Outside
Road Trip to Salish Lodge for Invigorating New Year Getaway
Snoqualmie inn and spa offers yoga by the Falls, 'Twin Peaks' nostalgia
WHERE: Salish Lodge and Spa seated at the edge of Snoqualmie Falls (6501 Railroad Ave., Snoqualmie; 425.888.2556; salishlodge.com. $199–$339). WHY: Start the new year off right with a mountain retreat minus the white-knuckle stress of driving over a snowy mountain pass. And Twin Peaks fans will want to celebrate the news that the iconic TV…
The Best Northwest Winter Getaways
Infinite ways to enjoy the cold weather, from sleigh rides and igloos to relaxing by a fire.
We may have more than our share of soggy, gray days here in Seattle, but we find solace in one fact: It’s probably snowing in the mountains! Then we make tracks to bright, bracing snow country. Whether you prefer to enjoy your winter wonderland up-close on slopes, trails and ice rinks or from the warm…
Road Trip to La Push’s Quileute Oceanside Resort
Enjoy a rustic getaway and watch legendary rains at this beachside destination
WHERE: The Quileute Oceanside Resort, on the northernmost point of Washington’s Pacific Coast (330 Ocean Drive, La Push; 360.374.5267; quileuteoceanside.com). WHY: For wild midwinter weather drama and unbeatable storm watching. WHAT: This rustic resort is perched on First Beach in La Push (one of the main settings for the Twilight series) and it’s second to…
Road Trip: Downtown Olympia
Experience a weekend in historic Olympia, WA, a city packed with vintage finds
Where: Downtown Olympia. Why: To experience the thrill of the hunt at the city’s vintage and antique store circuit. What: Twenty-five eclectic shops, most of them located within walking distance of each other, offer everything from sassy vintage cocktail dresses to decorative knickknacks and historical collectors’ items. Begin at Courtyard Antiques (705 Fourth Ave. E; 360.352.3864), where…
Road Trip: Oktoberfest in Leavenworth
Bavarian beer, brats, oompah and polka. How very Oktobery
WHERE: The lederhosen capital of the Pacific Northwest: Leavenworth, Washington. WHY: For the 16th annual Leavenworth Oktoberfest (10/3–10/4, 10–11 and 17–18. $10–$20). WHAT: This gigantisch celebration of Bavarian beer features a bevy of both imported German beers (Hofbräu, Weihenstephan, Zwick’l) and locally crafted German-style brews (from Oroville’s Alpine Brewing and Leavenworth’s own Icicle Brewing). The…
Road Trip Idea: Go East for the Autumn Leaf Festival
Celebrate leaves in all their color-changing glory in LEAVEnworth
Where: Leavenworth, Washington. Why: The Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival (9/26-9/28, autumnleaffestival.com). What: Since it began in 1964, the Autumn Leaf Festival has celebrated the colors of the turning autumn leaves with a jam-packed, Bavarian-themed bash. What to Expect: Community and family-friendly activities, including live music from the likes of the General’s 7 Dixie Band,…
Why a Road Trip to Vancouver is in Order, Stat
Visit this brand-new boutique hotel in Vancouver's historic Chinatown neighborhood
Where: Skwachàys Lodge in Vancouver, B.C. Why: This new boutique hotel (rooms start at $225, 31 W Pender St.; 604.687.3589; skwachays.com) near the historic Chinatown neighborhood is awash in art and culture from the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Each floor is assigned an animal spirit, and each of the 18 rooms features a…
How to Build the Perfect Beach Fire
The Girl Scout leader and beach-fire maven gives us step-by-step instructions
For coastal camaraderie, nothing beats a beach fire. Follow these steps and spark a blaze to create a cozy mood—and cook a few marshmallows, too! For coastal getaway ideas, read our Best of the Northwest Coast story here. Here’s How:1. Check regulations. Fires are permitted on most beaches in Washington and Oregon, as long as…
The Best Places to Visit Along the Northwest Coast
It's not too late for a summer adventure. Let's hit the road
From the rugged and wild tip of Cape Flattery, Washington, to the undulating dunes of Bandon, Oregon, the Northwest coastline has lured wanderers for centuries—some of them straight into the rocks (one reason this stretch is dotted by dozens of picturesque lighthouses). The danger for today’s vacationer, who most often arrives by land, is making…
Three Seattle Hotels Get High-Style Updates
Local hotels are sprucing up for guests of all stripes
For oenophiles: The recently renovated Hotel Vintage downtown (1100 Fifth Ave.; 206.624.8000; hotelvintage-seattle.com. $269–$549 per night) offers an immersion into Washington wine, starting in the lobby/tasting room, with wine racks stocked with the good stuff and nightly pours—arranged with wineries such as DeLille Cellars, Kestrel Vintners and Chateau Ste. Michelle. The guest rooms feature custom…
Quick Getaway Idea: Jetty Island
A beachy paradise awaits
Where: Jetty Island, just off the Everett waterfront. Why: This kid and kiteboarder paradise promises real sand, warm shallows and all manner of adventures. What: Two miles long and narrow, Jetty Island sits low in Puget Sound, its wide shores and driftwood piles perfect for picnics, sandcastles and protected wildlife. Built in the late 1800s…
Best Northwest Hikes and Walks
Find serenity, soaring views—and a sweet workout—on these 20 spectacular trails.
A sweeping glacial vista on a bluebird afternoon…an ancient rain forest, trees dripping with moss…the fecund scent of a deep mountain meadow…come July, our hearts yearn for the sweet sylvan dream that is Northwest hiking. Like nowhere else in the world, here, a short drive and an adventurous spirit are all it takes to transport…
Pick Your Own Cherries on this Road Trip to the Hood River County Fruit Loop
!–paging_filter–pstrongWhere: /strongThe Hood River Valley, in Oregon.strong Why:/strong The Hood River County “Fruit Loop” Cherry Celebration (7/19–7/20; a href=”http://www.hoodriverfruitloop.com” target=”_blank”hoodriverfruitloop.com/a). strongWhat:/strong A self-guided, 35-mile driving tour with stops at farms, wineries and craft fairs, the Fruit Loop is bursting with more than a dozen varieties of locally grown cherries—including Bing, Rainier and Stella—this month, the…
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