Anand's Seattle Guide

Our Local Expert Says:

The best way for non-hikers to experience the wonders of the Olympic Rain Forest. Drive around Quinalt lake, enjoy the spectacular views of the mountains, lake and emerald green forest!

Description:

There are many ways to explore and enjoy the unique beauty of the Olympic Rain Forest. For those who prefer to experience the rain forest from their automobile, the following route provides excellent opportunities to see a wide variety of features within a relatively short period of time. Allow approximately one and a half hours to complete this 31 mile loop around Quinault Lake. You can begin your tour from any spot along the loop, however, the following description starts at the Forest Service Quinault Ranger Station on the South Shore of Quinault Lake.

From the ranger station, drive northeast on the South Shore Road. Watch for open vistas of Quinault Lake as you travel past Falls Creek Campground (.1 mile), several recreational residences, and Gatton Creek Campground (.5 mile). The Gatton Creek site provides excellent opportunities to access the water's edge and has picnic facilities and toilets.

Beyond the Forest boundary, the road continues through mixed ownership private lands. The Colonel Bob Trailhead (3.8 miles) is the major portal for hiking into the Colonel Bob Wilderness. Watch for Merriman Falls (4.4 miles) on the right side of the road.

The road parallels the Quinault River for several miles, providing views of an ever-changing stream. Notice the wide river bed and large gravel bars. Near the Olympic National Park boundary (9.8 miles) there is a small but spectacular waterfall at Bunch Creek that can be seen from the road.

Turn left at the next road junction (10.8 miles) and cross the Quinault River. Across the bridge the road forks again. Turn left and begin your tour along the North Shore. Look for Roosevelt Elk and other wildlife in the open fields. The Olympic National Park's Quinault River Ranger Station and a small Visitor Center (19.6 miles) provide a good opportunity to stretch. If time allows, walk the short half mile self-guided Maple Grove Nature Trail which begins neat the Visitor Center. July Creek Campground (22 miles) is a walk-in campground.

The route leaves the Park (25.3 miles) and intersects with Highway 101 (25.5 miles). Turn left onto Highway 101 and drive 2 miles to a road junction just across the Quinault River. Turn left after crossing the bridge. In a short mile, the road junctions with the South Shore Road. Turn left and drive to the Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail (29.1 miles). This trailhead has a large parking lot and restrooms. The loop trail offers an excellent opportunity to hike through lush understory, hanging mosses, and giant conifers. Small signs interpret the features of the rain forest.

From the trailhead, the road continues northeast to Willaby Campground (29.4 miles). This popular site has a boat ramp and picnic facilities. The Lake Quinault Lodge (31.3 miles) is near the end of the loop. This rustic lodge has a gift shop and bar and provides meals and rooms with spectacular views. There is a gas station and small mercantile across from the lodge. A return to the Quinault Ranger Station completes the loop.

NOTE: This route is mostly a two-lane paved surface road. However, there is a short, narrow, one lane section of gravel road north or the Park's Ranger Station on the North Shore. This section is not recommended for wide vehicles or trailers over 19 feet.

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Our Local Expert Says:

Don't miss your opportunity to see the eighth wonder of the world. Jagged peaks, sea stacks, emerald green rain forests, un touched beaches and hundreds of hikes are available for anyone willing to drive the extra mile out to the Peninsula.

Description:

At Olympic National Park, you can reach nearly a mile in elevation with a trip to Hurricane Ridge, where you'll find a visitor center and nature trails. Beginning early in the morning will increase your chances of seeing wildlife and help avoid the larger number of visitors later in the day. From Hurricane Ridge, a three-hour drive to the west will bring you to the Hoh Rain Forest. A visitor center, picnic area and short nature trails can enhance your rain forest visit. After leaving the Hoh, an hour and a half drive toward the northwest will bring you to Rialto Beach on the Pacific Ocean in time for sunset. Grocery stores, restaurants and other amenities are available in the towns of Port Angeles, Forks and at other locations along Highway 101 and the park access roads.

