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Seattle Staycation

Staycationing in the Emerald City

Seattle Staycation with Kids
Exploring Seattle with kids gives you a fresh perspective on one of the most vibrant cities in the Pacific Northwest.

Picture breathtaking mountains, moss-laden forests, and fresh salty air paired with mild weather and amazing year-round outdoor activities. Where is such a place, you might ask? For those of us lucky enough to live in Seattle, it is called home. 

Often upon returning back from a trip, I am reminded I already live in one of the most spectacular places in the country. Although my family and I normally don’t take the time to vacation where we live, it only took a pandemic to realize how much there is to learn and explore in our city. And most importantly, we were reminded how rejuvenating a vacation can be without a long plane or car ride. 

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Hiking on Orcas Island

Top Things to do on Orcas Island

Young Couple Hiking on Orcas Island

Orcas Island has all of the ingredients for a perfect getaway in the Pacific Northwest. There are miles of hiking trails that traverse a rich topography and offer stunning views. You’ll find a plethora of fresh seafood, farm-to-table cuisine, and locally-crafted libations. 

This isn’t the destination for a fast-paced dance club, though you will find several restaurants and bars host live music nights. But the things to do on Orcas Island abound. Artist studios. Golfing. Farmers markets. Clothing optional soaking tubs. The list goes on and on. These are some of our favorites. 

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San Juan Brewing Company

San Juan Island Brewing Company

San Juan Brewing
Photo by San Juan Brewing Company

Built, Brewed & Poured by Locals

Bringing back craft since 2017, San Juan Island Brewing Company is an award-winning brewery set in the beautiful and awe-inspiring San Juan Islands. Based in Friday Harbor, the brewery is known for highly sessionable, true-to-style beers, specializing in old-world ales and lagers that are all unified in being flavor balanced and pairing well with food.

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Lisa Lamoreaux

Lisa Lamoreaux, San Juan Island Fine Artist

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Lisa Lamoreaux, San Juan Island Fine Artist

Lisa Lamoreaux didn’t plan to become an artist. But in many ways, she just always was.

Her passion for mixing and matching designs began as just a little girl. Obsessed with buying greeting cards, Lisa Lamoreaux spent hours rearranging them on the wall of her bedroom. Tired of the pinholes, her mother turned the entire wall into cork, giving Lisa the freedom to easily create new designs as her collection grew and her vision expanded. 

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San Juan Island at sunset.

35+ Things to do on San Juan Island

San Juan Island at sunset.

Tucked within the Salish Sea, the 172 island archipelago known as the San Juan Islands is prized for its stunning views, rich farmland, and incredible seafood. San Juan Island, the second largest island, is the most populated. Spanning roughly 55 square miles, it’s home to several parks that run along the rocky shorelines, including San Juan Island National Historical Park, San Juan County Park, and Lime Kiln Point State Park.

While the San Juans are indeed known for their slow pace and laidback lifestyle, don’t assume the only activities are leisurely bike rides and watching the sea. There are a plethora of fun and exciting things to do on San Juan Island — with something for those of all ages.

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MOHAI

Learning Made Fun at MOHAI

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MOHAI

How did Seattle get established? What were the first neighborhoods like? What’s the deal with the big red R? And have seaplanes always landed on Lake Union?

The Museum of History and Industry, aka MOHAI, offers a deep dive into how Seattle evolved from its earliest days to now. A mix of pictures, artifacts and hands-on exhibits make this indoor museum fascinating for those of all ages. And, a fun thing to do in Seattle — no matter the weather. 

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Tofino, A Quiet Respite Loaded with Action

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Mar 22, 2022 Mikaela Judd
Tofino, A Quiet Respite Loaded with Action

Tofino by Sara Satterlee

A place where the ocean meets the sand, the sand meets the forest, and the forest meets the end of the road. That’s Tofino.

It’s a place where the WiFi is new, the cell reception spotty, and the days move slow. A place that feels as though it’s been plucked from time and preserved from the bustle.

The sustained charm is undoubtedly due to its remote location. Prior to 1959, the only sustainable way to reach Tofino was a long, and slightly dreary, boat ride up the coast of Vancouver Island. But when Highway 4 was expanded, the adamant traveler could tackle a 3-hour trek around hairpin curves and frequent rainstorms that visit the Pacific Rim National Park to the end of the road. (Quite literally, Highway 4 leads directly to Tofino’s First Street Dock.)

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Top Wedding Venues, Photographers & Florists in the San Juan Islands

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Mar 18, 2022 Mikaela Judd
Top Wedding Venues, Photographers & Florists in the San Juan Islands

Pebble Cover Farm on Orcas Island by Satya Curcio Photography

Sweeping grasslands. Old-growth forests. Rocky shorelines. The San Juan Islands are enchanting. Like a moment out of time, they seem to be almost untouched. The clean air. The 220 days with sunshine. The enchanting views.

It’s what makes the San Juans the ideal wedding destination for couples with adventurous souls. The following outlines some of the best wedding venues, florists, and photographers — all home based in the San Juan Islands. Whether you’re eloping, want an intimate gathering or are planning a soiree for the whole crew, there’s magic to be found in the San Juans.

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Calling All Book Lovers

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Mar 14, 2022
Calling All Book Lovers

The annual Orcas Island Lit Festival is returning June 3-4.

This three-day festival features panels, readings, and events highlighting the vibrant literary culture of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Authors range from Pulitzer Prize winners to gifted new voices. They herald from throughout the country, in a rich mix of local and national voices. Take full advantage of this uniquely intimate setting to engage with world-class writers, ask questions and explore their work.

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The Carving Shed at the Wickaninnish Inn – Magic at the End of the Road

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Mar 13, 2022 Mikaela Cowles
The Carving Shed at the Wickaninnish Inn – Magic at the End of the Road

Originally Published September 9, 2014 | Updated March 13, 2022

Some places are just places. They’re dots on a map to which you can drive, fly or walk. Other places are experiences. Rich and vibrant, they are filled with the essence of souls who came before you. The old souls whose wisdom and skill – whose life – was responsible for the very walls which mark the spot.

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