Day 1 – Seattle – Snohomish – Leavenworth
Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour: The 73,000-square-foot Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour is a Western Washington attraction not to be missed. Along with fascinating interactive exhibits and displays, it offers the only public tour of a commercial jet assembly plant in North America. Group tours available by appointment. Snohomish: The Antique Capital of the Northwest. Enjoy lunch, take a self-guided Victorian Homes walking tour, and browse through over 450 antique dealers’ treasure troves. Wallace Falls: A moderate hike to the scenic and dramatic 265-foot waterfall through old-growth coniferous forests. Leavenworth: Stroll the picturesque main street of this Bavarian village with its unique shops and galleries. Festivals are a part of life here, the most popular being the Autumn Leaf Festival Oktoberfest, Christmas Lighting Festival and Ice Fest. Have dinner at one of the many authentic Bavarian restaurants. Optional evening activities: Live theatre under the stars (seasonal), bird watching on Blackbird Island nature trail, outdoor festivals and events year-round.
Dinner and overnight: Leavenworth
Day 2 – Leavenworth – Chelan
Optional morning activities: Scenic river rafting trip April-July, Leavenworth Fish Hatchery, local winery tours. Cashmere: Take Liberty Orchard’s free Applets & Cotlets Candy Factory tour with free samples for all, at the tour’s conclusion. Optional Stop: Visit the Chelan County Pioneer Village and Museum in Cashmere. The Pioneer Village and Museum offers a rich history of the Pacific Northwest with exhibits, original pioneer buildings and Native American artifacts dating back 9,000 years. Admission fee
Ohme Gardens: One of America’s most highly acclaimed gardens; Ohme Gardens’ nine gorgeous acres are truly a testament to grace and design. April – October, admission Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center: Housed in historic buildings, explore four floors of dramatic exhibits and fascinating artifacts including authentic adornments to furnish a pioneer home, bank, general store and print shop. Admission, group tours available by appointment. “Art on the Avenues”: Customize your own tour of 64 public art pieces located in and around downtown Wenatchee. Free, map at Visitor Information Center. Rocky Reach Dam: The dam’s visitor center is impressive with the Gallery of Electricity and the Gallery of the Columbia, filled with educational exhibits exploring the development of the region, people and culture April -Oct, guided tours available by request.
Dinner and overnight: Chelan
Day 3 – Chelan – Twisp – Winthrop
Lake Chelan: Explore the 55-mile lake on a cruise to Stehekin, the wilderness village at the head of the lake. Select between Lady of the Lake scheduled trips, charter boat or float plane options that take four hours to all day. Once in Stehekin, take the bus tour to 312-foot Rainbow Falls, rent bikes to explore the valley, visit the Golden West Lodge Art Gallery (free) or walk a local trail. Twisp: Visit shops and a growing number of galleries showcasing local artisans. Dinner and overnight: Winthrop Optional activity: Cowboy BBQ dinner and trail ride at Sun Mountain Lodge. Hiking and mountain biking anywhere along the Methow Valley Sport Trails.
Day 4 – Winthrop – La Conner
Optional activity: Rise early and book passage with Morning Glory Hot Air Balloons. Great way to witness the grandeur of the cascades. North Cascades Highway Tour: Stop at the U.S. Forest Service in Winthrop (on Hwy. 20) to pick up the free CD narrating the history of the North Cascades Highway. There are no food/gas stations between Mazama and Newhalem, so be sure to have gas and snacks for the trip. Note: this highway is closed in the winter, usually mid-November thru mid- April. North Cascades: Be sure to stop at the Washington Pass Overlook for spectacular vistas of Ross and Diablo Lakes and the surrounding mountain peaks. Optional activity: Skagit Hydroelectric Project Boat Cruise & Tour: View a picturesque and impressive series of dams along the Skagit River. Guided and self-tours are available. Explore the mountain town of Newhalem, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Seasonal, fee charged. Recommended stop: North Cascades National Park Visitor Information Center for interpretive information, displays and videos on the North Cascades. Optional overnight: Instead of continuing on to La Conner, stay at the North Cascades Institute’s new Field Campus with overnight lodging, outdoor education programs and gourmet NW cuisine, all within the North Cascades National Park. Optional activities: The Sockeye Express narrated tour of historic Concrete seasonal; the self-guided historic mural walk in Sedro- Woolley; Padilla Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary in Mount Vernon, Nature Float on the Skagit River.
La Conner: This charming and picture-perfect community offers art galleries, eateries, museums and antique stores. Optional activities: The Museum of Northwest Art, the Quilt Museum, The Skagit County Historical Museum, Dinner Cruise through Deception Pass. Dinner and overnight: La Conner
Day 5 – La Conner – Whidbey Island
Optional activities: Whale watching excursions leaving from La Conner and Anacortes, Kayak Tours, Jet Boat tours of Deception Pass, Anacortes Historical Walking Tour & Nautical Museum. Walk across the Deception Pass Bridge, which towers over the swirling water separating Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands. Drive the length of Whidbey Island. Optional stops: Oak Harbor: Explore charming restaurants and shops in Old Town and modern-city amenities in newer areas. Windjammer Park offers visitors a hint of the area’s Dutch heritage, a waterfront campground, play areas, a walking trail and a saltwater swimming hole. Greenbank: Quiet, rural town, home of the 522-acre Whidbey Island Greenbank Farm. Coupeville: The second-oldest town in Washington also draws folks to its Victorian-era homes, fine downtown dining, eclectic shops, the Island County Museum and self-guided history walks.
Fort Casey State Park: Offering sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the park features, historic battery guns, walking trails, and the Admiralty Head Lighthouse & Interpretive Center. Lighthouse tours available by appointment. Double Bluff Beach and Useless Bay: Take a stroll, go beachcombing, and whale watching. Fort Ebey State Park: The park features 28 miles of trails with stunning views of the Olympic Peninsula. Watch adventurists paragliding and surfing off the coast. Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens: Walk among the rhododendrons enjoying miles of trails providing color and beauty. Don’t miss the famous show gardens. Stop in the charming town of Langley for shopping and lunch overlooking the bay before heading to Clinton to catch the ferry 20 minute ride, leaves every half-hour back to Mukilteo, on the mainland just north of Seattle.
