ParentMap 2022 Winter Family Adventure Guide

Making Memories Since

Photo taken by: Adhaluz Silva de Real (Insta: @adhaluz)

Photo by Saskia Potter

Five Family Experiences Not to Miss at Semiahmoo

Semiahmoo, about as far north as you can get in the contiguous United States, is surrounded by the Salish Sea. That might make the familyand pet-friendly resort sound like a summer destination, but Semiahmoo Resort, Golf & Spa (semiahmoo.com) has just as much to offer during the winter months.

By Gemma Alexander

“The resort is a set-apart location. It’s really a place for families to detach from everyday life and just relax

and reconnect with each other,” says Laura DeMott, director of operations at Semiahmoo. With 300 acres surrounding the nearly 200room hotel, the resort feels cozy and isolated, even when it’s full of families during school breaks. Parents who need their own break might decide to indulge in some more grown-up recreation in the spa or at one of the resort’s monthly wine dinners.

But most of the time, DeMott

continued from page 7 says, “Families are just excited to spend time with each other here.”

Here are five memories your family should make this winter at Semiahmoo.

1/ Big holiday events or small special moments

For a lot of people, missing big holiday get-togethers with extended family has been one of the hardest aspects of the pandemic. Others perhaps have preferred the quieter version of holiday cheer these past couple of years. Now that we can gather again safely, even the extroverts among us are discover ing they perhaps didn’t miss the work of planning and preparing big holiday meals. Semiahmoo has both camps covered with its holiday and seasonal events, for which you can simply show up, relax and enjoy.

The resort is partnering with a theater group to wrap up the spooky Halloween season with a murder-mystery-themed weekend Nov. 4–6. There will be a formal hosted Grand Feast on Thanksgiving (as well as more casual feasting fare at the in-house restaurant). And on Dec. 10, Semiahmoo will host a festive holiday tree-lighting ceremony, complete with cocoa and candy canes. Local art ven dors will set up shop, and Santa and the Grinch will also make appearances. If you miss the big events, you can make any evening a special one with complimentary s’mores kits. Weather permit ting, the outdoor fire pit is lit every day of the year.

2/ Biking the beach

One of the resort’s most popular activities is biking around Semiahmoo Spit. Semiahmoo has free rental bikes available for all ages — some are even

equipped with training wheels. Families can bike the flat, paved trail that runs the length of the spit. Even though it’s an easy ride, plan for frequent stops to explore tide pools and spot wildlife. Bird-watching is especially good in the winter, when you might see cormorants, great blue herons, hawks or even the resident bald eagles. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, too!

“You really can’t beat being surrounded on all sides by water, and the sunset views that you get, well, it kind of feels like you’re in a lost land,” says DeMott.

“It’s a great way to meet other kids and families and make those vacation connections,” says DeMott. Some instant childhood friendships have formed under the glow of a classic family movie in the theater.

4/ Storm watching

When it comes to winter on the spit, “So much depends on the weather,” says DeMott. “A lot of what makes the Pacific Northwest great is those stormy days. There’s nothing like sitting and watching those storms come in from the water and having those cozy days inside,” says DeMott.

Semiahmoo has as much to do indoors as out. The resort has a stash of board games, a pool table and an indoor basketball court. There’s even a heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool, where kids can safely swim while the ocean rages outside. But even with all of these distractions, kids often prefer to sit by the windows, either in the lobby, where they can watch the winter storms roll in off the Salish Sea while basking in the heat from the fireplace, or at the resort’s Packers Kitchen + Bar, where they can enjoy delicious local specialties and seafood, such as fresh PNW oysters.

3/ Family movie nights

If you got used to watching movies on individual devices during the pandemic, Semiahmoo lets you bring back the family movie night experience to the big screen. On weekends, the resort screens movies in its 50-seat theater. Outside of these scheduled showings, your family can reserve the theater to watch your choice of any movie in the resort’s collection. You can make your reservation for a private showing, but there’s plenty of room for other guests if you’re open to drop-ins.

5/ Get your golf on Golf was once the exclusive purview of old men, but kids have been getting into the game in a big way lately. This year, Semiahmoo hosted the state junior golf tournament, and lots of families are bundling up to try Semiahmoo’s course in the cooler months. Its challenges include water in play on five holes and 67 strategically placed bunkers.

“It’s common to see three generations out there golfing together,” says DeMott. “It’s really a draw for all ages, and it’s

Photo by Saskia Potter

Photo by Brent Loe

becoming a new way for families to get outside to do something together.” Tee box placements adjust the diffi culty to make the course playable for golfers of differ ent skill levels. But if a golfer isn’t ready for the course (or if the weather outside is really too much), they can practice in the resort’s high-tech virtual golf simulator. Players use real balls and clubs to play on simulations of famous courses from around the world.

Bonus: Learn a little history White Rock, Canada, is visible from Semiahmoo; Van couver is just 30 minutes away by car; and guests at the resort can access three border crossings near Blaine. If you head out on a day trip to Canada or even just into Blaine, be sure to visit the Semiahmoo Park Maritime Museum in the park at the beginning of the spit. “They have a lot of great information about the land and the Indigenous tribes here, all the way through when it was a packing plant to where we are now,” says DeMott. ■

Seattle-based freelance writer Gemma Alexander focuses on the intersection of parenting and the arts. When she’s not writing for ParentMap, she blogs at gemmadeealexander.com and tweets @gemmadeetweet.

A seaside escape less than two hours from Seattle and minutes from the Canadian border, Semiahmoo Resort, Golf, and Spa is a rejuvenating getaway for couples and families. Sitting on 300 acres of picturesque seashore, this one-of-a-kind resort provides end less year-round activities indoors, on the shore and on the water.

Sponsored by

Amazing

A–Z

PNW Winter Adventures

There’s something for everyone this Northwest winter

By Gemma Alexander

Some people dread the gray days of winter, but along with the rain, our longest season offers buckets of fun. Our winter-fun bucket list is filled with ideas from A to Z, indoors and out, wet or dry. Here are the activities, places and resources for a season’s worth of family adventures.

