Almost everyone has had it happen: Guests come to town, so you revisit all those tourist spots that you basically forgot.
And, shocker, you have a great time.
You don’t need guests as an excuse, though. With the country in a recession, you can stage an inexpensive staycation this summer, saving money while reminding yourself of all the Puget Sound area has to offer.
Here are a few ideas:
Ferry loop to Port Townsend
A trip to this quaint, historic waterfront town is doable in a day, although you may not be able to work in all the sights.
You can stroll the main drag, popping in and out of boutiques, galleries and knickknack stores along Water Street, the Uptown District or the Boat Haven area. Have lunch at one of the many restaurants, or collect picnic fare and take a short drive to Fort Worden State Park or Old Fort Townsend.
Visit the Jefferson County Historical Society Museum and pick up a walking tour map. Take a hike on the Larry Scott Memorial Trail or visit www.ptguide.com, click on “historic homes” and make up your own driving tour past the many Victorian homes around the city.
To get there, take the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry, head north on Highway 525 and take Highway 20 to Keystone. Take the Keystone ferry to Port Townsend. Just to keep things from getting boring on the return trip, head south from Port Townsend on Highway 20 to Highway 104. Cross the Hood Canal bridge and continue on past Port Gamble to Kingston and the Edmonds ferry.
Port Townsend has festivals all summer, so plan your trip for a weekday to avoid lo-o-ong ferry waits.
Visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Âferries or call 888-808-7977 for travel info. For more on Port Townsend, visit www.ptguide.com.
Jetty Island
A fixture of summer in Everett is Jetty Island Days, when the 2-mile-long, man-made island is open for organized activities or simply just beach time.
The ferry leaves the 10th Street boat launch every half-hour from 10 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8:50 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. Sundays, July 1 through Sept. 7.
The ferry leaves the island at 15 and 45 minutes past every hour, so keep track of the time. Bring sunscreen, snacks and water since there are no supplies on the island.
Group tours, campfire programs, nature walks and craft times are just some of the activities.
While the ferry is free, tickets are required, so plan on spending some time in line before departure. Details are at 425-257-8304 and www.everettwa.org/parks.
Snohomish County wineries
Plan a “wine country” tour that will keep you close to home, and enjoy local scenery and fine Washington wines.
Woodinville has the biggest aggregation of wineries and tasting rooms by far, with more than 40 wineries. Some of the best wines, not just in the state, but in the country, are represented here.
For a full rundown visit www.woodinvillewinecountry.com or contact Woodinville Wine Country, P.O. Box 2114, Woodinville, WA 98072, 425-205-4394, info@woodinvillewinecountry.com.
A number of wineries in the Snohomish County area are closed to visitors or open by appointment only. However, here are a couple that do offer tastings and tours:
Griffins Crossing Winery: 2008 123rd Ave. NE, Lake Stevens; 425-334-0839; www.griffinscrossing.com. Tasting room open noon to 5 p.m. first Saturday and Sunday each month. $5 tasting fee to sample all five currently released wines.
Sky River Meadery: 32533 Cascade View Drive, Sultan; 360-793-6761; www.skyriverbrewing.com. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
For more shops offering tastings see The Herald’s A&E section on Fridays or go to www.Âheraldnet.com.
Historic Snohomish
The city of Snohomish is steeped in history. Founded in 1859, the city is listed in the National Historic Register. It’s a community chock-full of old-style architecture, a textured past and lots of lore.
But how much history will the kids put up with?
Before, in between or after the history lesson, there’s plenty to do to get the wiggles out.
Try the Hal Moe Pool at Third Street and Pine Avenue, or the Snohomish Skate Park at Second Street and Pine Avenue. For a family bike ride, hit the Centennial Trail at the intersection of Maple and Pine avenues, then stop at Machias for lunch at the covered picnic area.
There are also several parks: Hill Park, 1610 Park Ave., features a fishing dock and play Âequipment, while Pilchuck Park, 169 Cypress Ave., has a wading beach, tennis courts, picnic tables, a running track and a ball field.
There are also farm animals and exotic birds at Stocker’s Petting Zoo, 10622 Airport Way.
Special events include Âfamily-friendly puppet shows June 26 and 27 at Tim Noah Thumbnail Theater, 1211 Fourth St. And mark your calendar for July 17 to 19 when the city’s annual festival, Kla Ha Ya Days, begins.
Forest Park and Cinema Under the Stars
The Forest Park Animal Farm’s staff welcomes visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Aug. 16 to 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd. in Everett.
Wander freely and see rabbits, ducks, pigs and goats, ride the ponies, or learn about hands-on rabbit care.
For information, call 425-257-8300 or go to www.everettwa.org/parks and look under Destinations. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
Follow up with an evening at Cinema Under the Stars at Sullivan Park, 11405 Silver Lake Road. The program features free films at dusk on Fridays from July 17 through Aug. 21.
Complete details are at 425-257-8322, but a few helpful hints: Arrive by 7:30 p.m. for preshow entertainment, and bring your own chairs and blankets. Films are rated PG unless noted. The lineup is as follows:
Whidbey Island loop
Whidbey Island is the largest island in Puget Sound, according to the National Park Service. In fact, after New York’s Long Island was officially declared a peninsula in 1985, Whidbey became the longest and largest island in the lower 48 states.
