Known for its delightful fusion of urban and rural, Seattle is a place where art meets nature, where a foodie’s fantasies come true, and Washington wines offer perfect pairings. Spectacular water views show off the city’s skyline with its iconic Space Needle jutting skyward. Cast your gaze to the west for a breathtaking vista of sparkling Puget Sound with the magnificent backdrop of the Olympic Mountains.  

The site of the 1962 World’s Fair, the Seattle Center is the perfect place to begin your trip. From the Space Needle Observation Deck, take advantage of free telescopes, colorful displays and enjoy a meal at the world-famous revolving SkyCity restaurant. At the base of the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass is not be missed! The exhibition showcases the inspiration and influence that shaped the career of glass artist Dale Chihuly. Explore the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) with its roots in rock ‘n roll where you’ll learn about Seattle’s musical past and present. Join Ride the Ducks for a one-of-kind experience where the bus turns into a boat. You’ll see all the sights of Seattle – laugh and learn a lot. 

Pike Place Market is one of Seattle’s most popular places to visit. Famous for the fishmongers who toss large salmon back and forth to one another, you’ll be thinking they should try out for the city’s beloved Seahawks NFL football team! As you walk through the market, listen to the street performers, indulge in one of the delicious eateries and shop for souvenirs of high-quality hand-crafted items. There are over 200 unique shops and services to keep you entertained and fascinated. 

Meander along the waterfront for more shops and restaurants. Get out on the water on a Seattle Harbor Cruise with Argosy Cruises, showcasing never-ending skyline views of the city and its colorful waterfront, the Space Needle, Mt. Rainier and the majestic Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges. Take a spin on the 175-foot Great Wheel for more spectacular vistas of this magical city and Puget Sound. Head to Pioneer Square for Bill Siedel’s Underground Tour, a guided walking tour beneath Seattle’s sidewalks and streets. As you roam the subterranean passages that once were the main roadways and first-floor storefronts of old downtown Seattle, guides will regale you with stories the pioneers didn’t want you to hear!

Less than a half hour from downtown Seattle, start your wine tour in Woodinville Wine Country—a unique haven where over 100 wineries, large and small, share a singular passion for Washington wines. Nearly all the wineries grow their grapes in the warm, arid climate of Eastern Washington’s appellations, on other side of the Cascade Mountains. Here, you’ll delight in award-winning wines of Washington Wine Country straight from the source and often poured by the winemaker. Later, indulge in the knock-your-socks-off culinary scene with dinner at one of the many superb dining establishments.

Yakima Valley is a sun-soaked wine region akin to the famous wine appellations of France, with scenic vineyards, over 100 wineries and miles of vines growing a wide variety of grapes on 17,000 acres. Three hundred sun-filled days offer visitors to Tri-Cities a year-round outdoor paradise and over 200 wineries within a 50-mile radius. Thanks to a truly unique combination of climate, character, charm and culture, the Walla Walla Valley has become home to one of the finest wine regions in the nation, with more than 100 wineries and 2,800 acres of grapes. 

Soaring nearly three miles and capped by 26 glaciers, majestic Mount Rainier beckons outdoor lovers and nature enthusiasts year-round. “The Mountain,” as locals call it, is the tallest free-standing volcano in the contiguous United States and Washington State’s most recognized natural icon. Over one million travelers visit Mt. Rainier National Park annually to enjoy its abundant wildflowers, waterfalls, wildlife, hiking and skiing opportunities.

Tour the Sunrise Visitor Center to learn about the park and explore nearby trails. At an elevation of 6,400 feet, Sunrise is the highest point that can be reached by vehicle in the park. At Crystal Mountain Resort, ride the scenic Mt. Rainier Gondola. At the top you’ll find unparalleled vistas of Mt. Rainier, the Cascade Range and the Summit House—the highest elevation restaurant in Washington State, sitting at 6,872 feet. Stop at the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center in Paradise (only open in summer).

A 2 ½ hour drive north will bring you to spectacular Snoqualmie Falls, gushing 268 feet to the river below. The falls is a long revered Native American icon and was a popular Hollywood filming location for both “Twin Peaks” and “The Vanishing.”