A is for art  Seattle has lots of opportunities for kids to see some of the best art the world has to offer and to let their own creativity shine. Visit the exhibits and get hands on, too, with Seattle Art Museum’s family fun workshops (seattleartmuseum.org) and Tacoma Art Museum’s TAM Studio (tacomaartmuseum.org). Sign up for arts classes at Schack Art Center (schack.org) in Everett, Coyote (coyotecentral.org) in Seattle’s Central and Lake City neighborhoods or Open Arts (openartsstudio.com)

in Tacoma. Does your little artist just want to be free? No problem! Stock up on art supplies and turn their bedroom into an art studio.

B is for build  Kids can use Lego bricks to learn about engineering with e2 Young Engineers (seattleyoungengineers.com). Kids ages 8 and older can join Seattle Makers (seattlemakers.org) and take workshops on 3D printing, laser cutting, woodworking and more. The University of Washington’s Youth and Teen program (youth-teen.uw.edu) offers architecture and CAD classes for older kids. Seattle ReCreative (seattlerecreative.org) lets youths build stuff with hot glue and recycled materials at its Belltown Pop-Up Makerspace. Younger

Cascade Orienteering Club

A—Z WINTER ADVENTURES

continued from page 11 kids can get creative in the new tinker space at Imagine Children’s Museum (imaginecm.org) in Everett; the Recycle Rebuild Makers Gallery at KidsQuest Children’s Museum in Bellevue (kidsquestmuseum.org); and Seattle Children’s Museum’s Dunn Lumber Construction Zone or Corner Workshop (seattlechildrensmuseum.org).

C is for climbing  Try indoor rock climbing this winter before getting your belay on next summer. Kids can climb at most gyms when supervised by a parent. If you’re looking for specialized kids’ programs, Vertical World (verticalworld.com) offers classes in its Seattle, Redmond and Lynnwood locations; so does Edgeworks Climbing + Fitness (edgeworksclimbing.com) in Bellevue, Tacoma and Seattle. After-school climbing clubs at Seattle Bouldering Project (seattleboulderingproject.com) in Wallingford and Judkins Park are so popular that there’s a lottery for registration. There is also a competitive team for climbers ages 8–18.

If your kids can’t decide between climbing and gymnastics, consider parkour. Parkour Visions (parkourvisions.org) offers outdoor classes for kids in four different locations.

D is for day trips  Day trips offer all the excitement of a family vacation at a fraction of the cost, effort and planning. Check out charming little towns with fun names like Steilacoom, visit an island (Whidbey is a great bet; parentmap.com/ whidbey), or head north to Lynden in Whatcom County (parentmap.com/lynden) and you’ll feel like you’re a world away from the metro Puget Sound area. Wherever you go, the best part is that you can still be home in time to sleep in your own bed when the adventure is done.

E is for eating

Seattle has a lot of family-friendly food tours (parentmap.com/ food-tours) that offer the budding foodie treats with a side of education. Chocolate factories are a favorite — Theo, Fran’s (virtual only) and Seattle Chocolate each have tours; the Downtown Seattle Donut Tour (undergrounddonuttour.com) is a sweet treat as well. All-ages Seattle Cultural Food Tours (seattleculturalfoodtours.com) in Columbia City draw on the neighborhood’s diverse food cultures, while fans of Asian foods will enjoy Wing Luke Museum’s seasonal food tours of the Chinatown–International District (wingluke.org). Savor Seattle (savorseattletours.com) hits the foodie highlights at Pike Place Market. Even old-time Seattleites discover something new on the South Lake Union tour hosted by Eat Seattle (eatseattletours.com).

F is for Festál

After a couple of years of virtual activities, Festál (seattlecenter.com) is back in person at Seattle Center for its 25th year of celebrating global cultures. The free family-

friendly events this winter include musical performances, workshops and treats from Croatia and Turkey. Celebrate holidays such as India’s Diwali and Mexico’s Día de los Muertos. Ring in the Hmong new year in November and then

Photo courtesy of Seattle Cultural Food Tours

continued from page 13

start the year over with Vietnamese Têt in February.

G is for gingerbread

The Sheraton’s Gingerbread Village (gingerbreadvillage.org) will be back this year to inspire your own gingerbread house (and the people to live in it) at home. If baking your construction materials isn’t your thing, buy a kit or keep an eye out for gingerbread workshops. Purchase tickets for KidsQuest Children’s Museum’s popular gingerbread workshops (kidsquestmuseum.org), taking place this year on Nov. 25 and 26. The Gingerbread Factory (gingerbreadfactory.com) in Leavenworth is worth the trip, but it also offers cookies, houses and kits by mail. For a softer snack, amaze your kids with the flavor of real gingerbread (parentmap.com/gingerbread).

H is for hiking

Winter hiking takes a little more preparation; dress warmly, check trail conditions before you go and leave enough time to get back before dark. But the payoff is well worth it. Trails are less crowded, wildlife can be easier to spot and stomping through puddles adds to the fun. Western Washington has lots of amazing winter hikes for families making a day of it (parentmap.com/winter-hikes). And there are plenty of easy ones close to home, too, including Seattle’s Discovery Park, Narbeck Wetland Sanctuary in Everett and Weowna Park in Bellevue.

has trampolines, a foam pit, a laser maze and more. Arena Sports’ multiple locations (arenasports.net) have different activities, but bounce houses, bowling, laser tag and even zip lines are in the mix. While the littlest kids can be overwhelmed at some trampoline parks, Funtastic Playtorium’s indoor playgrounds (funtasticplaytorium.com) are for kids ages 10 and younger, and a host of Seattle-area community centers offer toddler gyms (parentmap.com/toddler-gyms). Find dozens more indoor play destinations at parentmap.com/ play-spaces.

J is for juggling Juggling is entertaining, takes up almost no space and requires no more equipment than a few balls. You don’t even need to pay for lessons; YouTube has lots of tutorials. If your kid masters juggling and wants to do more, consider circus arts. Like gymnastics but with a focus on creativity instead of competition, circus arts boost confidence while building coordination, strength and flexibility. Synapse Circus Center (synapsecircus.com), located in Auburn and at community centers throughout South King County, teaches classes for toddlers through adults. Teens can study at nonprofit SANCA (School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts; sancaseattle.org) or at Emerald City Trapeze Arts, (emeraldcitytrapeze.com), which is known for its professional performances.

