Five years ago, Anna Nasset-Glenn took over ownership of this artisan boutique and longtime Port Townsend institution, where she helps customers find... Read More
This northwestern Seattle neighborhood is known for its Scandinavian, fishing-village past, but the Salmon Bay community is reinventing itself as an up... Read More
The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, built and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, may seem like an odd place to spend a few hours, but this high... Read More
Banya 5 is an urban spa and health facility offering a unique blend of old world wellness rituals in a friendly, contemporary environment. A series of... Read More
Barca is a Euro-cool Capital Hill nightspot known for having the largest selection of premium and specialty vodkas in the state of Washington. Space can... Read More
Just east of Capitol Lake Park, this downtown coffee shop is home to what many consider the best brew in the city. Now a small chain—which... Read More
Located in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market, Beecher’s Handmade Cheese is sometimes called a “living museum” where... Read More
Step through a spacious light-filled glass and aluminum entryway into Bellevue Art Museum's (BAM) textured concrete space. Designed by architect Steven... Read More
Check out the gleaming shops, which include 7, For All Mankind and Michael Kors Lifestyle. Read More
Just north of downtown, this up-and-coming waterfront neighborhood is home to art galleries, clothing shops, cafes, boutique hotels, and dive bars (of... Read More
The small family winery specializes in Rhône grapes such as Syrah and juicy Grenache. Read More
A cross between a gastropub and a chic art bar, Black Bottle has stayed hot for three years by keeping things simple. The narrow space doesn’t... Read More
This 150-acre preserve at the northern tip of Bainbridge Island (35 minutes by ferry from Seattle) is a mix of pristine second-growth forest and... Read More
Vinyl rules at this temple to the LP, EP, 45, and 33. Located in the Salmon Bay neighborhood, this cavernous superstore boasts a collection of 650,000... Read More
Giving a moneyed, early-to-bed neighborhood a reason to stay up late, this charming candlelit wine bar draws older couples on their way to the symphony,... Read More
There’s no way to miss the Capitol Campus—you can see its regal, domed legislative building from almost everywhere in the city. Take a... Read More
Pedal the western segment of the Centennial Trail to Nine Mile Falls. Read More
Take a 2,000 foot dance floor, add a full bar and restaurant, place them in the Pike/Pine district, and you've got Century Ballroom and Cafe. Seattle... Read More
The Provençal-style castle on 87-acres was built by Washington's second-largest wine producer. Read More
This West Queen Anne shop is the retail storefront (and headquarters) of the sustainability-minded foodie E-tailer. It channels that familiar gourmet... Read More
Years as agent: 21. Other specialty: Italian countryside. Consulting fee: From $300. clareseyer@yahoo.com Read More
The Clyde Theatre, a 1937 movie house, screens the classics. Read More
Named after the 1920's phonograph, Victrola Coffee Roasters celebrates the exuberant zeitgeist of this bygone era at its three Seattle locations. The... Read More
Hike the trails at Columbia Hills State Park, keeping an eye out for petroglyphs. Read More
In between golden eagle and yellow-headed blackbird sightings, keep an eye out for beavers, moose, and coyotes. You can canoe or kayak the estuary... Read More
The lakes and rivers are prime trout-fishing spots. Read More
Pull on your waders, grab your “clam gun”—it works better than a shovel—and head to razor-clam central. You’ll need a... Read More
In season, stop by and pick your own organic berries. Open Tuesday and Friday 9–3. Read More
The boutique winery makes a firm Bordeaux blend called Chaleur Estate. Read More
The best green space in Seattle has a little bit of everything: dense, nearly silent forest trails; paved stretches great for cycling; fields and lawns... Read More
For even more solitude, hike about five miles to the end of the Dungeness Spit and tour the Dungeness Lighthouse. Read More
Drive to remote Dungeness Spit on the Olympic Peninsula, often buffeted by turbulent waters. Read More
With an inventory that’s Barnes & Noble-esque in scope, this venerable independent bookstore is a point of pride for Seattleites. Occupying a... Read More
