The Seattle Traveler

This weekend. . .
. . . get away from the city with a drive to the Columbia River Gorge, home of the Maryhill Museum where you can catch the final days of the Andy Warhol and Other Famous Faces exhibit.
The Maryhill Museum is a castle-like structure on a 6,000 acre site overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, and is home to a collection of art ranging from early 20th century European art to more current Native American art.  The setting also includes beautiful gardens and grounds.
Famous Faces features many of the diverse personalities that Warhol captured, and many of …read more

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It’s pumpkin time at Jubilee Farm, and that mean tons of family activities (in addition to pumpkins) at this 30-acre Community Supported Agriculture Farm in Carnation.
Every weekend in October will feature hay wagon rides, hot spiced apple cider, and a variety of family friendly activities.  Pick out the perfect Halloween pumpkin.  Or let the kids have fun in the hay maze in the barn loft.  There are cooking demonstrations, a farmer’s market where you’ll find reasonably priced organic produce, and some farm animals eager for a little attention.
Location:  229 West Snoqualmie River Road, Carnation (map it)
Date & Time:  Saturday …read more

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New York is a little too far for a quick getaway weekend, because from Seattle it will take you the better part of a day to get there, and then again to get back.
But if you don’t mind a faux NYC experience, you might want to try a Las Vegas weekend at New York New York Hotel & Casino. 
Sure, it’s not the big Apple, but you can see the architecture and attractions of the city (and NO, they aren’t as good as seeing the real thing – just closer), and eat at famous, and often overpriced restaurants, all …read more

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Combine a Labor Day Weekend getaway with a little Labor history with a trip to Portland to see the "Women in Agriculture" at the Oregon Historical Society Museum.
This exhibit of dramatic and poignant black-and-white photographs gives voice to the often overlooked American farm woman and her relationship to the land. 
Too diverse to uniformly categorize, these women were more than just a farmer’s wife.  They wrestled with issues of work, poverty, family, running a household, and community.  They shaped the farm in ways that shaped the future of the country with their focus on sustainable agriculture, bio-diversity and entrepreneurship.
These …read more

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Kite flying gets cranked up a notch at the Washington State International Kite Festival, a week long competition and celebration held annual in Long Beach, Washington.
The festival attracts famous kite flyers from around the world, along with local casual flyers, and lots of spectators who spend the week looking up at the colorful kites.  You’ll see lots of creative shapes and colors filling the sky.
Events are scheduled to target every level of enthusiast, and lots of kids and family activities are included.  It’s a great way to spend a weekend at the beach.
Location:  Long Beach, Washington
Dates & Times:  August …read more

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  There are lots of parks and picnic areas around the greater Seattle area, including some great in-city, urban parks.  Sometimes, though, it’s nice to get out of town, and enjoy a leisurely day away from the crowds.
Mud Mountain Dam near Mount Rainier is a nearby escape where you can combine a little history and natural beauty with your day of fun.
The dam is situated on the White River, and was built for flood control.  A viewing platform gives you a look at the dam, along with a sweeping view of the White River Canyon.  This area is home to …read more

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Looking for a getaway weekend?  Los Cabos, Mexico, is just a hop, skip, and a couple hour plane ride away from Seattle!
For some ideas of what would make a great getaway weekend, follow the advice offered up by the Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown, in this season’s Samantha Brown:  Passport to Great Weekends.  Tonight Sam frolics in Cabo San Lucas, on the Baja peninsula.
Here’s an advance peek at what’s in store on tonight’s show:
 

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Outlet and factory store shopping has become a popular vacation activity, and the Seattle area has four for you to choose from.
Supermall of the Great Northwest

Where it is:  1101 SuperMall Way, Auburn (map it), about a half hour to 40 minutes from Seattle. 
What you’ll find:  Indoor outlet shopping that includes Aeropostale, Ann Taylor, As Seen on TV, Banana Republic Factory Outlet, Bath & Body Works, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Burlington Coat Factory, Eddie Bauer Outlet, Sports Authority, Sports Authority, and Old Navy Clothing Co.

Seattle Premium Outlets

Where it is:  10600 Quil Ceda Boulevard, Tulalip (map it), about a …read more

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After a two year closure for renovations on its main building, the Paradise Inn at Mount Rainier National Park is now open!
Paradise Inn first opened in 1917 and is listed on the National Historic Register.  If this renovation was successful, you won’t even know what’s been done.  The goal was to maintain the historic charm of the Inn, while shoring up some of failings of the nearly 100-year old building.
Some of the improvements include:  replacing the previously sagging floor, adding acessible rooms, reinforcing the foundation and some of the other structural components, earthquake-proofing, and a general facelift.
The annex and …read more

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This weekend. . .
. . . you can go back in a time to an earlier era as Port Townsend celebrates in annual Victorian Festival.
Known for its Victorian era architecture, and occupying a place on the National Historic Register, Port Townsend is an enjoyable weekend trip any time of the year.  But for the Victorian Festival, the city pulls out all the stops.
You’ll find the city spiffed up in Victorian attire, with events that include a 1867 wedding reenactment and reception, a candlelight dinner and historic homes tour, and a guided bus tour and Fort Worden.
If you’re really …read more

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