If you’re looking for the best U.S. shopping from Vancouver, an exciting road trip awaits! While Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest — and offers exceptional shopping experiences — the journey itself holds its own gems. From charming outlets to unique local stops, there are plenty of worthwhile detours to explore on your way to the Emerald City.
Outside Seattle
Bellis Fair Mall, Bellingham, WA
About an hour’s drive from Vancouver is Bellis Fair Mall, in Bellingham, Washington. A classic American mall, it doesn’t disappoint Canadian shoppers in search of American staples such as Macy’s, Kohl’s and Target. With over 120 shops and plenty of parking, it’s worthy of a day trip or a stop en route to Seattle.
Alderwood, Lynwood WA
Alderwood also deserves a stop on your itinerary, located about an hour south of Bellingham and 30 minutes out from Seattle. It features more upscale stores such as Nordstrom, Michael Kors and REI. It also has several independent restaurants and a 16-screen theatre.
Seattle Premium Outlets, Tulalip, WA
Contrary to its name, Seattle Premium Outlets are about an hour outside Seattle in Tulalip, Washington. Here you can shop high-end stores – such as Burberry, Coach, Lululemon and Kate Spade New York – at discount prices.
Seattle Suburbs
The Bellevue Collection – Bellevue, WA
About 15 minutes from Seattle and across Lake Washington, The Bellevue Collection is three shopping centres in one. It’s made up of Bellevue Square, Lincoln Square and Bellevue Place, combining for roughly 250 stores. Its mix of everyday and upscale shops means there’s something for everyone.
The Shops at the Bravern – Bellevue, WA
Reminiscent of the storefronts on Rodeo Drive, the Shops at the Bravern offers an ultimate luxury shopping experience, with brands such as Gucci, Hermes, Moncler and Louis Vuitton.
The Redmond Town Center – Redmond, WA
The Redmond Town Center is a premier resort-style centre east of Seattle. In addition to its extensive retail (of 150 shops), it also features dining, fitness, healthcare, performing arts and more. From May to October, it hosts a weekly car rally on Saturdays – Exotics@RTC is the largest weekly gathering of exotic and rare cars in the U.S. There’s also a summer concert series in July.
Seattle
About three hours from Vancouver is Seattle — the birthplace of Nordstrom (and home to its flagship store) and other Seattle-grown brands, including Filson, Brooks Running and REI. With boutique-lined streets, vintage malls and world-famous markets, Seattle is a shopper’s paradise — and well worth the drive from Vancouver.
Nordstrom, Downtown Seattle
This 12-floor, 380,000 square foot department store has been Nordstrom’s flagship location since 1998. Nordstrom, whose Seattle roots date back to 1901, has hundreds of brands housed under its roof, and also offers full beauty services, styling advice, a luxury spa, restaurants, alteration services and much more.
The iconic store is a destination in itself — and for the many Canadians who mourned its closing north of the border in 2023, it may be worth spending the whole day here.
REI Seattle
Another flagship store in the heart of Seattle is REI — a premier outdoor gear and sporting goods store that was founded in the 1930s by climbing enthusiasts looking for better quality ice axes. The massive 80,000 square foot structure is so big you can try out mountain bikes on a test trail in makeshift woods and climbing shoes on the in-store climbing wall. Before you even enter the store, visitors walk through a forest… just to get you in an outdoorsy state of mind.
Ballard Avenue
Ballard Avenue, a bustling street of independent shops, has become a top shopping destination for Seattle locals and visitors alike. There are no mainstream brands in this trendy neighbourhood — just hip shoes, stylish clothing and home décor you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.
Pike Place Market
There is so much to experience at Pike Place Market, well beyond the shopping — which is exceptional. Pike Place Market has been a Seattle icon for over 100 years and is considered the “soul of Seattle.” Founded in 1907, it spans nine acres in the centre of downtown. It is one of the oldest and largest continuously operating public markets in the U.S. Hundreds of farmers, craftspeople, artists, and small business owners call it home.
While you’re there, you can’t miss the fishmongers of the famous Pike Place Fish Market, who toss giant fish to one another while you slurp Pike Place Chowder. Or stop by the disturbing yet strangely captivating Gum Wall – an enormous 8-foot x 54-foot brick wall covered in approximately 250,000 wads of used gum.
Looking for a more conventional shopping experience? Seattle has that covered, too.
University Village is a relatively traditional shopping centre but unique in that over half the tenants are locally owned businesses. Billing itself as an “open-air lifestyle shopping center,” University Village is a local favourite. It is just 10 minutes from downtown and features bustling restaurants, cafes and cocktail bars. And just a few blocks northeast of Pike Place Market is Pacific Place — an upscale mall with 50 high-end stores. Westlake Center is a four-story mall in the downtown core, home to a Nordstrom Rack, Saks Off Fifth, and a flagship Zara.
While you’re shopping, if you need a jolt of caffeine, the city of Seattle claims to have more coffee shops than any other city in the U.S. — as well as many cafes, bakeries and local restaurants. Famous for being the birthplace of Starbucks, the city has thoroughly embraced a coffee culture with a robust local café scene.
Whether you’re after a quick cross-border shopping trip from Vancouver, on the hunt for the latest designer pieces, or looking to immerse yourself in the Seattle shopping scene, a trip across the border from Vancouver offers variety, value and a shopping experience that’s well worth the journey.
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