9-Night Road Trip · British Columbia · Washington · Wyoming · Montana
Vancouver → Yellowstone
Breweries · Wineries · Distilleries · National Parks · Wildlife · Music · Food
Fly into YVR · Drive southeast · Fly home from BZN (Bozeman, MT)
9Nights
6Base Stops
~847Total Miles
~14 hrsTotal Driving
YVR → BZNFlight Route
Route Map
Vancouver → Seattle → Walla Walla → Jackson Hole · Continue to Yellowstone → fly home from Bozeman, MT
Border note: You'll cross south into the US on day 3, before you've bought anything. Southbound into the US is generally faster. Aim for a weekday morning.
Where to Stay — Suite priority · budget-friendly · views noted
| Hotel | Suite? | Notes |
|---|
| Times Square Suites Hotel | ✅ 1BR suite | West End, separate bedroom + living room + kitchen + fireplace, steps to Stanley Park — best value suite in the city |
| Smithe House | ✅ 1BR suite | Yaletown, apartment-style with separate bedroom, feels like a local, good value |
| Keefer House | ✅ 1BR suite | Chinatown/Gastown, stylish, separate bedroom, lowest price of the suite options |
| Sylvia Hotel | Upgrade to suite | Historic hotel right on English Bay, some suites with stunning ocean views 🌊 |
| Westin Bayshore | ✅ Suites available | Coal Harbour, harbour/mountain views, outdoor heated pool — the splurge pick 🌊🏔️ |
Breweries
| Brewery | Notes |
|---|
| Superflux Beer Company | East Van, outstanding hazy IPAs — best in the city by many accounts |
| Strange Fellows Brewing | Excellent sours and IPAs, outstanding food including octopus |
| Parallel 49 Brewing | 40+ taps, huge outdoor patio, lively atmosphere |
| Brassneck Brewery | Main Street institution, constantly rotating taps |
| Steamworks Brewpub | Gastown, right in the historic district, great atmosphere |
Distilleries
| Distillery | Notes |
|---|
| The Liberty Distillery | Granville Island, cocktails on a 130-year-old bar — exceptional |
| Long Table Distillery | Cocktail-making classes, excellent gin, very welcoming |
| Odd Society Spirits | Powell Street, unique amaro and creme de cassis |
| Sons of Vancouver | North Van, wheated rye, tiki Sundays, excellent |
Restaurants
| Restaurant | Notes |
|---|
| Botanist | Stunning botanical design at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, outstanding cocktails and food |
| Nightingale | Wood-fired Italian, great pasta and pizza, beautiful room |
| Cardero's | Coal Harbour waterfront seafood, sablefish is exceptional, great patio |
| Chambar | Belgian-inspired, excellent brunch and dinner, always buzzing |
| Glowbal | Steakhouse and seafood, great for a celebration dinner |
Music Venues
| Venue | Notes |
|---|
| Guilt & Co | Underground speakeasy in Gastown, live music every single night |
| Commodore Ballroom | Legendary 1929 ballroom, best mid-size venue in Vancouver |
| Vogue Theatre | Beautiful Art Deco theatre on Granville |
| At the Waldorf | East Hastings, eclectic lineups, tiki bar attached |
Sights & Culture
| Place | Notes |
|---|
| Museum of Anthropology at UBC | One of the best First Nations collections in the world, stunning building |
| Britannia Mine Museum | 45 min north on Sea to Sky Hwy, underground train tour — exceptional |
| Granville Island | Public market, artisan studios, Liberty Distillery, great for a morning wander |
🚗
Vancouver → Seattle2.5–4 hrs · 142 miles · via BC-99 S / I-5 S · Peace Arch Border Crossing — cross weekday morning, you haven't bought anything yet
Where to Stay — Suite priority · budget-friendly · views noted
| Hotel | Suite? | Notes |
|---|
| Residence Inn Seattle Downtown | ✅ 1BR suites | Separate bedroom + living area + kitchen, free hot breakfast — best value suite downtown |
| Staybridge Suites Seattle - Fremont | ✅ 1BR suites | Separate bedroom + kitchen, free breakfast, cheaper than downtown |
| Home2 Suites Seattle Airport | ✅ Studio suites | Near airport, very affordable, free breakfast — best price option |
| Inn at the Market | Standard rooms | Best views — rooftop overlooks Puget Sound and Pike Place 🌊 |
Breweries
| Brewery | Notes |
