Outside
Instagram Inspiration: A Drive Down Highway 101
Pack your bags, we're heading to the ocean (swimsuits optional)
Aviator Beryl Markham wrote in her brilliant 1942 memoir West with the Night, “To see ten thousand animals untamed and not branded with the symbols of human commerce is like scaling an unconquered mountain for the first time, or like finding a forest without roads or footpaths, or the blemish of an axe. You know…
Challenge Yourself at Mudderella Whistler
The energizing, arduous and muddy adventure event hits Whistler, B.C., for the first time
Sponsored by Tourism Whistler Have you ever wanted to crawl through super narrow tunnels while covered in mud? Or trampoline onto a cargo net then climb up a wall and shoot down a slippery slide into a muddy pool? Of course you have. Grab your best gal and guy pals (and an outfit you don’t…
11 Perfect Weekend Getaways Near Seattle
From small towns to luxe resorts, trek to these nearby spots to recharge in 48 hours
From farm stays in the San Juan Islands and deluxe pampering at heritage resorts to small-town exploring and more, we pack plenty of pleasure—but zero stress—into your precious weekend. So, get going! 1. Destination: San Juan IslandsIn some hot and humid archipelagos, “island cuisine” is shorthand for frozen fish flown in from far away and…
Road Trip: Port Townsend Boat Show and Film Festival
Why a trip to Port Townsend for September's Boat Show and Film festival is a must
WHERE:Port Townsend, a picturesque maritime city on the Olympic Peninsula. WHY: Because Port Townsend is great anytime, but even better when there’s a boat show or film fest. WHAT, PART 1: Since 1979, the Wooden Boat Festival (9/11–9/13; Point Hudson; nwmaritime.org) has celebrated Port Townsend’s historic past as a thriving seaport. This year, the party…
Instagram Inspiration: Our Weekly Top 5
Can you believe these coastal views are all within two hours of Seattle city limits?
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…
Road Trip: Richmond Night Market
Take in colorful festivities and tasty cuisine at this Richmond outdoor market
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…
Want to Get Away? Give Mexico’s Ensenada a Whirl
From fantastic foodie establishments to cutting-edge wineries, we explore all this city has to offer
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…
Sorrento Hotel Gets a Huge Makeover
Local designers burnish the klondike–era Sorrento Hotel
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…
6 Things Washington State Parks are Good for Besides Hiking
Get outside and get creative with these six ideas that go beyond the usual suspects
Sponsored by Washington State Parks There are hundreds of Washington State Parks–in all sorts of sizes (e.g. Posey Island State Park in San Juan County is a mere one acre) and with all sorts of attractions (think flaming methane geysers or tours of limestone formations). And while camping and hiking are perhaps two of the…
Canada By Rail: An Unforgettable Road Trip
Soak up the scenery, breathe in the mountain air and maybe spot a grizzly
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…
4 Local Hikes for Beginners
This roundup of hikes ranges from easy to moderate, so you can stop the research and get outside
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…
A Medieval Weekend on the Kitsap Peninsula
Port Gamble celebrates the 33rd annual June Faire
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…
Crashing and Burning at GoFest
Failing is fun at Whistler's summer outdoor festival
GoFest, the second annual Great Outdoors Festival at Whistler, B.C., kicks off May 16 with four days of activities, including several extreme sports competitions that are fun for both participants and spectators alike — especially if you don’t mind getting a little wet. And dirty. And maybe a little envious. Here’s a quick rundown…
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