Photo courtesy of Arena Sports

I is for indoor playgrounds

The monkey bars may be slippery with rain, but indoor bounce houses, play spaces and trampoline gyms get the wiggles out in any weather. Elevated Sportz (elevatedsportz.com) in Bothell

K is for Kraken  You’ve probably noticed that Seattle has a hockey team now. Head down to Climate Pledge Arena to catch the Seattle Kraken (nhl.com/kraken) in action. Thanks to the Kraken, Seattle also has a brand-new, state-of-the-art ice rink (krakencommunityiceplex.com), and after watching the game, your kids might be inspired to join a youth hockey league or learn to skate. For family fun, head to a public skate session on the weekend. If Northgate isn’t convenient, check out the ice at nonprofit Lynnwood Ice Center (lynnwoodicecenter.com), or head to Sno-King Ice Arenas (snokingicearenas.com) in Kirkland, Renton or Snoqualmie. Kent Valley Ice Centre (kentvalleyicecentre.net) has indoor mini golf and batting cages for family members who don’t want to, um, hit the ice.

Photo courtesy of Emerald City Trapeze Arts

L is for literature

Did you know that Seattle is a UNESCO City of Literature (seattlecityoflit.org)? Browsing a bookstore on a rainy day is one of life’s great pleasures. But if your kids aren’t jumping into the literary lifestyle, it’s time for story time. Your nearest public library branch — we have both a city library system (spl.org) and a county system (kcls.org) in the Seattle area — is a sure bet. For stories celebrating gardens and nature, visit the Miller Library at the UW Botanic Gardens (botanicgardens.uw.edu). To make story time extra special, add chocolate at Theo Chocolate (theochocolate.com) in Fremont. Keep an eye out for one of Lil’ Miss Story Hour’s BIPOC-centered public story times (lilmissstoryhour.com).

M is for markets

With the summer crowds behind them, locals have a little more room to breathe at Pike Place Market (pikeplacemarket.org). If you’ve been avoiding the crowds during the pandemic, now’s the time to rediscover this iconic 115-year-old landmark. Pike Place Market isn’t the only option. Burien (discoverburien.org) and Tacoma (proctorfarmersmarket.com) have year-round markets, while Seattleites can support neighborhood farmers markets (seattlefarmersmarkets.org) in Ballard, Capitol Hill, the University District and West Seattle during the winter. The Fremont Sunday Market (fremontmarket.com) doesn’t sell much produce, but it’s great for artisanal foods, vintage finds and handmade gifts.

N is for needlework  Children can learn fine motor skills, math and creative expression with textile arts. Take private lessons from Sew Maris (sewmaris.com) or find machine-sewing classes at Seattle Makers (seattlemakers.org) and Made Sewing Studio (madesewstudio.com). The Seattle Fashion Academy (seattlefashionacademy.com) teaches all of the fundamental skills required to develop as a serious fashion designer. Kids can learn quilting at Sew Katie Did (sewkatiedid.com). For knitting and

history and culture of the Tulalip Tribes

CRAFT EVENTS AND MORE!

t

Photo courtesy of Made Sewing Studio

ENJOY WINTER

AT THE RESERVE

A—Z WINTER

continued from page 15

embroidery, check out Stitches (stitchesseattle.com) or Seattle ReCreative (it recently started offering a fiberspinning class; seattlerecreative.org).

O is for ocean Puget Sound may not be the open ocean, but the new harbor tour by Salish Sea Tours (salishseatours.com) still promises to provide adventure and education. The native-owned and -designed tour, which launches from Miner’s Landing at Pier 57 on two custom catamarans, is filled with art by local Indigenous artists. A member of the Duwamish Tribe narrates the hourlong journey, sharing the history of the city and its Indigenous people. Of course, if you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground, watching the winter waves from the beach is delightful when you’re properly bundled up and provisioned with a thermos of hot cocoa or cider. (Alki Beach and Golden Gardens have legal fire pits.)

P is for pools  Dive into winter by visiting an indoor swimming pool. If you just want to splash around, People’s Pool (metroparkstacoma.org) in Tacoma and the Snohomish Aquatic Center (sno.wednet.edu) have fun toddlerfriendly amenities. For more options, visit our guide to the best indoor pools for kids and families around Puget Sound at parentmap.com/indoor-pools. If your kids missed out on swimming during the pandemic, signing up for swimming lessons now is a great way to improve their safety while giving them lots of fun and exercise (parentmap.com/lessons).

Q is for quills

Calligraphy is a fun way to play with letters. The Society for Calligraphy & Handwriting (calligraphysociety.org) is geared to adults, but some of its members, including Kathy Barker (kathybarker.artist@gmail.com), teach children. Calligraphy is also part of the fun at Seattle Historical Arts for Kids’ December Medieval Arts Week camp (historicalarts.org). Outschool (outschool.com) offers online classes in calligraphy and hand lettering. Handwriting Success (handwritingsuccess.com) sells books, materials and an app for developing beautiful handwriting. Michaels Stores’ online workshops (youtube.com/c/michaels) include several calligraphy classes, too. Or you could just buy a simple calligraphy kit

with a nib pen (actual quills are too old-school) and a library book to inspire handmade birthday party invitations.

R is for rowing Rowing (parentmap.com/rowing) offers great exercise and demands cooperation. On Portage Bay, Pocock Rowing Center (pocockrowingcenter.org) offers three trial lessons before middle and high school students are asked to commit.

Green Lake Crew’s junior program (greenlakecrew.org) is open to rowers ages 13–19 in grades 8–12. Other junior crew programs are run by the Mount Baker Rowing and

Sailing Center (mbrsc.com), Sammamish Rowing Association (sammamishrowing.org) and Everett Rowing Association (everettrowing.com).