|---|
| Old Stove Brewing at Pike Place | Waterfront views, beer flights and oysters |
| Here Today Brewery | Excellent hazies, Vinyl Night Wednesdays |
| Urban Family Brewing | Ballard, great sours and seasonals, fire pit patio |
| Métier Brewing | High energy, outstanding coffee stout, Black-owned |
| 23rd Ave Brewery | Tiny neighbourhood gem, pepper peach ale not to be missed |
Distilleries
| Distillery | Notes |
|---|
| Westland Distillery | World-class American single malt — worth going out of your way for |
Restaurants
| Restaurant | Notes |
|---|
| The Pink Door | Beloved Italian in Post Alley off Pike Place, ragu bolognese is legendary |
| Aerlume | Pacific Northwest fine dining, Elliott Bay views, outstanding duck and halibut |
| Six Seven Restaurant | Waterfront seafood at the Edgewater Hotel, stunning Puget Sound views |
| Toulouse Petit | New Orleans-inspired, huge menu, open all day, great brunch |
Music Venues
| Venue | Notes |
|---|
| The Crocodile | Legendary Seattle venue, great acoustics, Belltown |
| The Showbox | Iconic mid-size room, always a strong lineup |
| Neumos | Capitol Hill staple, intimate and lively |
Sights
| Place | Notes |
|---|
| MoPOP (Museum of Pop Culture) | Frank Gehry building, Jimi Hendrix collection — don't miss |
| Chihuly Garden and Glass | Stunning glass art, right next to MoPOP — do both in one afternoon |
| Space Needle | Best at sunset, combo ticket with Chihuly is great value |
| Pike Place Market | Get there early before the crowds |
| Seattle Art Museum | Strong Pacific Northwest and Native American collections |
🚗
Seattle → Woodinville30 min · 18 miles · via I-405 N · half-day stop, then continue to Walla Walla
Wineries
| Winery | Notes |
|---|
| Chateau Ste. Michelle | Washington's most iconic winery, beautiful estate grounds |
| DeLille Cellars | Three-floor tasting room, exceptional Bordeaux-style reds |
| Fidélitas | Red Mountain varietals, rooftop patio, tasting fee waived with purchase |
🚗
Woodinville → Walla Walla3 hrs 30 min · 220 miles · via I-405 S / I-82 E
Where to Stay — Suite priority · budget-friendly · views noted
| Hotel | Suite? | Notes |
|---|
| Hampton Inn & Suites Walla Walla | ✅ Suites available | Best value suite in town, free full hot breakfast, clean and reliable |
| Best Western Plus Walla Walla Suites Inn | ✅ All rooms are suites | Every room has separate sitting area + TV, made-to-order omelets, downtown — very affordable |
| Comfort Inn & Suites | ✅ Suites available | Cheapest suite option, large rooms, free breakfast |
| The Wesley Walla Walla | ✅ Spacious rooms | Boutique, artsy, hot tubs, garden — walkable downtown |
| Eritage Resort | ✅ Villa-style rooms | Vineyard views — the splurge pick 🍇 |
Wineries
| Winery | Notes |
|---|
| Caprio Cellars | ⭐ 5.0Champagne on arrival, complimentary food pairings — best hospitality in the valley |
| Mercer Wine Estates | ⭐ 5.0Live music nights, outstanding reds, walk-in friendly |
| KINHAVEN Winery | ⭐ 5.0Stunning outdoor setting, Viognier and Malbec, owners often present |
| Capital Call Vintners | ⭐ 5.0Live music, great red blend and Cab Franc |
| Woodward Canyon | ⭐ 4.9One of the oldest and most revered in WA, bold reds |
| Spring Valley Vineyard | ⭐ 4.9Walkable downtown, great Derby and Cab Franc |
| Saviah Cellars | Rocks District grapes, exceptional Cab and Barbera |
| Amavi Cellars | Charcuterie boards, stunning grounds, great rosé |
Distilleries
| Distillery | Notes |
|---|
| DW Distilling | WWII barracks turned brandy distillery, owner-led tours (Fri–Sat) |
| Shot in the Dark | Apple pie moonshine, artisan spirits, Friday cocktail nights |
Restaurants
| Restaurant | Notes |
|---|
| Salted Mill | ⭐ 4.9Best restaurant in Walla Walla, exceptional seafood and steak — reserve ahead |
| Hattaway's on Alder | ⭐ 4.7Southern-inspired, smoked ribeye, shrimp toast, great patio |
| Brasserie Four | ⭐ 4.7French bistro, steak frites, mussels, great wine list |
| The Maple Counter Cafe | ⭐ 4.7Best breakfast in town, locally sourced |
