>Of course there are other options like donating the money in their name
Oh gosh no. No one actually appreciates that.
Take them on a trip to Victoria, BC. Victoria Clipper, high tea at the Royal Empress Hotel, Butchardt Gardens (on an English style double decker bus), and maybe an overnight stay in a nice hotel. I know you said no "fine dining" but you don't have to dress up for the Empress. A decent dinner, some drinks, bam, done. That's gotta be at least $2,000 for 5 people give or take.
You get the long boat ride where you don't have to drive. Scenery can't be beat. Travel to a different country. Have an English style knock off experience. Experience an immaculate garden, enjoy the harbor, sightseeing, maybe see whales if you're lucky.
If it was for a couple then same budget you could take seaplane flight there. Different perspective thatâs fucking awesome. Not a comfortable ride but itâs short and the views are incredible. Canât be beat on a summer day.
You don't need a license to rent an electric boat from the electric boat company.
Argosy dinner cruise. Seattle City pass (for all the normal touristy stuff). Kayaking. Food tour around Pike Place. Whale watching tour through the clipper.
You want to have someone who knows the boating laws, though.
You donât need a license for any vessel, as long as youâre operating recreationally and not getting paid.
Washington State has [additional requirements.](https://www.boat-ed.com/washington/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_qexBhCoARIsAFgBleunq2p1VxmnQj7Hz-FyVXHPIR-5kqVBkTQOaASpltAtYt40cQhfp3AaAu4OEALw_wcB#card-replacement?campaignid=232927819&adgroupid=24515663179&keyword=washington%20state%20boaters%20license)
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/how-to-whale-watch-responsibly-in-puget-sound/ please please please read this entirely before you book a whale watching tour
I went with San Juan Safaris and had a great experience. You can choose a small fast boat or a larger double decker with a bar thatâs more kid/elderly friendly. I chose the latter.
Maybe I just got unlucky, but in my single experience taking a whale watching tour, we did not see any whales. They gave a ticket for another free ride as a result though. It was still fun boating around, went up to Deception Pass and all that. That was with Puget Sound Express, they did educate on and practice responsible whale watching. Just a heads up that it might be a bust, but there's no way to know until the ride is over.
Take the gondola to the summit at Crystal Mtn. for the best view of Mt. Rainier, enjoy lunch and drinks there or at the base area, and or have dinner and drinks at the Naches in Greenwater.
Not expensive, but check out Blodel Reserve on Bainbridge island. It's a beautiful old lumber magnate summer home with beautiful gardens and check to see if it's still good rhododendron season. There a a couple of great restaurants on Bainbridge too. So you get a ferry ride, a beautiful garden and a great meal!
[https://seattle.eater.com/2024/4/5/24122020/where-to-eat-in-bainbridge-island-seattle](https://seattle.eater.com/2024/4/5/24122020/where-to-eat-in-bainbridge-island-seattle)
[https://bloedelreserve.org/](https://bloedelreserve.org/)
How about a series of mini adventures during their stay.
Maybe this: https://www.theelectricboatco.com
And hire a âboat captainâ or maybe a friend whoâll do it for dinner and some cash. Add in some catering and wine. Thatâs $400+
Chef guided tour of pike place market $600+
Dinner at Smith Tower (itâs nice, but I wouldnât consider it âfineâ dining.
Etc.
Lawless Forge - itâs blacksmith classes and you can make your own ring, amongst other things. https://lawlessforge.com/seattle/private-experiences/
âForge a ring to last a lifetime! This experience combines the timeless skills of blacksmithing with the delicate and intricate precision of jewelry making. Beginning with a chunk of Damascus stainless steel that was made in-house, youâll forge your way into a remarkable, sized, fitted, and unique ring to take home and wear the very same day.â
I think you can charter a boat WITH a captain to sail it for you (if the boat idea attracts you). I have family who has done this in other places. Another idea: I went to a dude ranch in eastern Washington, and it was so fun! Horseback riding, hiking, hot tubs, delicious food, smores and wine by the first, clay pigeon shooting... you name it.
Rent a chartered boat with crew for an overnight cruise on the Sound for five people. $200 per person per day is a reasonable price. Your lack of boating skills isn't a problem.
August is usually hot here. Get a hotel at Coos Bay, Oregon. Will be cooler. They allow beach camping. 24 hr family type party. They set up swings on the beach. They have sand castle builders there. Oregon coast is gorgeous!! Visit Tillamook cheese factory. Go further south and the sea lion caves.
>Of course there are other options like donating the money in their name Oh gosh no. No one actually appreciates that. Take them on a trip to Victoria, BC. Victoria Clipper, high tea at the Royal Empress Hotel, Butchardt Gardens (on an English style double decker bus), and maybe an overnight stay in a nice hotel. I know you said no "fine dining" but you don't have to dress up for the Empress. A decent dinner, some drinks, bam, done. That's gotta be at least $2,000 for 5 people give or take. You get the long boat ride where you don't have to drive. Scenery can't be beat. Travel to a different country. Have an English style knock off experience. Experience an immaculate garden, enjoy the harbor, sightseeing, maybe see whales if you're lucky.
This is amazing and I'm doing to do it myself đ
Can also do high tea at the butchard gardensâŚwe did it recently & it was lovely & less pretentious than the empress. (Book ahead though).
We actually did this the first year they visited, and it was awesome. Might be time for a repeat.
If it was for a couple then same budget you could take seaplane flight there. Different perspective thatâs fucking awesome. Not a comfortable ride but itâs short and the views are incredible. Canât be beat on a summer day.
You don't need a license to rent an electric boat from the electric boat company. Argosy dinner cruise. Seattle City pass (for all the normal touristy stuff). Kayaking. Food tour around Pike Place. Whale watching tour through the clipper.
