Family activities

Planes on display inside Charlie Hangar at the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum in Everett, Washington. Olivia Vanni / The Herald

‘Not just your old plane guys’ museum:’ History, aviation buffs love this Everett destination

New exhibits celebrate the wartime efforts of women in the Second World War and parachuting dogs.

 

Onions are grilled up at the Walla Walla Burger booth during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Aug. 25, 2022 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Save money and time with advance ticket sales for Evergreen State Fair

The fair’s 115th installment runs 11 days starting Aug. 22 in Monroe. “Bright Lights, Summer Nights” is the theme.

 

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, you have must-visit destinations in every direction! WASHINGTON 1. San Juan Islands, Wash.… Continue reading

The San Juan Islands in Washington offer dramatic landscapes from mountaintop to sea.
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.
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)
Some of the crew involved with the Whidbey Renaissance Faire. (Photo by Bill Huls)
A mural by Gina Ribaudo at the intersection of Colby and Pacific for the Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett, Washington on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Mural brings wild animals, marine creatures to life in Downtown Everett

For the past month, artist Gina Ribaudo has been hard at work painting scenes from land and sea onto the brick building at 1515 Pacific… Continue reading

A mural by Gina Ribaudo at the intersection of Colby and Pacific for the Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett, Washington on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (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.
Chicken Sandwich showcased at the Mariners food preview day. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Mariners unveil new ballpark eats for 2024 season

A couple of our reporters headed to T-Mobile Park to see if the Mariners’ food budget was as tight as their player free agency budget.

Chicken Sandwich showcased at the Mariners food preview day. Ben Ray / The Reporter
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)
Babes in Pinland compete at Add-A-Ball Amusements in Seattle. Amy Attas/West Coast Traveller photo.

Flipping for pinball: Why pro players love travelling the west coast

It’s a Thursday night in Seattle’s trendy Fremont neighbourhood. Inside Add-A-Ball Amusements, women, nonbinary and trans competitors are hunched over the blinking lights and ringing… Continue reading

Babes in Pinland compete at Add-A-Ball Amusements in Seattle. Amy Attas/West Coast Traveller photo.
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)
Mentoring is a great opportunity for both mentor and mentee!
Mentoring is a great opportunity for both mentor and mentee!
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
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
Excited kids at last years YMCA Camp Snohomish Overnight Camp.

YMCA Overnight Camp Creates Lifelong Memories and Builds Lasting Friendships

Crackling campfires, silly skits, and summer sun are the things lifelong camp memories are made of. Last summer, 10-year old Teegan Ferrel was a first-time… Continue reading

Excited kids at last years YMCA Camp Snohomish Overnight Camp.
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)