| Passatempo Taverna | ⭐ 4.4Handmade Italian, legendary carbonara — reserve weeks ahead |
Music & Bars
| Venue | Notes |
|---|
| Marcy's Bar & Lounge | Live music regularly, great food, downtown |
| Tavern Ancestrale | European wine and amaro bar, intimate back-room shows |
| Wine Country Amphitheater | Outdoor venue, strong national acts in summer |
🚗
Walla Walla → Jackson Hole5 hrs · ~330 miles · via US-12 E / US-26 E / US-89 S · scenic Snake River Canyon drive into Jackson Hole
Where to Stay — Suite priority · budget-friendly · views noted
| Hotel | Suite? | Notes |
|---|
| The Rockwell Inn | ✅ Suite rooms available | Separate bedroom layout, free hot breakfast, free afternoon cookies, walkable downtown — best value |
| The Wort Hotel | ✅ Larger rooms available | Historic 1941 landmark on Town Square, Silver Dollar Bar with live music downstairs — a real Jackson experience |
| Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa | ✅ Suites available | Outstanding service (best-reviewed hotel in Wyoming), bear spray provided, Teton views — the splurge 🏔️ |
| Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa | ✅ Condo suites | Teton Village at the base of the mountains, full kitchen suites, stunning mountain views 🏔️ |
| SpringHill Suites Island Park | ✅ All rooms are suites | Just outside West Yellowstone, very affordable, river/mountain views — great if prioritizing price 🏔️ |
Breweries
| Brewery | Notes |
|---|
| Snake River Brewing | Jackson staple, award-winning beers, Powder 11 IPA and Zonker Stout are legendary, great food |
| StillWest Brewery & Grill | Craft beer with views of Snow King Mountain, buffalo mac and cheese |
| Grand Teton Brewing Company | Just over the pass in Victor, ID, beautiful outdoor patio, rotating food trucks |
| Roadhouse Pub & Eatery | Downtown Jackson, overlooks Town Square, wide beer selection |
Distilleries & Spirits
| Place | Notes |
|---|
| Jackson Hole Still Works | ⭐ 5.0Best distillery in Wyoming, guided tours, exceptional vodka and gin — owner-led tastings |
| Wyoming Whiskey Barrel House | Downtown Jackson, Wyoming Whiskey tastings, knowledgeable staff |
| Spirits & Spice Jackson Hole | Unique small-batch spirits, sample before you buy, free out-of-state shipping over $150 |
Restaurants
| Restaurant | Notes |
|---|
| The Whistling Grizzly | Best fine dining in Jackson, elk tenderloin and trout dip outstanding — reserve ahead |
| Gather in Jackson Hole | Elk bolognese, bison brisket, local game focus, great atmosphere |
| Miazga's | Polish food and bison burgers — total surprise, outstanding pierogi |
| Roosevelts | Upscale comfort food, Theodore Roosevelt theme, great steaks and bison ravioli |
| Snake River Brewing | Great pub food alongside excellent beer |
Music & Bars
| Venue | Notes |
|---|
| Million Dollar Cowboy Bar | Jackson icon, saddle barstools, live country music most nights — a must |
| Wort Hotel / Silver Dollar Bar | Historic bar inlaid with Morgan silver dollars, live music, great cocktails |
| The Virginian Saloon | Local favourite, live music, lively courtyard in summer |
| The Rose | Best craft cocktails in Jackson, Manhattan specialists, opens 5pm |
Grand Teton National Park
| Sight | Notes |
|---|
| Jenny Lake | Boat shuttle across to Hidden Falls — the classic Teton day, stunning |
| Snake River Overlook | The Ansel Adams view — most photographed spot in the park 🏔️ |
| Oxbow Bend | Best wildlife viewing in the park — moose, bald eagles, trumpeter swans |
| Colter Bay | Swimming beach on Jackson Lake, mountain views, great sunset spot |
| Jackson Hole Aerial Tram | Rides to 10,450 ft at Teton Village — sweeping views of the entire range 🏔️ |
🚗
Jackson Hole → Yellowstone (South Entrance)1 hr · 57 miles · via US-89/191/287 N — the drive itself goes through Grand Teton the whole way
Book lodging early: Inside-the-park lodges sell out months in advance in summer. Staying inside means you can be at geysers at dawn before the crowds arrive — worth the premium. If inside is sold out, Gardiner (north entrance) is the next best option.
