11 Incredible Weekend Getaways from Seattle: A Helpful Guide

One of the best parts about living in the Pacific Northwest (we now live in Portland, but the idea is the same) is the fact that, at any given moment, you’re roughly 90 minutes from the ocean and 90 minutes from the mountains.

That geography makes this northwest corner of the country special, and is part of the reason why we decided on making it our permanent home after a couple of years living on the road.

I, Matt, grew up around the Seattle region, and resided in Seattle itself for college and a few years afterward. Since then, even though we’ve shifted locales a bit, we’ve spent approximately a month per year (if not more) in the Pacific Northwest.

My entire family still resides in the Seattle locality and we particularly enjoy investing the warm months exploring the amazing hiking paths reachable from Seattle.

In this guide, we’re going to go through our favored weekend escapes from Seattle. There are possibilities for a wide range of trip styles – from epic outdoor experiences to low-key island getaways and everything in between – and we’ll give you our viewpoint on what to do and see while you’re there.

Whether you’re seeking a romantic weekend getaway where technology can be avoided and connection with your partner focused on, or a weekend spent on the trail appreciating the natural beauty of the Northwest, we think you’ll find numerous great ideas in this guide.

Sound good to you? Let’s get into it.

a person sitting on a surfboard in the water

a woman standing on a pier looking at the water
a man and a woman standing on top of a mountain

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Do You Need a Car for These Weekend Trips from Seattle?

Generally, using a personal vehicle is often necessary to fully experience the many potential destinations on this list within a single weekend trip departing from Seattle. Public transportation and train options are quite limited for reaching most locations, especially national parks located farther away.

With no vehicle, your choices are limited. Our top recommendation would be renting a car for the weekend, but that adds to the cost and sometimes driving is tiresome.

If you don’t have a car, and don’t want to rent one, there are a few getaways that are accessible by train or ferry.

They are: 

  • Portland, Oregon (via Amtrak)
  • Vancouver, B.C. (via Amtrak)
  • Vashon Island (via Washington State Ferry)
  • San Juan Island (via Washington State Ferry)
  • Orcas Island (via Washington State Ferry)

However, it`s necessary to note for individuals visiting the islands that, while one can certainly get there using the ferry, having access to a vehicle will permit seeing and doing far more than without car access.

The Best Weekend Getaways from Seattle: A Complete Guide

And now, on to the weekend getaways themselves. 

We’ll order this guide by our personal preferences, meaning our absolute favorite escapes top the list. Though worth noting, anything listed receives our recommendation.

For many of the locations included in this list, we have more detailed guides that would serve as more useful resources for concrete travel planning. Where applicable, we`ll connect you to those to save for when organizing your trip.

Mount Rainier National Park

a trail in the middle of a grassy field

Distance / Drive Time from Seattle: 110 miles / 2 hours 45 minutes

Where to Stay: Due to its size and terrain, this can be complex. Read our guide to lodging options near Mount Rainier National Park for more details!

By this point, a trip to Mount Rainier National Park is an annual ritual that Alysha and I engage in.

It’s an excellent national park (and together we’ve been to every national park in the western United States, excluding the Channel Islands – which just Alysha has visited), and ranks somewhere in our top 5 national parks that we’ve visited.

One factor we didn’t really understand anterior to moving to Portland is that segments of Mount Rainier National Park are equally accessible from Portland as they are from Seattle (at least if you’re conversing concerning Paradise), which signifies those annual trips will carry on for the foreseeable upcoming.

Before we can get into what to do and see at Mount Rainier, we probably need to touch (briefly) on the park’s geography.

Firstly, Mount Rainier is massive. Which presents a bit of an issue when planning a trip.

The travel time and distance between the two most visited regions of the park – Paradise and Sunrise – is around an hour and a half,

If you only have a weekend, our strong recommendation would be to focus on one region.

And that area, if you’ve never visited Rainier, would be Paradise for us.

The trail in this park has been noted as having the highest elevation gain, providing scenic vistas overall. Additionally, an abundance of waterfalls can be explored throughout the area. Late July and early August is prime time to witness the landscape filled with wildflowers of diverse hues blooming prolifically in the meadows.

Plus, it’s the only region of the park that’s accessible year around.

Sunrise offers stunning views of Rainier`s glaciated peak from incredible hikes throughout the park if you seek superb scenery. It`s marginally closer to Seattle than other areas as it lies to the east of the Mountain.

Things to Do at Mount Rainier

Some of our favorite activities at Mount Rainier are listed here.

Hike the Skyline Trail. This is one of the best hikes at Mount Rainier National Park (and one of our favorite Washington State hikes), at minimum in our opinion. We’ve completed it multiple times, in both directions, and it never grows old. It offers everything sought when exploring Rainier – a stunning waterfall (Myrtle Falls), meadows bursting with wildflowers, and progressively more impressive Rainier vistas on the further inward one ventures. Oh, and wildlife! We’ve seen both cute plump marmots and elusive elegant mountain goats. Here’s our guide to the Skyline Trail with additional information and photographs to demonstrate what we mean.

a road leading to a forest filled with wildflowers

Tour the cascades at Paradise. As briefly discussed earlier, Paradise also provides an impressive assortment of waterfalls in the park. Myrtle Cascade, which is near the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center, is notable given its backdrop of Rainier’s snowcapped peak. Reaching Comet Falls necessitates a modest hike but it exhibits the most dramatic of the falls in the park. Christine Falls is striking because of the framing created by the stone archway. Alas, so many waterfalls yet limited time to see them all!”

a river flowing through a forest filled with trees

a river running through a forest filled with boulders
a waterfall in the middle of a forest

Explore Sunrise. As the highest point accessible by road in the park, Sunrise offers the best variety of hikes departing from the visitor center. All three routes mentioned follow the initial Sourdough Ridge path together, presenting incredible sights of Rainier and the White River Valley. They then split at Frozen Lake to individually continue on diverging courses.

