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Boeing employees watch the KC-46 Pegasus delivery event from the air stairs at Boeing on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Boeing’s iconic Everett factory tour to resume

After a three-year hiatus, tours of the Boeing Company’s enormous jet assembly plant are back at Paine Field.

Boeing employees watch the KC-46 Pegasus delivery event from the air stairs at Boeing on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
A view of King Street Station in Seattle, Washington from an Amtrak Cascades train to Portland, Oregon from Everett, Washington on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Ride the rails on Amtrak Cascades from Everett to Portland

Make new friends and let Amtrak do the driving on this 5-hour trip past sea, city and forest.

A view of King Street Station in Seattle, Washington from an Amtrak Cascades train to Portland, Oregon from Everett, Washington on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Two Knights joust at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire. Richard Doyle / Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire photo

Jousting, fire juggling and turkey legs: Renaissance faire returns to Washington

It’s time to party like it’s 1578. This August, the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire is setting up shop in Snohomish County. Knights will joust, turkey… Continue reading

Two Knights joust at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire. Richard Doyle / Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire photo
The view from the summit of 2,407-foot Mount Constitution on Orcas Island in the San Juans. (Carey J. Williams / Associated Press)

Escape to Orcas: Where to hike, dine and sleep

The horseshoe-shaped island boasts the largest state park in Western Washington

The view from the summit of 2,407-foot Mount Constitution on Orcas Island in the San Juans. (Carey J. Williams / Associated Press)
People walk along a newly constructed bridge at the Big Four Ice Caves hike along the Mountain Loop Highway in Snohomish County, Washington on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Bigger, better Big Four bridge connects hikers to majestic ice caves

On a warm July day, cold wind rushed down the face of Big Four Mountain and over the picturesque ice caves that give the trail… Continue reading

People walk along a newly constructed bridge at the Big Four Ice Caves hike along the Mountain Loop Highway in Snohomish County, Washington on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Kate Burns guides her 89-year-old mother Lyn Murphy along a path at Meerkerk Gardens in Greenbank, Washington. Ryan Berry / The Herald photo

Plays, parks and perfect sundaes: Whidbey serves up summer island getaways

By Patricia Guthrie / Special to The Herald Whidbey Island offers lots of activities, events and places to stroll when the sun pops out and… Continue reading

Kate Burns guides her 89-year-old mother Lyn Murphy along a path at Meerkerk Gardens in Greenbank, Washington. Ryan Berry / The Herald photo
Daniel Wehnert, left, and Angela Wehnert pose for a photo at High Rock Castle in Monroe, Wash. Annie Barker / The Everett Herald photo

Crowns, robes + thrones come with the stay at Washington state castle

At this vacation rental, you’ll find crowns on the shelf, costumes in the coat closet, dragons to behold and heated thrones.  What’s up with that?… Continue reading

Daniel Wehnert, left, and Angela Wehnert pose for a photo at High Rock Castle in Monroe, Wash. Annie Barker / The Everett Herald photo
The two-hour walk through Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island offers opportunity for inspiration and reflection. (Jennifer Bardsley)

A ‘150-acre wonderland of forest and flowers’ awaits on Bainbridge Island

The 150-acre wonderland, the former home of a timber magnate and his wife, is a beautiful place to visit in any season.

The two-hour walk through Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island offers opportunity for inspiration and reflection. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Jessica Miguel is manager and caretaker of the Mansion Inn in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A puzzle inspired this Victorian-style bed-and-breakfast in Lake Stevens

By Sara Bruestle Despite its majesty, it’s likely you don’t even know it’s there. On the north shore of Lake Stevens, near Everett, WA, a… Continue reading

Jessica Miguel is manager and caretaker of the Mansion Inn in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The hairpin curve over Oyster Creek on Chuckanut Scenic Byway in Washington state. The 24-mile road is fun to drive and offers access to trails, shopping, dining and history. Amy Attas/West Coast Traveller photo.

Cruising Washington’s scenic Chuckanut Byway

When road tripping in America, there’s just one rule to live by: get off the interstate. The only exception might be if you’re in a… Continue reading

The hairpin curve over Oyster Creek on Chuckanut Scenic Byway in Washington state. The 24-mile road is fun to drive and offers access to trails, shopping, dining and history. Amy Attas/West Coast Traveller photo.
Jack Yoke, 5, runs through the Roozengaarde tulip fields in Mount Vernon, Wash. in 2021. Saturday kicks off the 2023 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival that blooms for a month. Olivia Vanni / The Herald

Tulip Festival brings spectacular spring blooms to Skagit Valley

Thousands will visit the annual flower fest that kicks off Saturday and runs through April. Here are some tips.

