Contents

Fun with Kids

japanese garden

Family Fun in Olympia

I love Olympia the way we love a quirky aunt or an old t-shirt that’s well-loved but still the reigning favorite. Olympia is a little…

restaurant wide shot

A Visit to Eastside Big Tom: Dinner with the Dinosaurs

Travel into prehistoric times and dine among dinosaurs! This diner goes beyond a good burger and gives you an experience of a lifetime.

Snoqualme Falls Lookout

A Day at Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls is a beloved Washington Attraction. Go beyond the lookout and find places to eat, recreation, and more nearby!

Winter sunset, Ocean Shores

Ocean Shores and Beyond

Grays Harbor may be known for the beautiful town of Ocean Shores, but there is so much more to explore in this area!

Mount Si From North Fork on Snoqualmie River

Fly Fishing Within an Hour of Seattle

Just because you live in the city, doesn’t mean you need to give up fly fishing. Here is a list of places to fish within an hour of Seattle!

Mountain landscape behind lakefront

Visiting Stehekin in the Winter

Watch Stehekin come to life during the winter season. Learn all the ins and outs of having the perfect winter visit in Stehekin.

Inside Arlington Pickers store

The Story of Arlington Pickers

The story of Arlington Pickers is one of family, community, and odd traditions. This storefront is filled with much more than just treasures!

kid hiking

Top Three Hikes for Kids Along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River

Located east of North Bend, the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road accesses dozens of popular hiking trails. Here are three kid-friendly hikes in the river…

Mohai atrium

Exploring MOHAI: Seattleā€™s Museum of History and Industry

My daughter and I love to get outside and explore, no matter the weather. But thereā€™s something to be said for an indoor day of…

falls from upper viewpoint

Exploring Snoqualmie Falls with Kids

Iā€™ve been visiting Snoqualmie Falls since I was a little girl. It was (and still is) one of my momā€™s go-to activities for out-of-town guests.…

spokane carousel

Exploring Spokane With Kids

Spokane has grown into a kid-friendly city in recent years and it always seems to be getting better. Between Downtown Spokane, North Spokane and South…

gnome trail

Exploring the Gnome Trail in Maple Valley

The Gnome Trail in Maple Valley is pure tiny human magic. The 0.7-mile loop will have your kiddo racing through the woods in wonder and…

Cat Tales Wildlife Center in Spokane

A Trip to Cat Tales Exotic Wildlife Center

Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY! My mom, sister, her three little girls and I went on an adventure to the Cat Tales Wildlife…

Cordata Park Bellingham

Spending A Day at Cordata Park

If you are anywhere near Bellingham, Washington, up in the Northwest part of Washington near the Canadian border and not too far away from the…

playground

Exploring Lynden City Park

What kind of park-goer are you? Are you the kind that likes to go by yourself for a nice stroll or brisk walk with a…

Thorp Mill building and bridge

Visiting the Historic Thorp Mill and Museum

Driving along Interstate-90 through Central Washington yields a myriad of picturesque views. From the barns with unique quilted emblems, to the groves of trees and…

Coulee City Community Park playground

A Big Treasure In Coulee City

Crunch, crunch, crunch, swoosh crrr… run, jump, slip and slide down the twisty, turny, steep green slide ā€” hoping not to shoot off the edge.…

Campground at Blake Island

Spending A Weekend On Blake Island State Park

Twenty-seven minutes to paradise. That is it. Twenty-seven minutes. Okay, itā€™s Blake Island Marine State Park, but to us, itā€™s a local paradise. Your arrival…

Native American artifacts at the Yakima Museum

Visiting Museums in Yakima

Yakima is truly an amazing place. Yes, I grew up here, so it should be pretty easy for me to make that comment. Every once…

yakima arboretum

Visiting the Yakima Area Arboretum

As the weather begins to change and spring is upon us, it is finally time to stop being cooped up inside and spend some time…

whale watching in the san juan islands

Wandering Washington’s Whale Trail

As a 90ā€™s kid, Warner Bros’ ā€œFree Willyā€ was my…

birding in olympia

One Hour Birding in Olympia, Washington

When I decided to write a birding feature for Explore…

Scavenger Hunt Sunset

Get Off-Screen and Outdoors With a Scavenger Hunt

For those who read the recent article about escaping COVID…

squires lake in Alger

Squires Lake: A Fun Loop Hike With Kids or Pups!

If youā€™re seeking fresh air and natureā€™s beauty and you…

playing frisbee at the beach

Get Kids Outdoors to Escape Screen Time

This past year was more than enjoyable for many people.…

welcome to cle elum

Spending an Hour in Cle Elum

If you are a Washington resident, or even a newcomer…

Sweet Mickey's candy shop in Seattle

A Trip to Sweet Mickeyā€™s, Ballardā€™s Sweetest Shop

Walking inside Sweet Mickeyā€™s retro-styled candy store on Ballard Avenue,…

kids hiking on a trail on Mt St. Helens

Visiting Mount St. Helens With Kids

Washington State has many amazing, beautiful places to visit, but…

Bi-Zi farms tractor

Celebrate Fall at Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch

The leaves turning orange and red and the crisp autumn…

Blueberries held in hand

Visiting Canter-Berry Farms: More Than Just a U-Pick Blueberry Farm

Along a winding country road beneath the shadow of Mt.…

Gingko petroglyphs

A Day at the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park

Central Washington is home to a multitude of state parks,…

Wallaby

Visiting Wallaby Ranch in Fall City

Wallaby Ranch in Fall City is easily one of the…

Point-Ruston-waterfront

Visiting Tacomaā€™s Point Ruston Way

Point Ruston and the surrounding waterfront have come a long…

sign

Exploring Flaming Geyser State Park

Looking for an outdoor activity in Auburn? With interesting geological features,…

Spokane River

Riverfront Park Spokane in Washington

Have you visited Riverfront Park in Spokane WA? If you…

rain falling on rainbow umbrella

When It Rains- Kid Edition

This guest post was written by Mercedes Benedict. A toddler mom…

two riders at the moses lake roundup, explore washington state

The Grant County Fair & the Moses Lake Roundup

Written by: Leanna Cushman – @leannacushman If the only thing you…

Fun ideas for a day in Seattle with kids

Fun ideas for a day in Seattle with kids

This guest post was written by Terumi Pong from “An Emerald City…

Worlds Longest Beach Sign Long Beach Wa , Explore Washington State

Camille Takes Us to Long Beach

Hola, my name is Camille. Viewpoints are my ultimate weakness,…

The Brothers Greenhouses Hobbit House

The Brothers Greenhouses

You may have heard of The Brothers Greenhouses before. They…