6 Gorgeous Fall Road Trips in the Pacific Northwest
Gas up the Subaru and hit the road on these epic Northwest adventures.
By Virginia Smyth October 2, 2017
This article originally appeared in the October 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.
I was 9 years old when my family embarked on our first road trip. It was epic. Thirty-three days, 19 states, 8,564 miles—and more national monuments and parks than I can remember. If there was a theme to that road trip, it was surely natural wonders. Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Monument Valley, Pike’s Peak, Craters of the Moon, the redwood forest—we saw it all and much more.
If you’re ready for your own road trip, we’ve done the planning for you. Whether you yearn to discover Washington’s natural wonders or want to build a trip around a passion—like small-town bookstores or vintage finds—these six itineraries will help you find your way.
Experience the Splendor of Western Washington’s Most Gorgeous Sights in 6 Days
Find Hot Springs, Hidden Waterfalls and More Off This Stretch of Central Oregon Highway
The Breathtaking Scenery (and Exceptional Wine) of British Columbia
The Perfectly Nostalgic Journey From Seattle to Sequim
Take a Northwest-Style Safari on the Olympic Peninsula
Some of Washington’s Best Indie Bookstores Require a Ferry to Get to
Road Trip Snacks Are Not to be Taken Lightly. Here’s What We’re Packing
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A Lighthouse Stay on Bellingham Bay
Hotel Bellwether’s refreshed waterfront stay, dapper lobby dog, and scenic route north turn the short drive from Seattle into a real getaway.
The first sign that Bellingham was going to feel farther away than it is came in Edison, over a rich, flaky pastry. Earlier this spring, I was invited to stay at Hotel Bellwether, and my friend and I headed north from Seattle, a roughly 90-mile drive that usually takes about an hour and a half…
Five Lesser-Known Washington State Parks for Spring and Summer
From Hood Canal beaches to Blue Mountain wildflowers, these quieter parks give warmer weekends some breathing room.
As the outdoor season gets going, many of us, myself included, tend to gravitate toward Washington’s national parks and a handful of the state’s most popular trails. There’s no arguing that they’re pretty spectacular. However, we also know that summer crowds are an issue and detract from the very reason we went in the first…
The Warmest Welcome: Why You Should Visit the Tri-Cities This Year
Just a few hours away from Seattle, this robust community offers great wine, a budding food scene, and more than 300 days of sun.
There is a point, when I’m traveling along Interstate 82 (I-82), somewhere around Exit 26, when I usually notice a shift in the light—especially in the wintertime. Coming out from the pass and heading south to leave the flat, cloud-shrouded gray of Western Washington behind, I feel a burst of happiness at the blue skies…
Paint Check: Select Alaska Airlines Planes Get a Fresh Look
The local aviation company debuts a bold Aurora Borealis-inspired livery as it expands internationally.
At the beginning of the year, Alaska Airlines unveiled its new global livery: a bold design inspired by the Aurora Borealis. Painted in a palette of deep blues and shimmering emerald greens, the sleek look is a nod to Alaska Airlines’ continued addition of international destinations, which will expand to London, Rome, and Reykjavik by…