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Rosario Resort and Spa on Orcas Island (Photo provided by Empower Investing)

Orcas Island’s storied Rosario Resort finds a local owner

Rosario Resort and Spa on Orcas Island has a new owner.  Empower…

 

Russ Dalton poses for a photo at Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Last man to see a grizzly in Cascades says return ‘would be wonderful’

It was news to Paul Paquet that he recorded the last confirmed sighting of a North Cascades grizzly. Still, some fear an imminent restoration effort.

 

View of Cheakamus Lake from Blackcomb Mountain, Whistler.

Trails for all hikers: Visiting spring’s must-explore West Coast parks

Beautiful hikes span the West Coast and are perfect destinations when spring…

 

A group of friends hang out in a banya, a Russian sauna that is typically more humid and hotter than a traditional sauna, at Banya by fgm on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At Banya, spa with 200-degree sauna in Everett, stress just melts away

A banya in Russian refers to a hot room or sauna. You can also plunge in the cold pool. Or play chess and eat piroshki.

A group of friends hang out in a banya, a Russian sauna that is typically more humid and hotter than a traditional sauna, at Banya by fgm on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Karen Byram feeds her herd of alpacas at Alpacas De La Patagonia in Camano, Washington. Visiting guests have the opportunity to meet and feed some of the animals on the farm. Ryan Berry / Everett Herald photo

Alpaca Getaway: Take a farm-style retreat to Camano Island

At Alpacas de la Patagonia, fuzzy friends and breathtaking beauty make the perfect winter weekend.

Karen Byram feeds her herd of alpacas at Alpacas De La Patagonia in Camano, Washington. Visiting guests have the opportunity to meet and feed some of the animals on the farm. Ryan Berry / Everett Herald photo
Discover Portland and other Oregon destinations with local travel author Matt Wastradowski in his latest book, Moon Oregon.

Explore Oregon like a local with brand new guide

By Jeff Klein, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash. Ever wanted to explore the Columbia River Gorge like a local? Heading to Bend, Ore., or even the… Continue reading

Discover Portland and other Oregon destinations with local travel author Matt Wastradowski in his latest book, Moon Oregon.
You’re never far from the mountains or water when you visit Seattle, Wash.

What to do in Seattle?

Seattle’s tourism scene has been on the rebound since the pandemic. Last year, 33.9 million visitors passed through Seattle and King County, and this holiday… Continue reading

You’re never far from the mountains or water when you visit Seattle, Wash.
Jaxen McInnis, the creator of the Snackin Shack, in his transformed garage on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Bite into Everett’s Snackin Shack, a sweet museum of offbeat treats

It’s like the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! of odd snacks.  Lady Gaga Oreo cookies, mac & cheese gummy candy, vanilla milkshake potato chips and… Continue reading

Jaxen McInnis, the creator of the Snackin Shack, in his transformed garage on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A view of King Street Station in Seattle, Washington from an Amtrak Cascades train to Portland, Oregon from Everett, Washington on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Ride the rails on Amtrak Cascades from Everett to Portland

Make new friends and let Amtrak do the driving on this 5-hour trip past sea, city and forest.

A view of King Street Station in Seattle, Washington from an Amtrak Cascades train to Portland, Oregon from Everett, Washington on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Two Knights joust at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire. Richard Doyle / Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire photo

Jousting, fire juggling and turkey legs: Renaissance faire returns to Washington

It’s time to party like it’s 1578. This August, the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire is setting up shop in Snohomish County. Knights will joust, turkey… Continue reading

Two Knights joust at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire. Richard Doyle / Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire photo
People walk along a newly constructed bridge at the Big Four Ice Caves hike along the Mountain Loop Highway in Snohomish County, Washington on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Bigger, better Big Four bridge connects hikers to majestic ice caves

On a warm July day, cold wind rushed down the face of Big Four Mountain and over the picturesque ice caves that give the trail… Continue reading

People walk along a newly constructed bridge at the Big Four Ice Caves hike along the Mountain Loop Highway in Snohomish County, Washington on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Kate Burns guides her 89-year-old mother Lyn Murphy along a path at Meerkerk Gardens in Greenbank, Washington. Ryan Berry / The Herald photo

Plays, parks and perfect sundaes: Whidbey serves up summer island getaways

By Patricia Guthrie / Special to The Herald Whidbey Island offers lots of activities, events and places to stroll when the sun pops out and… Continue reading

Kate Burns guides her 89-year-old mother Lyn Murphy along a path at Meerkerk Gardens in Greenbank, Washington. Ryan Berry / The Herald photo
The hairpin curve over Oyster Creek on Chuckanut Scenic Byway in Washington state. The 24-mile road is fun to drive and offers access to trails, shopping, dining and history. Amy Attas/West Coast Traveller photo.