Description:

This lodge's spectacular setting inside Olympic National Park more than makes up for the lack of luxury. Five of the rooms and 22 of the cabins have astonishing ocean views. Many have full kitchens and either fireplaces or wood stoves, and all have large windows, separate bathrooms and comfortable beds. The restaurant features a variety of fresh seafood for dinner, and breakfast is an all-you-can-eat pancake extravaganza. From watching whales to hiking old-growth forests, the area has something for everyone.

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This company offers year-round high-speed passenger service to Victoria, British Columbia. The ships leave from Seattle in the morning for the 2.5-hour voyage through lovely Puget Sound to Victoria. Fares include a light breakfast, and the ships also sell drinks, snacks and souvenirs. June through mid-September, the company also operates ferry service to the San Juan Islands and other destinations. Overnight packages can be arranged. Schedules and prices vary. Call or check the Web site for detailed information.

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Description:

Hidden away in the southern reaches of West Seattle, this park is, in many respects, the ultimate archetype of a Seattle park. Big but not too big, woodsy but not too densely forested, everything is just right. The beach is perfect for exploring, the meadows just right for Frisbee and the picnic areas nicely sheltered. And, Colman Pool (open only in the summer) lets you experience the salty waters of Puget Sound without the icy temperatures or the filth. If that doesn't provide waves enough, walk out of the park to the south and hop the ferryboat for a scenic 15-minute ride over to Vashon Island.

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Nine acres of fresh produce, seafood, coffee, donuts, crafts, unique restaurants and friendly vendors, all set against a backdrop of the Puget Sound – that's Pike Place Market, widely recognized as one of the oldest and best farmer's markets in the country. If you only have one day in Seattle, head downtown to get a real taste of the city in every sense. From fresh cheese curds at Beecher's to chowder at Pike Place Chowder, from necklaces and bags to hand-stitched leather journals and hats, from accordions to pianos to hula-hooping guitarists – there's something for your eyes, ears, and nose everywhere you look at the market.

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It's more than just the home of the Space Needle. Seattle Center's rides, games, restaurants and grounds span 74 acres; it's possible to spend an entire sight-seeing day right here. For the kids, it's a sure bet for entertainment, with everything from roller coasters to arcade games and mini-golf. There's also a children's museum and theatre in the Center House for a more educational experience. On a summer day, break out the bathing suits and splash around in the International Fountain (with plenty of grass for lying out and catching some rays as well).

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With eleven exhibits and 22,000 sq feet of space, this museum is the ideal place to let the little ones crawl around and explore. Features include a toddler "Discovery Bay," a global village, a kid-sized art studio, and Go Figure! – a Microsoft-sponsored exhibit that allows kids to jump inside their favorite storybooks.

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Description:

The brief drive outside the city is worth it to get a look at Wright planes, war planes, spy planes and more. The Great Hall features over twenty actual planes, including the man-powered Gossamer Albatross, an F-5 supersonic fighter and a Blackbird spy plane. The exhibits walk you through the history of flight, including everything from the Wright brothers to the mystery of Amelia Earhart, with artifacts, newspaper clippings and old video footage.

The kid's center is filled with interactive flight fun, but the real highlight is the simulated air-traffic control tower. As the museum is next to the Boeing airport, you'll watch real planes land and hear real-time transmissions as the pilots are guided in.

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Description:

Looking for a Cali beach town vibe in the Pacific Northwest? The Alki Beach isn't just a hotspot for getting some sun and surf, it gives visitor's a chance to explore the historic Alki Point, where the first settlers began what would become the city of Seattle. Alki beach is a great place for all of your favorite beach activities – swimming, sunning, biking, volleyball, grilling – and there are dozens of shops, cafes and restaurants to explore after you've soaked in enough sun. Be sure to check out the Alki Lighthouse and the miniature Statue of Liberty while you're there.

Our Local Expert Says:

A great example of urban post-industrial transformation

Description:

The Olympic Sculpture Park transforms a nine-acre industrial site into open and vibrant green space for art. This new waterfront park gives Seattle residents and visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of sculpture in an outdoor setting, while enjoying the incredible views and beauty of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Admission is free.

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Newly remodeled as of 2007, the Seattle Aquarium is one of the best attractions on the waterfront for kids. The exhibits start off with a bang when you walk in to see divers feeding the fish in an enormous tank near the entrance, and touching the starfish, sea cucumbers and anemones in the tide pools is fun for both kids and adults.

