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Washington From Peaks To Sea
Explore Lesser-Known Attractions; Leave Crowds Behind
UPDATED: 4:12 pm EDT October 28,
2009
Leave the crowds behind as you explore some of Washington's lesser-known gems. Get off the beaten track with a walking tour through Seattle's Fremont District. Take an intimate tour of Mount Rainier and see what most visitors to the state miss. Or visit southeastern Washington's Walla Walla wine country to sample the excellent vintages and creative cuisine the area has become known for.Tour Seattle's Neighborhoods
Get off the beaten track and explore Seattle's diverse neighborhoods on a walking tour. There's much more to this beautiful and vibrant city than the Space Needle and the waterfront. Three wonderful areas to explore on foot are Pike Place Market, the Pioneer Square area and Seattle's artsy Fremont District. Check out the free, self-guided walking tours.Mount Rainier
There is nothing hidden about Mount Rainier. It dominates the skyline as far away as Seattle. But relatively few visitors to the state explore it up close. The easiest way to do that is on the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad. The excursion takes visitors on a leisurely ride from Elbe to Mineral Lake at the base of the mountain. The 90-minute round trip glides through thick forests and across Nisqually River, offering spectacular views of the glacier-encrusted volcano. For those who want an even more intimate experience of the park, the 93-mile Wonderland Trail completely circles the mountain. Hikers can tackle it in sections or circle the entire mountain in about two weeks, exploring the sub-alpine meadows, glacier-fed rivers and lush lowland forests that the trail passes over.
Museum of Glass, Tacoma
The Museum of Glass is Tacoma’s architectural showpiece. It is a pleasure just to walk through a well designed public space like this one. In addition to thoughtfully planned exhibits, there is the Hot Shop Amphitheater with live, ongoing demonstrations of glasswork in progress and the Chihuly Bridge of Glass.San Juan Islands
North of Seattle in the rain shadow of the Olympic Peninsula lie the sunny San Juan Islands. You can island hop aboard a Washington State Ferry, visiting the four main islands in a day. Tour Lopez by bicycle. Climb Mount Constitution on Orcas. Browse galleries in Friday Harbor. Go fishing off the still shores of Shaw. And there are plenty of places to sleep and dine if you want to extend your visit.Walla Walla
Wine lovers are in for a surprise in southeastern Washington. In September 2005, Sunset Magazine named Walla Walla "Wine Destination of the Year," beating California's Napa-Sonoma and Oregon's Willamette Valley. The Walla Walla Valley is home to more than 20 wineries, and vineyards and tasting rooms abound. The town is also home to Whitman College and has a bustling art scene.
Get off the beaten track and explore Seattle's diverse neighborhoods on a walking tour. There's much more to this beautiful and vibrant city than the Space Needle and the waterfront. Three wonderful areas to explore on foot are Pike Place Market, the Pioneer Square area and Seattle's artsy Fremont District. Check out the free, self-guided walking tours.Mount Rainier
There is nothing hidden about Mount Rainier. It dominates the skyline as far away as Seattle. But relatively few visitors to the state explore it up close. The easiest way to do that is on the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad. The excursion takes visitors on a leisurely ride from Elbe to Mineral Lake at the base of the mountain. The 90-minute round trip glides through thick forests and across Nisqually River, offering spectacular views of the glacier-encrusted volcano. For those who want an even more intimate experience of the park, the 93-mile Wonderland Trail completely circles the mountain. Hikers can tackle it in sections or circle the entire mountain in about two weeks, exploring the sub-alpine meadows, glacier-fed rivers and lush lowland forests that the trail passes over.
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The Museum of Glass is Tacoma’s architectural showpiece. It is a pleasure just to walk through a well designed public space like this one. In addition to thoughtfully planned exhibits, there is the Hot Shop Amphitheater with live, ongoing demonstrations of glasswork in progress and the Chihuly Bridge of Glass.San Juan Islands
North of Seattle in the rain shadow of the Olympic Peninsula lie the sunny San Juan Islands. You can island hop aboard a Washington State Ferry, visiting the four main islands in a day. Tour Lopez by bicycle. Climb Mount Constitution on Orcas. Browse galleries in Friday Harbor. Go fishing off the still shores of Shaw. And there are plenty of places to sleep and dine if you want to extend your visit.Walla Walla
Wine lovers are in for a surprise in southeastern Washington. In September 2005, Sunset Magazine named Walla Walla "Wine Destination of the Year," beating California's Napa-Sonoma and Oregon's Willamette Valley. The Walla Walla Valley is home to more than 20 wineries, and vineyards and tasting rooms abound. The town is also home to Whitman College and has a bustling art scene.
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