Are you looking for day trips from Seattle, Washington? This beautiful swath of the country is filled with outdoor activities and amazing shopping experiences. Try out one of these top five Seattle, Washington day trips to experience the Seattle area as it was meant to be.
In a car, drive south along I-5 and turn off at Exit 127. Travelers will have to drive east on State Route 512 and turn south on State Route 7. From that point, follow State Route 706 to the Nisqually entrance.
During the winter, Mount Rainier is the perfect spot to go sledding or practice cross-country sledding. The peak season for this area is from the middle of December through the month of March. For a unique trip, take one of the 1.2 mile snowshoe trips offered by park rangers at Mount Rainier. The rangers will show the different wildlife in the area and teach about how the animals have managed to adapt to the high levels of snow fall. From this spot, tourists can also head over to the Crystal Mountain ski resort. During summer months, try climbing some of the difficult glacier routes and enjoy the view from the top.
Leavenworth
Visit Leavenworth during Christmas for an entirely unique Seattle, Washington day trip. During the holiday season, Leavenworth is home to dogsledding, lighting ceremonies and sleigh rides. This amazing area is a replica of a Bavarian village and offers a museum with over 5,000 nutcrackers. In warm weather, Leavenworth is the perfect spot for hikes or white water rafting trips. Leavenworth is also popular for its yearly Oktoberfest held each fall.
To get here, visitors can either take an Amtrak train or drive. By car, drive along State Highway 520 toward the mountains and turn off on I-405 north. Afterward, take exit 23 toward Wenatchee.
Bainbridge Island
Unlike Mount Rainier and Leavenworth, Bainbridge Island is a quick commute. Take a ferry from Pier 52 along Seattle’s waterfront area. During the ferry ride, travelers can catch a glimpse of the phenomenal Seattle skyline and spend some time enjoying the ocean. Once tourists reach Bainbridge Island, they can stroll for hours around the numerous boutiques, galleries and cafes in the area. Before leaving, make sure to stop in at historic Winslow. Winslow features quaint island shops and Pacific Northwest themed gifts.
No list of Seattle, Washington day trips is complete without the San Juan Islands. This area is a cultural nexus for the Pacific Northwest. From sustainable campgrounds to island-themed hotels, this area features naturalist guided tours, whale watching and sea kayaking. For the best of day trips from Seattle, Washington, visit the San Juan Islands. After one trip here, we could not stop ourselves from booking a weeklong vacation the next month. This phenomenally beautiful area is the perfect spot for nature-lovers and individuals seeking a romantic getaway.
To get here, go to the Washington State Ferry terminal in Anacortes. From that spot, you can choose to take a ferry to San Juan Island, Orcas Island, Shaw Island or Lopez Island.
Victoria, B.C.
The last stop on our list of day trips from Seattle is Victoria, B.C. Before heading out, grab your passport and prepare for a border crossing. Visitors just have to head north on I-5 to Anacortes and take a ferry to Victoria, B.C.
Once travelers arrive in Victoria, B.C., spend some time unwinding in the waterfront area. Located next to the world-famed Empress Hotel, the waterfront is home to many artists and musicians plying their trade. After a few minutes at the waterfront, walk across the street to the ivy-covered Empress Hotel for high tea. Visitors can also check out the designer clothes stores along Trounce Alley or visit the 55-acre Butchart Gardens.
Sources: Seattle.gov, Author’s own experience
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