  • The Burroughs Mountain Trail: Our favorite of the three here, this hike is challenging. It takes you up to a viewpoint where it truly seems you can reach out and touch Mount Rainier’s face. There are three burroughs, and the journey to the first two is relatively easy. To get up to the third burrough, it’s a steep, long ascent, but we think the views are worth it. Check out our Burroughs Mountain Trail guidefor more information.
  • The Mount Fremont Observation Area: This trail offers impressive scenery from the decommissioned fire observation tower, with a sweeping vista of the surrounding landscape that includes Rainier. The path heads directly at Frozen Lake then climbs up to a ridge that is followed out to the observation area. Keep watch for rock squirrels and pack insect repellent in early summer, as we`ve never encountered more mosquitoes than at the top of this hike. Additional trail details here.
  • Berkeley Park: This hike is ideal for experiencing an incredible wildflower display in summer (we had success around the final week of July). The trail heads directly to Frozen Lake, descending into an idyllic meadow full of blankets of wildflowers, bubbling brooks, and… black bears. It`s easy to see why this area is a favorite haunt of the park`s black bear population. Keep aware of your surroundings, make noise along the trail, and you`ll be fine. Further trail information here.

a person riding a bike down a dirt road

Obviously, that’s not everything we can express about Mount Rainier. For more details, we’d motivate you to go read our more thorough guides to exploring Mount Rainier National Park.

Olympic National Park

a man walking down a path in the woods

Distance / Drive Time from Seattle: 85 miles / 2 hours 30 minutes (includes Bainbridge Island Ferry route).

Where to Remain: Due to its size, it’s complex. Read our guide to where to remain in Olympic National Park for the particulars!

Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse places in the Pacific Northwest in relation to both its geographical and geological characteristics.

If sampling the theory of mountains converging with seas interests you, this exemplifies the concept well. Within an hour along US-101, the snowcapped peaks of Olympic Range stand opposite the craggy shorelines of the Pacific, a rugged natural beauty.

Whether you enjoy hiking miles and miles at once, or you simply want to go on a brief stroll to the beach, you`re certain to love Olympic National Park.

The biggest problem with Olympic National Park is figuring out what to do and see, and how to organize your time (lucky for you, we have an entire Olympic National Park itinerary dedicated to helping you do just that).

Given its vast size, exploring the entire park likely requires significant driving if retracing steps becomes necessary.

Our biggest tip is to spend your weekend doing a loop that starts in Port Angeles, works your way down towards Forks, and loops down past Lake Quinault, returning to Seattle through Olympia.

If you remain in one locale – say, Port Angeles or Forks – you’re going to be doing a lot of driving back and forth between places. For context, it’s a 1 hour and 45 minute drive between Hurricane Ridge (the alpine part of the park) and Forks (the Pacific Coast beaches).

Then it’s ANOTHER hour to get from Forks to the Hoh Rainforest after that.

Trust us – spend one night in each Port Angeles and Forks as you make a grand loop around the Olympic Peninsula.

The 82-mile drive to Port Angeles (at the peninsula`s western edge) takes approximately the same time whether traversing by road or boarding the vehicle ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island.

The travel time is about the same: just short of 2 1⁄2 hours. From Port Angeles to the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center is about 20 miles, and it will take around 45 minutes.

a river flowing through a forest filled with trees

Things to Do in Olympic National Park

There is plenty to do and see in Olympic National Park to fill an entire week (if not more), which means you’ll have to pick and choose what you do and see if you only have a weekend.

With a pair of days, we`d prioritize four locales: Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Pacific coast beaches, and the Hoh Rainforest.

With a few extra days, you can add on the north Pacific Coast (near Neah Bay) and the Quinault Rainforest and Kalaloch Beach area.

Here’s what to do in each of those areas. 

Hurricane Ridge. Hurricane Ridge is one of the alpine sections of the park, and it’s where you’ll find peak views of the surrounding mountains as you gain elevation to a ridge. Primarily, stop at the Visitor Center and admire the perspective there from behind. It becomes far more spectacular if you walk up the short trail across the parking area. Next hike the trail up to Hurricane Hill, which is among our favorite hambles in Olympic National Park. On a clear day, you can see Mount Baker and Victoria, B.C. (you may potentially even be able to discern Vancouver’s skyline, if fortunate). Lastly, drive out to Obstruction Point, which is a dirt path taking you along a slender ridge with excellent mountain perspectives on either side.

a mountain range with mountains in the distance

Lake Crescent. Located just west of Hurricane Ridge but at sea level, Lake Crescent is a scenic body of water worth visiting. Relaxing at the Lake Crescent Lodge with drinks shoreside is worthwhile. For a brief hike, head to Marymere Falls, or toughen up with the climb leading to impressive views of the lake from high atop Mount Storm King.

