Things to do

Twede’s Cafe is pictured at the corner of Bendigo Boulevard and North Bend Way on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in North Bend, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Relive ‘Twin Peaks’ with cherry pie and damn fine coffee at Twede’s Cafe

The North Bend cafe, known as Double R Diner on the campy cult-classic, serves up nostalgia and a damn good breakfast.

 

Mt. Rainier, in Washington state, is the subject of an exhibition at Washington State History Museum, The Mountain Was Out.

‘The Mountain was Out:’ Tacoma museum welcomes new exhibition celebrating Mt. Rainier

Western Washington residents have a love-love relationship with Mount Rainier. Catching a…

 

People enjoy the grand opening of the new Heritage Distillery tasting room at Angel of the Winds Casino on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Heritage, Stillaguamish partner on new Angel of the Winds distillery

Until 2018, it was illegal for tribes to distill on their land. Now, the casino near Arlington has its own tasting room.

 

The West Coast offers a lot to love for Halloween fans!

Scaring up a Halloween fright fest in Seattle, San Fran, L.A. & Vegas

It’s the happiest time of the year for lovers of ghoulies, ghosties and things that go bump in the night. If you’re looking for thrills… Continue reading

The West Coast offers a lot to love for Halloween fans!
A view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a gateway to a new tourism corridor connecting Canada and the United States. (Black Press file photo)
A view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a gateway to a new tourism corridor connecting Canada and the United States. (Black Press file photo)
A tractor sits next to barns at Bob’s Corn and Pumpkin Farm in Snohomish, Washington on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A tractor sits next to barns at Bob’s Corn and Pumpkin Farm in Snohomish, Washington on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Gorge is a massive outdoor concert venue just miles outside of Quincy, Washington that can hold some 27,000 people and has hosted a variety of iconic bands over the years. facebook.com/GorgeAmphitheatre photo

This tiny WA town was the top Airbnb destination worldwide for summer 2024

The vacation rental platform Airbnb has become a staple for many travelers, choosing to forego the traditional hotel for something a little more flexible or… Continue reading

The Gorge is a massive outdoor concert venue just miles outside of Quincy, Washington that can hold some 27,000 people and has hosted a variety of iconic bands over the years. facebook.com/GorgeAmphitheatre photo
Spada Farmhouse Brewery in Snohomish in 2020. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Explore haunted saloons, pie sundaes and antique malls in Snohomish

By Alyse Smith / The Bellingham Herald Snohomish, Wash. is a historic town just outside Everett – about 45 minutes north of Seattle and an… Continue reading

Spada Farmhouse Brewery in Snohomish in 2020. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
The Leavenworth area has great biking and hiking trails, including to Icicle Ridge.

Highway 2 hikes: 6 trails for the final push of summer

Washington’s Highway 2 has it all: salmon jerky stands, a popular ski hill in Stevens Pass, the kitschy Bavarian town of Leavenworth. But don’t forget… Continue reading

The Leavenworth area has great biking and hiking trails, including to Icicle Ridge.
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.

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

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)
Performers joust during the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire at Sky Meadows Park in Snohomish, Washington, on Sunday, Aug. 06, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Performers joust during the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire at Sky Meadows Park in Snohomish, Washington, on Sunday, Aug. 06, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
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 go on vacation. The good news? With its stunning landscapes, cities and diverse… Continue reading

A roadtrip, like a drive of US Highway 101 along the Oregon coast, can offer affordable opportunities for a getaway.
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.
The access loop trail on the Old Sauk Trail on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Darrington, Washington. (Ta'Leah Van Sistine / The Herald)

10 accessible trails to explore this summer in Snohomish County

For people with disabilities, tree roots and other obstacles can curb access to the outdoors. But some trails are wheelchair-friendly.

The access loop trail on the Old Sauk Trail on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Darrington, Washington. (Ta'Leah Van Sistine / The Herald)
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)
Barlow Pass Trailhead is the end of the line on the Verlot side of Mountain Loop Highway during the road’s closure on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in rural Snohomish County, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Washington hikers rejoice: Renewed road to Mount Pilchuck, Mountain Loop to open

The notoriously rough route to an iconic hike got a makeover. And the full Mountain Loop Highway, with routine repairs, opens Monday.

Barlow Pass Trailhead is the end of the line on the Verlot side of Mountain Loop Highway during the road’s closure on Thursday, June 6, 2024, in rural Snohomish County, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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)