A little less than two hours north of Seattle, depending on traffic, Chuckanut Drive (also known as WA State Highway 11) is 20 miles of postcard-worthy scenery with plenty of places to stop and things to do along the way. It’s a pretty straight shot heading along I-5 North; just take Exit 231 in Burlington (Chuckanut Junction), and the next 20 miles take you up the scenic highway until you hit Bellingham. Several must-stop destinations along the way are Taylor Shellfish Farms, where the atmosphere is casual and oysters come fresh from the bay; Larrabee State Park, with its views of the San Juan Islands; and Oyster Dome, one of the most popular hiking trails in the area (the hike is dog-friendly, so four-legged friends don’t have to miss this field trip).

If you have some extra time, stop at Bow or Edison, two small towns accessed by turning east (Bow) or west (Edison) off Chuckanut Drive. Each one has its own set of highlights, from blueberry farms and breweries to art galleries and shops featuring locally made goods. Even if you decide to just keep driving, the views along the way are peak PNW, with enough miles of water and trees to make you feel like you’ve really gotten away.

bellingham.org