In 1980, Mt. St. Helens dramatically erupted, covering much of the Pacific Northwest in ash. Two years later, President Ronald Reagan established the area as a U.S. National Monument. The 110,000-acre monument was set aside for research, recreation and education. Today, you can drive to the Windy Ridge Viewpoint, only four miles northeast of the crater, where nearly everything in view was decimated by the eruption.

Just under three hours to the southwest corner of the state, you’ll discover the world’s longest beach, the 28-mile finger of land called the Long Beach Peninsula. The peninsula is at the confluence of the Columbia River, with Oregon on the southern side, as it juts into the Pacific Ocean. Here you can walk in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark where they ended their journey of westward exploration with their discovery of the Pacific Ocean in 1805. 

At this seaside retreat, time seems to stand still. Delve into its rich history and fascinating culture. Breathe salt air, bike and hike miles of pristine coastal trails. Watch shorebirds dance, dig for razor clams, ride a horse on the beach. Be inspired by the wild places. For a multi-state experience, Oregon is just across the Columbia River. 

Olympic National Park boasts one million acres including 73 miles of awe-inspiring Pacific coastline, dripping rainforests, snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes and rivers and 26 endemic species of wildlife. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve, almost 95 percent of the park is designated wilderness. 

The Quinault and Hoh Rain Forests will introduce new shades of green into your color palette. The town of Forks is the heart of the vampire-themed fantasy romance novels and blockbuster movies—Twilight. Ruby Beach will impart a new meaning to wild Pacific Ocean beaches. Glacially carved Lake Crescent, with its deep turquoise blue water, is a breathtaking site in any season. Hurricane Ridge is a mountain citadel that puts you at the edge of the park’s jagged peaks. Port Townsend is one of only three Victorian seaports in the USA with two National Historic Landmark Districts. One district celebrates the authentic Victorian business buildings downtown and the stately homes uptown, while the second encompasses historic Fort Worden State Park. 

Relax and soak in the “island vibe” on your ride on a Washington State ferry with stunning scenery as you cruise through a tide-washed puzzle of islands to San Juan Island’s Friday Harbor. Keep a sharp eye for whales as they play in these waters on a regular basis. Lush, green islands stretch out in every direction, featuring nine major land masses and 172 named islands and reefs. 

When you tour San Juan Island, make stops at Cattle Point, American Camp, Lime Kiln Point State Park and English Camp en route. Enjoy lunch in Roche Harbor. Step into history with a self-guided tour starting from a hotel named for Spanish explorer Gonzalo Lopez de Haro. The hotel was built in 1886 when lime production was the town’s major industry. The locals call Orcas Island the “Gem of the San Juans.”

Before or after your ferry ride to the San Juans, take time to visit the thriving seaside town of Anacortes with its historic downtown boasting shops and delicious eateries. Or explore the outdoors with hiking, cycling or sailing. From Anacortes, it’s a short 15-minute drive to Deception Pass, the gateway to Whidbey Island, where you’ll discover rural landscapes and charming towns

The rugged North Cascades boast jaw-dropping, eye-popping scenery and “camera ops” every other second. The North Cascades National Park—the third of the state’s national parks showcases more than 300 glaciers and is nick-named the “American Alps” for good reason. Craggy mountain peaks, glistening glaciers, pristine forests, cascading waterfalls and sea green lakes give you stunning wilderness drive-by views. 

As the road turns south, great walls of granite swing upward and the massive bulk of 7,600-foot Liberty Bell Mountain looms ahead with a view point at the top that is mind-blowing. Overlooks above teal-hued Ross Lake and jade-colored Diablo Lake are ideal picnic spots with outstanding vantage points. The old west town of Winthrop offers wooden boardwalks, fun cowboy saloons and restaurants, plus accommodations with western charm.

Enter the 1.7-million-acre Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Preserve and be delighted by one of the most visited forests in the country. Here you’ll discover glacier-covered peaks, spectacular mountain meadows and old-growth forests, rich in history and outdoor opportunities.

The spectacular 400-mile Cascade Loop brings you back to Seattle.