Things to do

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.

 

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.

 

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…

 

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)
Babes in Pinland compete at Add-A-Ball Amusements in Seattle. Amy Attas/West Coast Traveller photo.

Flipping for pinball: Why pro players love travelling the west coast

It’s a Thursday night in Seattle’s trendy Fremont neighbourhood. Inside Add-A-Ball Amusements, women, nonbinary and trans competitors are hunched over the blinking lights and ringing… Continue reading

Babes in Pinland compete at Add-A-Ball Amusements in Seattle. Amy Attas/West Coast Traveller photo.
Boeing employees watch the KC-46 Pegasus delivery event  from the air stairs at Boeing on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Boeing’s iconic Everett factory tour to resume

After a three-year hiatus, tours of the Boeing Company’s enormous jet assembly plant are back at Paine Field.

Boeing employees watch the KC-46 Pegasus delivery event  from the air stairs at Boeing on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / 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
The view from the summit of 2,407-foot Mount Constitution on Orcas Island in the San Juans. (Carey J. Williams / Associated Press)

Escape to Orcas: Where to hike, dine and sleep

The horseshoe-shaped island boasts the largest state park in Western Washington

The view from the summit of 2,407-foot Mount Constitution on Orcas Island in the San Juans. (Carey J. Williams / Associated Press)
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 two-hour walk through Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island offers opportunity for inspiration and reflection. (Jennifer Bardsley)

A ‘150-acre wonderland of forest and flowers’ awaits on Bainbridge Island

The 150-acre wonderland, the former home of a timber magnate and his wife, is a beautiful place to visit in any season.

The two-hour walk through Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island offers opportunity for inspiration and reflection. (Jennifer Bardsley)
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
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)
Canyon Creek Cabins co-owner Andy Whitcomb relaxes on the deck behind Cabin 1, an upgraded 1970s A-frame. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

A stylish yet rustic winter retreat just outside Granite Falls

Canyon Creek Cabins offer a cozy hideaway on an acre of riverfront property.

Canyon Creek Cabins co-owner Andy Whitcomb relaxes on the deck behind Cabin 1, an upgraded 1970s A-frame. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Back in the observation car checking out the views near Blue River, Oregon. (Julia Carmel / Los Angeles Times)

Riding the Coast Starlight, from Los Angeles to Seattle

We spent 34 hours on America’s most scenic train. Is it as dreamy as it sounds?

Back in the observation car checking out the views near Blue River, Oregon. (Julia Carmel / Los Angeles Times)
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