If your kid would rather face forward, consider dragon boat racing; Seattle Flying Dragon Boat Club (seattleflyingdragons.org) accepts members as young as 12. Got a kid who cares more about nature than competition? Try stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking. Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club (seattlecanoekayak.club) has youth programs for kids ages 10 and older.

S is for snow

There are snow many things to do when it snows (parentmap.com/snow-day). Kids are always happy to just play in the snow, while sledding and tubing (parentmap.com/ sledding) provide bigger thrills for those without skills. But whether traveling for a ski vacation or swooshing down a mountain closer to home (parentmap.com/skiing), every Northwest family should try skiing or snowboarding at least

Photo courtesy of Pocock Rowing Center

continued from page 17 once. Cross-country (aka Nordic) skiing (parentmap.com/ nordic) and snowshoeing (parentmap.com/snowshoeing) extend family hikes into midwinter. And if your family likes mountain biking in summer, give fat biking a spin (parentmap.com/fat-biking).

T is for theater

Everyone loves a good story, and Seattle has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to theater. Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT; sct.org) is nationally respected for its all-ages productions. This winter, SCT is staging “Paddington Saves Christmas” and “Carmela Full of Wishes.” Blue Man Group (seattle.broadway.com) at The Paramount will captivate

audiences, and kids will find lots to love in Broadway musicals such as “The Wiz” at The 5th Avenue Theatre (5thavenue.org) and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” at Village Theatre (villagetheatre.org).

U is for underground

When you’re tired of being indoors, but don’t really want to hang out in the rain, go underground. Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour (undergroundtour.com) is a classic tourist attraction, but it reveals a part of Seattle even locals can’t find on their own. Kids may or may not pay attention to the (sometimes racy) history shared by the guide on this 75-minute walk through the city’s (literally) buried past. But who can resist the allure of secret underground passageways? No one, that’s who.

V is for volunteering

If you’re struggling to keep your kids occupied with diversions, maybe try to find something more meaningful. Help your child find an issue they care about, such as feeding the hungry or caring for animals. Even the very young can help give back to the community with at-home activities, such as putting together care kits. There are some in-person family-friendly volunteer activities, too, which are great for helping kids see the impact of their efforts (parentmap.com/ family-volunteering). There are even more volunteering options for families with tweens and teens (parentmap.com/ volunteering), and some programs in which young people can participate on their own.

W is for whale watching  Unfortunately, many whale species are in danger of extinction; your kids may not get to take their kids whale watching. But taking a responsible whale-watching tour (such as those conducted by Pacific Whale Watch Association operators; pacificwhalewatchassociation.com) now could help spark their desire to be part of the solution (parentmap.com/ whales). The FRS Clipper (clippervacations.com) and Puget Sound Express cruises (pugetsoundexpress.com) leave from Seattle. There are more operators based in the San Juan Islands. If you go to the San Juans, be sure to visit The Whale Museum (whalemuseum.org) while you’re there. If just the thought of a whale watching tour has you reaching for the Dramamine, there are several spots (consult the Orca Network’s Whale Sighting map at orcanetwork.org) where you might spot whales from land in winter, including one in West Seattle.

X marks the spot

Convincing kids to head outside for a hike when it’s wet can be a challenge. So, redirect their attention to a different challenge with orienteering, which gives young hikers a map and a compass to focus on. Build map- and compass-reading skills on one of Cascade Orienteering Club’s permanent courses or join one of its family-friendly events (cascadeoc.org). For kids who might need the added incentive of hidden treasure, try geocaching (parentmap.com/geocaching), which uses GPS coordinates to locate cached items instead.

Y is for yoga

The idea of teaching yoga to kids is no longer novel. Whether your kids need a way to destress from school pressure or just a form of rainy-day exercise that won’t trash the house, the benefits of yoga stretch beyond the mat. Seattle Kids Yoga (seattlekidsyoga.com) teaches workshops and private whole-family lessons. Seattle Yoga News (seattleyoganews.com) maintains a list of local studios that offer classes for kids and families.

Z is for zoos

Sure, some animals may take shelter out of view on a chilly day. But just as many will be comfortably wandering out in the open now that summer’s noisy hordes have withdrawn. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (nwtrek.org) is pretty much the ultimate Northwest animal experience, especially if you spring for a Keeper Adventure Tour. If you’re not a fan of walking around in the drizzle yourself, dedicate your trip to Woodland Park Zoo’s indoor tropical exhibits (zoo.org), or enjoy Seattle Aquarium (seattleaquarium.org), most of which is under cover. And of course, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (pdza.org) has everything. ■

Gemma Alexander is a Seattle-based freelance writer and a mother of two teens. She posts about books and amateur art on Instagram @gemmadee2003.

Smith Rock. Photo by Camille Gullickson

Let’s set any potential state rivalry aside and agree that whether you think Washington or Oregon has the most epic lineup of natural wonders, both states are incredibly beautiful and we’re lucky to call the Pacific Northwest home. If you’re looking for new ideas to add to your all-seasons family adventure bucket list, don’t miss out on Oregon’s seven

By Camille Gullickson

continued from page 23 wonders, each of which is a manageable driving distance from Seattle.

Oregon’s landscape is epic and diverse. Every time I think we’ve seen the prettiest waterfall, hiked to the most stunning vista or experienced the most spectacular coastline, I encounter something new that surprises me. Oregon’s mountain peaks, fertile valleys, high desert, lush forests and sweeping coastline are calling. Let’s go!

Witness art in the making.

1/ Columbia River Gorge

The beautiful Columbia River Gorge, a designated National Scenic Area, is a wonder shared by both Washington and Oregon. Cutting through the Cascade Mountain Range, this magnificent 80-mile-long river canyon offers adventure and fun for everyone in the family.

In summer and fall, the self-guided Hood River Fruit Loop (plan your tour using the harvest season map at hoodriverfruitloop.com) is a must for anyone visiting the area, starting in the town of Hood River. Following the loop, you’ll wind through 35 miles of scenic country roads, stopping in at your pick of farm stands, U-pick orchards, wineries and distilleries, and more.

