What to Do in Seattle Before Your Cruise (or After It!) in 2023
When it comes to Alaska cruises, you have two southern ports to start or end your adventure: Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia. While I like Vancouver well enough – and sailed north out of that port on my Windstar cruise in June 2022 – Seattle will always hold a special place in my heart, and it's the port I recommend sailing in/out of since I know the city and love helping people spend time there...
11 Great Things to Do on San Juan Island, Washington
If you spend much time in the Pacific Northwest – and especially in the Seattle/Puget Sound area –, there's one destination that is universally beloved: the San Juan Islands. Located just a dozen or so miles off the mainland and just 90 miles north of Seattle, the San Juan Islands are a perfect weekend getaway from Seattle or add-on to your PNW itinerary. Most people spend the majority of their time on San Juan Island, the largest of the four main islands connected to the Washington State Ferry system...
The Perfect 2- or 3-Day San Juan Islands Itinerary
From the bow of the Washington State Ferry, the wind is strong and the skies are a clear, bright blue. The boat carves a path between several of the San Juan Islands; while the ferry only services four of them, there are over 400 islands in this archipelago. With so many to choose from, how on earth can you plan a simple yet memorable San Juan Islands itinerary...
Seattle Bucket List: 25 Essential Experiences in the Emerald City
Tucked away in the upper left corner of the United States, Seattle is the largest city in Washington and a top destination for over 40 million travelers per year. Some are passing through on their way to/from an Alaska Cruise; others seek Seattle as their final destination. No matter what brings you to the Emerald City, there are some Seattle bucket list experiences you don't want to miss while you're there...
One Day in Seattle: How to Spend a Day in the Emerald City
By the end of my first trip to Seattle, I knew I was in love – a little over a year later, I would call the Emerald City home and ended up living in Seattle for four years. Though I only spent one day in Seattle on my first trip, I had a chance to see that there are a lot of really special things about this city tucked away in the Pacific Northwest...
The 14 Best Things to Do in Anacortes for a Weekend Trip
I’ll be honest: the first time I visited Anacortes, I was totally stereotypical. I rolled into town, grabbed a bite to eat, and took a look around. Within a few hours was on a ferry to the San Juan Islands. This is what most people do. They use the small town of Anacortes on Fidalgo Island as a stopping-off point to refuel before heading over to the San Juan Islands...
The 13 Best Things to Do in Gig Harbor for a Weekend Trip
Summer has the Pacific Northwest in its grip: warm breezes and outrageously blue skies replace the morose grey and heavy raindrops that fall from the leaves throughout the rest of the year. It’s time to GET OUTSIDE, and every Seattleite knows it...
25 Wonderful Weekend Getaways from Seattle, Washington
Seattle is one of my favorite cities – I loved living there when I did (2013-2017), and I love traveling there now that I've moved away (I just celebrated my 35th birthday in Seattle!). But I also love escaping the city to enjoy some of the many Seattle weekend getaways around the Pacific Northwest...
How to Plan an Epic Eastern Cascades Road Trip from Seattle
When you live in or travel to Western Washington, that's pretty much the only area you spend your time. There's definitely opinions about different parts of the Evergreen State, and those who call the Puget Sound or Olympic Peninsula home don't typically cross the imposing barrier of the Cascade Mountains for much – or for long...