a man standing on top of a mountain with a backpack

Pacific Shorelines. There are a few shorelines lining the northwest Washington shoreline, yet our most loved are Rialto and Ruby (respectable reference for Second Beach in La Push). At Rialto Beach, stroll along the shoreline out to Hole in the Wall (which is exactly what it sounds like). At Ruby Beach, stroll down the short way to get down to the driftwood laden shoreline, and look at the sea stacks simply seaward.

a large body of water surrounded by mountains

  • Augsburg’s festivals are enjoyable occasions, generally local in nature, and worth attending. Augsburg is most recognized in Germany for its “Schwörmontag” or “Oath Day” celebration held on the second last Monday in July. The spellbinding Lichtserenade (“Light Serenade”) occurs on the preceding Saturday, when candlelit lanterns are floated down the Danube. On the day itself, the “Nabada” is a festive procession of boats along the Danube to the Friedrichsaupark where there’s a mammoth party. The Augsburg Wine Festival launches comparatively earlier for Germany and is held throughout August. Held every 2 years, Donaufest celebrates the art, music and cultures of the Danube (next one due 2024).

a forest filled with lots of trees and shrubs

Planning a Trip to Olympic National Park? The detailed guides exploring the Olympic Peninsula shouldn`t be missed, as they`re founded on personal experience in the park.

Orcas Island

boats docked at a marina on a sunny day

Distance / Travel Time from Seattle: 103 miles / 3 hours 30 minutes

Where to Stay: Stay at the Outlook Inn if you want a hotel right in the town of Eastsound. If you want a charming bed and breakfast, look at the Kangaroo House B&B.

The largest island in the San Juans is also our favorite. We prefer San Juan Island, which sees more “commercial activity” (for lack of a better phrase), but Orcas Island`s relaxed atmosphere combined with the abundance of outdoor opportunities is right up our alley.

If you’re looking for a relaxing island escape from Seattle, Orcas is our premier choice

The journey starts from the ferry terminal in Anacortes, where you’ll board the ferry (we’d suggest boarding with your vehicle, which is really needed to get around on the island) and embark on a scenic boat ride through the San Juans to the ferry terminal on the southwest end of Orcas.

As soon as your feet contact the ground on the island, you’ll be transported to a different world, where concerns regarding work emails do not seem as pressing, and you’re not in a rush to get to your next destination.

After two or three days of island time, you might find yourself wondering why you don’t live like this all the time.

What to Do on Orcas Island

We enjoy Orcas, and actually have two complete guides devoted to exploring the best that Orcas offers – our guide to hiking on Orcas Island covers our favored hikes on the island, and our guide to the best things to do on Orcas provides a starting point for planning your trip.

An overview of attractions on Orcas Island is briefly summarized here.

Hiking. There are some fantastic hiking trails available on Orcas Island for those seeking to enjoy the natural scenery away from the bustle of nearby San Juan Island. Two prominent mountains – Turtleback Mountain on the western side and Mount Constitution to the east – offer various pathways suitable for different skill levels. The 6.5 mile Turtleback Loop from the southern starting point provides appealing views, especially the initial ascent to Ships Peak. Another option is the hike from Little Summit up to the summit of Mount Constitution, which more adventurous hikers can extend to a full circuit from the shore of Mountain Lake lasting approximately 8 miles with 1,700 feet of elevation gain.

a person riding a bike on top of a hill

Wine Tasting. The island has two locales to sample wines. Orcas Island Winery sits on the western side and stands as the sole traditional vineyard (with a sizeable estate and tasting room). Locally owned since 2019, we enjoyed a pet-nat rose. Beautiful grounds encompass a barn-style tasting room. The second spot is Doe Bay Wine Company, a tiny local-run shop in Eastsound offering samples of wines from their Orcas Project label or bottles from around the San Juans, including cider.

Exploring Eastsound. Eastsound is the largest town on the island, and it’s a charming little place that is only a couple of blocks in area. Here are some of our favorite stops:

  • Brown Bear Baking for delectable pastries (NOT GLUTEN FREE, but Alysha enjoyed them as did the broader family we brought them back to)
  • Darvill’s Bookstore for browsing the excellent local bookshop on the island (and also the best coffee place, but it’s closed on weekends)
  • A location for sampling wine
  • Clever Cow Creamery for ice cream
  • Printshop for on-demand screen printed t-shirts featuring designs from local creative people
  • Girl Meets Dirt for their exceptional fruit preserves crafted from Orcas Island harvests
  • The Orcas Food Co-Op for high-quality groceries on the island.

Experience the Lakes. The island has two naturally beautiful lakes within Moran State Park offering swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddle boarding. Cascade Lake receives more visitors partly as the park`s campground lies along its shore. Boats can be rented on a first come basis requiring an early arrival. Mountain Lake deeper into Moran State Park has a couple cool central islands worth exploring by kayak. Both lakes encircle hiking trails along the shore, mostly level and ideal for a relaxing stroll.

a person sitting on a bench near a body of water

Mount Baker

a large body of water with a mountain range

Distance / Drive Time from Seattle: 140 miles / 2 hours 30 minutes (to Artist Point)

Where to Stay: Visitors can camp at either the Douglas Fir or Silver Fir Campground, or find lodging in a cabin situated along the roadway leading to Mount Baker.

