Designed with elegance in mind, American Constitution carries a capacity of just 170 guests and is uniquely designed to navigate the inland coastal waterways of the East Coast. In the intimate atmosphere on board, guests will find the largest staterooms in the industry with private balconies that offer incredible views of the beautiful passing scenery.
Day 1 Tacoma
One end of the "Sea-Tac" (Seattle-Tacoma) megalopolis, industrial Tacoma, Washington, 30 mi/50 km south of Seattle, rates a visit to see the Washington State History Museum. Wander the restored downtown, especially Union Station, before going to the Museum of Glass—you can't miss the gigantic silver cone jutting over the waterfront. Cross over the 500-ft-/155-m-long glass bridge designed by Dale Chihuly. Afterward, visit the dramatic Tacoma Art Museum in its sleek stainless-steel sheath.
For some nice-weather walks, go to Point Defiance Park, which juts into Puget Sound, and the neighboring zoo and aquarium.
Visitors to Tacoma may notice a familiar sight. The original Narrows Bridge, which was built in 1940, has been featured on many television programs and in many publications. This bridge is often shown twisting and turning like a corkscrew in a 40-mph/64-kph wind. Only four months after its completion, the bridge bucked so violently that it ripped apart. Portions fell into the water. A replacement bridge was finished in 1950, and another span was added in 2007 to alleviate the severe traffic overflow.
Day 2 Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier, also known as Mount Tacoma or Mount Tahoma, is the highest mountain of the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. It ascends approximately 14,400 feet above sea level. Mount Rainier an active volcano, is an iconic Washington landscape that spawns six major rivers, breathes wildflower meadows encircling the volcanic ring and turns an ancient forest into a bed. This majestic mountain can be seen as far as Portland, Oregon and Victoria, British Columbia.
Day 3 Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier, also known as Mount Tacoma or Mount Tahoma, is the highest mountain of the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. It ascends approximately 14,400 feet above sea level. Mount Rainier an active volcano, is an iconic Washington landscape that spawns six major rivers, breathes wildflower meadows encircling the volcanic ring and turns an ancient forest into a bed. This majestic mountain can be seen as far as Portland, Oregon and Victoria, British Columbia.
Day 4 Port Angeles
Located on scenic HWY 101, driving to Port Angeles offers a great way to visit Victoria or tour the Olympic Peninsula. A 4.5 mile long sandbar forms a natural harbor which was discovered in 1791 by Spaniard Francisco Eliza and was originally named Puerto de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles which means Port of Our Lady of the Angels. Local attractions include the Arthur D. Feiro Marine Laboratory, the Clallam County Museum and the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. The Fine Arts Center is situated on 5-acres of land with a superb view of the harbor, city, Juan de Fuca Strait and on a clear evening the lights of Victoria. The center features drawings, paintings, photography, and sculpture as well as concerts and other live performances. Several charter companies offer opportunities to catch salmon or bottom fish in Juan de Fuca Strait. Just a short distance away is Olympic National Park and its spectacular scenery. Van tours are available to Hurricane Ridge and its panoramic views, Rialto Beach and Hoh Rain Forrest.
Day 5 Olympic National Park
Across the Olympic Peninsula in northwestern Washington lies glacier capped mountains, lush greet forests, hot springs and the long Pacific coastline. Approximately 1,440 square miles of diverse ecosystems, this subalpine forest is a nature lover's wonderland. Unspoiled and a World Heritage site since 1981, travelers can spot grazing elk by the Hoh Rainforest, catch the sunset on Hurricane Ridge, make snow angels on the Blue Glacier from Mount Olympus, walk along the coastline from Ozette Lake.
Day 6 Burlington
Day 7 North Cascades National Park
This large, 504,781-acre/204,278-hectare park in the northern part of Washington state includes deep coniferous forests, alpine meadows and hundreds of glaciers. Mule deer, mountain goats and black bears freely roam the area. This rugged and varied wilderness is not as well-known as other national parks, but North Cascades is one of the best attractions in the Pacific Northwest.
Visitors can stop at the park headquarters in Sedro-Woolley for information about hiking trails and things to do. Highlights include the Cascade Pass, Rainbow Loop and Pyramid Lake trails. Activities include camping, picnicking (the Cascade Valley is especially pretty), mountain climbing, horseback riding, and boating and fishing in Ross Lake or Lake Chelan. Highway 20 is the main access route, but snow often closes it in winter.
The park is open daily 24 hours, but some areas close in winter. There is no entrance fee. Phone 360-854-7200. https://www.nps.gov/noca.
Day 8 Tacoma
One end of the "Sea-Tac" (Seattle-Tacoma) megalopolis, industrial Tacoma, Washington, 30 mi/50 km south of Seattle, rates a visit to see the Washington State History Museum. Wander the restored downtown, especially Union Station, before going to the Museum of Glass—you can't miss the gigantic silver cone jutting over the waterfront. Cross over the 500-ft-/155-m-long glass bridge designed by Dale Chihuly. Afterward, visit the dramatic Tacoma Art Museum in its sleek stainless-steel sheath.
For some nice-weather walks, go to Point Defiance Park, which juts into Puget Sound, and the neighboring zoo and aquarium.
