Sometimes after a long work week you just need to spend a day at the beach. Sometimes you also need a dose of quiet and relaxation, which lamentably often can’t be found at Seattle’s main beaches on a 90-degree Saturday afternoon. So if you’re looking to get a little warm sand between your toes and…

WHERE: Richmond, British Columbia  WHY: For the Richmond Night Market (runs through October 12, Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m.–midnight; Sundays, 7–11 p.m. $2.75 entry fee, free for kids 10 and younger and adults 60 and older. 8351 River Road; richmondnightmarket.com). WHAT: Richmond is often overlooked by visitors bound for Vancouver—its flashier B.C. neighbor—but the city…

This article originally appeared on Seattlebridemag.com.A short drive over the Mexican border, just 85 miles south of San Diego, sits Ensenada, the third largest coastal city in Baja California. It’s been a favorite destination amid the surfing crowd for some time, known for its steady waves and calm beaches, but to many Americans it’s vaguely…

More than 100 years after Seattle’s oldest continuously running hotel opened its doors, the Sorrento has a new look. Original guests—from Gold Rush millionaires and Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition attendees—treated the Italian Renaissance–inspired building on First Hill like their second residence. And the hotel-wide renovation embraces that spirit of a luxury home with a modern aesthetic, especially…

We’ve been traveling east all day, the late afternoon sun is golden, the sky deep blue. I’m standing on an open-air deck watching the range-country scenery outside of Kamloops, British Columbia, roll by. It’s dry cattle country—a surprising shift from the dense greenery west of the Cascades. Suddenly, someone shouts “sheep,” and we scan the…

We’re used to being humbled by the nearby snow-capped peaks and glistening blue waters, lush forests and beautiful blooms. There are myriad ways to explore the outdoors in the Northwest, but if you’re a beginner, embarking on a day-long hike can be incredibly intimidating. What do you wear? Do you need to bring food? What…

Where: Port Gamble, the tiny, historic town at the tip of the Kitsap Peninsula. Why: For the June Faire (6/6–6/7, $10 for a weekend pass; junefaire.com). What: This medieval festival celebrates its 33rd year with creative anachronisms and costumes galore amid stunning views of Puget Sound. Demonstrations include sword fighting, archery and thrown weapons, plus traditional…

Where: Goldendale, Washington, in Klickitat County. WHY: To bask in the vastness of the universe at the Goldendale Observatory (1602 Observatory Drive, Goldendale; 509.773.3141; free admission). WHAT: One of 20 global “dark sky parks” (public land that remains largely unaffected by light pollution and has an exceptional number of starry skies), perched on a hilltop…

Sponsored Content Sure, we’re happy that springtime has arrived. But Spring in Seattle can be deceptive—sunny enough to tempt us outside, but a little too chilly to let us enjoy it. But that’s why airplanes, resorts, and tropical drinks were invented! If you’re longing to warm up for a few days or a week, here…

Where: Historic Coupeville, Washington, on Whidbey Island. Why: For the 29th annual Penn Cove MusselFest (3/6–3/8; Coupeville Recreation Hall, 901 NW Alexander St.; thepenncovemusselsfestival.com). Where: Founded in 1986 by locally based Captain John Colby Stone, the festival is dedicated to the sweet, meaty, nationally revered mussels grown in Whidbey’s Penn Cove. (A member of the…

Where: The Oregon Coast, from Astoria to Brookings. Why: Because quilting is cool again, and it’s time for the 15th annual Quilt Run 101 (2/6–2/16; quiltrun101.com). What: A no-sneakers-necessary “run” (via car) along Pacific Coast Highway 101 with stops at 14 participating quilt shops, where you can shop for fabrics, get your Quilt-Run “passport” stamped…