasts excellent biking and hiking trails, beautiful beaches and access to every water activity imaginable – from windsurfing to paddle boarding. And if golf is your passion, you’ll find solstice in the 2,000 hours of sun Kelowna averages each year – giving it one of the longest and driest golf seasons in the country.

For a luxe stay minutes from the beach and in close proximity to several wineries and golf facilities, stay at The Royal Private Residence Club at Delta Grand in the heart of Kelowna.

Portland, Oregon (5 hours)

The perfect mix of eclectic and beautiful, Portland is a city like no other. True to the city’s unofficial ‘Keep Portland Weird’ motto, some of the most interesting attractions include the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium, the Shanghai Tunnels, and the 31-foot-tall statue of legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan – to name a few. If you’re looking to venture beyond those sights, Portland also boasts some of the country’s most breathtaking trails and parks offering both mountain and waterfall views. And for those with a sweet tooth, you’re in luck because Portland is home to Voodoo Doughnuts, known for their fun and funky signature desserts.

For a waterfront view and a locale in the midst of the city’s best restaurants, stay at Kimpton Riverplace Hotel.

Tofino, BC (5.5 hours)

Although the drive tops out at over five hours, known as the jewel of the west coast, Tofino is worth the drive. The breathtaking atmosphere and vast wildlife has lead to an endless list of things to do, including fishing, whale and bird watching, kayaking, and of course surfing (the city was once named the best surf town in North America). This along with bountiful beaches and equally unique and mouth watering culinary experiences – especially seafood – make the trek for a weekend worth it.

Stay at the Best Western Tin Wis Resort, overlooking the Pacific Ocean with easy and quick access to all of the town’s best activities.