Also, if you like waterfalls (and who doesn’t?), visiting the gorge is a must, because there are 90 waterfalls in this area alone! You’re probably familiar with Multnomah Falls,

Vista House above the Columbia River

Oregon’s tallest waterfall, located off the Historic Columbia River Highway and just over 30 minutes outside Portland. Tip: Depending on the time of year you go, you may need to purchase a timeduse permit at recreation.gov. There are many other scenic falls to choose from as well, including Latourell Falls and Horsetail Falls.

Other seasonal family experiences you might enjoy in the Columbia River Gorge include windsurfing, hiking (visit the iconic and fully ADA-accessible Vista House, vistahouse.com, for views without a hike), taking a train ride on the Mount Hood Railroad, and hitting up all of the pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the fall.

2/ The Oregon Coast Oregon welcomes the public to enjoy all 363 miles of its spectacular coastline for free, thanks to the landmark Oregon Beach Bill. The Oregon coast, stretching from the mouth of the Columbia River down to the California redwoods, will captivate you. Whether you want to beachcomb, hike, surf, visit historic lighthouses, watch storms or experience some other beachy distraction that thrills you, the coast is a perfect destination for a family trip any time of year.

North coast. Oregon’s north coast is home to popular and picturesque Cannon Beach (parentmap.com/ cannon-beach). Climb 164 spiral steps

up the Astoria Column (astoriacolumn.org) for interesting views of the Columbia River and beyond to the Pacific Ocean. Pay your respects to the Peter Iredale shipwreck, located in Fort Stevens State Park. Take an “adventure in history” by investigating the Fort Clatsop replica at the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. Explore Haystack Rock, Oswald West State Park and Hug Point State Recreation Site near Seaside. Stop for a treat (and take a self-guided tour) at the Tillamook Creamery (tillamook.com) and meander along the Three Capes Scenic Loop (tillamookcoast.com), with its many interesting stops along the way. (See ParentMap’s guide to the Tillamook Coast at parentmap.com/tillamook.)

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Central coast. The stretch from Lincoln City down to Florence offers so much coastal fun for families. In Depoe Bay, stop at Whale Research EcoExcursions (oregonwhales.com), the only whale museum in the world that focuses on individual gray whales. Newport, a working seaport with a quaint old town, is home to the tallest active lighthouse in Oregon (Yaquina Head Lighthouse), Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area and the Oregon Coast Aquarium (aquarium.org). Don’t miss the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, which, at 800 feet above the Pacific Ocean, is the highest car-accessible viewpoint along the Oregon coast. It features the photogenic Devils Churn and Thor’s Well. Florence is also a favorite with families, thanks to popular attractions such the Sea Lion Caves (sealioncaves.com), Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint (stateparks.oregon.gov) and the Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area.

Southern coast. If you decide to venture farther south along Oregon’s coast, you will not be disappointed. The Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, seasonal

Circles in the Sand walking labyrinth (sandypathbandon.com) and the Washed Ashore gallery (featuring cool sculptures made from ocean plastic waste; washedashore.org) will appeal to families with kids of all ages. Cape Blanco State Park (and lighthouse), historic Hughes House and the Mouth of the Sixes River Trail down to the beach are all worth checking out near Port Orford.

3/ Mt. Hood National Forest

If you’ve ever been to Portland, you’ve probably seen Mount Hood looming in the distance, much like iconic Mount Rainier does in Seattle. Standing at 11,239 feet, Mount Hood is Oregon’s highest mountain peak, and it is popular with climbers. The mountain lies within Mt. Hood National Forest, which encompasses more than 1 million acres

of forest, trails and lakes just waiting for your family to explore. What’s more, its proximity to the Portland metropolitan area and Hood River makes it the perfect add-on to a multi-destination Oregon trip.

If you are a skiing family, you might like to know that the Timberline Ski Area is the only ski area in the United States that is open 10 months out of the year. And the historic Timberline Lodge (timberlinelodge.com) is worth a visit to enjoy a variety of family-friendly accommodations and recreational opportunities year around.

If you like hiking, explore the area’s many trails, including those at nearby Mt. Hood Meadows (skihood.com), with its plethora of year-round outdoor activities for families. For more great

Devils Punchbowl State Natural Area. Photo by Camille Gullickson

Face Rock. Photo by Camille Gullickson

trail suggestions, check out the Mt. Hood hiker’s bucket list on the traveloregon.com website. (I have my eye on the Old Salmon River Trail and the Tamanawas Falls Trail.)

4/ Smith Rock State Park

Rock climbers from around the globe flock to Smith Rock State Park, located near Terrebonne and Redmond in central Oregon’s high desert, for its challenging routes. If you prefer to stay closer to the ground, though, you’ll still be rewarded with incredible views of the cliffs as you ascend into Crooked River Canyon.

Take your pick from among the miles of hiking and biking trails within the 650-acre park, depending on your family members’ abilities. If you’re an avid hiking family with fit and adventurous older children, you might want to try the Misery Ridge and River Trail, which is a harder route but brings you close enough to view the iconic 350-foot Monkey Face spire (smithrock.com/monkey-face-area). Tip: Be sure to come early and bring plenty of water and snacks, as this area can get very crowded and unpleasantly hot during the summer months.

The neighboring towns of Redmond, Bend and Sisters offer endless fun for adventure-loving families. If you’ve worked up an appetite from all of that hiking, you might enjoy stopping at family-friendly taproom Wild Ride Brewing (wildridebrew.com) in Redmond. There’s also a wonderful accessible playground in Redmond, Sam Johnson Park, which offers plenty to do for kids from toddlers to teens.

5/ Painted Hills (John Day Fossil Beds National Monument)

Many people who visit the Painted Hills for the first time remark on how otherworldly the landscape seems, and it truly is. Within the Painted Hills, the most frequently visited unit within the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, you’ll be taken on a journey through geologic time and may even feel like you’ve landed on another planet. The hills began to form about 35 million years ago when volcanic pumice and ash from the Cascade eruptions settled in the area, resulting in layers of yellow, gold, black and red, which change color with the changing light of day.

