Sally Farhat Kassab: I'm glad you enjoy walking, because Seattle was made for it (if you don't mind some steep hills). Since you'll only be there for two days, you won't get to the outlying neighborhoods, which really make up the heart of what Seattle is. But don't fret: you'll see quite a bit. My reply to the mom from Los Angeles will give you hotel options; a 22-year-old would *love* the hip Belltown neighborhood lined with upscale pubs, restaurants and nightclubs (as well as multi-million dollar condos). Staying at the Ace will put you in the center of the action. Walk down to the Pike Place Market, and enjoy. It's the first place I take friends when they visit Seattle. Afterward, walk down to the waterfront and eat *outside* at Ivar's on Pier 54. (Seagulls often fly right up to your table). Take an Argosy Cruise from Pier 56, then grab dinner at Dahlia Lounge, Flying Fish or Wild Ginger. All are sure to have a scene, as well as great food. At night, grab a drink anywhere along First Avenue; let your daughter choose. If she likes live music (this is Seattle, after all) don't miss the Crocodile Caf?. On your second day, head to the Space Needle first thing in the morning (the lines get insanely long in June; if you don't have patience, head to the top of the Bank of America tower instead.) The Space Needle is in the Seattle Center, home to all sorts of festivals in the summer. (There happen to be a few cultural ones in June: www.seattlecenter.com/events/festivals/festal/)
If you're feeling outdoorsy, rent a kayak and paddle around in Lake Union. For shopping, head to Belltown for boutiques, or the two malls called Westlake Mall and Pacific Place. One transportation tip: Take the Monorail (www.seattlemonorail.com), a really short, one-mile-long sky subway, from the top of Westlake Mall to Seattle Center. It's quicker than the bus, and kind of fun. Catch whoever is playing at The Triple Door, a theater/restaurant all-in-one. It's a great experience.

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New York NY: We are looking for nice Lodges outside Seattle and Vancouver in $100-150 range or less for early July...

Sally Farhat Kassab: North of Seattle, try the Silver Cloud Inn in Mukilteo (all rooms have great views). If you can splurge for a night, try the Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, half an hour east of Seattle. But back to $100 to $150 -- the Inn at Port Gardner in Everett is also a good choice. In North Vancouver, there's a cool B & B that starts at $150 Canadian a night called the Thistledown House. You didn't say how far out from Vancouver you were looking: A lovely area more than an hour east of Vancouver is Harrison Lake. There, you can try Fenn Lodge Bed & Breakfast Retreat, a 1903 late-Victorian house with a heated spring-fed swimming pool, a meditation maze, and a playground (www.fennlodge.com).

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San Diego, CA: With three days in the Seattle area, why are the "must do" activities. How much time should be alloted to Olympia National Park if one is not a hiker? Is this the best time of year to see the whales on a day trip? What about the Columbia River Gorge -- is that a doable day trip from Seattle?

Sally Farhat Kassab: Hello! With just three days, I recommend that you either just stay in Seattle or spend the entire time away. If you're staying in Seattle, please see my answer to the woman from Atlanta. If you want to head to Olympic National Park, it's a beautiful day trip. The Columbia River Gorge is at least a three hour drive, so I recommend staying overnight. The best places to see whales are on the San Juan Islands, which are definitely not a day trip -- plan to spend at least a night there. From May through October, you'll see Minke and Orca whales. You have a tough choice to make -- they're all memorable options!

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Mears, Michigan: What is the best way to visit Victoria from Seattle in a single day? By ferry without a car? By ferry with a car? Some other way? We leave for Seattle in 10 days. Four senior citizens.

Sally Farhat Kassab: Hello! The best way is via the Victoria Clipper at Seattle's Pier 69. The high-speed catamaran ferry doesn't take cars (you won't need one) and it's by far the fastest and most popular. If you get seasick easily, you might want to take along medication: the 2.5-hour trip can get a bit rough.

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Miami, FL: Two friends and I are going on a Cruise to Alaska on August 5 to 12, on Celebrity Cruise Lines. I am an immigration attorney and I am attending a conference on the Cruise.