Travel & Outdoors

Water Adventures Gear Guide

Water Adventures Gear Guide

If you're ready to stop renting and take the plunge on a new purchase, here's where to start

This article is part of the cover story for the August 2018 issue. Find more from the story here. Click here to subscribe. On a hot summer day, it’s hard to resist getting out on the water. There are plenty of places to rent gear such as stand-up paddleboards and kayaks, or you can take the plunge and invest…

4 Washington Water Parks For Kids of All Ages

4 Washington Water Parks For Kids of All Ages

Kids of all ages pack these giant water playgrounds—and with each park’s unique personality, you may want to try them all

This article is part of the cover story for the August 2018 issue. Find more from the story here. Click here to subscribe. Kids of all ages pack these giant water playgrounds—and with each park’s unique personality, you may want to try them all

How the Instagram Effect Is Fueling the Next Generation of Seattle Hikers

How the Instagram Effect Is Fueling the Next Generation of Seattle Hikers

Eddie Bauer’s #WhyIHike campaign is capturing stories and photos of people enjoying the great outdoors

Social media and hiking: it might seem like an unlikely combo, but recent data shows that one is fueling the growth of the other. The so-called “Instagram effect” might be inspiring a new generation of Seattle hikers who are hitting the trail for that mountain high – and the perfect shareable shot. This follows a…

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

New study pinpoints visitors, dollars in Washington state

A study for the Pacific Whale Watch Association by Martin Associates finds that whale watching expeditions in Washington state create $119.1 million in economic value and support 1,125 jobs…

You Better Belize It

You Better Belize It

Fly nonstop from Seattle and enjoy the jungle, the sea, and everything else the country has to offer

With its colonial past as British Honduras, Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region. But the blend of European, Central American, Mexican, Spanish, and Caribbean influences doesn’t even begin to describe Belize’s unique potpourri of cultures. The landscape is dotted with numerous Mayan temples, both ready to visit and still under excavation. The jungles teem with wildlife, including the elusive jaguar and the world’s first nature preserve dedicated to the well-being of that magnificent beast.

Direct, Connect, Reflect

Direct, Connect, Reflect

It’s easier than ever to reach these sun-splashed sensations from Seattle

Need to escape Seattle this winter? Need some inspiration to pack a carry-on and cash in those miles? Here are four nonstop flights for nonstop escape. In June, Alaska Airlines announced new nonstop service to Nassau, Bahamas, beginning Dec. 15. Board one of these flights at 9 a.m. and land just six hours later. Even…

Winter Escapes

Winter Escapes

These cold destinations are pretty hot this time of year

Winter in Seattle is a magical time for holiday lights, cool walks with hot beverages, and the occasional dusting of snowfall on our beautiful parks. Winter is also, paradoxically, the ideal time to get out of town. As the skies darken and the days get shorter, the lure of adventure tempts.
Here are some ideas for winter escapes that will ignite the bonfires of travel as soon as the temperature drops.

Running in a Wetsuit, Swimming in Shoes

Running in a Wetsuit, Swimming in Shoes

Swimrun has become a popular endurance sport

Four friends are sitting around a bar in Sweden, sharing a few drinks and catching up. One turns to another and says, “Do you think we can swim and run 75 kilometers up the coastline of Stockholm?” After a few more drinks and perhaps a little chest puffing, a plan was set in motion. The…

Missoula’s Moment

Missoula’s Moment

The city is full of amazing wilderness and a sense of adventure

The wagon trail leading from Seattle to Missoula, Mont., is well-traveled. When Missoulians crave the city slicker vibe, they pony up and head west. When Seattleites want to slow things down, they head over the pass to Zootown, as Missoula is affectionately known. There is a kinship between Seattleites and Missoulians; we love our communities…

Hidden Washington: Snohomish is Hiding in Plain Sight

Hidden Washington: Snohomish is Hiding in Plain Sight

A friendly, quaint, and engaging small town

As Scottish novelist and essayist Robert Louis Stevenson said, “I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move; to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly; to come down off this featherbed of civilization and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints.” What the great Stevenson might…

Beautiful British Columbia

Beautiful British Columbia

Loop your way around these natural wonders

In road trips, as in wheels, the circle is the perfect shape. Why retrace your steps when you have the wind in your hair and you’re off in search of new adventures? Mixed tapes are similar — carefully selected songs to be experienced in a certain order, over and over again. Pop in this Canadian…

Hidden Washington: In Olympia, it’s still the water and a lot more

Hidden Washington: In Olympia, it’s still the water and a lot more

Enjoy the bounty of the South Sound with a visit to the state capital

Olympia is a taste of Americana with a slice of history nestled at the south end of Puget Sound. Yes, it’s home to our capitol building but Olympia also offers a weekend of exploration beyond government architecture. Those who venture in will find quirky shops, fine food and drink, water adventures, and a stunning historic…

Sea-Tac drops in latest J.D. Power survey

Sea-Tac drops in latest J.D. Power survey

Airport rankings fall from last year

A friend who recently flew out of Sea-Tac International Airport told tales of long lines, unhappy fellow passengers, and an unfortunate bag mix-up. He literally had to buy a new suit for a business meeting once he reached his destination. I heard a similar story from another friend whose family flew internationally on vacation this…

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