NW Trips

ABOUT THIS FEATURE

Our writers explore the nooks and crannies of destinations big and small that are all within a short drive or ferry ride from the greater Seattle area.

RECENT JOURNEYS

Friendly roots go deep in Proctor District
The neighborly Proctor District in Tacoma boasts about 75 mom-and-pop stores, plus the oldest continually running movie theater in the state and the state's oldest operating bowling center.

Past and present meet at Fort Vancouver
It's not unusual for descendants six times removed to visit the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site to research their ancestors and maybe even drop off historical artifacts that will be added to the site's collection.

THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2008
Find your own ferry tale in Victoria, B.C.
For a new perspective on Victoria, B.C., and a thoroughly delightful experience, ride one of the tiny vessels operated by Victoria Harbour Ferry on the city's waterways.

There's still time to see the tulips in the Skagit Valley
There had to be something good out of all our bad spring weather, and here it is: Because of the late-blooming tulips, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival has been extended for a week and will finish Sunday.

Seattle Maritime Festival: Find your sea legs with chowder, races and tours of boats
The world's largest tugboat races, a chowder cook-off, free port tours, kids' activities and other family fun will be featured at the Seattle Maritime Festival on May 10.

Ready, set, boat -- starting Saturday, it's open season
Races featuring crews from the University of Washington, Poland, Australia and the Naval Academy take place just before the parade of boats through the Montlake Cut on Saturday, signaling the traditional opening day of boating season.

THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008
Short Trips: Step back into a gentler time
A day of genteel time travel takes us from historic Lakewold Gardens near Tacoma to a romantic tearoom in a landmark Victorian home in nearby Sumner.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2008
Get a sudsy overview of B.C. brews while touring some of the city's haunts
A Vancouver correspondent takes a day to visit some of the B.C. city's best beer bars, where many of the province's brews are served.

Insiders and outsiders share the fantastic beauty of a spectacular B.C. coastal voyage
From mid-May through September, the BC Ferries ship Northern Adventure makes spectacular day-trip runs through the Inside Passage, between Port Hardy on Vancouver Island and Prince Rupert on the northern mainland.

First Nations sites make a fine itinerary
British Columbia's lush, mild Northwest Coast has much to offer visitors who venture from the much more popular cities and attractions to the south.

Mark your calendars for a year of fun Vancouver events
Here's a list of festivals and other events in Vancouver, B.C., for the rest of 2008.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2008
Savoring the delights of Japantown and the hands-on Kubota Gardens
A public garden visit and a stop at a block in the International District delivers a distinctive Japanese flavor to the Seattle landscape.

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