This wonder of Oregon is quite remote, with the nearest town being Mitchell, and many visitors combine it with

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a central Oregon trip because it makes a worthwhile, although longer, day trip from that area. The outdoor trails and overlooks are free to the public to visit and are open at all times. Overall, the trails here are incredibly family-friendly, with most being pretty short and level and featuring lots of interesting things to look at. Tips: Summer temperatures here can get quite hot, so you might want to consider planning your visit during the wildflower season, April–October, for a very special experience. Also, when planning your visit, be aware that services are very limited, so you’ll need to bring plenty of water, snacks and meals for your outing.

6/ The Wallowa Mountains

Many folks who have visited the Wallowa Mountains compare them to the Swiss Alps and argue that the scenic beauty and numerous familyfriendly activities in the area make a visit well worth the long drive. This majestic mountain range in northeastern Oregon, spanning 40 miles on the Columbia Plateau from the Blue Mountains to the west and to the Snake River to the east, is also home to the Eagle Cap Wilderness area, pristine mountain lakes and sprawling ranchland.

Outdoor recreational opportunities abound, including hiking and backpacking, boating, horseback riding and more. Families that want to experience a striking view without the hike can take the Wallowa Lake Tramway (wallowalaketramway.com), an impressive gondola that transports passengers to the summit of Mount Howard, where there are panoramic views of Wallowa Lake and opportunities to enjoy a hike or a meal. If you make Wallowa Lake State Park your home base (campsites and yurt rentals are available; wallowalake.net), you can enjoy water sports (and rentals), fishing and stargazing.

In the nearby town of Joseph, check out the large bronze sculptures that line Joseph’s Art Walk along

Wallowa Lake Tramway

Main Street. Older kids might enjoy the go-karts at Scenic Meadows Go Carts, just a short distance from Wallowa Lake, or a round of miniature golf at Mt. Pines Adventure Golf in Matterhorn Village (thematterhornvillage.com).

7/ Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park (parentmap.com/ crater-lake), the only national park in Oregon, is likely to be the first place that pops into your mind when you think of Oregon’s wonders. Native Americans witnessed the formation of the lake 7,700 years ago, when a violent volcanic eruption resulted in the collapse of Mount Mazama, forming the deepest lake in the United States at 1,943 feet. Located in southern Oregon, Crater Lake is known for its pure (rain- and snow-fed) azure water, which is breathtaking to behold.

While the park is open year around, 24 hours per day, with the exception of seasonal closures, the summer and early fall can be the best times to experience the lake. During your visit, there are many ways to appreciate the lake, including driving along the 33-mile Scenic Rim Drive and stopping at various viewpoints along the way. However, if you’re looking for more exercise, you can bike, hike, snowshoe and more. Two hikes we recently enjoyed here include the short (2.2 miles round trip) and steep (elevation gain of 700 feet) Cleetwood Cove Trail, which takes you to the only legal access to the lakeshore; or for an easier route, try the 0.8-mile Sun Notch Trail, which leads to great views of the Phantom Ship, a natural rock formation in the lake that resembles a ghost ship.

Families might also enjoy stopping to view Vidae Falls, a pretty little springfed waterfall within the park; and there are also boat and trolley tours during the summer, the historic Crater Lake Lodge to stay in, and much more to see and do, depending on the length of your visit.

So, there you have it! I hope this article will inspire your family to expand your travel radius farther south to explore Oregon’s seven wonders. ■

Camille Gullickson was born in Seattle, raised on Whidbey Island and has been living in Oregon since 2007. Follow her adventures at her blog, Tournesol Adventures (tournesoladventures.com), and on Instagram @tournesoladv.

November 18-January 16

Join us for some winter fun in Downtown Olympia! Hours, tickets, and more information at olyonice.com

Optimism Brewing Company

By Kate Missine

Along with rain, coffee and Amazon, Seattle is known for its hopping — pun intended — beer scene, with plentiful microbreweries and nanobreweries to prove it. Wineries aren’t far behind: Washington state is the nation’s secondlargest wine producer. But if you thought that indulging in these 21-and-older libations is limited to kid-free outings, get ready to reconsider.

Unlike bars, which aren’t allowed to seat minors, breweries and wineries have no such restrictions. Local brew, vino and cider spots make full use of the opportunity to host families. From kid menus and free snacks to play areas and gaming consoles, these hangouts are stepping up their game — literally. Throw in spacious patios, relaxed vibes and, of course, a tasty sipper for Mom or Dad, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect Seattle-area afternoon. Check

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continued from page 33 out our roundup of favorite family-friendly pours around town.

Optimism Brewing Company • optimismbrewing.com Troy Hakala and Gay Gilmore, husband-and-wife owners of Optimism Brewing Company, have a few kiddos of their own, so they designed their Capitol Hill brewery to be a place where they would want to hang out. Housed in a 100-year-old former warehouse, the brewery now stretches over 16,000 square feet. Littles have full run of their very own colorful gated play area at the back. There’s no food menu on tap, but a rotating lineup of food trucks serves goodies; families are also welcome to bring their own or have food delivered to them on-site. The space is even available to host a children’s birthday party! As for the brews themselves, Optimism prides itself on a wide range of innovative beer styles to suit all tastes. Beer novice? Let the certified beer servers guide you to your new favorite brew.

Rooftop Brew Co.

Rooftop Brew Co. • rooftopbrew.co

Queen Anne’s Rooftop Brew Co. has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the city’s most kid-friendly breweries. A major draw is the machine dispensing free popcorn, but there’s also a chalk wall, magnetic darts, and a rotating food-truck lineup to keep little ones busy and fed while the grown-ups sample the brews. Plus, what kid wouldn’t get excited about being on an actual rooftop? The open-air taproom overlooks the Ship Canal, though when the days turn chillier, a tented outdoor space at the front is set up with heaters and fire pits.

Fremont Brewing • fremontbrewing.com

Fremont’s buzzing brewery is famous for its Urban Beer Garden, or UBG, a lush outdoor hub with covered and heated seating. A rotation of specialty, seasonal, and year-round beers and ciders is offered on tap, and food can be ordered in from one of the many neighborhood nosh spots. In the meantime, kiddos (and grown-ups) can munch on free pretzels served by a friendly beertender. Youngsters — along with anyone else not imbibing — can order kombucha, soft drinks or juice to sip along.

