One hour Away: Day trips around Seattle

You don’t have to go far out of Seattle to find something novel, exciting and downright invigorating. Nestled between two majestic mountain ranges and situated on the shores of an inland ocean our city and the surrounding hinterland have many opportunities for relaxation, recreation and an inquisitive mind.

Mountain Loop Highway
Time: 50 min (from Seattle to Granite Falls)
Directions
The Mountain Loop Highway is a 100 mile loop of pristine highway views around the Cascadian foothills here in Western Washington. From Seattle your easiest access is Granite Falls, from there you can loop easterly through Darrington and then Arlington and back to Granite Falls. This loop offers much to be enjoyed by an outdoor enthusiast or a car tourist. Just outside of Granite Falls, State Highway 92 shoots east for 34 miles following the South Fork of the Stillaguamish River to where you summit Barlow Pass. Along the way you pass through historic mining (ghost) towns Silverton, Robe, Verlot and access to Monte Cristo. You’ll also pass a variety of trailheads, camping areas and wilderness access points. From Barlow you drop down into Darrington, from where you curve back west through pleasant county side and farmland.

In the fall of 2003 heavy flooding washed out four sections of this historic byway near Barlow Pass and closed the road to outdoor enthusiasts. After five years and $10 million in repairs, the road was re-opened in June of 2008. The Mountain Loop Highway is another Washington area that you could spend years exploring.

Tacoma Museum of Glass
Time: 37 min.
Directions
The landmark museum opened July 6, 2002; the museum features many works of the Northwest Native and World renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. Born out of a casual conversation between friends, the Tacoma Museum of Glass has come to represent the revitalization of downtown Tacoma, as well as the vitality of the medium of glass art. Read more...

Wallace Falls/ Deception Falls
Time: 1 hr.
Directions
The Wallace Falls State Park located on the west side of the Cascade Mountains just outside of Gold Bar on Highway 2. Pack a picnic and come for an afternoon of hiking and exploring. The park features a 265-foot waterfall, old-growth coniferous forests, and several magnificent vantages; the park is full of abundant flora and fauna. More info.

Wine tasting on Whidbey Island
Time: 1 hr. 5 min.
Directions
With a large selection of whites and reds to choose from Whidbey Island Winery is an excellent afternoon jaunt. Whidbey's rain-shadow climate and casual but cultured attitude made it our choice for home, vineyards and winery. Just a short ferry ride from the Seattle/Everett metropolitan, go out for the afternoon and taste a few wines, heck, buy a bottle and drink it in the lawn. If you have dinner obligations grab a couple bottles of your favorite varietals and head back to the city.
Seattle.net Recommends Lemberger ~ Yakima Valley
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Marymoor Park Redmond
Time: 18 min.
Directions
Marymoor Park is a 640-acre greenbelt complete with the largest off-leash dog area in the state, regional trails, a velodrome, climbing rock, rowing, gardening, and picnic areas. It’s a great spot to play baseball, cricket or soccer. The park is also home to concerts, movies and other special events. Despite its large size, there are still ample, tucked away spots for a quiet afternoon. More Info

Tiger Mountain State Forest
Time: 32 min.
Directions
Tiger Mountain is the quickest way to satiate a thirst for the woods. Managed by the state, the conservation area encompasses over 13,000 acres of forest and 80 miles of trail. There are a vast network of options including hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Many trails are wide and gently sloped as they are old railroad grades, but there are several more arduous options that payoff in panoramic views of Seattle, the Olympics and Mt. Rainier. More Info

The Iron Horse Trail
Time: 41 min.
Directions
The Iron Horse Trail is a 110-mile affair that was acquired by the state and turned into a park when the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad went bankrupt in the 1980’s. Because of it’s railroad-quality grade, scenic views, and modern facilities, the trail is popular with cyclists. The trail skirts lakes, waterfalls, and pass through the Snoqualmie Tunnel (closed for winter on Nov. 1st). One can choose to shuttle cars and take the trail from the top of the pass down toward North Bend or Cle Elum, opt for a loop or any variant thereof.

Goldmyer Hot Springs
Time: 2 hrs.
Directions
On privately owned land surrounded by the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, this beautiful spring flows from a cave in a cliff along a roaring creek way up the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road outside North Bend. It is operated and strictly controlled by the nonprofit group Northwest Wilderness Programs. The cave entrance is dammed to create a 110-degree pool, and two rock pools below are about 102 degrees. It is best to make a reservation. Fee is $10 per day; (206) 789-5631 More info.

Mt. Si
Time: 40 min
Directions
Mount Si (“sigh”), recognizable from its Twin Peaks fame, towers over the town of North Bend. The mountain was named after local homesteader Josiah "Uncle Si" Merritt. A busy trail runs four miles to summit, gaining about 3,500 ft along the way. Because of its proximity and drier conditions than trails higher up in the Cascades, the route is popular year round. One thing to keep in mind, the actual trail ends just shy of the summit—a short scramble is required to reach to top of the “Haystack.”
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Ferry to the San Juan Islands
Time: 1 hr.37 min.
Directions
Anacortes is the gate to the San Juan Islands, an archipelago of over 450 islands. Only six of the islands are accessible by public ferry. San Juan, Orcas, Shaw and Lopez Islands are all great places to visit for a day or longer. You could spend years exploring these island and there many facets. Places we wouldn’t miss: Mt. Constitution on Orcas, Friday Harbor on San Juan, Fishermen’s Bay and Sharks Reef Point on Lopez. If you’re looking for seclusion visit Shaw Island with no commercial activities on it, a couple state parks and two monasteries.
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