The overwhelming favorites seem to be the sea otters, who splash and float about in synchronized pairs, but the giant octopus is worth a peek as well!

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You haven't seen Seattle until you've seen it from a Duck! Join this family-friendly Seattle Duck tour and explore the many sights aboard a World War II amphibious vehicle. Your Coast Guard certified sea captains quack you up with local history, folklore, funky music and just plain fun!

On your Seattle Duck tour, you'll see the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, historic Pioneer Square, downtown Seattle and funky Fremont before you SPLASH into Lake Union for a spectacular view of the city skyline, luxurious yachts, and the famous Sleepless in Seattle Houseboats!

This 90 minute Seattle duck tour has been voted one of the top five must-do's in Seattle.

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Seattle Center is one of the city's primary attractions, and since thousands of visitors come to enjoy all it has to offer, a visitor center was set up here to answer questions and supply information about the park, the buildings it houses and the events that take place here. You can also pick up maps and brochures on Seattle and adjacent areas, as well as get answers to your questions. The information center is open only during high season, May-September, but brochures are available year-round.

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A Seattle tradition since 1938, this casual waterfront restaurant has a spectacular view of Elliott Bay. For more than 60 years, people have come here for fresh seafood and a good time. Wooden tables and chairs fill the large, open space. Choose from a selection that includes Oysters Rockefeller, Seafood Pasta, Dungeness Crab-Topped Prawns, clams, Bouillabaisse, the restaurant's famous clam chowder and more. A private dining room can accomodate up to 50 people.

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No, this isn't the zoo, although the zoo is indeed smack in the middle of this park, which lives up to its name with 188 acres of towering deciduous forest and rolling lawns. It also offers tennis courts, playfields and picnic areas on its east side (near Green Lake), and shrubbery-shrouded meadows on its west side (on Phinney Avenue North). In the center, by one of the zoo entrances, is the park's beloved rose garden (5500 Phinney Ave North; +1 206 684 4863). The high-walled space is crammed with dozens of different hybrids, tea roses and climbers.

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With an average annual rainfall of 150 inches, this lush temperate rain forest requires waterproof shoes. Trees soar more than 300 feet into the sky, while mosses, lichens and mushrooms cover the ground. Three nature walks, including the trek through the Hall of Mosses, are easy enough for the entire family, while more adventurous hikers can load up the gear and spend the weekend along the Hoh River or on the slopes of Mount Olympus. The folks at the ranger station happily provide suggestions and maps to various points of interest. No matter which path you take, chances are you'll spot some wildlife: Raccoons, hares, elk and cougar all make their homes here. Nature lovers staying overnight will appreciate nearby Kalaloch Lodge, the only hotel in the vicinity. Overnight camping spots are available in the forest on a first-come, first-served basis, for $10 per night.

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Just another quirky spot to visit in Fremont! The neighborhood's infamous troll, 18-feet high and clutching a VW bus it seemingly grabbed off of the Aurora bridge, is a great place for tourists to take a few funny photos. The troll is part of Fremont in every way, from making appearances in the Solstice Parade to donning his own Halloween costume every October.

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The best orca (killer) whale watching is off San Juan Island, near Seattle. The San Juan Islands are considered the "jewels" of the Pacific Northwest, located in the Puget Sound.

San Juan Island is considered the best place to view orca whales because the salmon, which are their prime source of food (about 95% of what they eat), travel up and down the west coast of San Juan Island and outlying areas.

Take this Whale watching tour and see orca whales which has been viewed on over 90% of the tours with the possibility of spotting minke, humpback and gray whales to be higher. What is the best time to see orca whales? Anytime. They are out and about all day.  You will be guaranteed see marine mammals and come back with memories to last a lifetime!

Enjoy the beauty of San Juan Island on our exclusive Whale Watch Cruise from Friday Harbor. Sail aboard the fast, new MV Sea Lion with windowed, heated cabin, which seats up to 24 guests.

Want a more intimate tour - join the special limited tour , small groups with a maximum capacity of 12 people.