Mount Baker was the unsung hero of our recent Washington Road Trip.We appreciated it! Neither of us had ever visited, although we had toured the North Cascades, and some of our preferred hikes in Washington are on the northern side of Mount Baker.

And, to be clear here, we are discussing the northern side of Baker along Roadway 542.

Especially the vicinity of Artist Point, where spectacular views of both Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan can be found, along with the rest of the North Cascades.

What we truly appreciate about Mount Baker is the lack of crowds, even during the peak of summer. We were there in August and saw a minuscule fraction of the people we saw in the North Cascades just on the other side of the mountain.

And that means only a small fraction of the people live in places like Rainier and Olympic.

Things to Do at Mount Baker

The highlight here is hiking, and there’s not much else to do in the area.

NOTE OF HIGH IMPORTANCE: The hiking season is regrettably brief due to the elevation and location. Snow will remain on the trail well into August, and returns in October most years. HOWEVER, it transforms into a winter wonderland, and outside of that short summer hiking season, it would make for a fantastic romantic weekend escape from Seattle. Particularly if you lodge at one of the many incredible cozy cabins you’ll find nearby.

A few nearby hiking trails that are worth exploring are detailed here.

Yellow Aster Butte. Our most beloved path we`ve undertaken at Baker. The Yellow Aster Butte Trail carries you up a rather steep climb before it levels somewhat and you stroll through a beautiful valley, full of wildflowers in summer. You’ll turn a corner and see Mount Baker straight ahead. Wind along the ridge and ultimately you’ll start the ascent to the high point of the hike, where you’ll have 360 degree views of the area, including Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan. It’s a lengthy hike with a good amount of elevation gain (7.5 miles / 2,550 feet), but it’s so worthwhile once you attain that summit.

a mountain range with a mountain rangea man and a woman standing on top of a mountain

Lake Ann.Another favorite. The endpoint is a magnificent hanging lake situated high in the mountains where the only individuals you’ll come across are backpackers. Throughout the climb, you’ll have incredible views of Mount Baker across the valley. At least, if it’s not obscured in fog at the summit. It’s a long one (9+ miles, 2,600 feet elevation gain), but again, WORTH IT.

a large body of water surrounded by mountains

Other hiking trails near Baker. Two other hikes we enjoyed were the Chain Lakes Loop, which was an easy hike past several Alpine lakes, and Park Butte, which is on the other side of Mount Baker, but is worth the detour for the hike up to an old fire lookout with Mount Baker RIGHT IN YOUR FACE.

Scenic Views. For breathtaking panoramas, you’ll want to visit Picture Lake ( here on Google Maps) at either sunrise or sunset, and Artist`s Overlook ( here on Google Maps).

Both viewpoints are readily accessible from the road, though Artist Point involves a brief climb to reach the scenic outlook.

North Cascades National Park

a valley with mountains and a mountain range

Distance / Drive Time from Seattle: 125 miles / 2 hours 30 minutes (to Diablo Lake).

Where to Stay: Two campgrounds in the park – Colonial Creek and Newhalem – should ideally be reserved well ahead for summer trips. Winthrop – on the park`s eastern edge – makes an excellent base for those not camping due to its proximity to some of the top hikes.

Of the three national parks in Washington State, the North Cascades are by far the least visited.

That’s partially because the season is so maddeningly short – the road through the park is only open June to October most years, and trails aren’t clear of snow until July or so – and also because it’s relatively compact.

For whatever reason, despite growing up in the Seattle area, the North Cascades were my first national park in Washington… at the age of 25.

A good reminder that no matter how familiar you think you are with a place, there are likely some amazing places to explore in your own backyard.

If scenic mountain escapes defined by jagged peaks, turquoise high altitude lakes, and abundant hiking opportunities appeal to you, then the North Cascades region may be worth exploring.

Things to Do in the North Cascades

A selection of our favorite activities to partake in while in the North Cascades are mentioned here.

Hiking in the North Cascades. The North Cascades region has numerous amazing hiking trails too many to complete in just a weekend. Here are a few of our favorite trails.

  • The Heather-Maple Pass Loop, which reaches a ridge above a lovely alpine lake, is our preferred hike in the state of Washington.
  • Blue Lake is a pleasant, relatively uncomplicated, family-friendly hike to a crystal-clear lake backed by rocky peaks.
  • The hike to Hidden Lake Lookout is as magnificent as it is difficult – the end of the trail is a perched lake with the peaks of the North Cascades rising above it in the distance.
a mountain range with a mountain range

a large body of water with a mountain range
a mountain range with mountains in the distance

a mountain range with mountains

Travel the scenic byway end-to-end. Start in Sedro Woolley on the western fringe of the park, and travel all the way through the park to Washington Pass Overlook. Along the way, stop at Diablo Lake, one of the many hikes in the park, and any other scenic pullouts that capture your eye.

Rent a kayak or canoe on Ross Lake.Ross Lake Resort is an oasis in the middle of Ross Lake that is only accessible by ferry. Head out there to lease a kayak or canoe and go exploring along the far shores of the lake, which are only accessible by overnight expedition or boat.

