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Performers joust during the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire at Sky Meadows Park in Snohomish, Washington, on Sunday, Aug. 06, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Royalty and revelry: The spirit of the Renaissance comes to Monroe

The annual Renaissance fair will open its doors every weekend from July 20 to Aug. 18

 

A roadtrip, like a drive of US Highway 101 along the Oregon coast, can offer affordable opportunities for a getaway.

Last-minute, low-cost tips for West Coast travel

It’s already mid-July and you haven’t booked anything but still want to…

 

The San Juan Islands in Washington offer dramatic landscapes from mountaintop to sea.

Essential summer weekend getaways on the US West Coast

Summer is made for exploring and fortunately here on the West Coast,…

 

No matter where your summer adventures will take you, a little pre-planning will help ensure a successful trip.

10 travel tips to ensure a memorable trip

With summer well and truly here, many of us are readying for a getaway. Whether you’re dreaming of sandy beaches, mountain retreats or new cities… Continue reading

No matter where your summer adventures will take you, a little pre-planning will help ensure a successful trip.
Grand Coulee Dam – one of the most popular destinations in central Washington.

Dam good fun: Family-friendly roadtrip through Central Washington

School is letting out for the summer, which means families have a chance to spend a little more time together. Most communities have pools and… Continue reading

Grand Coulee Dam – one of the most popular destinations in central Washington.
The best time to dig for razor clams is about two hours before or after low tide. On Thursday, March 14, 2024, Mocrocks Beach in Moclips, Washington, had a -0.3 tide at 10:12 a.m. By 9 a.m. the beach swarmed with clammers thumping their digging tubes against the sand to stir the razor clams into showing where they were hiding. (Brenda Mann Harrison / Special to Sound & Summit)

Washington roadtrip to Moclips: razor clam digging with fries and grunge

We joined thousands of clammers in search of the tasty shellfish. Kurt Cobain’s memorial and Big Tom burgers were stopovers.

The best time to dig for razor clams is about two hours before or after low tide. On Thursday, March 14, 2024, Mocrocks Beach in Moclips, Washington, had a -0.3 tide at 10:12 a.m. By 9 a.m. the beach swarmed with clammers thumping their digging tubes against the sand to stir the razor clams into showing where they were hiding. (Brenda Mann Harrison / Special to Sound & Summit)
Mount Rainier National Park has seen a 40 per cent uptick in visitor numbers over the past 10 years. Dewar Photography // Shutterstoc

The 6 US national parks requiring an entry permit in summer 2024

By Cu Fleshman Jam-packed parking lots, gridlocked roads, bustling crosswalks – these aren’t scenes from New York City or Los Angeles but from some of… Continue reading

Mount Rainier National Park has seen a 40 per cent uptick in visitor numbers over the past 10 years. Dewar Photography // Shutterstoc
Some of the crew involved with the Whidbey Renaissance Faire. (Photo by Bill Huls)

Faire thee well: Renaissance comes to Whidbey Island May 25 and 26

Event features dancers, a juggler, ‘Fakespeare,’ live music and lots of food

Some of the crew involved with the Whidbey Renaissance Faire. (Photo by Bill Huls)
Sasquatch crossing sign in the Oregon wilderness

Mysterious monsters and mythical beings: Explore the rich folklore of the West Coast

In a place beyond the pines, towering mountains and misty coastlines resides a rich history of folklore shrouded in mystery and intrigue. The West Coast… Continue reading

Sasquatch crossing sign in the Oregon wilderness
We are entering peak race season, so plan out your races now while early bird tickets are still available!

Run your way up – or down – the West Coast with this bucket-list race guide

Whether you’re a seasoned runner seeking new challenges or a first-timer eager to join the ranks of marathon finishers, we can all agree that once… Continue reading

We are entering peak race season, so plan out your races now while early bird tickets are still available!
Rosario Resort and Spa on Orcas Island (Photo provided by Empower Investing)

Orcas Island’s storied Rosario Resort finds a local owner

Rosario Resort and Spa on Orcas Island has a new owner.  Empower Investing, a Washington company founded by local Orcas Island residents, assumed ownership of… Continue reading

Rosario Resort and Spa on Orcas Island (Photo provided by Empower Investing)
Russ Dalton poses for a photo at Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Last man to see a grizzly in Cascades says return ‘would be wonderful’

It was news to Paul Paquet that he recorded the last confirmed sighting of a North Cascades grizzly. Still, some fear an imminent restoration effort.

Russ Dalton poses for a photo at Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
View of Cheakamus Lake from Blackcomb Mountain, Whistler.

Trails for all hikers: Visiting spring’s must-explore West Coast parks

Beautiful hikes span the West Coast and are perfect destinations when spring coaxes us back outside! We’ve gathered a selection of hikes that stand out… Continue reading

View of Cheakamus Lake from Blackcomb Mountain, Whistler.
A group of friends hang out in a banya, a Russian sauna that is typically more humid and hotter than a traditional sauna, at Banya by fgm on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

At Banya, spa with 200-degree sauna in Everett, stress just melts away

A banya in Russian refers to a hot room or sauna. You can also plunge in the cold pool. Or play chess and eat piroshki.

A group of friends hang out in a banya, a Russian sauna that is typically more humid and hotter than a traditional sauna, at Banya by fgm on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Karen Byram feeds her herd of alpacas at Alpacas De La Patagonia in Camano, Washington. Visiting guests have the opportunity to meet and feed some of the animals on the farm. Ryan Berry / Everett Herald photo

Alpaca Getaway: Take a farm-style retreat to Camano Island

At Alpacas de la Patagonia, fuzzy friends and breathtaking beauty make the perfect winter weekend.

Karen Byram feeds her herd of alpacas at Alpacas De La Patagonia in Camano, Washington. Visiting guests have the opportunity to meet and feed some of the animals on the farm. Ryan Berry / Everett Herald photo
Discover Portland and other Oregon destinations with local travel author Matt Wastradowski in his latest book, Moon Oregon.

Explore Oregon like a local with brand new guide

By Jeff Klein, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash. Ever wanted to explore the Columbia River Gorge like a local? Heading to Bend, Ore., or even the… Continue reading

Discover Portland and other Oregon destinations with local travel author Matt Wastradowski in his latest book, Moon Oregon.
You’re never far from the mountains or water when you visit Seattle, Wash.

What to do in Seattle?

Seattle’s tourism scene has been on the rebound since the pandemic. Last year, 33.9 million visitors passed through Seattle and King County, and this holiday… Continue reading

You’re never far from the mountains or water when you visit Seattle, Wash.
Jaxen McInnis, the creator of the Snackin Shack, in his transformed garage on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Bite into Everett’s Snackin Shack, a sweet museum of offbeat treats

It’s like the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! of odd snacks.  Lady Gaga Oreo cookies, mac & cheese gummy candy, vanilla milkshake potato chips and… Continue reading

Jaxen McInnis, the creator of the Snackin Shack, in his transformed garage on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / 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