Let the season guide you too. Winter is the time for snow trips to Rainier, Snoqualmie and Leavenworth, and summer opens up hiking, kayaking, whale watching and rafting.
Island Escapes by Ferry
For many visitors, the ferry ride is half the fun. Washington State Ferries carry walkers, cyclists and drivers alike, and from the water you get some of the best views of the city skyline.
Bainbridge Island
Board at Pier 52 on the downtown waterfront for a crossing of about 35 minutes. Then step off and explore the Winslow area on foot, browsing galleries, stopping at cafes and picking up Northwest gifts in the island shops.
Nature lovers have three strong choices. Spend time at the Bloedel Reserve, 150 acres that include a Japanese garden, a nice contrast to the Japanese Garden in Seattle if you enjoy comparing the two. Walk eight miles of flat trails under firs and cedars in Grand Forest, or wander Gazzam Lake Nature Preserve, 444.6 acres of forest and wetland with a route that passes Close Beach and its views of the Olympic Mountains.
Vashon Island
Close as it is to the city, Vashon has a rural, farm-country feel. Drivers take a 15-minute ferry from West Seattle. Without a car, hop on the King County Water Taxi from downtown for a ride of about 22 minutes, then catch bus 118 or 119 into town. Bikes are allowed on the water taxi, and the buses carry bike racks.
Taste ciders and perries right in the orchard at Dragon's Head Cider, then stroll the driftwood beach at KVI Beach/Point Heyer. That beach is home to Oscar the Bird King, a giant troll built from reclaimed wood by artist Thomas Dambo. Point Robinson Park, a shoreline park and marine conservancy, makes another good walk, and in the village center, Snapdragon Bakery & Cafe is known for its breads and vegetarian food.
Whidbey Island
Drive about 40 minutes north to Mukilteo, then ride a 20-minute ferry to this long island of small villages and beaches. Hikers and cyclists head for Ebey's Landing, a national historic reserve of coastal bluffs, forest and old pioneer prairies.
Divers explore Fort Casey Underwater Park, while nearby Crockett Lake is popular for kayaking and birding. At the island's northern tip, Deception Pass State Park offers dramatic views and more adventurous water activities. Round out the day in Langley, browsing its independent shops and settling in at one of its restaurants.
The San Juan Islands: Worth the Extra Effort
About 105 miles northwest of Seattle, this archipelago of 172 islands became a national monument in 2013. Catch a ferry from Anacortes to Lopez, Orcas, Shaw or San Juan islands, reaching Anacortes by driving north on I-5 or riding the Bellair Airporter Shuttle.
For a faster arrival, take a 45- to 50-minute seaplane flight with Kenmore Air or Friday Harbor Seaplanes. Kenmore Air departs from Lake Union or King County International Airport, just south of downtown.
What to Do Once You Land
- Friday Harbor: stroll the main village on San Juan Island, with its art galleries, shops and lunch spots.
- Lime Kiln Point State Park: watch for orcas at a spot considered one of the world's best places to see them from shore.
- On the water: join a whale-watching cruise or a half-day sea kayaking tour from the islands.
- Getting around: rent a scooter or a small car to explore by land.
With the travel time involved, many people stay a night or two, and bed and breakfasts are common throughout the islands.
Mountain Days and Winter Trips
Mount Rainier
The 14,411-foot volcano anchors a national park known for record snowfall. Come in winter to cross-country ski, snowboard, sled and snowmobile, or join park rangers from mid-December through March on 1.2-mile snowshoe walks around Paradise, where they explain how plants and animals cope with the deep snow.
Crystal Mountain, Washington's largest ski resort, sits a short drive away on the mountain's northeast side. Summer brings climbers attempting glacier routes to the summit, along with easy and moderate trails circling the base. To drive, reach the Nisqually entrance via I-5 and State Routes 512 and 7, then State Route 706 through Ashford, or let Evergreen Escapes take you on a guided day trip with downtown hotel pickup.
Snoqualmie Falls and the Summit
Snoqualmie Falls drops 270 feet, so take in the view from both the top and the bottom. Overlooking the falls, the Salish Lodge & Spa is known for its country breakfast, and nearby, the Northwest Railway Museum pairs a Victorian-era depot with a short train ride through the Snoqualmie Valley.
About 90 minutes east, the Summit at Snoqualmie suits beginners and experts alike, with a snow tube park popular with families and miles of Nordic trails. Take I-90 east to exit 27 for the falls or exit 52 for the Summit. The To the Mountain Shuttle runs daily in winter, with summer service from mid-June for hiking, mountain biking and scenic chairlift rides.
Leavenworth
Shop for gifts and sit down to schnitzel in this Bavarian-style village in the Cascades, then browse more than 5,000 nutcrackers at the Nutcracker Museum. Winter brings dogsledding and sleigh rides, plus Christmas lighting in December and the Bavarian Ice Festival in January. Oktoberfest arrives in fall, and summer is good for hiking, camping and guided rafting on the Wenatchee River.
More Easy Escapes
Woodinville Wine Country
Woodinville sits about 20 miles from downtown, and shuttle services such as Butler Seattle and Wine Tasting Shuttle will pick you up at your hotel for a ride of about 30 to 40 minutes. Start at Chateau Ste. Michelle, the area's best-known winery, for guided walking tours and tasting flights. Then try smaller stops, like a wine and ice cream pairing at Bayernmoor Cellars or Korean-style rice wine at Rainbrew.
Camano Island
About 90 minutes north by car, Camano is made for active travelers. Zip through tall trees on a zipline tour with Canopy Tours Northwest, or pedal the 50-mile Classic Camano Island Loop around the shoreline, which connects with the Stanwood Amtrak station if you are traveling without a car.