Elliott Bay Brewing Company • elliottbaybrewing.com

This community-centered brewpub, started by two friends in 1997, is the ultimate no-frills hangout, and

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has three locations, in Burien, Lake City and West Seattle. One of the few local breweries dedicated to producing organic beer, it offers a rotation of handcrafted seasonal ales inside a cozy, warmly lit space, along with an impressively varied food selection. The kids’ menu is extensive, featuring all of the picky-kid classics, from hot dogs and grilled cheese to a fun grazing platter of turkey, cheese, veggies and mandarin oranges.

Chainline Brewing Company • chainlinebrewing.com

This recently opened brewery is the latest addition to Kirkland’s new Feriton Spur Park, set right along the Cross Kirkland Corridor trail for the perfect

cycling pit stop. You won’t miss it — kiddos are bound to spot the awesome red caboose and water tower in the distance, marking Chainline Station.

Along with unique craft beers, the historic train car turned taproom serves espresso drinks for tired parents and ice cream bars for perky children. The patio faces the trail and an adjacent urban garden, pickleball court and splash pad, where the littles can beat the heat on summer days while you kick back with a cold one. Hungry? Just a few minutes away, in Kirkland Urban, Chainline’s second taproom cooks up a menu of pizzas, Bavarian pretzels and empanadas to go with its brewskis!

Chainline Brewing Company

Remlinger Farms Brewery • remlingerfarms.com

Can you imagine anything more appealing to a kid than alighting smack-dab in the center of an amusement park?

This long-awaited, brandnew brew spot is located at beloved local Remlinger Farms, Carnation’s kid haven of rides, cute animals and oldfashioned farm fun. Lure Dad in with the promise of chilled brews and tasty tacos, as a well-deserved reward for an outing to the Country Fair Fun Park or one of the farm’s seasonal events. Hungry kiddos can refuel at the adjacent farm café and explore the indoor trainthemed play area and toy-filled gift shop.

Locust Cider • locustcider.com

Is hard cider more your jam? Grab the fam and head right to one of Locust Cider’s many locations. But be warned: The colorful cans and fun flavors might tempt little hands into trying to sneak a sip! Luckily, there’s no shortage of distractions in the cideries’ groovy taprooms, including sectioned-off kids’ corners, giant lawn games and free retro video game consoles right at the tables, where you can challenge your offspring to a Super Mario battle. Several locations even host local game-night gatherings. In the meantime, explore Locust’s hard cider flavors, ranging from classic apple to the adventurous vanilla bean and smoked blueberry. Most locations also serve a variety of savory snacks, such as Nutella and bacon flatbread (!), while kiddos devour the mini corn dog bites.

Mill Haus Cider Co. • drinkmillhaus.com

Another one for cider lovers, Mill Haus is a bit of a drive outside the city limits, but it’s definitely fantastic enough to merit a mention. The recently renovated cidery is tucked away in the town of Eatonville, conveniently on the way for families heading for a visit to Mount Rainier. You’ll first catch sight of the giant spinning waterwheel right in the center of the lovely patio. Then, take in the rest of the incredible outdoor space, where kids can wander as if through an enchanted forest. Burbling creeks run through the natural landscaping;

BREWERIES, WINERIES AND CIDERIES

continued from page 37 charming rustic décor is set off by twinkling fairy lights; inviting Adirondack chairs are arranged around fire pits; and covered seating abuts a stage for live music performances. Ciders come in sophisticated flavors such as prickly pear and habanero-lime, and a creative food menu features flatbreads, sliders, street tacos and more.

JM Cellars • jmcellars.com

Wine and walks? Sign us up! The JM Cellars’ Woodinville property, known as “Bramble Bump,” is nestled in a sprawling 7-acre outdoor arboretum, where you can stroll with your wine glass in hand while your little tagalongs explore the short trails. There’s even a bocce court on-site, should you feel up for an impromptu game. Try this family-run winery’s signature white or red tasting flights, which come with plates of mixed nuts and crackers that double as wine accompaniments and essential kid snacks. Note: Once inside, the owners do ask that kiddos remain seated at tables for safety reasons, so make sure the littles burn off excess energy around the grounds before having a seat.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery • ste-michelle.com

The oldest winery in Washington state, Chateau Ste. Michelle is an iconic landmark of Woodinville’s wine country — and for good reason. Rising up from the 105acre forested property is its historic chateau, like something out of a fairy tale. The most popular way for families to enjoy a visit is by having a picnic on the pretty grounds — pack your own or grab some picnicready provisions from the winery gift shop, along with your bottle of wine, of course. Be on the lookout for the resident peacock flaunting his tail feathers around the grounds! The venue is also widely appreciated for its family-friendly outdoor summer concert series, which brings in visitors from all over the Seattle area for highprofile musical performances. ■

Kate Missine is a lifestyle writer, food lover and girly girl raising two little boys in beautiful Sammamish.

Drew and Emily of Lovely and Dapper Desserts

Let Them Eat Cake!

11 local bakeries that really take the cake

By Kate Missine

Everyone has their favorite baked good, but cake rules supreme. Cake is the treat served at birthday parties and weddings; it’s so closely associated with happy events that cake instantly elevates a snack break to a celebration. The cakeries in our region offer so many

different specialties that even if you usually prefer pastry, you’re sure to find a cake worth celebrating. So, don’t wait for a special occasion to treat the kids — you can make any day special when you let them eat cake.

THEM EAT CAKE!

continued from page 41 Byen Bakeri • byenbakeri.com 15 Nickerson St., Seattle Byen Bakeri, located near the Fremont Bridge on the north side of Queen Anne, is an artisan Scandinavian bakery offering a wide selection of cakes by the slice. You can find a classic mocha or carrot cake, but the real draw is the uniquely Scandinavian offerings meant for sharing, such as the gooey, chocolatey Swedish kladdkaka, and the showstopping prinsesstårta (“princess cake”), a Swedish sponge cake layered with jam, custard and whipped cream, and wrapped in marzipan. The frosting on some of the sliced cakes is replaced with marzipan.