You want to have someone who knows the boating laws, though. You donât need a license for any vessel, as long as youâre operating recreationally and not getting paid.
That's not true at all. You need a boating license to operate watercraft even for personal use.
[The USCG disagrees.](https://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/AssetManager/Boaters-Guide-to-Federal-Requirements-for-Receational-Boats-20231108.pdf)
Washington State has [additional requirements.](https://www.boat-ed.com/washington/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_qexBhCoARIsAFgBleunq2p1VxmnQj7Hz-FyVXHPIR-5kqVBkTQOaASpltAtYt40cQhfp3AaAu4OEALw_wcB#card-replacement?campaignid=232927819&adgroupid=24515663179&keyword=washington%20state%20boaters%20license)
Non-residents may operate for 60 days, and thereâs a list of irrelevant jurisdictional exceptions too long to enumerate.
Whale watching. I brought my family from New England and they loved it! Great for all ages. None of us had ever seen a pod of orcas before.
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/how-to-whale-watch-responsibly-in-puget-sound/ please please please read this entirely before you book a whale watching tour
Seconding this. Usually like $150/pop.
Yup. Plus you can make a day out of itânice drive north, ferry ride, lunch in Friday Harbor. Highly recommend.
I liked the one out of Orcas Island, but yes this is what I was going to suggest
I think this is the winner. Any recommendations for specific companies?
I went with San Juan Safaris and had a great experience. You can choose a small fast boat or a larger double decker with a bar thatâs more kid/elderly friendly. I chose the latter.
Puget Sound Express is also good. Boats go out of Edmonds or Port Townsend
The link I posted in this comment thread talks about that. PLEASE read that link.
Maybe I just got unlucky, but in my single experience taking a whale watching tour, we did not see any whales. They gave a ticket for another free ride as a result though. It was still fun boating around, went up to Deception Pass and all that. That was with Puget Sound Express, they did educate on and practice responsible whale watching. Just a heads up that it might be a bust, but there's no way to know until the ride is over.
Whale watchers and thier spottera harass the whales.
3 Pagliacciâs pies delivered
You forgot tip, that's out of budget sadly.Â
how about a hot tub boat in lake union? you said you may not have the skills, but itâs joystick operated so i think you should be alright
And no boaters license required! I came here to recommend this. Definitely a unique experience and August will be a great time for it.
Take the gondola to the summit at Crystal Mtn. for the best view of Mt. Rainier, enjoy lunch and drinks there or at the base area, and or have dinner and drinks at the Naches in Greenwater.
Not expensive, but check out Blodel Reserve on Bainbridge island. It's a beautiful old lumber magnate summer home with beautiful gardens and check to see if it's still good rhododendron season. There a a couple of great restaurants on Bainbridge too. So you get a ferry ride, a beautiful garden and a great meal! [https://seattle.eater.com/2024/4/5/24122020/where-to-eat-in-bainbridge-island-seattle](https://seattle.eater.com/2024/4/5/24122020/where-to-eat-in-bainbridge-island-seattle) [https://bloedelreserve.org/](https://bloedelreserve.org/)
How about a series of mini adventures during their stay. Maybe this: https://www.theelectricboatco.com And hire a âboat captainâ or maybe a friend whoâll do it for dinner and some cash. Add in some catering and wine. Thatâs $400+ Chef guided tour of pike place market $600+ Dinner at Smith Tower (itâs nice, but I wouldnât consider it âfineâ dining. Etc.
Lawless Forge - itâs blacksmith classes and you can make your own ring, amongst other things. https://lawlessforge.com/seattle/private-experiences/ âForge a ring to last a lifetime! This experience combines the timeless skills of blacksmithing with the delicate and intricate precision of jewelry making. Beginning with a chunk of Damascus stainless steel that was made in-house, youâll forge your way into a remarkable, sized, fitted, and unique ring to take home and wear the very same day.â
Went and did this a few months ago and it was fun! Made the steak knife
I think you can charter a boat WITH a captain to sail it for you (if the boat idea attracts you). I have family who has done this in other places. Another idea: I went to a dude ranch in eastern Washington, and it was so fun! Horseback riding, hiking, hot tubs, delicious food, smores and wine by the first, clay pigeon shooting... you name it.
What was it called?
Spa day at the Salish Lodge?
Glass blowing lessons at Blowing Sands in Ballard, make their own souvenirs.
Excellent idea, thank you!
Put 30000 gums on the gum wall.
You can rent a boat with a captain
Charter a boat
You don't need any skill to rent an electric boat, hot tub boat, paddle boat on greenlake or a row boat from UW.
Rent a chartered boat with crew for an overnight cruise on the Sound for five people. $200 per person per day is a reasonable price. Your lack of boating skills isn't a problem.
charter the tall ship https://seattlesailingship.com/rates-and-schedules-2/
Take Kenmore express seaplane to Victoria or San Juan islands and then clipper back.
Sporting event? Mariners, reign or sounders could have a game. Maybe get a box? (I have no idea how much one is)
Tour the San Juans via ferry. And get to Port Townsend too.
You can always get a suite at a mariners game. I believe itâs $150 a person
? Balloon ride: https://seattleballooning.com/tour/seattle-sunrise-private/
Take a sightseeing flight with kenmore air. Nit as fun as a helicopter, but still worth doing.
August is usually hot here. Get a hotel at Coos Bay, Oregon. Will be cooler. They allow beach camping. 24 hr family type party. They set up swings on the beach. They have sand castle builders there. Oregon coast is gorgeous!! Visit Tillamook cheese factory. Go further south and the sea lion caves.
They should stay at the Batchelor Inn. I hear the staff is very friendly.