GO: Spencer Island Refuge in Everett

Looking for an easy day trip from Seattle that’ll get you up close and personal with wildlife? Go north, to Spencer Island Park in Everett. Whatever the weather, this short hike combines nature with fun. The Snohomish River near Everett splits here and braids there, creating a tangled estuary. Over time, the brackish waters have […]

Tulip Festivals Jump Start Spring in the Northwest

There’s something about rows upon rows of brightly-colored tulips that screams: GOODBYE, WINTER! HELLO, SPRING! The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs April 1-30, 2014.  Will you be going? Because we have a nice scenic drive itinerary for the Skagit flats that might help you plan your trip, with places to eat and things to do in the Skagit […]

Amp Your Camp

Camping season is officially here! In just a few short weeks, we’ll be sleeping under the stars atop a plateau in the Eastern Washington desert. How about you? Have you made your campground reservations yet? If so, it seems the only task left is to fill in the gaps on your camping checklist. Here at Northwest TripFinder, […]

Northwest Weekend

Go clamming! Ocean Shores hosts its annual Razor Clam Festival this weekend. Are you a clamming novice? Check out our guide to digging for razor clams, including some seriously good recipes.     Find blooming cherry blossoms. Cherry trees throughout the Northwest come into bloom in March, and provide a stunning backdrop for a sunny […]

5 Bodacious Breweries in Bend

Holy hops! I’d figured we’d be kickin’ back with a pint or two on our recent trip to Bend, Oregon. After all, any Northwest beer fan can tell you that Bend is the bomb when it comes to brewing, the birthplace of legends such as Black Butte Porter and Mirror Pond Pale Ale (both courtesy […]

Almost Alone at Lake Wenatchee

This past weekend, we drove across the crest to see some Cascadian beauty. Just a few miles off Highway 2 east of Stevens Pass, you get out of your car and while standing in the parking lot, you see this. Of course in the summertime, this scene looks very different. Think bathing suits and pedal […]

Northwest Weekend

Go camping! The British Columbia Parks camping reservation service opened today, so head on over there and make a reservation for this summer. May I suggest Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park on Vancouver Island near Parksville for sandcastles and s’mores? It’s a sweet spot for a summer family campout, but reservations are a must.   Visit […]

Winter at Golden Gardens Park

Ten years ago, when I lived in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, I was in between things. In between relationships. In between apartments I actually liked. At the end of one job and the beginning of another. In between the earth and the sky.   That’s just how I feel when I walk at Golden Gardens Park in Ballard this time of year. In […]

Northwest Weekend

Why Don’t You…   Art Up and Chow Down on Seattle’s Phinney Ridge this evening 6pm-8pm. This popular artwalk is hosted the second Friday of every month and features 35 stops.  Don’t miss Avanti Art and Design (7601 Greenwood Ave N) featuring creatively rendered works by one of our faves, Seattle photographer Brendan McGarry. Take a waterfall […]

The Windy Edge at Ebey’s Landing

Whidbey Island has got to be close to the top of my list for Pacific Northwest getaways. To tell you the truth, it feels like more than just a getaway destination to me; it’s like I’m destined to live there or something. Is that weird? Do you ever get that feeling when you go somewhere, […]