Cakes of Paradise Bakery • cakesofparadisebakery.com 6322 Sixth Ave. S., Seattle Cakes of Paradise in Georgetown specializes in cakes with tropical flavors, such as passionfruit, guava, mango and coconut. The bakery’s Hawaiian vibe extends to the cakes’ visual designs, which often include fruit and flower toppings. For an especially festive option, try the rainbow cake, with its multicolored tiers topped with guava, lime and passionfruit stripes. If you’re

Princess Cake at Byen Bakeri

not a tropical fruit fan, check out the pudding-like frosting on the chocolate dobash cake.

Deep Sea Sugar and Salt • deepseasugarandsalt.com

6601 Carleton Ave. S., Seattle

Getting your hands on a slice of Deep Sea Sugar and Salt cake takes some commitment. Consider pre-ordering in the morning (Thursday–Saturday) to guarantee the flavor you want is still there when you get to the front of the (often long) line for your afternoon pickup at the Georgetown shop. But these slices, with up to six layers of cake, are worth the trouble. In addition to classic, sophisticated flavor combinations like salted caramel and vanilla bean custard, it offers

unusual options such as London Fog, an Earl Grey cake with honey syrup and bergamot cream, and a carrot pineapple cake. Seasonal specials add variety to the mix. Look for Funfetti Oreo and cardamom pear in October.

Grain Artisan Bakery • grainartisanbakery.com

707 First St., Snohomish Grain is not just a cakery, but its cakes are unique to the region. Last year, the bakery committed to becoming completely gluten-free, and there are vegan options on offer, too. With flavors like s’mores and coconut mocha, you won’t miss the wheat or the dairy. Ingredients are local and seasonal, so don’t be surprised to see fresh flowers and berries adding as much flavor as beauty to the offerings. Pick up slices at the Snohomish storefront, or keep an eye out on social media for its pop-up events and farmers market appearances.

Grain Artisan Bakery. Photo by Joanna Monger Photography

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Hiroki • hirokidesserts.square.site 2224 N. 56th St., Seattle

If you can’t decide between cake and cheesecake, head to a cakery that offers both. Among the half dozen or so items at Hiroki, in Seattle’s Tangletown neighborhood, you can find classic cheesecake and a French-style chocolate cake. But the top sellers bring the two together: Green tea tiramisu has layers of mascarpone cream cheese and chiffon cake; and the honey cheese mango is a creamy unbaked cheesecake that replaces the crust with a foundation of buttermilk chocolate cake. Genius.

Lady M Pop-up Boutique • ladym.com Bellevue Square

This pop-up shop of the international Lady M Confections Co. inside Bellevue Square sells slices of Lady M’s signature mille crêpes cake. Twenty paper-thin handmade crêpes are layered with

light pastry cream to produce a subtly sweet cake-like experience in a variety of flavors, including tiramisu, chocolate, green tea and ube.

Lovely and Dapper Desserts • lovelydapperdesserts.com Pop-up locations vary Only a year old, Lovely and Dapper Desserts doesn’t have a permanent home yet, but you can find it at the Fremont, South Lake Union and Burien weekly markets. Its tiny, Instagramfriendly cake towers consist of three layers of moist, dense cake with fluffy buttercream frosting. Emily and Drew, the couple behind the biz, offer four flavors at a time, rotating through dozens of variations on old family recipes, guaranteeing something new every time you find them.

Raised Doughnuts & Cakes • raiseddoughnuts.com 2301 E. Union St., Seattle

On weekends, this Central District doughnut shop adds raised cake to

the menu. It offers two flavors each weekend (announced on Instagram). With flavors ranging from kid favorites like cookies and cream to creative and sophisticated pairings such as fig and chèvre, the cakes draw inspiration both from traditional American cakes and the super light and fluffy styles you find at Asian bakeries. If you’re in the Central District and need cake on a weekday, Shikorina Pastries (shikorinaseattle.com), Hana Yohannes’ sustainable, inclusive bakery, is only a block away and offers a rotating daily cake available by the slice.

Simply Desserts • simplydessertsseattle.com

3421 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle

Possibly Seattle’s oldest cakery, Fremont’s Simply Desserts has been baking its dense, rich layer cakes and cheesecakes in classic flavors from scratch for 20 years. Located near the Fremont Bridge, the tiny shop always has half a dozen or more options available by the slice. But bring cash — it still doesn’t accept credit cards.

Hiroki

Green Tea Mille Crêpes at Lady M Confections Co.

Raised Doughnuts & Cakes

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The Cat & Rabbitt Cakeshop • thecatandrabbitt.com 2811 Sixth Ave., Tacoma

Some devotees will argue that the Sunday-only cinnamon rolls are the best thing about The Cat & Rabbitt Cakeshop in Tacoma. But even if you agree, you can’t deny the draw of the shop’s buttercream-frosted cakes. A rotating daily menu of cake slices are available from the takeout window. But bring your own utensils, because you won’t want to wait until you get home to take a bite. Also, plan to go early; once the shop runs out of slices, the window closes.

Tres Lechería • treslecheria.com 2315 N. 45th St., Seattle

If you’ve never had a Latin American tres leches cake, the offerings at Wallingford’s Tres Lechería may come as a soggy surprise. But if you’re already a fan of the creamy, milk-soaked sponge cake — so named for the three kinds of milk in the recipe: evaporated milk, condensed milk and heavy cream — you’ll instantly recognize the offerings at Tres Lechería as some of the best. More rich than sweet, the traditional and horchata flavors of these generously portioned slices are the mainstays. But Tres Lechería also makes bolder flavor choices, such as matcha, and sweet corn and honey, as well as one seasonal offering that changes monthly, most recently, pumpkin spice. ■

Seattle-based freelance writer Gemma Alexander focuses on the intersection of parenting and the arts. When she’s not writing for ParentMap, she blogs at gemmadeealexander.com and tweets @gemmadeetweet.

The Cat & Rabbitt Cakeshop