Spend a Day in La Conner
Washington’s quaint waterfront town exudes charm and warmth despite the winter chill.
By Mallory Peterson January 24, 2013
This article originally appeared in the December 2012 issue of Seattle magazine.
Browse
Peruse 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 carefully crafted household items, including wine racks that seem to defy physics.
Indulge
Treat yourself to an enormous chocolate-covered cream puff (shown righ, $6.49) from Calico Cupboard Café and Bakery (720 First St.; 360.466.4451; calicocupboardcafe.com). Or, try the savory migas ($12), made from local farm fresh eggs and seasonal veggies. Next, stop by La Conner Brewing (117 First St.; 360.466.1415; laconnerbrewery.com) for a pint; try one of eight rotating seasonal brews. For dinner, follow the locals to Nell Thorn Restaurant & Pub (205 Washington St.; 360.466.4261; nellthorn.com), where chef/owners Casey and Susan Schanen source food locally to create the Northwest-inspired menu (among this year’s best). Don’t miss out on the creamy polenta cakes ($11) and, if available, the delicious sautéed duck ($28).
Marvel
Discover your (latent?) fascination with quilts at the world-renowned La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum (703 Second St.; 360.466.4288; laconnerquilts.com). Located in the historic Gaches Mansion (built in 1891), this museum boasts three floors of textile wonders. For your history fix, visit the Skagit County Historical Museum (501 S Fourth St.; 360.466.3365; skagitcounty.net/museum), where you can explore the rich heritage of La Conner and the nearby Swinomish Tribe. Fans of our area’s rich glass art scene should stop by the Museum of Northwest Art (121 S First St.; 360.466.4446; museumofnwart.org), where you can witness the early days of the studio glass revolution in the current show, Pilchuck: Ideas (on view through December 2012), featuring a rarely seen collection by artists who attended Dale Chihuly’s famous glass school.
Follow Us
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
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
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
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.