Road Trip: Kingston, Washington
By Eva Seelye April 14, 2017
This article originally appeared in the April 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.
Where: Kingston, a 30-minute drive and a 30-minute ferry ride (via the Edmonds-Kingston ferry; wsdot.wa.gov/ferries) from Seattle.
Why: To visit the spectacular Heronswood botanical garden (self-guided tours every Friday through October, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; $5–$10; Kingston, 7530 NE 288th St.; 360.297.9620; heronswood.org), with rare and unusual plants from China, Vietnam, Chile, Myanmar, New Zealand, Tasmania and other far-flung places. Plan your trip around the spring plant sales (April 1, May 13–14). Continue your nature pursuit at Stillwaters Environmental Center (Kingston, 26059 NE Barber Cut Off Road; 360.297.1226; stillwatersenvironmentalcenter.org), where you can stroll the short trails and learn about estuary restoration, salt marshes and the Carpenter Creek watershed.
Fuel up: Enjoy a local brew at the Hood Canal Brewery (26499 Bond Road NE; 360.297.8316; hoodcanalbrewery.com) and locally sourced dishes—such as goat tacos, rabbit pot pie and kimchi pancakes—at the Mossback Café (26185 Ohio Ave. NE; 360.328.1254; mossbackcafe.com), located inside a century-old farmhouse.
If you miss the ferry: A converted historic firehouse now hosts the two-screen, stadium-seat Firehouse Theater (11171 NE State Route 104; 360.297.4707; kingstonfirehouse.com) just four blocks from the Kingston ferry and a five-minute walk from Mossback. Stay the night in one of the two rooms at the Phoenix Bed & Breakfast (9120 NE Kiwi Lane; 360.297.8175; thephoenixbedandbreakfast.com), built and featured in 2005 on the TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Follow Us
Paint Check
Alaska Airlines 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…
Elevated Gaming, Now With a Luxury Stay
Debuting a new era in Pacific Northwest gaming, the opening of the now Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel, transforms a premier gaming destination into a full-scale getaway–pairing top-tier play with the convenience and comfort of an upscale luxurious overnight stay just 30 minutes from downtown Seattle. Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel offers one of the most expansive…
Washington’s Spring Festivals Go Way Beyond Tulips
From cherry blossoms in Seattle to shorebirds on the coast, these spring festivals celebrate the state’s natural abundance.
From our rivers flowing with snowmelt and salmon to valleys dotted with wildflowers and berries, to forests filled with mossy trees and mushrooms, nature is an inseparable part of Washington’s culture and ecosystem. It shapes what we eat and drink, what inspires our art and outdoor lifestyle, and even our cities. Nature is part of…
No Longer a Last Resort
The new wave of luxury-forward Mexico all-inclusives delivers cultural immersion and culinary delights.
Thanks to years of party-goers jetting south in the winter, the mention of a Mexico all-inclusive resort tends to conjure a specific image: wristband-wearing revelers in a crowded pool, dancing the Macarena to booming music, and the relentless buzz of the frozen margarita blender. Luring guests with all-you-can-drink packages and stocked buffets, these hotels left…