History in Washington

Washington state happens to be the only state in this country named after a president. And yet, it wasn’t the Europeans who first settled in this area. According to scientists, people began arriving in what is now the state of Washington at least 13,000 years ago. But some scientists believe it was even before that. These people crossed over a land bridge that connected Alaska to Siberia.

Before Washington became a state, it was claimed by Spain and England. Of course, Native Americans lived on this land at the time, and they wanted the land for themselves. Over the years, treaties were signed, and wars were fought. More and more people followed the Oregon Trail and found themselves living in what is now Washington state.

After Washington was declared the 42^nd state in 1889, it wasn’t long before the Klondike Gold Rush began. Mount Rainier National Park was also established, and the Boeing Company was founded. There have been numerous historical events since that time, but none of them are as memorable as when Mount Saint Helens erupted in 1980.

Weather in Washington

Spring in Washington

Springtime in Washington brings warming temperatures and a slight decrease in the rain. However, the coastal areas can still feel very cool thanks to the breeze from the ocean. You will want to see what the weather is like in the area of Washington you are traveling to for your family vacation because each region is different.

Summer in Washington

It rarely gets out of the 60s during the summer months in Washington. But since the rain is mostly gone at this time of the year, and the sun is shining, it always feels warmer than it is to the locals.

Fall in Washington

The temperatures fall once again during the months of September, October, and November. Yet, you can still experience warmer days during this time of the year. As the season progresses, you will begin to see more rain forecasted for each day.

Winter in Washington

Temperatures can drop to below freezing during the winter months in Washington. While it can snow throughout the state, most of the precipitation stays as rain. The main places you will see snow is out in the mountainous areas, which is excellent news if you love to ski!

What to Pack for a Family Vacation in Washington

Since it hardly ever gets really warm in Washington, you may find that you can skip packing shorts in your suitcase. However, they can come in handy on certain days. Basically, I recommend packing pants, t-shirts, sweaters, and a light jacket. A raincoat or umbrella is a must during most of the year, as are waterproof boots.

During the winter, it is best to pack layers to go with a winter coat, hat, and gloves. This is especially true if you are spending your days by the shoreline or up in the mountains.

Activities to Embrace While on your Family Vacation in the Pacific Northwest and Washington

You could honestly spend hours wandering around markets, art galleries, and museums when you decide to take a family vacation in Washington. However, there is so much more to do in this stunning state. I recommend starting with a scenic drive to discover new places you will want to check out later during your visit.

From there you can hike the trails at a nearby state park, check out a local farm, and learn about the history of kites at the Kite Museum. You can’t miss Mount Saint Helen’s or all the waterfalls this area is known for either.

As you are spending time outside, you may want to go kayaking, windsurfing, or swimming. With more than 3,000 miles of shoreline, there will always be water around when you want it the most.

Other activities to embrace while on a family vacation in Washington include:

• Scuba diving
• Water skiing
• Whale watching
• Fishing
• Visit reindeer at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

Top Places to See in Washington

One of the first places you will want to see in Washington is Olympic National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a wildlife preserve, as well as a biosphere reserve. This is one of the best places to see multiple ecosystems at one time.

If you love visiting national parks, then Mount Rainier National Park must be next on your list. You will have the option to hike or drive around this park. Both options offer extraordinary views. Other driving options in Washington include Mount Baker Highway, the Coulee Corridor, and the North Cascades Scenic Highway.

You can’t leave Washington without checking out one of the active volcanoes in the world. Mount Saint Helens is quite fascinating. It is best to stop at the visitor’s center before driving around because you will learn quite a bit about the history of this volcano.

Shopping is a must when on a family vacation in Washington and Pike Place Market is the place to go! This market is huge and there is no way you can stop at every vendor in a single day. Don’t let that deter you though. Go in, grab a bite to eat and something to drink, and then wander around to see what souvenirs and other items catch your eye.

The last thing you must do during your Washington vacation is riding the ferry across Puget Sound. The ferry is the best way to visit the nearby islands, while also getting spectacular scenic views from a different vantage point.