Visitors to Tacoma may notice a familiar sight. The original Narrows Bridge, which was built in 1940, has been featured on many television programs and in many publications. This bridge is often shown twisting and turning like a corkscrew in a 40-mph/64-kph wind. Only four months after its completion, the bridge bucked so violently that it ripped apart. Portions fell into the water. A replacement bridge was finished in 1950, and another span was added in 2007 to alleviate the severe traffic overflow.
Day 9 Anacortes
Located on Fidalgo Island, between Seattle and Vancouver BC, Anacortes is a vibrant port town. Within walking distance you'll discover casual cafes to elegant dining, unique to sophisticated shopping as well as, and art galleries and antique shops. Anacortes' unique location offers something for everyone. Enjoy outdoor excursions including, kayaking, sailing, hiking, crabbing and whale watching tours.
Day 10 Friday Harbor
Day 11 San Juan Islands
A collection of beautiful, scenic islands off the Washington coast. Explore quaint Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, or venture to Orcas island and explore!
Day 11 Port Angeles
Located on scenic HWY 101, driving to Port Angeles offers a great way to visit Victoria or tour the Olympic Peninsula. A 4.5 mile long sandbar forms a natural harbor which was discovered in 1791 by Spaniard Francisco Eliza and was originally named Puerto de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles which means Port of Our Lady of the Angels. Local attractions include the Arthur D. Feiro Marine Laboratory, the Clallam County Museum and the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. The Fine Arts Center is situated on 5-acres of land with a superb view of the harbor, city, Juan de Fuca Strait and on a clear evening the lights of Victoria. The center features drawings, paintings, photography, and sculpture as well as concerts and other live performances. Several charter companies offer opportunities to catch salmon or bottom fish in Juan de Fuca Strait. Just a short distance away is Olympic National Park and its spectacular scenery. Van tours are available to Hurricane Ridge and its panoramic views, Rialto Beach and Hoh Rain Forrest.
Day 12 Victoria, B.C.
British culture and island informality collide in Victoria. This sophisticated seaside city is full of historic sites, parks and gardens. Take a walking tour - many of which begin at Parliament Buildings at Victoria's Inner Harbor. Combined with majestic Empress Hotel, these monumental buildings give the city a regal European feel. See equally impressive modern structures, such as Royal British Columbia History Museum, or replicas of large, native Northwest Indian houses at Thunderbird Park. Unique attractions include Undersea Gardens, Miniature World, Maritime Museum, Chinatown and Royal London Wax Museum. A memorable places to visit is world-famous Butchart Gardens, with 5,000 fauna varieties. The dazzling gardens on Saanich Inlet are beautiful at night, when hundreds of lights sparkle along winding paths. Additional gardens in Victoria include Crystal Garden and the gardens surrounding Government House and near Craigdarroch Castle, a towering Victorian mansion complete with a tower and turrets. Tour this city in a horse-drawn carriage.
Day 12 Port Angeles
Located on scenic HWY 101, driving to Port Angeles offers a great way to visit Victoria or tour the Olympic Peninsula. A 4.5 mile long sandbar forms a natural harbor which was discovered in 1791 by Spaniard Francisco Eliza and was originally named Puerto de Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles which means Port of Our Lady of the Angels. Local attractions include the Arthur D. Feiro Marine Laboratory, the Clallam County Museum and the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. The Fine Arts Center is situated on 5-acres of land with a superb view of the harbor, city, Juan de Fuca Strait and on a clear evening the lights of Victoria. The center features drawings, paintings, photography, and sculpture as well as concerts and other live performances. Several charter companies offer opportunities to catch salmon or bottom fish in Juan de Fuca Strait. Just a short distance away is Olympic National Park and its spectacular scenery. Van tours are available to Hurricane Ridge and its panoramic views, Rialto Beach and Hoh Rain Forrest.
Day 13 Port Townsend
Victorian neighborhoods, the Puget Sound and the neighboring Olympic Mountains make Port Townswend picturesque. Galleries, restaurants and national parks are all highlights, as well as geting out on the water to kayak and whale-watch.
Day 14 Poulsbo
Day 15 Tacoma
One end of the "Sea-Tac" (Seattle-Tacoma) megalopolis, industrial Tacoma, Washington, 30 mi/50 km south of Seattle, rates a visit to see the Washington State History Museum. Wander the restored downtown, especially Union Station, before going to the Museum of Glass—you can't miss the gigantic silver cone jutting over the waterfront. Cross over the 500-ft-/155-m-long glass bridge designed by Dale Chihuly. Afterward, visit the dramatic Tacoma Art Museum in its sleek stainless-steel sheath.
For some nice-weather walks, go to Point Defiance Park, which juts into Puget Sound, and the neighboring zoo and aquarium.
Visitors to Tacoma may notice a familiar sight. The original Narrows Bridge, which was built in 1940, has been featured on many television programs and in many publications. This bridge is often shown twisting and turning like a corkscrew in a 40-mph/64-kph wind. Only four months after its completion, the bridge bucked so violently that it ripped apart. Portions fell into the water. A replacement bridge was finished in 1950, and another span was added in 2007 to alleviate the severe traffic overflow.