Travel

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)
Compressed Cube Tensegrity Sculpture is one of the first sculptures seen from the east parking lot Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Earth Sanctuary in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

For $7, take a walk on the spiritual side of Whidbey Island

The 72-acre nature preserve has sculptures and sacred spaces. “It is contemplative, peaceful and magical.”

Compressed Cube Tensegrity Sculpture is one of the first sculptures seen from the east parking lot Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Earth Sanctuary in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ride up to Arlington along the Centennial Trail for views of the countryside and a perfect lunch spot along the Stillaguamish River. Taylor Goebel / The Herald photo

Bike hard, eat hard: Take a bite out of Snohomish County’s Centennial Trail

By Taylor Goebel, Everett DailyHerald I love a good sweaty bike ride as much as a post-good-sweaty-bike-ride meal. So when the sunshine and warm weather… Continue reading

Ride up to Arlington along the Centennial Trail for views of the countryside and a perfect lunch spot along the Stillaguamish River. Taylor Goebel / The Herald photo
The powerful Spokane Falls are a must-visit experience in Spokane, WA.

Family takes a mystery trip that’s full of adventure

Her family was minutes away from leaving on a road trip, but there was a catch — they had no idea where they were going.

The powerful Spokane Falls are a must-visit experience in Spokane, WA.
An Amtrak train rolls westbound along the White Rock, B.C. waterfront. File photo

Passenger train between Vancouver and Seattle to resume in September

Passenger-train service between Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle, WA. is set to resume in September for the first time since the start of the pandemic. It’s… Continue reading

An Amtrak train rolls westbound along the White Rock, B.C. waterfront. File photo
Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development A boy with a picnic basket is photographed in front of Deception Pass Bridge in 1950.

Washington State’s most popular park turns 100

The most visited state park in Washington celebrates a century of recreation and conservation.

Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development A boy with a picnic basket is photographed in front of Deception Pass Bridge in 1950.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Three Beacons: Take a tour of three Everett-area lighthouses

These beacons guided mariners to safety for many years — since 1861, in one case. Here are their stories.

The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jetty Island ferry service from the Port of Everett waterfront to the two-mile sandy breakwater is set to return July 6 through Labor Day. (Lizz Giordano / Herald file)

Jetty Island ferry reservations open for the summer season

Reservations are required and cost $3 per person for the short ferry ride to sandy beaches

Jetty Island ferry service from the Port of Everett waterfront to the two-mile sandy breakwater is set to return July 6 through Labor Day. (Lizz Giordano / Herald file)
On summer afternoons, the sun warms the shallow water off Jetty Island’s west shore. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

5 things to do this summer in Snohomish County

Hop a ferry. Play in the sand. Look for Bigfoot. Tour the past. Toast the sunset.

On summer afternoons, the sun warms the shallow water off Jetty Island’s west shore. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Airfares in Spokane, Washington are up 35 per cent, according to a new year-over-year study CheapAir.com that found smaller market airports were being more significantly affected by price increases. Conversely, larger markets, like San Francisco, are seeing less of an impact.

The US cities being most + least affected by airfare hikes

By Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Airfare costs are rising as demand surges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and fuel prices skyrocketing, but some cities… Continue reading

Airfares in Spokane, Washington are up 35 per cent, according to a new year-over-year study CheapAir.com that found smaller market airports were being more significantly affected by price increases. Conversely, larger markets, like San Francisco, are seeing less of an impact.
Jenny Schmitz on the Skyline trail at Mount Rainier National Park. Ted Bashor photo

Washington hiking guide offers a new way to find accessible trails

one that helps users determine whether or not a trail is… Continue reading

Jenny Schmitz on the Skyline trail at Mount Rainier National Park. Ted Bashor photo