We can't travel this summer so I would love to take advantage of the great weather and plan weekend getaways near Seattle. Any suggestions?

Things we've done and loved are Sun Mountain Lodge, Lake Quinault, Vancouver, San Juan Islands, Suncadia, Mount Rainier, Portland, camping in the Olympics and the Cascades. Anything else to add?

If you have your passports, take the Amtrak train or bus from King Street station to Vancouver.
If you have to stay in the US, try the little town of Leavenworth. Stay away from Wenatchee which just lost 24 houses and 2 major fruit warehouses to a horrible fire.

RainyDay09,

I don't know what your exact definition of "Close" is, but I've become a huge fan of the winemakers of Walla Walla. When I've visited, I have met lots and lots of people down from Seattle for a long weekend.

If you are interested, I have a wonderful B&B to recommend there!

Ciao,
Dayle

Lake Crescent on the Olympic Peninsula or Victoria BC.

Seconding Walla Walla, but not if you are heat sensitive, as it's been very very hot. It's not Washington, but how about Northern Idaho? We love Sandpoint and Priest Lake. Wallace, ID and Missoula, MT are also fun if a bit further away. If you like theater, Ashland, OR or Logan, UT are also possibilities. Or Bend, OR?

I never get sick of Portland, though, and I still haven't been to every neighborhood in Seattle this year. So maybe find a new activity or facet of an old stomping ground?

So, we absolutely have passports and love Vancouver. I am finding that hotels are prohibitively expensive in Vancouver for July and August. Yes, I know it is the peak season for Pacific NW. I am not finding any hotel rooms below $250, not including tax.

I'm a big fan of the Hood River Valley and Mt. Hood - so many choices of activities and environments all packed together, from windsurfing on the Columbia, hikes in the Gorge, the "fruit loop" with U-pick and fruit stands, wineries, hell, even summer skiing on Mt. Hood. Travel via Yakima and the Maryhill Museum in one direction, back by I-5, 4-5 hours either way.

Dayle, I am interested in the B&B recommendation. Thank you!

Check out hotels in N Vancouver. Pinnacle at the Pier is under $200 and there is a ferry to downtown Van.
Also check out the Hello BC website for other options. You can call and talk to a real person - have found them to be very helpful

We just returned from Victoria, and we were pleased to find that the exchange rate is extremely favorable to those who are spending USD. Check out Victoria--it is a delightful place. We much prefer it to Vancouver.

Also, closer to Seattle is Lake Chelan which has much to offer including an exceptionally beautiful wine district.

HTtY

Thanks, htty. I have been to Victoria. Lake Chelan is an excellent suggestions as we have not been there yet.

I'm crazy for the North Cascades highway. Out to the Methow River valley, Mazama, Winthrop, that area. Spectacularly beautiful. There's camping, but also B&Bs, inns, etc.

Whidbey Island is another pretty place that's easy to get to. I like the Captain Whidbey Inn.

Willamette Valley in Oregon & the wineries there.

Rainy

I stay at The Inn at Blackberry Creek. It's lovely but has a huge devoted return visitor base and only 4 rooms so you have to book far in advance. Great for a special occasion weekend!

Or you could drive the N Cascades and then go up to Osoyoos in Canada. It's right on the border, there is a nice lake and it's the beginning of Canadian wine country.

It is the warmest spot in Canada.

I was there for a wedding a couple of years ago and would love to go back.

RE: Vancouver motel...

At least look into the City Centre Motel on Main st.

It's "BAsic"... But the location is convenient.

As for weekend getaways... Winthrop and the North Cascades Hwy should be added, as others say.

It is so hot, we are leaning towards cooler spots, rather than Eastern Washington. All of these are wonderful suggestions. I loved Osoyoos when we went through it 10 years ago. Would love to go back to Hope and Princeton and the little checkpoint on the way to Winthrop. Very memorable.

I am just curious to see if anyone know why the Anarchist Protected area was named so. Near Osoyoos. Thanks!

Rainy,

Yes, it's been abnormally hot in most of the west. I just spent 2 weeks in Kalispell, Bozeman and Paradise Valley, MT and it was 10 - 15 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year!

Walla Walla does get hot. I've visited there now in various months, July, August, October, May. Have to say I preferred Oct and May! July was nice however, because all the lavender was blooming, so there are good parts of all the seasons!

I am just curious to see if anyone know why the Anarchist Protected area was named so. Near Osoyoos. Thanks!

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/exp...pgs/anarchist/

There's a mountain called Anarchist nearby.

If you're looking to beat the heat, Osoyoos isn't going to fill the bill.

Look at Cape Disappointment on the WA side of the mouth of the Columbia - lighthouses, waves on rocks, terrific Lewis and Clark interpretive center, trails and campgrounds, lots of cool cafes in Astoria, right over the (awesome) bridge.

I just realized why all the hotels in Vancouver are so expensive right now. It is the Women's World soccer cup! Duh.