Important Note: Regardless of whether you are bringing your car on the ferry, it is best to be at  the Anacortes ferry parking lot 1 hour  prior to the ferry departure (not to be confused with the time of your tour departure) In July and August arrive at least 1.5 hours prior to the ferry departure if you bring your car across. A car may not necessary on San Juan Island.

Park your car in the Anacortes ferry parking lot and purchase purchase a passenger ticket. Allow at least 90 minutes driving time from Seattle to Anacortes.  Use I-5 north, Exit 230. The diamond lane makes it a breeze to drive up.  

Ferry schedule changes seasonally and has specific departure times. Please ask about the latest Washington State Ferry schedule to ensure you arrive with enough time to make your way to the tour departure point.

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Description:

Most students learn that Seattle suffered from a massive fire in 1889, but what they don't always hear is that Seattle as we know it today was built on top of the old city. While much of the space is still condemned, Bill Speidel's Underground Tour in Pioneer Square takes you under the city, where you can roam the original sidewalks and take a peek at old brothels and bank vaults. Because of the nature of the rebuilding problems, which revolve mostly around Seattle's infamous plumbing issues, the tour is very humorous. The entire tour lasts about an hour and a half, with tickets currently running at $15 per person.

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Of all the mountains that surround Seattle, Mount Rainier stands boldest. On clear days, you can see the mountain from downtown, but to grasp its full beauty, you must see it up close.

Breathtaking vistas await on this rocky peak more than 14,000 feet tall. Even when clouds in Seattle obscure the view from the city center, once you climb in altitude, Mount Rainier's scenery is awe-inspiring. Don't forget your camera - this 10-hour day trip is a feast for the eyes!

Your tour begins with a scenic bus ride, stopping at a visitors' center before you continue into Mount Rainier National Park. Purchase lunch on your own at the world renowned Whittaker School of Mountaineering, where an exclusive 30-minute slide show takes you on a visual journey to the summit, presented by a professional Mount Rainier Guide.

On your way to Paradise Visitors' Center, you'll linger at several scenic lookout points and gaze at the natural wonders - crashing waterfalls, diverse plant life, and the snowcapped summit. In the late afternoon, you will follow a different route back to Seattle, taking in even more great scenery.

This tour is seasonal and only operates from 1 May to 30 September.

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Since she blew her top in 1980, Mount St. Helens has been one of the world's most popular tourist attractions. It became even more so when it recently began to spew ash again. The mountain itself is quite visible from Portland, but the visitor's center is two and one-half hours away by vehicle. Once there, you can walk through a replica of the volcano, learn about the mountain's history and pick up directions to Johnson Ridge Observatory where you can peer into the crater.

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West Seattle may be the most unjustly neglected part of the city, and this park is a case in point. It is unknown even to many residents, but its 68 acres of forest are among the most breathtaking in the area. Visitors should plan a day trip or stay for the night in one of the cabins. Staff naturalists are available for rock climbing classes and interpreted nature walks.

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A place that makes learning fun – sounds cheesy and cliche, but it's the truth. This Center exists to show children (and adults!) how interesting life and science really is, with everything from robotic ants and dinosaurs, virtual reality games, and special exhibits that change from month to month. The Center is also home to a planetarium complete with laser shows, as well as an IMAX theater.

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New visitors would never guess the Woodland Park Zoo is over 100 years old, and one of the oldest on the west coast. The grounds, 92 acres in all, are well-kept and clean, allowing you to view almost 300 species of animals.

The zoo provides a home for 35 endangered and five threatened animal species. Its botanical collection includes 7,000 trees and more than 50,000 shrubs and herbs representing more than 1,000 species. There's also a food court, as well as seating area for those interested in packing a picnic lunch.

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Our Local Expert Says:

The definitive way to explore Stanley Park

Description:

This trail is located within the city of Vancouver. The seawall around Stanley Park offers some of the best views in Vancouver, along with a welcome break form the bustle of city life. The paved loop is approximately 9 km (5.4 miles) in length and has little elevation change. This is one of the most pleasant family rides in the city. As you roll your way around the seawall, take your time. Marvel at the diversity of Vancouver and its many ways of life. Excellent views of Burrard Inlet and the city of Vancouver. © Copyright Ward Cameron Published by Ward Cameron Enterprises. All Rights Reserved.