Planning a Trip to North Cascades National Park? Our detailed guides to visiting the North Cascades share personal experiences exploring the park and are invaluable resources.

Hood River & The Columbia River Gorge

a mountain range with a mountain range behind it

Distance / Travel Time from Seattle: 227 miles / 3 hours 30 minutes

Where to Stay: We have personally enjoyed staying at – and recommend – the Ruby June Inn, which is a delightful little bed & breakfast up in White Salmon, Washington (about 15 minutes from Hood River).

Since we live in Portland, Oregon these days, Hood River and the Columbia River Gorge are essentially in our nearby area, and we love it.

Let’s talk about these two areas separately. 

The Columbia River serves as the border between Washington State and Oregon, famously traversed by Lewis and Clark in their search for a route to the Pacific Ocean. The region truly offers a spectacular mix of landscapes, with towering rock walls along the Gorge floor.

Which means two things. Excellent hiking, and, when considering how much rain this region gets, an incredible number of beautiful waterfalls (particularly on the Oregon side).

The town of Hood River is in the Columbia River Gorge, and we think that it’s a distinctive place because it sits at a crossroads of sorts.

To the east is the high desert (similar to Washington, Oregon gets very dry once you cross the Cascades). To the west is the waterfall corridor.

To the south is the fertile Hood River Valley and, towering above the area, Mount Hood.

Further north, sights such as Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens are commonly visible from viewpoints in the Hood River vicinity.

Oh, and if you’re into watersports, Hood River is world-renowned for its windsurfing, and is a great place to go kayaking.

Hood River will be the ideal home base for exploring the area, offering various dining and drinking spots alongside pleasing lodging choices.

Things to Do in Hood River & The Columbia River Gorge

Presented here are our most loved things to do, see, eat, and drink in Hood River and the Gorge.

Waterfalls within the Gorge.Listing all the many waterfalls in the Gorge here would be impossible, so we`ll mention three favorites. Multnomah Falls, the tallest and most impressive, is undoubtedly worth visiting (and walking upon its stone bridge). Wahclella Falls can be found at the end of an easy hike up its canyon, an outing we really enjoy. Horsetail and Ponytail Falls – particularly the latter – are worth the brief climb to walk behind the falling water, giving a unique viewpoint.

a waterfall in the middle of a river

a river with a waterfall in the middle of it
a waterfall in the middle of a wooded area

Engage in Watersports.As we mentioned above, this is the place to go for all types of watersports. You can learn to kitesurf at Kite the Gorge, or rent a kayak and head out for an early morning paddle on the mighty Columbia River to channel your inner Lewis & Clark. There’s also the White Salmon River, which flows from mid to late summer, and is just a few minutes north of Hood River on the Washington side. Raft with Wet Planet Whitewater, who is right near the disembarkation point for the trip.

Exploring Downtown Hood River.There are some genuinely intriguing places to dine and drink in Hood River. If into beer, a few quality choices include: pFriem, Double Mountain, and Full Sail all having taprooms in and around downtown. For cider, head to Crush Cider House. For wine, Hood River Common House. For meals, there’s Lake Taco (self-explanatory), Grasslands BBQ (a food truck with superb BBQ out near the water), and Kickstand Coffee for brunch and coffee.

Hiking on the Washington Side.While the Oregon region has greater waterfalls, some excellent vistas can be found on the Washington portion of the Gorge. Hamilton Mountain remains one of our favorite hikes in the Gorge, though nearby Dog Mountain is a close second in spring and summer when it’s abundant with wildflowers (though it’s an EXTREMELY CHALLENGING hike). Coyote Wall presents another good option, and it’s closest to Hood River.

a mountain range with mountains in the distance

San Juan Island

a lighthouse overlooking a body of water

Distance / Drive Time from Seattle: 103 miles / 3 hours 30 minutes (includes ferry).

Location of Lodging: In the town of Friday Harbor, you have many hotel selections that are within walking distance to most of the restaurants, bars, and shops in town. Lakedale Resort is an 82-acre place just outside of town where you have the choice to stay in the luxurious lodge, the yurts, camping tents designed for glamour, log cabins, or even a vintage Airstream trailer. There’s also a campsite and space for RVs. This is where our family used to pitch tents during our youth, and we’ve stayed here on our last couple of trips.

The most visited island in the San Juan Islands is home to the charming waterfront town of Friday Harbor, some of the best opportunities for viewing orca whales if you’re seeking them, and the rural center of the island means there’s ample locally sourced food and drink available on the island.

Growing up in the Seattle area, my family would travel every summer to San Juan Island for camping, where we’d spend time exploring the charming downtown location of Friday Harbor, watching for orcas at Lime Kiln State Park (the best spot in the state to see them – they pass right offshore!), and checking out the lavender farm on the island.

We think while you’re on San Juan Island – particularly if you have a whole weekend – you absolutely must spend time on the water.

Preferably in a sea kayak – we joined a 6 hour paddle with Outdoor Odysseys and it was fairly spectacular – or on a wildlife viewing boat tour.

The optimum time to observe orcas (and other whales like humpbacks) is from June to September, and if you’re on the island during that timeframe, you MUST do your utmost to see them.