Operating in the same spot since 1999, this Madrona pet boutique has built a loyal clientele who return regularly for pup-sitting, grooming, and luxury... Read More
Since 2001, Jeremy Faber, a trained chef, has been bringing wild foods to Seattle-area farmer’s markets, including the Saturday-morning,... Read More
See the park's lighthouse and artillery units from the 1890s or fly kites on the parade field. Read More
Day-trippers head 25 miles north of Seattle to Whidbey Island, where beaches, nature, and wildlife abound. For panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains... Read More
Dig for littleneck clams along the shore of this retired army base. Read More
Located along Admiralty Inlet, this 433-acre stretch of land once served as an active army installation and then a juvenile detention facility before... Read More
The work of the Pacific Northwest’s best artists—including glass masters Dale Chihuly and Benjamin Moore, and founders of the Northwest... Read More
Although it doesn’t get the same hype as the Seattle Art Museum (especially given the SAM’s lavish reopening in early 2007), the Frye&rsquo... Read More
Located upstairs from Ballard’s Thaiku, Fu Kun Wu is both secretive and sensual. Originally a Chinese apothecary upstairs with an opium den below,... Read More
For an aquatic perspective of Gig Harbor, rent a kayak, canoe, paddleboat, or powerboat. For more surefooted types, there's also the relatively newer... Read More
Stop in for scrumptious homemade cookies (and pick up a kit for making gingerbread houses at home). Read More
Hand-blown glass votives are the only thing for sale at this 5,700-square-foot studio/boutique in the Madrona neighborhood. Founder Lee Rhodes... Read More
Head to the Goldendale Observatory for some guided stargazing. Read More
Harlequin Productions draws theatergoers to its unconventional shows here. Read More
This diminutive little bar in Ballard truly is teensy with just a handful of stools and minimal standing room on the main floor. Nonetheless, patrons... Read More
Located on the neighborhood's main drag, Hitchcock Madrona demands repeat visits since owners Erica Nelson-Sheehan and Dustin Nelson (who are cousins)... Read More
Start the day with a cinnamon roll or egg sandwich. Closed December–April. Read More
Serious collectors of Asian antiques come from far and wide to visit Honeychurch; the shop has a long and vaunted history with origins in Hong Kong... Read More
Icicle Junction has a fantastic mini-golf course. Or head to Lake Wenatchee (about a half-hour drive north), for boating and horseback riding. Read More
Bring a flashlight on the Iron Horse Trail, which parallels old railroad tracks and includes a tunnel that goes underneath the pass. Read More
The handmade custom-created vintage wedding gowns at Isadora’s, based on bias-cut designs from the 1930’s, draw brides-to-be from all over... Read More
Visitors can try some of Washington's best Syrahs in a starkly modern, 33,000-square-foot facility that includes a full-time kitchen staff, wine-tasting... Read More
Since 1951, this brick-faced Port Townsend museum in this historic district has welcomed visitors to what was once a City Hall court room. Exhibits... Read More
Orchardist Les Price grows an incredibly diverse crop in this "backyard region" of Seattle—some 150 varieties on just four acres. Price attributes... Read More
Despite its minimalist décor, there’s a warm-and-fuzzy feeling about this eco-chic women’s wear shop (the warm greeting you’ll... Read More
Founded in 1946 by three high school buddies, this still locally owned seaplane operation has a fleet of 25 aircrafts performing seasonal, scheduled... Read More
King’s Hardware, a beer bar that serves some of the best burgers in town, attracts a young, fun-loving crowd. Inside, the weathered brick and wood... Read More
This Georgetown decor shop sells cool collector furniture and one-of-a-kind and found objects. Devoted hunter and gatherer Kirk Albert scours... Read More
Paddle out to tiny Cutts Island, keeping an eye out for seals; later, wind down the day with a beach stroll on Kopachuk’s shore, looking for sand... Read More
Get a crash course in the explorers’ journey. Read More
Keep a lookout for lynx, deer, elk, and eagles while you cast in Big Meadow Lake. Read More
Rent a bike to explore the island’s farm roads and coastal trails. Read More
The shop sells vintage maps and Audubon lithographs. Read More
