Explore The
Pacific Northwest
Explore
The Pacific Northwest, sometimes referred to as Cascadia, is known for both its stunning natural beauty, ample opportunities for outdoor activities and vibrant cities. With a diverse array of climates, from the only temperate rainforest in the lower forty eight states at the Olympic National Park, to the teeming volcanoes like Mount Rainier and Mount Hood to the high desert of Oregon, there are countless places throughout the year to experience nature at its best. And if you are craving city life, both Seattle and Portalnd offer a plethora of amazing restaurants and tourist attractions. Use the guides below to virtually explore the Northwest and find the perfect experience to embark on.
Lake Chelan has long been a mecca for summertime fun in the pacific northwest. At 50.5 miles long, and the third deepest lake in the United States, the crystal clear water, warm temperatures and sun beckon water enthusiasts during the summer months. Lake Chelan has turned into a year round destination, with outdoor activities all year including hiking, mountain biking, camping, skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Lake Chelan has become a destination wine region, with over 40 tasting rooms and estate wineries and an ever increasing number of wine focused events throughout the year.
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Wine Tasting
While Wine grapes have been grown in the Chelan Valley for over a hundred year, commercial production began in the late 1990's. Lake Chelan became Washington State's latest American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2009 and now boasts over 40 wineries, with a mix of tasting rooms in Chelan and Manson, and estate vineyards with incredible views of Lake Chelan. A number of wineries also feature restaurants, and there are a number of wine focused events throughout the year.
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Hiking
The Lake Chelan area has a variety of hikes for all ages and abilities, from easy strolls along the water to strenuous hikes through recent forest fires. The Chelan Riverwalk, Reach One and Little Bear trails are great for families, with little elevation gain and low mileage. If you are looking for views of the lake, check out Fourth of July Mountain hike uplake of Manson and Elephant Head near Chelan. Farther uplake on the South Shore lies the Twentyfive Mile Valley, with a number of hikes including the strenous Pot Peak as well as the remote Stormy Mountain, a great hike in the fall when the larches turn gold. And don't forget about Echo Ridge, conveniently located between Chelan and Manson with over 35 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. For those looking for overnight backpacking trips, check out our Lake Chelan Campsites page for boat-in and hike-in campgrounds on the upper section of the lake.
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Camping
Camping is a popular activity around Lake Chelan during the late spring, summer and early fall. There are a variety of campsites to choose from, including a number of RV and state parks in the Chelan Valley, federally managed campsites around the lower half of the lake as well as boat-in campsites along the upper half of the lake.
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Seattle is a growing city with easy access to nature and offers an incredible array of things to do and places to explore. The downtown area, including the waterfront and Seattle Center is home to many tourist attractions, including Pike Place Market and the Space Needle. There are 500 parks within Seattle city limits which provide incredible views of the Puget Sound and miles of hiking trails. And outdoor activities abound within close proximity to the city, with hiking and skiing in the Cascades, and three national parks, Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades within a couple hours drive.
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Hiking
Sandwiched between the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, there are a ton of trails throughout the region to enjoy, from an easy family hike to one of the many waterfalls in the area, to backpacking trips along the Pacific Crest Trail. Add in three National Parks within a day's drive, and you have one of the best locations to hike in the United States. Let's not forget that within the city of Seattle sit a number of parks with hiking trails, many of which will make you forget you are in the city! Best Hikes in Seattle Easy Hikes Near Seattle
Recreational Sports
Seattle has a number of courts and fields spread throughout the city. Most are maintained by the Seattle Parks and Recreation, which has over 500 parks, of which, more than 200 have either a playfield or court.
Basketball Courts
Breweries
Seattle boasts a large number of breweries spread throughout the city, although you will find clusters of breweries in certain neighborhoods, with the Ballard neighborhood having a very high concentration of breweries in its brewery district (in fact, if Ballard was a city, it would rank as one of the top cities in breweries per capita). Whether you are searching for fresh hops in the fall, a sour beer or the latest hazy, you will have a plethora of breweries to choose from, regardless of where you are in Seattle. Use the map to see the specific locations of breweries, or pursue breweries broken out by neighborhood below.
Seattle Breweries