You can also go to Lime Kiln State Park, which is known as one of the best spots from land to see whales in the world.

Here are some other activities on San Juan Island while you’re there for a weekend.

Things to Do on San Juan Island

a young man standing on top of a wooden fence

Here are some activities you should do on San Juan Island.”

Observing Whales Free of Charge! Lime Kiln State Park along the western shore of San Juan Island is the spot to see orcas from dry land. And not just orcas but groups of humpback and minke whales too. The optimum time period is June through September. I retain fond recollections of numerous summer days spent sitting on the rocks, conversing with park rangers, and keeping my eyes alert. And we observed orcas nearly every visit!

Sea Kayaking around the San Juan Islands is superb. Individuals who are both new and experienced to kayaking alike will discover plenty of excitement on the open water. Whether a person simply wants a couple of hours on the water or is craving a multi-day trip, the hospitable staff at Outdoor Odysseys have them covered.

a man sitting on a surfboard in the water

📍 The map coordinates | Site | Hours: 9 am-6 pm May 1 to November 1 | Entrance: Free

The Farmers Market.Situated on Nichols Street in Friday Harbor, the Saturday Marketers is an assortment of fresh local produce in a relaxed atmosphere accompanied by music from guest musicians.

The Establishments.San Juan Island Brewing Co. in Friday Harbor produces superb craft beers and lagers and has a bar and dining area where you can sample them. Although being a brewpub doesn’t stop them from serving wine and hard cider too, so if you’re not a beer fan (or you can’t drink it, like myself), don’t let that deter you. Madrone Cellars is right in downtown Friday Harbor and makes amazing hard ciders and wine, serving it up in a charming and tiny tasting room. We ended up doing a hard cider flight, and took away a bottle of their lavender black currant hard cider.

a woman sitting on top of a hill looking at the ocean


Mount Hood

a small boat floating on top of a lake

Distance / Travel Time from Seattle: 222 miles / 3 hours 45 minutes

Amsterdam’s heart is the compact medieval core of the City Center just south of Amsterdam Centraal train station, bordered by the Plantage and Amsterdam-Oost in the east and the Canal Belt in the west and south. The tiny, narrow lanes are a pleasure to explore aimlessly, with cafés, drinking establishments that have stood for centuries, and hidden inner courts like the medieval Begijnhof to investigate. There are a few worthwhile attractions such as the palace ( Royal Palace) close to the main Dam Square, and historic churches for example De Oude Kerk,De Nieuwe Kerk, and Zuiderkerk (where it’s possible to ascend the bell tower for stunning perspectives), but the primary attraction is simply wandering perfectly kept cobbled alleys.

Mount Hood is one of our favorite weekend getaways from Portland, in all seasons, and it’s within striking distance for Seattle too at just under four hours away by car (without traffic).

Similar to observing Rainier in Seattle, in Portland a nice weather day is often judged by whether you can see Mount Hood; the pointed, frequently snowcapped peak is a landmark feature of the Portland skyline.

Whether visiting in summer among lush mountain meadows bursting with wildflowers or winter settling into a cabin between days on the slopes, it offers a fantastic destination.

Additionally, all the trails allow dogs since it`s on National Forest grounds!

Mount Hood is sizable, and the specific region you’ll want to base yourself is Government Camp (or nearby), which is on the south side of the mountain. Regrettably, that does mean that it’s a bit further from Seattle (the distance and time above reflects the drive to Government Camp).

a mountain range in the middle of nowhere

Things to Do at Mount Hood

You’ll notice that most of these revolve around hiking and summer activities, and that’s because we think it’s a superior summer destination, but we’re both biased (we are hikers more than we are skiers).

Trillium Lake. We have often spent our summer weekends at the lake known as Trillium Lake, where camping is also a great option, and it offers the postcard-worthy view of Mount Hood that you seek. At the southern end of the lake, on most occasions you will have a mainly unblocked vista of Hood`s snow-covered peak towering above the valley. If fortunate, there may also be a reflection of the peak upon the lake`s surface (particularly early in the day around sunrise). This location is superb for bringing kayaks or stand-up paddleboards to spend a fun-filled day exploring the water.

Tamanawas Falls. It’s a little bit of a trek from Government Camp, but this is another excellent hike. It’s a relatively easy three miles (round trip) out to a pretty remarkable waterfall, and it’s both pet-friendly and fairly accessible for most hikers.

a waterfall in the middle of a forest

Ramona Falls. A slightly distinct waterfall – equally awe-inspiring, though – that is less easy to access due to a river crossing that is perilous in the spring and early summer when water levels are high from snowmelt runoff.

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Notable Hikes. There are several significant hikes with incredible perspectives on the south side of Mount Hood, but our favorite is the McNeil Point Trail. True, it’s an arduous hike (particularly on a hot summer day), but you’ll end up so close to Mount Hood that you can essentially reach out and touch it. Again, it’s a very, very tough hike. A good alternative would be the Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain trail, which takes you up to a peak across the valley from Hood, which means an unbeatable vista.

a mountain range with trees and mountainsa stone wall in the middle of a grassy area


Leavenworth

a garden filled with lots of flowers in front of a building

Distance / Drive Time from Seattle: 135 miles / 2 hours 15 minutes

Location for Lodging: Leavenworth offers some truly picturesque places to rest, and it`s generally advisable to choose somewhere within walking distance of the town (with parking available if possible). On our latest weekend getaway over three days in the area, we lodged at Loge Riverside, a location we would highly suggest. Another Loge option is right in the heart of downtown Leavenworth, with more of a hotel/hostel style setup. If really immersing yourself in the authentic Bavarian atmosphere is what you seek, inspect lodging at the Bavarian Lodge.

