You don’t have to go far from home to escape this summer. Some of our best trips are just a short drive away in the beautiful Northwest. The sun doesn’t show itself much here in Seattle, except for the three months of summer so we do our best to maximize every day here. Wherever this summer takes you, be sure to explore quick local escapes in your own backyard. Here are a few of my favorites in the Northwest.
Go Glamping: G is for glamour camping – glamping is like packing a five-star hotel room into a canvas tent. HipTravelMama was raving about this last summer and now this summer we are seeing this trend on many magazines including Seattle Met, Seattle Magazine and Sunset. There are numerous glamping sites around the country and the world. On the West coast, Lakedale Resort in Friday Harbor has canvas cabins, retro airstream trailers to sleep under the stars in comfort. Prices start at $149 per night. Cave B Inn at SageCliffe on the Columbia gorge also has luxury yurts and cliff-side retreats among the vineyards. Give it a whirl!
Visit Northwest Wine Country. Northwest wine country is not just for parents, you can also take the kids. Consider planning a picnic at a winery in Willamette Valley, and stay at the Allison Inn & Spa. In the Tri-Cities area, Racing Limos offers limo tours for families to visit the resident dogs who live and work on the wineries. Or hop a hot air balloon ride over wine country with WineCountryBalloonTour.com . We are using WashingtonWine9 tours this summer for a girlfriends getaway to Walla Walla and staying at the luxurious ABEJA.
Victoria BC, Symphony Splash. Victoria BC is just a short ferry ride or Kenmore air flight away. Every summer Victoria hosts the Symphony Splash, an outdoor concert and event for kids of all ages. The Symphony Splash event offers many kid-friendly activities including an instrument petting zoo and endless activities for families with kids of all ages.
There are so many more great things to do around the Northwest, including day trips to Pike Place Market, Alki Beach and hike the mountains of Tiger Mountain. Where are some of your favorite places to play in the Northwest?
Check out our 5-4-3-2-1 countdown to summer travel for other summer trip ideas for families!