With rugged coastlines, quaint islands, sophisticated cities and its own rain forest, in Washington State, each weekend can be a diverse adventure. Visit the aquarium in Tacoma, shop in Seattle or hit coffee shanties every half-mile or so on your way to charming Hoodsport. Whatever you choose to do, bring your camera to celebrate those wild Washington moments.
Located on the west side of Olympic National Park off Highway 101 on Upper Hoh Road, the Hoh Rain Forest reeks of adventure. The landscape glows green with coniferous and deciduous foliage and a carpet of mosses and ferns. If unconcerned with the bear and mountain lion warnings, grab a map to hike and camp. If desiring the beauty with the safety of companionship, take a rain forest tour leaving from Lake Quinault Lodge. Consider staying at this gorgeous and affordable lodge with fireplaces available, lake views and boathouse rooms.
Lake Quinault Lodge
345 South Shore Road
Quinault, WA
360-288-2900
olympicnationalparks.com/accommodations/lake-quinault-lodge.aspx
Stay in a treehouse 50 feet high in a 200-year-old cedar tree at the entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. Sleep in a loft with a skylight enjoying solitude and beauty in the forest. Cedar Creek Treehouse has been featured in numerous publications including “Geographic Traveler,” “Sunset” and “US Airways” magazines and in the “Miami Herald,” \"Indianapolis Star” and “London Sunday Times.\" These unusual accommodations also have been featured on television, including the Travel Channel, HGTV and local networks and in books, such as “Treehouses” by Paula Henderson and Adam Mornement and the 2005 Rand McNally Road Atlas where it was ranked No. 1 as the “Most Unusual Place to Sleep.” Privacy is guaranteed as there is a maximum of two people, 21 years old or older, allowed to stay at a time.
Cedar Creek Treehouse
P.O. Box 204
Ashford, WA 98304?
360-569-2991
cedarcreektreehouse.com
Get lunch and take a stroll at Underground Seattle. Walk beneath the streets and sidewalks of Seattle learning high and low points of the city’s history. Loiter inside a restored 1890s saloon and see an original Crapper toilet. After the tour, check into The Edgewater Hotel. Although a little pricier than some hotels in the area, with gorgeous views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains and downtown, not to mention fireplaces in the rooms, it is well worth the splurge. Stargaze at the planetarium or go to an IMAX movie at the Pacific Science Center. Consider an unforgettable trip to the Experience Music Project Science Fiction Museum where there are always interesting things to see, do and hear.
Underground Seattle
608 First Ave.
Seattle, WA
206-682-4646
undergroundtour.com/about/index.html
Edgewater Hotel
2411 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98121
206-728-7000
edgewaterhotel.com
Take the Washington State Ferry to San Juan Island for beaches, trails, parks, dining and shopping. Take a whale-watching or sea kayak tour to spot orca whales, river otters, bald eagles and harbor seals. With gorgeous harbors, plentiful wildlife, a warm community with plenty of activities, accommodations and restaurants, San Juan Island is a great place to spend a weekend.
Take a road trip exploring the 360-mile route along Washington’s coastline. With plenty of fresh seafood from clams to Dungeness crab along with organic ice creams and wine, there is plenty to see, do and eat. The route takes only seven hours by car, so there is plenty of time to visit the setting of \"Twilight\" in Forks or to follow the path of Kurt Cobain to Aberdeen. Leave your cares behind in Cape Disappointment or simply follow the coast and stop when inspiration strikes.
