Pacific Northwest

[MikeFB2764 0]

I am trying to plan a family vacation for this summer. I have always wanted to go to the pacific northwest, but am not really sure where would be the best place.

Anybody been there or live there and have any ideas?

Thanks,

Mike

[karenmeal 0]

Do something like rent a cabin in the woods next to a major mountain out here (Rainier or Baker) and take the family fishing, hiking, and have campfires. You could spend a day or two in Seattle doing tourist things, but I wouldn't budget much more time than that.

Also, taking a trip out to one of the islands out here would be fun. You could also go up to Canada and check out B.C.

If you need help finding hiking spots let me know.

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[steveorino 7]

I lived there from 90 - 95. I agree with Karen. The Alpine lakes are pristine if you like the outdoors. If not spend a day downtown at Pike's Market, and the underground Seattle. Take in the Science Museum -- totally cool and good for kids and adults alike. A lunch at the Space Needle is cool. I'd take a ferry over to the islands if I could. The ferry ride alone is worth the trip. Although I lived there I never went to Vancouver BC (NOT Vancouver, WA) and that is a big regret as EVERYONE says that is a great place.

The UDUB district reminds me of the area around UTN when it was NTSU in Denton. It has that hippie feel.

As far as eats -- try Chang's in the UDUB district and if you take the ferry near Edmonds go to the bakery -- on main street.

If you are into sports a Mariner's game is cool. If you SCUBA, Jacgue Cousteau said the underwater park by the Edmonds ferry was one of the best man-made underwater parks in the world. I use to dive there every Monday.

The long time NWers will have lots more ideas, but that is my two cents for my favorite place I lived in.

EDITED TO ADD: Go to Snohomish (30 minutes N of Seattle) and make a jump.

steveOrino

[NWFlyer 2]

In addition to what everyone's said so far, you might also consider a few days on the Olympic Peninsula. Olympic National Park is amazing, Port Townsend is a really quaint little town. I'm also a big fan of Whidbey Island (which you can get to via ferry from a couple different directions, including from Port Townsend). The coast is pretty impressive as well, though it's certainly not warm sandy swimming beaches.

How old are your kids? What do they like to do? That might help with ideas, too.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[MikeFB2764 0]

The kids are 11, 9 and 6. I think they would have fun outdoors. I would imagine, though, it would have to be "simple" stuff though.

[steveorino 7]

Definitely take your kids to science musem downtown. My kids were 11, 8, 7 & 5 when we moved there and they LOVED it -- so did I (NWers, what is it called?), go up in the space needle, and take them to the outdoor climbing wall at UW.

steveOrino

[NWFlyer 2]

Pacific Science Center. Plus there's some rickety old amusement rides at Seattle Center. There's a Children's Museum there, too, but I don't know much about it or what ages it'd be appropriate for.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[livendive 8]

Pacific Northwest includes an awful lot of acreage. The mid-north Oregon coast and southern Washington coast are very cool, as is the Olympic rain forest, the Cascade mountains, Snoqualmie Falls, and lakes Couer D'Alene and Pend Oreille in northern Idaho (the latter being more attractive in my mind, near Sand Point, ID). Western Montana is gorgeous. Most of eastern washington, all of eastern Oregon, and most of southern Idaho are largely forgettable unless you're near Spokane (WA) or Boise (ID), or want to go BASE jumping in Twin Falls (ID). The rest of the forgettable part is semi-arid and kind of bland, though there are nice dropzones near both of those towns, and a different feel to lake camping/boating (at least in the Columbia River reservoirs such as Banks and Roosevelt). Anyhow, most of the replies thus far seem very Seattle-centric. I'd have to know a bit more about what general area you're planning for before throwing a dart and saying "check this out!".

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[leroydb 0]

ditto on Oregon.

you have to drive the coast HW 101... awesome!

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

[karenmeal 0]

The Seattle Zoo!!! You must take your kids there.. don't go on a weekend though.

I love this zoo. They have some really cool exhbits - especially the Pacific northwest one with grizzlies, mountain goats and river otters.

I will think about some hikes for your family and e-mail you my suggestions with directions.

When would this trip be? It has a great effect on hike availability due to snow levels.

-Karen

"Life is a temporary victory over the causes which induce death." - Sylvester Graham

[MikeFB2764 0]

We were thinking some time mid summer (july/august).

[DFWAJG 4]

Quote

I am trying to plan a family vacation for this summer. I have always wanted to go to the pacific northwest, but am not really sure where would be the best place.

Anybody been there or live there and have any ideas?

Thanks,




I lived in Oregon for three years. There is so much to see and do. The city of Portland is awesome. Great beers and nightlife. Great restaurants on Trendy third street. If you like gardens, the Japanese garden and rose test garden are just a short walk through Forest park (the nations largest urban park). there's powell's city of books, very cool store. And the water falls are not far away either. you can hike and climb Mt. Larch. Columbia River very beautiful. July is the best time to go. then there is the coast. Great drive from Portland to Canon beach. Call ahead for a place to stay. See the world's largest Siska Spruce (very impressive). then there is the high desert.....and on and on and on. Lot's of hikes and natural springs to get naked in. pm me for more.
Mike