It’s best traveled clockwise on a clear day. Start with a morning ferry ride from Mukilteo to Clinton, followed by a 47-mile drive up the island and back to the mainland over Deception Pass.
Mandatory day-trip stops include Langley, great for boutique shopping, Greenbank Farm where you can have a slice of pie for a second breakfast, and, a few more clicks up the road, Coupeville for a lunch of Penn Cove mussels or fish and chips at Toby’s Tavern.
Cruise on up through Oak Harbor, home to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, and, before you know it, you’ll be crossing the stunning bridge at Deception Pass, one of the most photographed areas in the state.
Continue north and east on Highway 20 to I-5 and zip home in no time.
Diablo Lake
See the Skagit River Gorge from water level on a guided tour of Diablo Lake aboard the Alice Ross III. Look up at waterfalls and snow-capped peaks and watch for wildlife in the water or along the shores.
Diablo Lake Adventure Tours operates June through September on Saturdays and Sundays. During July and August, Friday tours also are available.
Tours begin at 12:30 p.m. in Newhalem; check in by noon. Picnic lunches may be ordered when making reservations. You may bring your own food or shop at the general store in Newhalem.
A bus ride across Diablo Dam takes visitors to the boarding area for the Alice Ross III. The 2.5-hour tour costs $25 for adults, $20 for those older than 62, and $12 for those 6 to 12 years old. Children younger than 5 are admitted free.
A Diablo Dam Good Dinner Tour is available Mondays and Thursdays in July and August, with the meal served at 3 p.m., after the tour. Cost is $55 for adults, $50 for seniors, $45 for teens (13-19), $40 for youths (6-12) and free for kids 5 and younger.
Go to www.seattle.gov/light/tours/skagit/sk5_ross.htm or e-mail skagittours.reservations@seattle.gov for more information. You also can call the 24-hour Skagit Tours information line at 206-684-3030. Press 1 for the Diablo Lake Adventure and leave a voice message to set up the tour.
Seattle’s Fremont Âneighborhood
Fremont’s motto is “De Libertas Quirkas,” or “Freedom to be Peculiar.” It’s easy to tell why.
Fremont draws thousands every year for its Solstice Parade, which marks the beginning of summer on June 20. The parade features bicyclists (with and without clothes), stilt walkers and giant puppets.
Get another eyeful from the neighborhood’s artistic installations. A 7-ton brass Vladimir Lenin statue rests at the corner of N. 34th Street and Evanston Avenue N., and a 53-foot tall rocket fuselage looks like its ready to launch from the roof of Burnt Sugar, a boutique gift store at 601 N. 35th St.
No visit is complete without seeing the Fremont Troll at N. 36th Avenue and Aurora Avenue N. Commissioned in 1989, the 2-ton concrete sculpture depicts a bearded troll grabbing a VolksÂwagen Beetle.
After sightseeing, you can shop for trendy clothes and used books, dine at one of the area’s Indian, Greek, Japanese or American restaurants, or see a band at the High-Dive, a 21-and-older club.
Mount St. Helens
Whether or not you were here on May 18, 1980, when the Mount St. Helens eruption rattled our windows and blew ash all over our neighbors to the south and east, a day trip to the mountain is well worth the drive.
In the ensuing 29 years, four visitors centers have been completed, with views of the mountain along Highway 504 all the way to Johnston Ridge.
Your first stop should be Castle Rock Exhibit Hall, when you exit I-5 (Exit 49), at 147 Front Ave. NW. The exhibit gives you perspective from residents and survivors. Donations are accepted at the free exhibit.
Moving along Highway 504, you can visit Seaquest Visitor Center, which delves into the historical and geological aspects of the volcano. Admission is $3. Children younger than 15 are admitted free.
Next up is the Forest Learning Center, a must if you have kids. Exhibits include the eruption chamber and a helicopter for virtual trips around the mountain. This stop is free. Call 360-274-7750 for information.
Tours of the Johnston Ridge Observatory include an awesome film of the eruption followed by a dramatic parting of the curtain for a jaw-dropping vista of the gouged-out crater. The observatory charges $8. Children under 15 are admitted free. Call 360-274-2140.
Visitors centers are open daily mid-May through mid-October, depending on snow conditions. Visit www.mountsthelens.com for more information.
Seattle Center
There aren’t enough hours in a day to do everything at Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., but you and the family can have fun trying.
For instance, on a hot day you can take a run through the International Fountain. A round-trip monorail ride to Westlake Center costs only $4 for adults, $1.50 for youth ages 5 to 12, and free for children 4 and under.
The Fun Forest Amusement Park has 19 rides including a roller coaster and carousel. Single tickets are just a buck a piece.
For a bit more money, Seattle Center is home to interactive play at the Children’s Museum, with admission at $7.50 for adults and children, while the Pacific Science Center features five buildings of interactive science exhibits, a tropical Butterfly House, two IMAX theatres, a planetarium and laser light shows. Admission starts at $11 for adults and $6 for children.
A special exhibition also runs this summer at the Experience Music Project on the Seattle Center campus. At “Jim Henson’s Fantastic World,” visitors peek at 100 original artworks from the Sesame Street creator. The exhibition runs through Aug. 16. Adult admission is $15; $12 for seniors, youth, military and students; and free for children under 5.
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