Now, typically, we’re not extremely into the whole “themed tourist town” idea. But, for some reason, we love Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed town situated in the eastern foothills of the Cascades.

How, exactly, did a Bavarian-themed village spring up in the foothills of the Cascades, you ask? It actually has an intriguing story.

Essentially, it was a timber town until that industry diminished, so they decided tourism presented their best option.

A compelling chronicle of the Late Bronze Age systems collapse that vanquished the sophisticated civilizations of the Minoans, Myceneans, Trojans, and others; ushering in the era that is now referred to as the First Dark Ages.
a park with benches and a clock tower

Unlike other themed towns (glancing at you Solvang), we actually truly enjoy Leavenworth. Not only is the theme fun and well done, but it’s about as good a home base for outdoor activities as you could possibly dream up (outside of the national parks, I suppose).

Between dining and beverage options in town, store shopping, and activities in the vicinity surrounding Leavenworth, it`s an excellent destination for a weekend excursion from Seattle.

We’ve found ourselves in Leavenworth multiple times over the past few years, and always seem to want to head back there again soon.

Things to Do in Leavenworth

Here are some of our preferred things to do in Leavenworth.

Colchuck Lake is a secret treasure nestled away in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in the slopes of the eastern Cascade mountains. And it’s one of our favorite treks around the world. The walk from the beginning is a demanding one, climbing about 2,500 feet over 4.5 miles (one way), but the spectacular view of the stunning blue mountain lake will make any hardship worth the reward ultimately. The downside is that it’s an amazingly popular journey, and on weekend mornings, the parking lot is legitimately at capacity by 6:30 am. ARRIVE EARLY. It deserves the pre-dawn waking call.

a mountain range with mountains in the distance

Oktoberfest.Pretend to have a Bavarian personality! Leavenworth reinvented itself in the 1960s as a Bavarian village after struggling as a fading logging community. They hold their own Oktoberfest celebration in October, which is highly entertaining, even for non-beer fans. There are numerous cultural events, freely flowing wine and cider, and scenic autumn foliage that make it a very pleasant place to be. Book early, since everything fills up rapidly.

Explore Downtown Leavenworth. There are genuinely good spots to eat, drink, and shop in the downtown region of Leavenworth. For beers, head to Icicle Brewing. For ciders, go to either Leavenworth Cider House or Bushel & Bee (the latter additionally has a excellent craft beer selection). For food, we like Yodelin Broth (for somewhat healthy fare using fresh ingredients), Whistlepunk Ice Cream (self-described), and Leavenworth Sausage Garten (additionally self-described). For shopping, we really enjoy Posy Handpicked Goods, who curate works from neighborhood artists and sell them in their store.

a crowd of people walking down a street with umbrellas

a banana sitting on top of a paper towel
a glass of wine sitting on top of a wooden table

The village illuminated by lights (Christmastime in Leavenworth). Between Thanksgiving and February, Leavenworth really embraces the classic German Christmas markets and is transformed into a wintry wonderland. Specifically, the initial three weekends in December are prime times to visit, when a Christmas bazaar inspired by famous German holiday plazas occurs, alongside a full schedule of performers.

Rafting the Wenatchee River. Probably one of the most accessible whitewater rafting options from the Seattle area, this makes for an excellent activity between Memorial Day and the end of June (or mid-July, depending on annual water levels) when the flow is high. Matt used to work for a rafting business that conducts trips on the Wenatchee (in marketing, not as a guide) and he`s been on this excursion multiple times (and appears to end up in the water each occurrence – balance is not his strong suit). There are half day journeys and full day trips – the half day trip covers the best stretch of the river, so if you`re uncertain about committing to a full day on the river, choose that one. Go with Alpine Adventures.

Floating down the Icicle River. Offering a slightly slower pace than rafting, this is a fun family-friendly experience. Or it can be an entertaining outing for buddies with coolers full of beer and cider. The float lasts a few hours. Go with one of the many companies who will transport you to the starting point, and later to where your vehicle is parked for a relaxing afternoon on the water. Don`t forget sunscreen.

Portland, Oregon

a car is parked on the side of the street

Distance / Drive Time from Seattle: 174 miles / 2 hours 45 minutes

Location During Brief Visit to Portland: If you only have a weekend, you will likely want to stay within the downtown core, which includes Downtown Portland, the Pearl District, and the Northwest District. In terms of the specific place to stay, we would choose either the Ace Hotel (we have previously resided at the Ace in Seattle and in New York City, and very much enjoyed both) or the Canopy by Hilton in the Pearl District. We also dwelled at the Jupiter NEXT as a slightly lavish splurge on our final trip before officially relocating, and we really enjoyed it.”

Given that we now reside in Portland, it seems necessary to include details about it here, wouldn`t you say?

Portland is among our favorite cities globally (which is why we chose to end up here), and it possesses an extremely underrated food scene.

