Washington Adventures: A Season-by-Season Travel Guide

Wandering Through Washington

A season-by-season guide to the state's best spots

written by Sheila G. Miller

SPRING / TACOMA

OFTEN OVERLOOKED BECAUSE of Seattle, its sophisticated neighbor to the north, Tacoma has plenty of cool to offer all its own. For starters, it’s basically culture central—when you arrive you’ll want to beeline to the various museums that dot this city.

There’s truly something to appease all curious states—the LeMay: America’s Car Museum is an incredible collection of vehicles, organized into a spiral you can walk through for hours. The Museum of Glass down the street has a number of works by Dale Chihuly and others, as well as a hot shop where glass artists work throughout the day.

The Museum of Glass has Chihuly exhibits, as well as work by other glass artists.

Chuck Lysen

Or swing by the Washington State History Museum, which delves the compelling stories of Washington’s early years. If you have kids in tow, The Children’s Museum of Tacoma will keep them occupied for hours with learning and play. And the Foss Waterway Seaport provides a deep dive on the maritime history of the region.

When you get hungry, head to The Table, a fine-dining restaurant focused on local ingredients with duck, scallops and elk on the menu. Another upscale option, Pacific Grill in downtown Tacoma, has plenty of oysters and other seafood to satisfy a craving. And The Lobster Shop will do you one better with all things lobster (and prawns, and scallops, and on and on). If you’re seeking something a little more lively, try Dirty Oscar’s Annex, where you can get a Dead Elvis Burger—candied bacon, peanut butter—and all manner of cocktails.

Tacoma's Pacific Grill.

Pacific Grill

SUMMER / SEATTLE

You know Seattle, but you may not know it in the summer. Seattle comes alive in this season. There are constant outdoor events such as Bumbershoot, an enormous music and art festival, as well as the Seattle International Beerfest and the Bite of Seattle. These events alone are reasons to visit.

Incidentally, they all take place in Seattle Center, a huge area originally used for the World’s Fair that has been repurposed into the cultural center of the city. Here you’ll find museums and the Space Needle, which underwent a massive renovation that improved the views and must be seen to be believed. While here, check out Chihuly Garden & Glass, a love song to Dale Chihuly’s genius, and the Museum of Pop Culture, which has a massive permanent collection of music and other paraphernalia as well as rotating exhibits that appeal to all generations.

Bumbershoot is a longtime music and arts festival in Seattle.

Christopher Nelson

Seattle Great Wheel is an enormous Ferris wheel on Pier 57 that provides great views and, if you’re so inclined, drinks on the VIP rides.

In one of the city’s most beloved neighborhoods you’ll find the Ballard Locks, which open and close for boats and ships—plus, during the summer you can watch salmon migrate through them. For some outdoor time, you’ll mix with plenty of locals at Green Lake or Alki Beach, or try renting a kayak and heading into the lake near University of Washington. A surprisingly interesting (and cool) option is Beneath the Streets, a tour that takes you underground to see historic passageways below the city. And of course, you’ll want to fight the crowds at Pike Place Market. It’s worth seeing fish thrown or buying a massive bouquet of fresh flowers.

While there, you can grab a sandwich above it all at Matt’s in the Market, a great restaurant that overlooks the bustle of the market.

Eight Row was named one of the best restaurants in Seattle by Eater, or you can get your seafood fix at The Walrus and The Carpenter. Fine dining options include Canlis and L’Oursin, but Seattle has no shortage of great restaurants on every corner. When it’s time to rest your head, settle in at Kimpton Hotel Monaco or Kimpton Palladian Hotel, or Embassy Suites near CenturyLink Field. Enjoy the funky Maxwell Hotel, which has bikes and is dog friendly.

Matt's in the Market in Seattle.

Nick Jurich

FALL / VANCOUVER

Vancouver is another spot overlooked because of its fancy neighbor—in this case, Portland just across the river. But Vancouver is working on its specific brand of excellence—and it’s succeeding. Fall is the perfect time of year to visit the city, when the air is crisp but the rain hasn’t yet arrived (fingers crossed).

Vancouver is a wealth of history—Fort Vancouver started as a fur trading post in the nineteenth century and served as a military post as well. Today, a replica of the fort stands on the original site, and provides a wealth of information on how early settlers to the area lived. Nearby is Pearson Air Museum, which celebrates aviation history and has a number of neat old airplanes on site.

Vancouver’s Pearson Air Museum takes you back in time.

Visit Vancouver USA

For something much more modern, check out Vancouver’s new waterfront development. The huge project turned an underused swath of riverfront property into a multiuse development that is transforming the city. There are restaurants, bars, condos and trails that will keep you busy for an entire day. At The Waterfront, grab a self-serve beer at Barlow’s Public House, order fish and chips at The Daily Catch and stroll along the Waterfront Renaissance Trail.

The city has taken a cue from its neighbor to the south and gotten deep into the brewing game. Vancouver has fourteen breweries, and you’re welcome to grab a Brewcouver passport and collect stamps and prizes when you visit them. Don’t miss a hazy IPA at Trap Door Brewing.

When it’s dinner time, check out Lapellah, which has a sophisticated menu often associated with the big city. For something a little more down home, The Smokin’ Oak has everything you love about traditional barbecue joints, with a few surprises (buffalo cauliflower, anyone?). And you will not be let down by Rally Pizza, a special place in an unassuming location—order a pizza and some frozen custard and die happy.

The Hotel Indigo on the Vancouver Waterfront is slated to open in 2020, and will be right in the thick of things. Other good options include The Heathman Lodge or the Hilton Vancouver Washington.

Vancouver’s waterfront development shines.

Visit Vancouver USA

WINTER / BELLINGHAM

There’s just something special about Bellingham. No matter the season, this little city punches beyond its weight in dining, shopping and outdoor adventure.

Start in the Fairhaven Historic District, which features nineteenth-century Victorian architecture and charm. The district has tons of locally owned shops, including several art galleries and studios.

If you’re hungry, Colophon Cafe in Fairhaven is a universal longtime favorite, with soup boards and excellent sandwiches. Or try Skylark’s Hidden Cafe for a range of delicious options.

In the winter, Bellingham is an excellent jumping-off point for hitting the snow at Mt. Baker Ski Area, which is about 1.5 hours away.

Hit the slopes at Mt. Baker ski area.

Deanna Sivret/Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism

Or try a scenic tour along Chuckanut Drive south of Bellingham and visit small towns along the water. You’ll be able to try oysters and other seafood at Taylor Shellfish and The Oyster Bar, as well as see some of Washington’s most incredible scenery.

If beer is your thing, Bellingham has you covered. The oldies are still the goodies—Boundary Bay Brewery won hearts long ago, as did Kulshan Brewing Co., and neither will let you down in your search for a good IPA. You can grab a Tap Trail passport and go as deep into the scene as you like.

Right in the heart of Fairhaven is the Fairhaven Village Inn, which offers as much charm as it does proximity to the action. A mile north is The Chrysalis Inn & Spa, which pleases every traveler with its sweet location on Bellingham Bay and its delightful amenities and firstclass spa.