irinigk

Hello!

My husband and I are going to visit my parents at the end of October! While we are there, my husband and I would like to slip away to celebrate our anniversary for one or two nights! We will be doing downtown Seattle with my parents so we don't want to do anything in Seattle or downtown Seattle, and I have already been to Victoria! We will have a car so transportation is not an issue. However, I am completely torn on where we should go! My parents live about 30 miles north of Seattle. I've considered San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Mount Baker, Leavenworth, North Cascades, Winthrop, Vancouver, or Osoyoos.

My husband has never been to Canada. However, he is not much of a city guy, but rather enjoys nature so Vancouver may not be a place he is interested in visiting. So initially I thought about taking the North Cascades Highway through Winthrop and up to Osoyoos, Canadian Wine Country to spend two nights in Osoyoos! The hotels/resorts look to be very reasonable there, and we LOVE vineyards. Also, we do not mind the 5 hour drive, especially since we would be making stops along the North Cascade Highway. However, I know that the North Cascade Highway is a two lane highway so an accident, tree falling, etc. could cause our journey to be much longer so I'm not sure that it would be good use of our time. I should also mention that this trip would be taking place on a weekend so I know traffic is much more congested on the weekends!

We are in our mid twenties. We are foodies, love wineries or breweries, enjoy scenery and would be able to do an easy hike for a view, but we are NOT experienced hikers! I'm looking to spend around $150 per night. However, if a place is extra special, we could splurge for no more than $250 per night.

I realize that each place in Washington State is gorgeous, and unfortunately, we do not have time to see everything! However, your suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much in advance!

happytrailstoyou

A good way to see much of Washington would be to go to Winthrop via the well-maintained North Cascade Highway. Take I-5 north. The drive toward Darrington on Highway 530 has great mountain views (on a clear day). Don't miss the overlook at Washington Pass.

In Winthrop we like to stay in King Deluxe room at the Rio Vista. Tappi is also a good place to eat in Twisp. There is also a good Mexican restaurant in Twisp.

The drive from Winthrop to Chelan goes through the beautiful Methow Valley and down the Columbia River Gorge.

Chelan is home to our favorite Washington State wine district. In Chelan we like to stay in a lake-view room at Lakeside Lodge.

The drive back to Seattle through Leavenworth and over Stevens Pass is very scenic.

HTtY

Gardyloo

A complicating factor is that by late October weather and daylight can be limiting factors. The drive from the Seattle to Osoyoos via the North Cascades Hwy takes a whole day, and if the weather's so-so the drive can be tedious and a bit nerve-wracking. In fact, the mountains can be socked in and you won't see anything besides the windshield wipers. And if it's an early winter by some chance, the North Cascades Hwy, like the Artist Point road to Mt. Baker, can be closed by then.

I'd recommend staying closer to the Puget Sound region mainly because you won't spend as much time driving places as actually experiencing them.

If it were me, I'd head to Whidbey Island, maybe staying at the Captain Whidbey Inn - http://www.captainwhidbey.com/index.html - and use the time to explore Whidbey and maybe a day trip to Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. Get a cabin, build a fire, eat local mussels (famous ones in Penn Cove,) visit some local wine/beer destinations - http://whidbeycamanoislands.com/thin...ies-breweries/ - and kick back.

Whidbey has it all - picturesque towns in Langley and Coupeville, great food options, beaches with lighthouses, spectacular Deception Pass State Park - views, short hikes - http://www.deceptionpassfoundation.o...bbridgeeve.jpg ...

From "30 miles north of Seattle" you can be on Whidbey in under an hour (either ferry from Mukilteo or road via SR 20.)

happytrailstoyou

Yes, the weather is unpredictable here at the end of October. It could be beautiful or not.

The weather is often dry on the east side of the Cascades when it is wet in Seattle. For instance, rain is predicted for Seattle next week, but Chelan is expected to have clear skies during the same period.

We were on Whidbey Island this past Monday. The weather was beautiful. We enjoyed Penn Cove and Coupeville, but I almost went to sleep on the boring drive from Coupeville to Clinton on Highways 20 ant 525.

The Inn at Langley is the best place to stay on the island, but it is pricey.

HTtY

irinigk

Thank you so much for your suggestions! I will definitely look into Whidbey Island!

irinigk

We have decided to visit Port Angeles with my parents for two nights instead of doing something on our own! We don't get to seem them often so I think our time is best spent with them! HTtY, I read on a different thread that you have family there (I hope that doesn't come across as stalker-ish Ha). Can you give any advice or must sees while we are in the area!? Any restaurant suggestions? We are looking to stay on Lake Sutherland!

happytrailstoyou

Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, hike to Marymere Falls at Lake Crescent, La Push, Rialto Beach. Farther afield: Ruby Beach and Hoh Rain Forest.

In Port Angeles we like Sabai Thai and Wildfire Grill (aka DL's Woodier Grill). First Street Haven is supposed to be good too, but we haven't eater there.

Enjoy.

HTtY

irinigk

Thank you so much, HTtY!!!

happytrailstoyou

If you like waterfalls, near Sol Duc Hot Springs there is also a good little hike to Sol Duc Falls.

HTtY

suze

North Cascades Highway is absolutely stunning, very dramatic scenery. But yes a bit of a drive to get over that way. I like the Mazama, Method Valley area.

Whidbey Island is closer and makes for a nice 1-2 day getaway. I like the Captain Whidbey Inn there.