With July 4 behind us, it is officially summer in Seattle — or so the local saying goes. But if your summer travel plans are still in the making, fear not.
Here are 10 of the top Pacific Northwest adventure ideas from our outdoors, travel and food writers for this season.
No. 1: Fly out of Seattle on a floatplane
To shake up your summer travel routine, take a floatplane — a type of seaplane with distinctive pontoons — to one of four destinations on Vancouver Island, B.C., and San Juan Island via Kenmore Air. Read more here.
No. 2: Visit the dim sum capital of North America
Make no mistake: The suburb of Richmond, B.C., is an international foodie destination because of its phenomenal dim sum scene, food critic Tan Vinh writes. Read about his four favorite spots here.
No. 3: Find a peaceful escape at Washington’s oldest hotel
The Tokeland Hotel, co-owned by former Seattle chef Heather Earnhardt of Wandering Goose fame, is the perfect place to unplug, food writer Jackie Varriano found. Read more about coastal hotel here.
No. 4: Cross some of the trendiest West Coast destinations off your bucket list
On this roundup of nature and travel spots recently recognized by outlets like Lonely Planet and Tripadvisor: Ruby Beach, Ecola State Park, Castello di Amorosa and other West Coast gems. Read more here.
No. 5: Take a hassle-free island escape by county-run ferry
Summertime gets extremely busy for Washington State Ferries and, unfortunately, WSF has seen better days. Hop aboard a county-run vessel for one of these three idyllic island escapes. Read more about traveling to these islands here.
No. 6: Take advantage of Sea-Tac’s new international flights
If you’re looking for a new international destination to travel to this summer, you’re in luck. Read about new locations for direct flights, including Chongqing, China, and Munich, Germany, and others coming soon here.
No. 7: Stay at a unique PNW lodge
From historic hotels to restful resorts, travel contributor Julia Duin found eight interesting places to stay in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. Read about each of her picks here.
No. 8: Experience the wilderness at Washington’s newest and less crowded national park
Washington’s newest, wildest, least popular and most misunderstood national park, North Cascades is beloved for its solitude, our outdoors writer says. Here are eight ways to sample its wild splendor.
No. 9: Take a road trip to Oregon’s tallest mountain
From bike trails to local cideries, there are plenty of worthy pit stops to make en route to Mount Hood, a year-round outdoors destination. Here’s what to see and do on the way.
No. 10: Take a Washington road trip endorsed by locals
From the “World’s Longest Beach” to a free planetarium, these 10 wide-ranging Washington destinations were suggested by the people who know them best. Read about them here.