Where to Stay — Suite priority · budget-friendly · views noted
| Hotel | Suite? | Notes |
|---|
| Inside the Park — Book months ahead |
| Old Faithful Inn | Standard rooms | The iconic 1904 log lodge, steps from Old Faithful, lobby musician every evening — a bucket list stay |
| Canyon Lodge | ✅ Suites available | Modern cabins near the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, great base for the north half of the park |
| Just Outside — Gardiner, MT (North Entrance) |
| Yellowstone Gateway Inn & Suites | ✅ Full kitchen suites | ⭐ 4.8Full kitchen, mountain views, elk outside your door, 30 seconds from Roosevelt Arch — outstanding value |
| Yellowstone Riverside Cottages | ✅ Balcony suites | Separate suite rooms on the Yellowstone River, river views, very peaceful 🌊 |
| Park Hotel Yellowstone | ✅ Penthouse suite | ⭐ 4.9Beautifully restored boutique hotel, kitchenette rooms, mountain views — best hotel in Gardiner 🏔️ |
| Just Outside — West Yellowstone, MT (West Entrance) |
| Three Bear Lodge | ✅ Multi-room options | West entrance, family-style rooms with separate sleeping areas, free breakfast, very well reviewed |
| SpringHill Suites Island Park | ✅ All rooms are suites | 30 min from park, very affordable, all suites, river and mountain views 🏔️ |
Must-See in Yellowstone
| Sight | Notes |
|---|
| Old Faithful | The world's most famous geyser — erupts every ~90 minutes, plan your day around it |
| Grand Prismatic Spring | Largest hot spring in the US, vivid rainbow of colors — best viewed from the overlook trail above |
| Morning Glory Pool | Stunning blue-to-yellow thermal pool, 1.4 mile walk from Old Faithful — worth every step |
| Grand Canyon of Yellowstone | Two massive waterfalls dropping into a yellow-walled canyon — genuinely jaw-dropping |
| Lamar Valley | The "Serengeti of North America" — wolves, bison herds by the thousands, bears, best at dawn and dusk |
| Mammoth Hot Springs | Terraced limestone formations unlike anything else in the park, elk wander the boardwalks |
| Hayden Valley | Bison herds, grizzlies, wolves — best wildlife viewing in the southern part of the park |
| West Thumb Geyser Basin | Geothermal features right on the shore of Yellowstone Lake — unique and eerie |
| Norris Geyser Basin | Hottest and most active geyser basin in the park |
Restaurants
| Restaurant | Notes |
|---|
| Old Faithful Inn Dining Room | Reserve ahead — dinner in the iconic log lodge is a Yellowstone experience in itself |
| Wonderland Cafe (Gardiner) | Best dinner in Gardiner, bison ravioli, huckleberry lemonade, live music Fridays |
| The Good Food Place (Gardiner) | ⭐ 4.9Tiny gem, huckleberry jalapeño stir fry, poke, enormous portions, chef-owner personality |
| Backcountry Bistro (Gardiner) | Great ribeye, jalapeño poppers, solid local dinner spot |
| Yellowstone Perk (Gardiner) | Best coffee in the area, huckleberry milkshakes, bison burgers — great for breakfast |
🚗
Yellowstone → Bozeman, MT1 hr 30 min · 80 miles · via US-89 N through Paradise Valley — one of the most scenic drives in Montana
Fly home from BZN — Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport has connections through Salt Lake City, Denver, and Seattle. Flights to Boston typically one stop.
Trip Summary
| Leg | Drive Time | Miles |
|---|
| Vancouver → Seattle (incl. border) | 2.5–4 hrs | 142 |
| Seattle → Woodinville | 30 min | 18 |
| Woodinville → Walla Walla | 3 hrs 30 min | 220 |
| Walla Walla → Jackson Hole | 5 hrs | 330 |
| Jackson Hole → Yellowstone | 1 hr | 57 |
| Yellowstone → Bozeman | 1 hr 30 min | 80 |
| Total | ~14 hrs driving | ~847 miles |
What you're trading vs the Portland version
| Category | Vancouver → Portland | Vancouver → Yellowstone |
|---|
| Breweries | ✅ Portland — best brewery city on the trip | Seattle + Jackson — solid but smaller |
| Distilleries | ✅ Portland — 8 excellent options | ✅ Jackson Hole Still Works is world-class |
| Wine | ✅ Walla Walla | ✅ Walla Walla — same both trips |
| Scenery | Hood River Gorge | ✅✅ Grand Teton + Yellowstone — no contest |
| Wildlife | — | ✅✅ Wolves, bison, bears, moose, eagles |
| Nightlife | ✅ Portland | Jackson (smaller but genuinely fun) |
| Fly home | PDX — easy Boston connections | BZN via SLC or Denver — totally fine |