Hurricane Ridge is one of the best places to visit in Olympic National Park! Located high in the Olympic Mountains, views from Hurricane Ridge extend all the way to Canada on a clear day. Hurricane Ridge was named for the intense winds that can travel through the area. If you want to see snowcapped mountains,…
There are several stunning beaches located along Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, and one of our favorites is Third Beach. We like this beach because it’s more secluded than the famous nearby Ruby Beach. It takes a little more effort to reach Third Beach, because there’s a 1.3 mile hike to access it. Once we reached…
In my opinion, Ruby Beach is easily one of the most beautiful beaches in Washington State. This stunning beach has everything I love about the rugged Washington Coast: towering sea stacks, vibrant tide pools, and tons of driftwood. The beach is named Ruby Beach for the reddish color of the sand. We recently visited Ruby…
The Tree of Life in Kalaloch is one the most impressive natural wonders in Washington State. The tree’s roots are completely exposed as it is suspended over a bluff. Even though its roots aren’t in the soil, the tree remains green. It continues to live despite all odds! ***Update: As of 2026, the Tree of…
Kalaloch Beach is located in Olympic National Park on the western coast of Washington State. It’s the perfect place to watch a dramatic sunset over the Pacific Ocean. The beach itself is comprised of fine sand and lots of driftwood. My husband and I spent a weekend camping there with a view of the Pacific…
As a Washington State resident, one of my favorite places to visit is the Hoh Rain Forest. This magical forest has an abundance of plant life due to the frequent rainfall it receives. The forest receives an astonishing 140 inches of rainfall each year! In comparison, the nearby city of Seattle receives only 38 inches…
Snowflake Lane is one of our favorite annual winter traditions. Each year, it takes place in downtown Bellevue, Washington. We love that it’s a free event that occurs nightly during the holiday season. We can just show up on a night that works well for us! The parade typically takes place at 7pm each night…
Looking for the best day trips from Seattle? You don’t have to travel far to trade the city for mountains, islands, beaches, waterfalls, wine country, and charming small towns. Some of the best places to visit are less than an hour away, while others make for a longer but unforgettable full-day adventure. I’ve lived in…
Did you know that Washington State is the second largest wine producer in the country? The city of Woodinville, in particular, has over 130 wineries in four distinct wine districts. Over the years we’ve visited many of these wineries ourselves. In addition to excellent wines, many of the wineries have beautiful outdoor gardens, expansive lawns,…
Mountlake Terrace, located about 14 miles north of Seattle, is a quiet suburb with plenty of things to do. I think that it’s an exciting time for the city because plans are underway to build a new Town Center. There’s also the new light rail line, which makes traveling to Seattle so much easier. Even though…
One of our favorite parts about living in Seattle is the ability to easily travel to the islands and find a slower pace of life. In one moment we can be in the heart of the city, and 35 minutes later we can be across the water and on island time. Bainbridge Island is one…
Planning a trip to Seattle? Wondering what you should see on your trip? In this post, I’m sharing with you the best 4 day itinerary for Seattle! I grew up in the Seattle area and I’m sharing my favorite places to spend a long weekend in Seattle. (These are the places I take my own family…
