WHERE: The Lightcatcher at the Whatcom Museum in Bellingham, for the exhibit Jim Olson: Art in Architecture (3/10–6/9; 250 Flora St.; 360.778.8930; whatcommuseum.org). WHY: It’s the first comprehensive exhibit of work by famed Seattle architect Jim Olson, half of Olson Kundig Architects. Fifty years’ worth of sketches, plans, models and photographs of Olson designs—including the…

1. Blush among the orchids and other tropical flora in the Volunteer Park Conservatory Palm House—kept at a hair-curling 72 degrees with 60 percent humidity. Prices vary. Capitol Hill, 1400 E Galer St.; 206.684.4743; volunteerparkconservatory.org 2. Bake away all traces of winter on sand heated to 140 degrees in the Sand Room at the Olympus…

While we wait (and wait) for spring to arrive, Seattleites head east for blue vistas and shimmering snowfields; plunging into all that mood-lifting whiteness on sleds, snowshoes, skis and, now, on so-called fat bicycles. While bikes with wide, snow-gripping tires have been plying frozen stretches of Alaska for years, this is the first time any…

WHY: For the Fish, Forage and Farm package at The Willows Inn on Lummi Island. On this culinary island adventure, you’ll harvest food and forage for wild produce, before joining sous-chef Ben Spiegel to prepare the bounty (Tue.–Wed., year-round. $1,000/person or $1,500/double occupancy, includes two nights in the seaside guesthouse and meals. 2579 West Shore…

Who knew that esteemed local choreographer Donald Byrd—famed for his serious, often political pieces—is a big fan of Seattle’s Ride the Ducks tour? Or that Seattle Symphony conductor Ludovic Morlot has season tickets to the Sounders? These are a couple of the many surprising insights about our city’s prominent artists revealed in The Artists’ Guide…

THINGS TO DO: The Lake Chelan Winterfest (1/11/2013–1/13 at Manson Bay Marina, 195 Wapato Way, Manson, WA, and 1/18–1/20 in downtown Chelan, 217 E Woodin Ave. Times and prices vary. 800.424.3526; lakechelanwinterfest.com). Two weekends of winter fun include an ice-sculpting competition, live music and snow tubing. Bundle up: Brews and ice collide in the ice…

BrowsePeruse one-of-a-kind consignment furnishings at Re-Feather Your Nest (623 Morris St.; 360.399.1057; re-featheryournest.com). Antique birdcages that double as outdoor candleholders, anyone? A few stores down, score some relics at Nasty Jack’s Antiques (103 Morris St.; 360.466.3209; nastyjacksantiques.com). Take a left on First Street and stop in The Wood Merchant (709 First St.; 360.466.4741; woodmerchant.com) for…

The first (and only) time Juneau native Katrina Heinz-Query remembers seeing the northern lights was on Halloween, when she was 10 years old. “The lights are out,” her mother shouted. They watched the ethereal green and yellow dance and swirl in a circle above them, like a laser show from outer space. “That Halloween was…

WHY: For the sixth annual Craft Bazaar (11/30–12/2. Times vary. Mighty Tieton Warehouse, 608 Wisconsin Ave.; 509.847.3034; mightytieton.com), which brings together nearly 60 Northwest artists and their wares, including caramels from Yakima-based Copper Pot and fine book arts from Tieton’s own Paper Hammer. The bazaar also hosts a chandelier show, where wildly imagined and hand-crafted…

TIMBER LODGE Orcas Island (Shown above.) Soak in the sweeping view in peace from the deck of this home; after all, you haven’t just rented a three-story, four-bedroom, 3,100-square-foot Pacific Northwest log cabin near Rosario, you’ve rented the 3 acres it sits on (including the waterfall!). The warm, very rustic and very spacious cabin is…

Waterfall StunnerTHE SALISH LODGE AND SPAPerched above the pounding drama of the 268-foot Snoqualmie Falls, just 30 minutes from Seattle, the Salish is a favorite among romantics; many a marriage has begun here, and it’s a repeat winner on most every “best places to kiss” list. Built in 1916, the inn got a major makeover…

Rain Forest BeautyLAKE QUINAULT LODGE(Shown above.) Built in 1926 in a wilderness rustic style reminiscent of classic lodges in the Adirondacks, the Lake Quinault Lodge is tucked into a temperate rain forest alongside a placid six-square-mile lake. Seemingly stuck in time from a better day, the lodge buzzes with activity throughout the year, but especially…

WHERE: Lake Quinault Lodge in Olympic National Park. WHY: For the 11th annual Quinault Rain Forest Mushroom Festival (10/19–10/21. $25–$30. Lake Quinault Lodge; 360.288.2900; olympicnationalparks.com) where fungi fanatics and beginner foragers can join in lectures and forest forays with mycology giants like UW’s Dr. Steven Trudell, or enjoy a ’shroom-centric menu and cooking demonstrations by…