This quiet community is regarded by its residents as a small town within Seattle. Named after a species of tree common to the area, Madrona’s... Read More
Admire the Rodin sculptures and explore a full-scale replica of Stonehenge on the grounds. Read More
While you're in one of the best whale-watching spots in the world, don't miss boating out to Haro Strait to marvel at breaching orcas and humpbacks... Read More
The Mystery: The nine-foot-wide bottomless hole and former dump site on Mel Waters’s former property near Ellensburg, Washington, is awash in... Read More
Minglement has been serving Vashon Island’s hale and hearty since 1974. Today the organic food emporium carries an array of local produce,... Read More
Dark-wood booths, wine-red walls, and candlelight combine to create a dark and intimate vibe in this Green Lake bistro and lounge. Regulars listen to... Read More
Take flight with this outfitter to explore the Methow Valley’s mountains and meadows. Read More
This park has seen impressive regrowth since the 1980 eruption, but it’s still full of eerie landscapes and volcanic remnants. Stop at the Castle... Read More
Visitors can watch molten glass creations being blown in the Museum of Glass’s (MOG) Hot Shop, a 90-foot stainless steel cone and working studio.... Read More
Fifty miles from Bellingham on the Canadian border is a picture-postcard Pacific Northwest landscape of sawtooth mountains slung with hammocks of snow.... Read More
Two local filmmakers started this nonprofit in 1995 to provide resources for the region’s struggling film artists. Several expansions later, NWFF... Read More
Get your regional-history fix here. Read More
Hard-core kayakers head for the islands of Puget Sound, but more casual paddlers can explore plenty of gorgeous waterways right within Seattle’s... Read More
Visitors can try some of Washington's best Syrahs in a starkly modern, 33,000-square-foot facility that includes a full-time kitchen staff, wine-tasting... Read More
Visit the Nutcracker Museum, which displays more than 5,000 of the iconic toy. Read More
The Pike/Pine corridor is home to this popular café-bar-restaurant that opens early and stays up late. With timeworn wood floors and exposed... Read More
Between April and December, beekeepers, artisans, and local organic farmers gather here to sell their wares. Read More
Designated by Congress in 1938, mammoth and mountainous park stretches across rugged Pacific coast and lush interior old-growth forests. Daylong... Read More
Take a photo op where the falls plunge into a perfectly round canyon. Read More
Snow-capped Mount Rainier anchors 240 miles of hiking trails, ranging from wildflower-field nature walks to icy summit ascents. Stop at the Paradise... Read More
Grab a picnic table: kids can sip old-fashioned root beer floats while parents enjoy Syrah. Read More
The Pike/Pine corridor in Seattle runs from Interstate 5 to 15th Ave E and is named after the two parallel commercial strips that form it. The corridor... Read More
This charming aviary has more than 200 exotic birds. Read More
Puget Sound's oldest lighthouse watches over the evergreen-lined coast. Scan the sand for dogwinkles, limpets, and geoducks - the world's biggest... Read More
Located in Ballard, Portalis Wine Shop and Bar is frequented by Seattle’s most discerning food and wine aficionados, especially right after the... Read More
Just a few miles off the Coulee Corridor, this 640-acre park makes a great spot for a picnic, a boat ride on the freshwater reservoir, and, of course,... Read More
Every Earth Day, the Procession of the Species parade, with participants colorfully dressed as birds, turtles, killer whales and more, weaves through... Read More
A combination gallery/shop/"culture incubator," Pulp Lab's retail outlet is an offshoot of proprietress Kate Pawlicki's NY-Seattle creative agency. Pulp... Read More
This outfitter teaches basic climbing skills that enable novices to reach Columbia Crest while attached to a guide by ropes. Read More
Given that Seattle is filled with hikers, kayakers, and cyclists, it only makes sense that the city is home to the mother of all outdoor stores. REI... Read More
Although Retrofit Home specializes contemporary home furnishings, the Capitol Hill store also sells transitional and mid-Century modern furniture.... Read More
Since the Mariners’ inaugural game in 1999, their “new” stadium has been a top destination for Major League Baseball fans. The 47,000... Read More
