Skip to content

Make a Holiday-Themed Trip to La Conner

Where lighted boats and prominent Northwest artists abound this holiday season.

By Maysha Watson November 21, 2011

1211roadtrip_0

This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue of Seattle magazine.

WHERE: La Conner, Washington, for Swinomish Yacht Club’s decades-old annual Lighted Boat Parade (12/10; 6:30 p.m.; free; swinomishyachtclub.org).

WHY: Stunning, hand-decorated yachts and boats illuminate the Swinomish channel for a “Christmas Island”-themed waterborne parade that travels from the La Conner Marina along the waterfront to Shelter Bay.

WHILE IN TOWN: Stop in to the Museum of Northwest Art (times vary; $2–$5; 121 S First St.; 360.466.4446; museumofnwart.org), celebrating its first 30 years with an extensive exhibit of work by prominent Northwest artists, including Paul Horiuchi, Clayton James and Mark Tobey.

GETTING THERE: From Seattle, take I-5 North to Exit 221 toward Lake McMurray. Turn left onto Pioneer Highway and then right onto Fir Island Road. Maysha Watson

 

Follow Us

Victoria, B.C.: A European-Inspired Getaway in Seattle’s Backyard

Victoria, B.C.: A European-Inspired Getaway in Seattle’s Backyard

With gas prices soaring and flights canceled, a little Old World charm is just a boat ride away.

Skip the airport chaos and discover Victoria, B.C., a European-inspired getaway right in Seattle’s backyard. Explore castles, historic pubs, and high tea.

Every Day Is the Weekend in Carlsbad, California

Every Day Is the Weekend in Carlsbad, California

Seven miles of shoreline and a come-as-you-are pace make this coastal city north of San Diego an easy escape.

It was the first night, first dinner, and our server arrived with the calm authority of a man who loves his job. He set down the ceviche and surveyed the room, with locals at every table and the ocean just blocks away, and said it like he was reporting the weather: “Every day is the…

Whitefish Has Range

Whitefish Has Range

James Beard-caliber dining, a thriving literary journal, and a bike ride along Glacier’s famous Going-to-the-Sun Road make this old Western Montana railroad town feel bigger than expected.

The first thing we notice at Herb & Omni is the room itself. Dark-beamed ceilings. Gilded mirrors clustered salon-style across the walls. Pendant lights that belong in a Milanese townhouse. The space feels warm, ornate, and transportive. Even the cocktail menu suggests expectations are about to be rearranged. Then the food arrives. A potato chip…

Summer Getaway: The Quiet Side of Jamaica

Summer Getaway: The Quiet Side of Jamaica

Perched above the sands of the island’s South Coast, Bluefields Bay is an idyllic destination that feels refreshingly off the beaten path.

Escape to Bluefields Bay Villas on Jamaica’s quiet South Coast. Discover an off-the-beaten-path luxury resort with private pools and personal chefs.