We believe it`s fair to say that Tucson offers more than Seattle AND San Francisco (though personal preferences come into play).

We favor Portland akin to Seattle – due to places like the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, and coastal areas – but genuinely appreciate Portland`s green spaces more than Seattle`s (Discovery Park is nice but Portland has three such parks).

It’s also a very convenient place to arrive from Seattle. You can travel by vehicle within a few hours, or if you want a car-free option or desire to save on fuel costs (gas prices are currently high), you can board Amtrak from Seattle’s Union Station and be there in around four hours.

It is a place that unlike bigger cities with more established tourist sites, the appeal here is the small business culture, natural spaces, and what is considered the best independent bookstore worldwide.

Things to Do in Portland

Here are some of our favorite activities to do in Portland. However, if you want more details, you should check out our Portland itinerary on the website, which provides far more extensive information.

Experience the Scents at the International Rose Test Garden. Portland, known by the moniker “City of Roses” (which was recently revealed to me to have essentially been a marketing strategy, similar to Leavenworth`s Bavarian theme), abundantly features roses. Even in our own backyard multiple rose bushes of differing varieties occupy the landscape (that our dog, Lupine, became entangled within just one week after being adopted). Well, the International Rose Test Garden houses 10,000 roses, and a helpful map detailing the assorted varieties found within its grounds. It`s a must for us to take in, and it`s just a brief trip uphill from downtown.

a woman walking down a path in a garden

Browse the Shelves at Powell’s Books. Powell’s Books is an absolutely massive independent bookstore located in Portland. Visitors should explore the downtown location – containing multiple floors dedicating sizable sections to graphic novels, board games, and Pacific Northwest topics in addition to an excellent staff recommendations area.

a store that has a bunch of books in it

  • Some of my preferred lodging accommodations in Barcelona for families include: the Grand Hotel Central (nice swimming area, great location) ; the Aparthotel Arai (small rooftop pool, excellent central location near eateries, shops, and plazas) ; the Eurostars Grand Marina (spacious family suites, pleasant pool).

Satisfy Your Cravings.Portland offers an incredible variety of food options and is arguably a better destination than both Seattle and San Francisco for food lovers (in our view). Some highlights worth exploring include: sandwiches with fried eggs that are exceptionally delicious at Fried Egg I’m in Love, inventively prepared Indian cuisine featuring fresh local ingredients at DesiPDX and Masala Lab, creatively topped pizzas available at Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty, plant-based ice creams devoid of gluten and dairy sold at Kate’s Ice Cream, and Haitian dishes from a former Top Chef competitor found at Kann...and these represent just a sampling of what the city has to offera bedroom with a bed and a window

It’s a lovely, modern boutique hotel on the east side of the river yet near enough to almost everything to serve as a convenient home base. Also, comfortable beds, friendly staff, and complimentary quality coffee in the morning!

Our guide provides extensive details about where to stay in Portland, with far more information than what we`ve included here.

Vancouver, B.C.

a large body of water with mountains

Distance / Travel Time from Seattle: 145 miles / Around 3 hours (not counting border crossing time)

Location Options in Vancouver: We likely wouldn`t choose to stay directly in the center of the city, but would opt for one of the neighborhoods adjacent to downtown such as Yaletown, which is just southeast and walkable to most attractions, or the West End on the opposite side near Stanley Park. Once more, we have a more in-depth guide to lodging options in Vancouver with extra detail on each region, including benefits and drawbacks and specific accommodations worth considering.

If one crosses over the northern border of the United States into British Columbia, Canada, they’ll find a land that is rather similar to Washington, if being honest. Like Seattle, Vancouver is a gorgeous waterfront city, set right on the water with the mountains serving as a backdrop to the city’s skyline.

We`ve become more fond of Vancouver over the past year or so, leading to two satisfactory lengthy visits to British Columbia`s most populous city.

Prior to that, we had visited multiple times, but had essentially only spent time in the downtown core region.

We’re here to tell you that the real magic in Vancouver arises outer of that central in places like Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant, where you have lanes lined with free shops and dining outlets.

Vancouver deserves a couple days (here’s our guide to a weekend itinerary for Vancouver), and more if you wish to do some day trips to nearby locales.

a street scene with people walking down the street

Things to Do in Vancouver

Here are some of our most enjoyed activities to participate in in Vancouver.

Granville Island Public Market. A covered farmers market located directly on the waterfront? Sounds appealing! It seems to offer both fresh produce and ready-made food and drinks that can be enjoyed on site. Based on personal experience, one of our preferred activities in Vancouver is taking the False Creek Ferry, which provides a pleasant way to travel to and from Granville Island.”

Stanley Park. An excellent urban park with bike and walking paths throughout. It’s definitely worth allocating a few hours of your time to circumnavigate the little peninsula along the Seawall for the vistas in all directions. If you don’t want to go the entire way, our recommendation is the northern half from the Brockton Point Lighthouse ( here on Google Maps) out under the Lions Gate Bridge.

Kitsilano Beach. While Stanley Park offers attractions, this location is recommended for outstanding vistas of the Vancouver skyline with the water in the foreground and mountains in the background. Memorable afternoons have been spent relaxing on the grass near the shore enjoying local cider and sunshine.

a row of benches near a body of water


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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

Join us on our journey!

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