My daughter and family are going to a wedding in Oregon in July. ... any infor or suggestions would really be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sherry
Ran across these, I had collected while researching for our Trip West. I'll copy and paste here just in case you can use any of it.
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Seattle, WA
Seattle Vicinity, WA: King of the Mountain
Blessed by the splendors of the
Puget Sound and
Cascade Mountains, the area around Seattle provokes passion for land with majestic pines and moody shores.
Drive south toward mesmerizing
Mount Rainier.
Discover
Tacoma.
and on the South Puget Sound. Hike picturesque alpine trials, admire the state capitol,
Olympia.
Seattle's slice of silicon, which includes Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond, overlooks shimmering Lake Washington.
Venture to nearby Snoqualmie Summit for a day of exhilarating hiking or skiing. Stop by
Snoqualmie Falls to behold a svelte waterfall that plunges farther than Niagara.
Pike Place Market
Go to
Pike Place Market early, it has such a different feel to it before it gets crowded. We like to get coffee/
pasty across the street at Le Panier and watch the vendors set up. Very peaceful.
Pioneer Square
Washington Convention & Trade Center.
The architecturally-acclaimed
Seattle Public Library.
Ferry across Puget Sound, explore the seven-acre
Bainbridge Island Gardens, dabble in local wines, and dine at Chez Shea.
Ferry to a tranquil world of solace among
Japanese bonsai pines. Stimulate your senses wandering through pungent herb and alpine gardens, and encounter unique aquatic plants. Sample the vintage at
Bainbridge Island Winery's tasting room, select the perfect wine and spread out a picnic on their lush lawns.
Catch a ferry home as the sun sinks in the sky, and golden hues caress waves like
bright ripples on a sea-green fabric. Cap off your day at Chez Shea: dine on delectable treats by candlelight and views of Puget Sound, before slipping off to your luxurious room.
Editor's Seattle Picks
Despite the city’s resistance to bullyish chains, locals get their caffeine fix at the first Starbucks, which opened in the historic Pike Place Market district in 1971 and retains much of its design, including its original siren logo. Or, sink into a cushiony seat at Bauhaus.
Pike Place Market give "fresh catch" a new meaning. Watch them throw salmon and duck as you browse the fresh produce and wares at the oldest, continuously-operated farmers' market in the country.
Chill-out spot:
The Washington Park Arboretum's Seattle Japanese Garden is an oasis of sculptured shrubs and flowering trees that's perfect for a leisurely stroll or as a meditation spot.
Let the games begin: Mariners fan or not, catch a game at
Safeco Field—complete with views of Puget Sound. In a city with a 50% chance of rain at any given moment, this stadium is equipped with a retractable roof that closes in only 15 minutes.
Get out of dodge: Drive north to the San Juan Island ferry in Anacortes, then get off at Friday Harbor in the
San Juan Islands to go whale watching, hiking, kayaking, or to try the local brews.
It happened here: The world's largest building is also the factory for
Boeing, the site where they assemble the 747, 767, and 777--all indoors! A tour here takes about a day.
Name to know:
Tom Douglas is to the dining scene what Bill Gates is to software. Any one of his four spots--Palace Kitchen, Etta's, Dahlia Lounge, and Dahlia Bakery--will tempt your taste buds.
Seattle Picks
Check out our editorial staff's treasured places to visit. These recommendations are meant to make your last minute deal feel planned.
Capitol Hill Library
Location: 425 Harvard Avenue East
Phone: 206.684.4715
This relatively-new brick and glass library in the city center is a welcoming place on a rainy day to read a book or people-watch through the windows. The building's construction includes stainless steel lattices supporting trellised vines and plants, making it seem an oasis of green in an urban area. Artwork by Iole Alessandrini highlights indoor lighting effects. The result is 11,215 square feet of reading pleasure with computer workstations, children and teen areas, and tons of tomes on everything under the sun or rain.
REI
Location: 222 Yale Avenue North
Phone: 206.223.1944
Since 1944, REI has been outfitting campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Housed in a building that looks like a giant lumber mill, it's not just a store but an adventure, as practically everything inside is hands-on. This includes The Pinnacle, a 65-foot indoor climbing wall. Take to the mountain bike test-trail, or get lost in aisle after aisle of gadgets and gear designed to outwit Mother Nature. From GPS machines to simple pitch-and-fold tents, and from freeze-dried foods to crampon boots, it's easy to leave this store with things that you might not need on your next outdoor adventure, but they'll sure make it a lot more fun.
Please note: Advance reservations for the climbing wall are recommended.
Rhododendron Species Foundation and Botanical Garden
Location: 2525 South 336th Street
Phone: 253.838.4646
Set between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma, these gardens represent one of the world's largest collections of rhododendrons dedicated to preserving and cultivating the species. The rhododendron is an incredibly diverse plant, with flowers in all sizes and colors. Some varieties look like trees, others look like shrubs with a textured bark that's beautiful in and of itself.
During spring, over 10,000 of these plants burst into bloom (imagine that!), and there are enough complementary plant species to keep visitors coming year round. In 22 acres of woodland setting, paths meander past ferns, primroses, maples, and other rare or unusual plants. There's a small pond with frogs and lily pads, birds fly overhead, and an alpine area creates the illusion of a mountain slope.
Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
Location: 325 Fifth Avenue
Phone: 210.651.6101
Located in the same building as the Seattle Experience Music Project, this is the place of dreams for space enthusiasts, trekkies, and anyone who's ever been intrigued by the notions of science fiction. The Hall of Fame honors 36 major contributors to the genre, including Robert Heinlein (Stranger in a Strange Land), Arthur C. Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey), Isaac Asimov (the Foundation series), and H.G. Wells (The Time Machine).
With a stellar advisory board, which includes the likes of Ray Bradbury and George Lucas, the museum is filled with icons and memorabilia. See space ships and science fiction characters come to life. Contemplate new travel technologies and amazing places that can only exist in some parallel universe. In the exhibits, you'll see future cityscapes, experimental societies, and apocalyptic visions. You'll also see monsters and aliens, and you'll wonder, what does their creation say about ourselves?
The Crocodile Cafe
Location: 2200 Second Avenue
Phone: 206.441.5611
Of course, you can get coffee here, but if you're going to depart from the beanie beverage, you should do so with a Crocodile Mary ("a bloody mary with a bite"). This cafe is a great place to go for giant hangover-curing breakfasts. It's also known for its lunch and dinner, too. The cafe itself is open to all ages, but after 9pm, it welcomes an over-21 crowd screaming for some of Seattle's best local music. From indie to alternative, and from grunge to good-ol' rock and roll, live music brings down the house stage, with new bands often debuting on Tuesday nights. Tribute nights to bands ranging from U2 to Van Halen are also known to pop up on the calendar.
Salt Creek Recreation Park. What a place this would be to camp