This weekend guide for your getaway to Langley, Washington, will help you plan your getaway, complete with where to stay, what to eat and drink, and what to do. Located on the south end of Whidbey Island overlooking the Saratoga Passage, Langley’s community of just over 1,000 people entice visitors with small town hospitality. With charming inns and cottages, seven wineries in the area, and a stunning natural environment, Langley is a perfect getaway destination for wine tasting, great food, and outdoor activity. This weekend guide to a getaway to Langley was written with the assistance and sponsorship of Whidbey Camano Tourism (their website is here) and its members. This guide contains affiliate links; clicking through for more information or to make a purchase may result in a small fee coming my way to help support the site. Getting There […]
Read MoreCategory Archive: Pacific Northwest
Review: The Doctors House, Fort Casey Inn
When visitors head to Whidbey Island, they typically think of Langley (at the south end) or Oak Harbor (the naval air station at the north end), but tucked away in the middle part of the island is Coupeville. Coupeville is the county seat, and with a population under 2,000 is a historic district within the federal Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. The reserve includes farmlands, Fort Ebey State Park, Fort Casey State Park, beaches and shorelines, parks, trails, and 91 locations on the National Register of Historic Places. For a place to stay in keeping with the town’s historic significance, the Fort Casey Inn provides a modern take on officer housing from pre-World War I. The row of historic cottages date back to around 1909 when they served as Non-Commissioned Officers’ Quarters for the neighboring defense installation. They have been modernized […]
Read MoreWeekend Getaway: Gig Harbor, Washington
The Pacific Northwest town of Gig Harbor, Washington, is located across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge from Tacoma and is about a 45-minute drive from Sea-Tac Airport. The town has taken its rich history of commercial fishing and boat building and turned its downtown area into a historic waterfront community that attracts visitors with its galleries, parks, public and private docks and marinas, shopping, and dining. It is also one of the many small towns that promote itself as the gateway to Olympic Peninsula. It’s easy to think of Gig Harbor as a summer destination, and it is a great one, but don’t overlook the value that can be found in the shoulder or offseason. Fall is a beautiful time in the area, sunny and crisp days, but the rainy season means fewer people and lower prices. Things to Do Enjoy a […]
Read MoreTalking About Seattle on the Amateur Traveler
I’ve lived in Washington State all of my life, and the greater Seattle area for most of it. When my friend Chris Christensen from the Amateur Travler wanted to talk about the city, I was happy to oblige. The discussion center mostly on things to do in downtown Seattle, things you wouldn’t need a car to go see or do. Take a listen below, or visit Amateur Traveler Episode 502 – Travel to Seattle, Washington for show notes and to subscribe via iTunes. Amateur Traveler Episode 502 – Travel to Seattle, Washington
Read MoreHotel Review: Cherry Wood Bed, Breakfast & Barn, Yakima Valley
Cherry Wood Bed, Breakfast & Barn Address: 3271 Roza Drive, Zillah, Washington (Yakima Valley) Value Luxury Rating: (out of 3 hearts) Features: Set on a working farm in the Yakima Valley, Cherry Wood Bed, Breakfast & Barn offers overnight accommodations in 22-foot teepees. This specialty bed and breakfast has barbeque grills, compact refrigerators, separate super-clean and private water closets, along with an open-air shower to round out its amenities. The property is horse and dog-friendly, and the teepees have a special bed in your teepee so your dog can sleep right along with you. No children permitted. Price Range: $245/night based on double occupancy. Full breakfast included. Cherry Wood is open during the “season”, generally from late spring into early fall. Reservations required; make them early as they book up for the season quite quickly. Personal Notes: I’ve been interested in […]
Read MorePostcard from Wildlife Safari
It’s a road trip weekend and a chance to enjoy the baking hot weather of southern Oregon. These three brown bears at Wildlife Safari (in Winston, Oregon), were trying to beat the heat with a bear-sized popsicle – a large block of ice with berries and other fruit frozen inside.
Read MorePostcard from Fort Vancouver
Located in the southern part of Washington state, Fort Vancouver was a 19th century fur trading outpost for the Hudson Bay Company. Today it is part of the National Park System, with living history events and a world-class archaeology collection. In the blacksmith shop, a top-notch nail maker could make one in 12 seconds flat.
Read MoreSeattle: 10 Things to Do in Pioneer Square this Weekend
The Seattle summer may be starting to edge into fall, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to go indoors yet. Grab your jacket, just in case, and head to Pioneer Square for a weekend soaking up Seattle’s history. On a weekday Pioneer Square is full of people in suits, the King County Courthouse and numerous office buildings are close by, but on weekends you’ll find a mix of workers, shoppers, tourists, and a few men and women who call the park benches home. Walk about and discover Seattle history, wander through the shops and galleries, or grab a table at a restaurant or café. Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field are a short walk away. Here are ten suggestions of things to do in Pioneer Square to get your started. Stop by the Pergola. Located at the triangular corner of Yesler […]
Read MoreWeekend Getaway: Spokane, Washington
Spokane, the second largest city in Washington, is about 275 miles east of Seattle. But to many of us, it might as well be a million miles away, another country even. Those of us on the west side of the Cascades tend to forget that Spokane is coming into its own, creating a vibrant food, theater and arts scene, promoting area wineries, and taking advantage of the four distinct seasons its location offers to visitors. I’ve visited Spokane several times over the past couple of years, and each visit I’ve discovered something new, interesting, and often tasty. Here’s a look at some things that I think make Spokane a great location for a Pacific Northwest getaway weekend. Where to Stay Offering accommodations at all points in the value luxury spectrum, Spokane has plenty of options – whether you’re looking for […]
Read MoreTourist at Home: Visiting the Seattle Aquarium
One of my favorite ways to spend a day in Seattle is to pretend I’m a tourist, giving all the attractions and sights that I usually take for granted a new lease on life. Rather than dismiss things as for tourists only, I plunge headfirst into the adventure, trying to see my city as others might see it. I try to take a few days over the New Year’s holiday to do that – it’s a perfect post-holiday stress break and the city still has a bit of holiday glow about it. This year, as is often, the Seattle Aquarium was high on my list of places to visit. The aquarium opened in 1977, with a major expansion in 2007, and is the 7th largest aquarium in the U.S. (based on attendance). In addition to its popularity with visitors, it […]
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