Pacific Northwest Getaway Spots
 

I'm looking for suggestions of places to go in the Pacific Northwest that won't be real crowded but still have some interesting sites or activities. We love Seattle and will be stopping there but wondered where else we should spend some "down" time on an upcoming trip. Vancouver Island? Oregon Coast? Mt. Rainier? Someplace else? <BR> <BR>Thanks

Hi Hans, it really depends on when you are coming. If in July or August, all of the places you mention will be crowded! One place that tends to get somewhat fewer people (relatively speaking) is North Cascades National Park. If you enjoy hiking, gorgeous mountain scenery, and other outdoors activities, then spend some time in the Winthrop/Mazama area of Washington. Of course, weekends can be pretty busy over there (esp. the Winthrop Blues Festival weekend, which is in mid to late July). But since there's no central visitors center (like Paradise at Mt. Rainier), people tend to spread out.

Seattle is now getting very crowded and trendy..thus, it is not easy to just drop in and expect to find lodgings waiting. If you come, a little planning might make it better. As for me, I like to go to Chinatown, the Wharf, waterfront, the falls, etc., but for other "unknown" places, go to some of the winerys in eastern washington, to the beaches (Iron Springs Resort is a favorite) or hiking along the ocean, to Lake Cresent in the Olympic Peninsula, or go to Lake Chelan, and take the Lady of the Lake to Stehikan...go salmon fishing out of Westport...I could go on and on....

May I suggest Tillicum Village on Blake Island.<BR><BR>It's about a 45 minute boat ride from Seattle's waterfront.<BR><BR>You get a narrated tour of Seattle's busy harbor with a nice view of Mt. Rainier and all sorts of marine traffic including ferry boats. Docking at Blake Island you are rewarded with what I feel is flat out the finest salmon barbeque dinner (included in the price). When you step into the indian longhouse you will take in the tantalizing aroma of salmon over alderwood coals the way the North Coast Indians have always prepared it. Afterward there is a performance of indian dances. Then you can stroll for a while and perhaps spot deer on the islands trails.

Depending on where your interests lie, you might enjoy spending some time in Oregon wine country. There are plenty of B&Bs, and you can work your way through some beautiful country. As Sheri mentioned, it really does depend on when you'll be going. Bend, Oregon is nice, too.

Hans, can you tell us the approximate "time" of the trip?<BR>I live in northwest Washington state and LOVE it but like many places the PNW gets verrry popular in the summer and you might get different recommendations than other times of the year.<BR>Thanks!<BR>

Go to Snoqualmie Falls, but don't visit the top like most tourists. Drive downhill from the Falls, then follow signs to the Fish Hatchery. Park at the power station just past the Hatchery, then take the short boardwalk that will get you to the base of the Falls where few people go.<BR><BR>Take a hike to the Big Four Ice Caves, off the Mountain Loop Highway, east of Granite Falls. Its less than 2 miles each way, with not much elevation gain. Even in mid-summer, there will be huge snow and ice deposits at the end of the trail. Don't go in the caves, as they are dangerously unstable.<BR><BR>Visit the east side of Mt. St. Helens, again where most tourists don't go. Take Route 12 to the town of Randle, then turn south. Take the access road to Windy Ridge, which passes through the area of blown-down treees - still impressive after over 20 years. The lookout at Windy Ridge is spectacular. Continue south to Cougar, then visit the Lahar area and go into the Ape Cave lava tube.<BR><BR>Take the ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton, on Whidbey Island. Drive up the island, stopping at a couple of coastal parks, beaches, and the picturesque town of Langley. At the north end of the Island, check out Deception Pass State Park, then drive over the high bridge to Fidalgo Island. At the Erie Store, ask for directions on how to drive to the top of Mt. Erie for one of the best views (weather permitting) in the state. The ferry to the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island leaves from Anacortes, which is on Fidalgo Island.