Cruising Washington’s scenic Chuckanut Byway

When road tripping in America, there’s just one rule to live by: get off the interstate. The only exception might be if you’re in a… Continue reading

The hairpin curve over Oyster Creek on Chuckanut Scenic Byway in Washington state. The 24-mile road is fun to drive and offers access to trails, shopping, dining and history. Amy Attas/West Coast Traveller photo.
Jack Yoke, 5, runs through the Roozengaarde tulip fields in Mount Vernon, Wash. in 2021. Saturday kicks off the 2023 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival that blooms for a month. Olivia Vanni / The Herald

Tulip Festival brings spectacular spring blooms to Skagit Valley

Thousands will visit the annual flower fest that kicks off Saturday and runs through April. Here are some tips.

Jack Yoke, 5, runs through the Roozengaarde tulip fields in Mount Vernon, Wash. in 2021. Saturday kicks off the 2023 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival that blooms for a month. Olivia Vanni / The Herald
Hikers make their way along the Heybrook Ridge Trail on Friday, March 18, 2023, in Index, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald).

‘It took my breath away’: Lace up your hiking boots because spring is here

Heybrook Ridge Trail packs stunning views and a moss-covered forest in a 3.3 mile round-trip package.

Hikers make their way along the Heybrook Ridge Trail on Friday, March 18, 2023, in Index, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald).
Amtrak Cascades train 517 from Vancouver to Portland arrives at Everett Station Thursday, March 9, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Ride the rails on the Amtrak Cascades for a rumbling adventure

The service derailed by the pandemic is fully restored with multiple travel options between Oregon and Canada.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 from Vancouver to Portland arrives at Everett Station Thursday, March 9, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Christmas in Seattle comes with activities for all ages, from festive lights for kids to the silly, boozy Seattle SantaCon. Seattle SantaCon photo

4 Ways to celebrate Christmas in Seattle this year

It’s never a sure bet whether Seattle will be able to celebrate a white Christmas, but that doesn’t stop Pacific Northwesterners from putting on magnificent… Continue reading

Christmas in Seattle comes with activities for all ages, from festive lights for kids to the silly, boozy Seattle SantaCon. Seattle SantaCon photo
People explore along the South Fork Stillaguamish River near the repaired bridge that heads to Big Four Ice Caves on Oct. 28, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest near Granite Falls. Ryan Berry / Everett Herald photo

The Big Four Ice Caves: Access to one of Snohomish County’s most iconic destinations reopens

Washington’s Big Four Ice Caves, one of Snohomish County’s most popular nature destinations, about 20 miles east of Granite Falls, offers an experience well worth… Continue reading

People explore along the South Fork Stillaguamish River near the repaired bridge that heads to Big Four Ice Caves on Oct. 28, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest near Granite Falls. Ryan Berry / Everett Herald photo
The Skyline trail at Washington state’s Mt. Rainier offers sweeping, glacier-fed waterfalls and what feels like a face-to-face meeting with the mountain itself. Photo by Alex Bruell

This summer, visit a paradise on Earth

If you’ve never visited the Paradise area of Mt. Rainier, there’s still time this summer to correct that grievous error. Embarrassingly late for a Washington… Continue reading

The Skyline trail at Washington state’s Mt. Rainier offers sweeping, glacier-fed waterfalls and what feels like a face-to-face meeting with the mountain itself. Photo by Alex Bruell
Hikers walk near the entrance of Ape Cave in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The cave is a series of lava tubes from an eruption of Mount St. Helens 2,000 years ago. (Taylor Balkom / The Columbian)

Venture into the dark at Washington’s Ape Cave

The 42-degree underworld on the flank of Mount St. Helens is fun to explore — in a spooky sort of way.

Hikers walk near the entrance of Ape Cave in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The cave is a series of lava tubes from an eruption of Mount St. Helens 2,000 years ago. (Taylor Balkom / The Columbian)