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Soulful travel in Seattle

Connect with Seattle

The Emerald City awaits… from the flowing Salish Sea to hilltop vistas, inspiring nature is waiting for you. Make your own path. I’m here to help.

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new to seattle

Let me help you find soulful travel in and around Seattle.

Yes, I know all the hot tourist spots, and the food scene is amazing and always changing. But I’ll take you a giant step farther toward the experiences that stay with you — connecting with yourself and loved ones via the healing powers of nature.

Parks and Gardens.

No matter the neighborhood, Seattle serves up pristine nature in abundance. Most of the green spaces in our city are free to enter. Here are a few popular articles to help you get started:

  • The Best Botanical Gardens
  • Inspiring Japanese Gardens
  • Point Defiance Park
  • West Hylebos Wetlands Park
Captain Blacks is a popular rooftop bar in Seattle. This picture shows the back deck facing a dusk time skyline of the tall buildings in downtown Seattle. There are strings of bulb lights draped above the wood tables and benches and a woman is standing wearing a blue raincoat while her friend, a man, sits across from her wearing a puffy blue North Face jacket. They both have pint glass sized cocktails.

Things to do.

Of course, there are countless things to do here. You know about the Space Needle already, so I’ll share local tips for connecting with nature. No matter the season, these guides point you in the right direction:

  • Nature in Winter
  • Outdoors in Spring
  • Summer fun in the wild
  • Fall back to colors
A coast guard speedboat follows the ferry with the Puget Sound in the foreground and the skyline of Seattle, with the Space Needle hovering above the buildings of the city.

Get away for the day.

It only takes one clear day to notice that we are surrounded by ridiculous beauty — in every direction. Let me help you find just the right jaunt, whether it’s for a few hours, or a long weekend away:

  • Seattle day trips (master list)
  • Bremerton
  • Deception Pass
  • Seattle to Vancouver (lots of ideas)

Wander off to open spaces outside Seattle.

Locals and those new to the Pacific Northwest both enjoy getting out of the big city to experience the quintessential wonderland — from the Olympic Peninsula to the flowing waves of grain in Eastern Washington. Let me help you find just the right way to enjoy your time away from the Emerald City:

Olympic Peninsula.

The waterlogged grandeur of this remote part of Washington State never disappoints. Any time of year, find surf crashing against dramatic rock stacks and neon green moss dripping from every branch:

  • Olympic Peninsula road trip
  • Lake Quinault Lodge
  • Lake Crescent Lodge
  • Maps and itinerary ideas

Salish Sea (Puget Sound).

The saltwater of our region flows freely through countless islands — offering a little something for anyone. I’ve curated my favorites in a number of articles that provide maps and checklists:

  • Whidbey Island
  • Nisqually Refuge
  • Port Townsend
  • Kitsap Peninsula (Bainbridge)

Cascade Mountains.

Not many major cities share a skyline with so many active volcanoes! Whether wandering in the snow, hiking in alpine wildflowers, or surveying volcanic destruction, you’re in for a treat:

  • Mt. St. Helens
  • Leavenworth
  • Snowshoeing
  • Mt. Rainier

You’ll get around.

While the open road typically requires a vehicle, there are other ways to travel the Pacific Northwest too. Coming from a 25-year airline career, I’ve got transportation covered. Enjoy Seattle and environs by plane, train, or automobile… or my favorite, by ferry.

A Washington State Ferry crosses a channel of the Puget Sound, en route to the Olympic Peninsula. The snow capped mountains shine in front of a blue sky and layers of evergreen trees are seen closer to the ferry, which glides through lightly rolling water.

Washington State Ferries

There’s nothing quite like standing on the deck of a marine vessel gliding through a magical sea while seagulls float through the salty air. All the information you need to travel via ferry is HERE.

It’s fun to create itineraries that hop around the Salish Sea on ferries, and one of my favorites is this journey when I tried out a Tesla road trip to Whidbey Island.

    Train travel from Seattle

    My mom used to take us on the train between Portland and Seattle as a kid, and it’s still a joy to ride today. I also have an article on taking the Seattle to Vancouver train (which is currently a bus transfer… damned pandemic).

    Seattle is also a terminus for the Empire Builder, which travels to and from Chicago. I know, because I took the sleeping car for a ride. Check it out.

      A roadway turns just before a blue dairy barn next to two tall and narrow grain silos. There are trees around the farm and the blue sky above has a few white puffy clouds. The field across the road from the barn is newly plowed brown dirt.

      Seattle inter-city driving

      The drive between Seattle & Portland or Seattle & Vancouver on Interstate 5 doesn’t have to be a slog. I’ve curated itineraries with fun stops along the way and helpful information for crossing the US/Canada border.

      The fastest route by far is Interstate 5, but I’ve had fun with other creative itineraries like this one that traverses remote forests of Mt. St. Helens.

        Join my adventure library

        They’re not on the main website, but all my adventure itineraries are free when you subscribe to my newsletter all about this wonderland we call the Pacific Northwest.

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        I would like to acknowledge that much of my inspiration comes from living on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.

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