More top places to see in the Pacific Northwest and Washington include:

• Museum of Flight
• Spokane’s Riverfront Park
• Space Needle
• Snoqualmie Falls
• San Juan Islands
• Chihuly Garden and Glass
• Fremont Troll

Amazing Festivals You Can’t-Miss in the Pacific Northwest and Washington

Bite of Seattle

It isn’t surprising that Seattle is known for its coffee. After all, Starbucks first started in this Pacific Northwest city. However, you may not be aware that tons of foodies live in the state of Washington and that it is a foodie’s paradise! The Bite of Seattle festival was first held back in 1982. Time at this festival will have you perusing more than 200 different food vendors while drinking craft beers and ciders. In the background, you can listen to one of the seventy-plus bands on the schedule. Other events held during this festival include live cooking demos, the Gladiator of the Grill BBQ Competition, and cook-off battles.

White Salmon Spring Festival

The White Salmon Spring Festival is held in White Salmon, Washington every year during the month of May. This weekend-long event is full of games, parades, competitions, entertainment, and food.

OysterFest

Since the state of Washington is right on the water, it shouldn’t surprise you that an entire festival is dedicated to oysters. This festival is held in Shelton, Washington every year during the month of October. This weekend event brings thousands of people to this small town. When you are not eating fresh oysters, you may find yourself dining on other fresh seafood dishes. Your favorite part of this festival will be the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championship.

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to Washington or another destination?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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An Extraordinary Self-Guided Tour of San Juan Island

One of the first things you will want to do while visiting San Juan Island is to see the wildlife via a kayaking adventure. You can venture out on a kayak for a couple of hours, half a day, an entire day, and even an overnight trip. The length of your adventure will determine how much of the wildlife you see. While you will see many wild animals, the ones you will be hoping to see the most are the whales.

More Things to Do on San Juan Island

If you love whales and want to learn more about them, a visit to the Whale Museum must be next on your list. You will learn about all the different whales that spend time in the Pacific Northwest and can even adopt a whale through their program. You can also visit Orcas Island.

The natural beauty of this island will have you wandering over to the Cattle Point Lighthouse. This lighthouse can be found on the southern end of the island. There has been some type of lighthouse in this location since 1888. But the one you will see was constructed by the Navy back in 1935.

Another way to see the gorgeous sights of this island is to board a seaplane for a tour. While this won’t really be a self-guided part of your tour, you will appreciate the fact you thought to add it to your itinerary! Your guide will share so much information with you during an adventure no one in your family will complain about.

One of the more fascinating places to visit on San Juan Island is Friday Harbor. So, we must make sure it is on your list of things to do. This is where you will find many local shops and restaurants. Many of the museums on the island are located in this area too. You can easily walk to this destination from where the ferry drops you off at the island.

Drink Wine on San Juan Island

You cannot leave San Juan Island without stopping at the San Juan Vineyards. This vineyard has been open since 1996. You are practically guaranteed to find a new wine during your wine tasting there. The rest of your family will love touring the vineyard and enjoying the events that take place there throughout the year.

San Juan Island is quite the destination to visit during your Pacific Northwest road trip. You can easily take a self-guided tour of this island, but there are many tour operators ready to show you around as well. Let’s work together to determine which option will work best for you, so you can have a fabulous time vacationing with your family!

If you would like more information on what to see and do in the Pacific Northwest click here.

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to the Pacific Northwest or another destination?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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5 Must-Do Activities on Orcas Island

Hike in Moran State Park

Moran State Park is comprised of more than five thousand acres. You will prefer to focus on the hiking trail that leads you to the stone observation tower at the top of Mt. Constitution. When you reach this tower, you will have gorgeous panoramic views of the park, nearby mountains, and even a couple cities in both the US and Canada. Once you have completed this hike, feel free to hike one of the many other trails. If you have the time.

Go Golfing

Surprisingly, Orcas Island has a golf course. You can get a round or two in when you are on your Pacific Northwest vacation. The Orcas Island Golf Club is only nine holes, but that is enough to keep you busy as you try to stay on par.

Go Whale Watching

While you can try to see whales from the shores of Orcas Island, your best bet is to take one of the three whale watching tours that are available. Taking one of these tours will have you seeing orcas, which are mostly called killer whales. You will spot humpbacks, gray whales, and minkes too. You will also have ample opportunities to see sea lions.

Go Shopping

In the middle of Orcas Island, you will discover Eastsound Village. This shopping area is filled with many local shops, as well as galleries, restaurants, and bakeries. The farmer’s market is held on Saturdays in the Village Green during the summer months too, so you will have even more shopping opportunities if you time your visit just right.