Sambar is probably the smallest bar in Seattle (there are just four barstools and five tiny tables)—even when the backyard garden is open, 15... Read More
While you're in one of the best whale-watching spots in the world, don't miss boating out to Haro Strait to marvel at breaching orcas and humpbacks... Read More
The Mystery: At the base of Mount Adams lies an incredible hotbed of UFO activity: a wooded ranch-cum-spiritual retreat owned by James Gilliland. The... Read More
James Gilliland, the founder of Enlightened Contact with ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (ECETI), has been hosting seekers at his ranch at the mountain... Read More
Spot seals and otters in the waters below. Read More
The South Lake Union Trolley runs a more than 2.6-mile-long course with 11 stops in downtown Seattle. The system was put into service in December 2007... Read More
This curiosity shop is the brainchild of artist Curtis Steiner, whose 1,000 Blocks project (a thousand painted wooden blocks that can be arranged to... Read More
Hidden on quiet Stewart St., this Belltown bar is easy to miss, but the search makes finding it all the sweeter, say devotees. Artisan and classic... Read More
This whimsical shop stocks pétanque sets and handblown sake glasses. Read More
While house-crafted mixers have become standard-issue at many trendy lounges, Sun Liquor raises the bar by having its own distillery (located on Pike... Read More
The windows reveal hot-pink walls and racks upon racks of feminine street fashion: T-shirts by DaftBird, Jay Godfrey silk cocktail dresses, and gold... Read More
The museum pays tribute to native son and world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly, and surveys Pacific Northwest art from oils to jewelry. Read More
This Georgetown tavern and multimedia event venue is the place to be for indie fun with art shows, concerts, even all-day waffles and televised football... Read More
Live piano music accompanies evening cocktails in the lobby bar of downtown's Fairmont Olympic hotel. The Terrace channels a genteel vibe with plenty o... Read More
Instead of beer-soaked concrete and standing-room only, this rock club for grownups offers plush cabaret-style seating in semicircular booths, and a... Read More
The challenging (and vertical) trail uphill leads to amazing views of Maple Valley and Mount Rainier beyond. Read More
Martinis are big at Tini Bigs—served in 10-oz. glasses, to be precise. Belltown is home to this unpretentious lounge specializing in... Read More
Artist and Seattle native Dehanna Jones built this buzzing glassworks studio/gallery in the heart of up-and-coming Georgetown. Jones hand-blows her... Read More
Most treatments at downtown’s Ummelina begin with a foot soak and tea ceremony. Seaweed pedicures are performed in private rooms, where customers... Read More
The Spread: Seattle claimed the No. 1 spot for farmers' markets in our annual America's Favorite Cities survey, so it's no surprise to find one of the... Read More
Uwajimaya has everything you need to become an Asian chef. The giant grocery store is crammed with over 20,000 delicacies from Japan, China, Korea,... Read More
Located in the Cascade area of South Union Lake, Velocity Art and Design is a Seattle interior design store focusing on contemporary home furnishings.... Read More
This Salmon Bay boutique carries womenswear, jewelry, and accessories from independent designers (mostly local) and caters mostly to flirty, pixie-ish... Read More
Coffee, basil, wasabi, and cantaloupe are among the house-infused vodka flavors served at this stylish cocktail lounge, the next-door offspring of the... Read More
Espresso Vivace's gran bar on Broadway is a 2,000-square-foot facility dedicated to making una bella tazza di caffe (a beautiful cup of... Read More
This vintage boutique and consignment shop in downtown is jam-packed with secondhand deals. The owners scour estate sales, attics, and garage sales for... Read More
Check out the migration maps and cetacean skeletons. Read More
Almost everyone starts the winery crawl at this winery, known for its cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and chardonnay. Read More
Kids will love the authentic Native American costumes and the towering Winter Lodge (a replica of a traditional meeting house). Read More
Piece through the region’s history, from petrified wood to log-cabin artifacts. Read More
Now a six-location, mini-chain, the original Zoka Coffee Roaster & Tea House was founded by owner Jeff Babcock in 1996. Today, the... Read More