Jack Yoke, 5, runs through the Roozengaarde tulip fields in Mount Vernon, Wash. in 2021. Saturday kicks off the 2023 Skagit Valley Tulip Festival that blooms for a month. Olivia Vanni / The Herald
Hikers make their way along the Heybrook Ridge Trail on Friday, March 18, 2023, in Index, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald).

‘It took my breath away’: Lace up your hiking boots because spring is here

Heybrook Ridge Trail packs stunning views and a moss-covered forest in a 3.3 mile round-trip package.

Hikers make their way along the Heybrook Ridge Trail on Friday, March 18, 2023, in Index, Washington. (Kayla Dunn / The Herald).
Amtrak Cascades train 517 from Vancouver to Portland arrives at Everett Station Thursday, March 9, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Ride the rails on the Amtrak Cascades for a rumbling adventure

The service derailed by the pandemic is fully restored with multiple travel options between Oregon and Canada.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 from Vancouver to Portland arrives at Everett Station Thursday, March 9, 2023, in downtown Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Canyon Creek Cabins co-owner Andy Whitcomb relaxes on the deck behind Cabin 1, an upgraded 1970s A-frame. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

A stylish yet rustic winter retreat just outside Granite Falls

Canyon Creek Cabins offer a cozy hideaway on an acre of riverfront property.

Canyon Creek Cabins co-owner Andy Whitcomb relaxes on the deck behind Cabin 1, an upgraded 1970s A-frame. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Back in the observation car checking out the views near Blue River, Oregon. (Julia Carmel / Los Angeles Times)

Riding the Coast Starlight, from Los Angeles to Seattle

We spent 34 hours on America’s most scenic train. Is it as dreamy as it sounds?

Back in the observation car checking out the views near Blue River, Oregon. (Julia Carmel / Los Angeles Times)
Christmas in Seattle comes with activities for all ages, from festive lights for kids to the silly, boozy Seattle SantaCon. Seattle SantaCon photo

4 Ways to celebrate Christmas in Seattle this year

It’s never a sure bet whether Seattle will be able to celebrate a white Christmas, but that doesn’t stop Pacific Northwesterners from putting on magnificent… Continue reading

Christmas in Seattle comes with activities for all ages, from festive lights for kids to the silly, boozy Seattle SantaCon. Seattle SantaCon photo
People explore along the South Fork Stillaguamish River near the repaired bridge that heads to Big Four Ice Caves on Oct. 28, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest near Granite Falls. Ryan Berry / Everett Herald photo

The Big Four Ice Caves: Access to one of Snohomish County’s most iconic destinations reopens

Washington’s Big Four Ice Caves, one of Snohomish County’s most popular nature destinations, about 20 miles east of Granite Falls, offers an experience well worth… Continue reading

People explore along the South Fork Stillaguamish River near the repaired bridge that heads to Big Four Ice Caves on Oct. 28, in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest near Granite Falls. Ryan Berry / Everett Herald photo
A ghost called “Smilin’ Al” is purported to roam the Historic Everett Theatre. Olivia Vanni / The Herald photo

3 (possibly?) haunted Snohomish County sites to see this spooky season

’Tis the season for ghoulies and ghosties and things that go bump in the night. And what better way to get into Halloween spirit than… Continue reading

A ghost called “Smilin’ Al” is purported to roam the Historic Everett Theatre. Olivia Vanni / The Herald photo
The Skyline trail at Washington state’s Mt. Rainier offers sweeping, glacier-fed waterfalls and what feels like a face-to-face meeting with the mountain itself. Photo by Alex Bruell

This summer, visit a paradise on Earth

If you’ve never visited the Paradise area of Mt. Rainier, there’s still time this summer to correct that grievous error. Embarrassingly late for a Washington… Continue reading

The Skyline trail at Washington state’s Mt. Rainier offers sweeping, glacier-fed waterfalls and what feels like a face-to-face meeting with the mountain itself. Photo by Alex Bruell
Hikers walk near the entrance of Ape Cave in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The cave is a series of lava tubes from an eruption of Mount St. Helens 2,000 years ago. (Taylor Balkom / The Columbian)

Venture into the dark at Washington’s Ape Cave

The 42-degree underworld on the flank of Mount St. Helens is fun to explore — in a spooky sort of way.

Hikers walk near the entrance of Ape Cave in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The cave is a series of lava tubes from an eruption of Mount St. Helens 2,000 years ago. (Taylor Balkom / The Columbian)