Go Kayaking

There are many places to go kayaking on Orcas Island. While you can venture out on your own, you can also secure a spot with a local tour guide. I love Crescent Beach and Cascade Lake, but Doe Bay, North Beach, and Ferry Landing are all popular spots as well.

These are the five must-do activities on Orcas Island, and you can spend an entire day or more there having an amazing time with your family. Let me help you make those family vacation memories today! We can create a fabulous road trip in the Pacific Northwest and add Orcas Island to your itinerary.

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to Orcas Island or another destination?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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The Pike Place Market in Seattle opened to the public on August 17, 1907. Its goal was to create a place for people to buy all types of fresh foods at reasonable prices. That hasn’t changed in all the time since then. It is still the go-to-market for those who live in Seattle, as well as those people who visit the area.

This market contains nine acres of land. You will find that it starts at Pike Street and continues to the north to Virginia Street. It also goes from 1^st Avenue to the west towards Western Avenue. There are plenty of winding alleys, lower and upper levels, and many stairways. With all those nooks and crannies, you must be prepared to get lost a little. However, that is part of the fun and only adds to the charm and ambiance when visiting this destination.

As you walk around Pike Place Market, you will find farmer market stalls, craft market stalls, fish market stalls, highstalls, and even lots of specialty foods and collectibles. At the farmer markets, you will find seasonal produce that is grown locally. The craft market stalls are filled with handcrafted items that are made by more than two hundred local artisans.

Oh, The Fish

There is a total of four fish markets. They are always filled with an abundance of fish. As for the collectibles, you will find everything from books and jewelry to comics and works of original art.

One of the things you will definitely want to have on your list to see at the Pike Place Market is Rachel the Piggybank. This bronze pig is massive. It weighs in at five hundred fifty pounds. While you are grabbing a selfie with Rachel, you should place a little bit of money into her piggy bank slot. All the money inside Rachel goes to social services within the market.

Street Performers

You will also want to take the time to watch the street performers, or buskers, who scatter themselves around the market. Certain times of the day offer more buskers than others. So, you may need to visit the market at different times to see quite a few of them. However, since the Pike Place Market is in the middle of the downtown area, it is not difficult to drop in to the market in between your other adventures.

Are you interested in visiting one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the US? Let’s talk about how we can include it within your Seattle vacation itinerary! There is so much to do in the Seattle area. I can help you make so many memories with your family when you are there!

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to Seattle or another destination?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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5 Best Things to See and Do in Seattle

Go to the Top of the Space Needle

The Space Needle is more than six hundred feet tall and it is one of the best places to experience the stunning views of the city and nearby mountains. While you can go to the observation deck, you may prefer The Loupe, which is a revolving glass floor. It offers a unique experience that you and your family will never forget. I recommend enjoying a glass of wine at the wine bar at the top too, but only if you are not afraid of heights. Don’t worry, they have all those drinks that your kids love at the café up there too!

Go Shopping at Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market has been open since 1907 and there are now more than two hundred vendors to purchase things from. While you can grab fresh fish at any of the four fish markets, and fresh fruits and vegetables from the produce stalls, I don’t want you to forget about the other specialty foods that are available. It is best to arrive at this market early to avoid the crowds, but honestly, you might be there all day exploring the nine acres that the entire market is in.

Explore Seattle’s Underground

There is a whole other city below the city you see today, and you must take the time to explore it during your visit. There are many different tour groups that offer ways to see Seattle’s Underground and I can help you choose the one that will work the best for your family.

Wander Through the Chihuly Garden and Glass

This gorgeous museum can be found at the Seattle Center and it is dedicated to the works by Dale Chihuly. There are eight different galleries to explore, but your favorite space will be the Garden. It is there where you will see four monumental works amongst all the fuchsias, daylilies, camellias, and handkerchief trees.

Take a Ride on a Ferry

The Washington State Ferries can take you to some amazing places on their twelve different routes. I love heading over to Bainbridge Island because the views there and back are stunning. You will love getting to explore the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art and the rest of the island before heading back to the big city.

These are the five best things to do in Seattle, but there are so many other options to add to your itinerary. I would love to spend some time creating the perfect list of things for your family road trip to Seattle. You will be amazed at how much you can do during the time you have available for your little adventure away from home! For more information on traveling to not only Seattle but the pacific northwest, click here.

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary in Seattle or another destination?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

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