Attractions

TILLICUM VILLAGE

I enjoy taking a Seattle Argosy cruise from the downtown waterfront to Tillicum Village. Step into a replica cedar longhouse and discover the rich heritage of Northwest Coast Native American cultures. Delicious salmon baked the traditional way is served to visitors with a performance of dances and legends from the Salish people. www.tillicumvillage.com.

NORTHWEST TREK

If you missed see your favorite wilderness animals, I’d like to suggest a stop at Northwest Trek. The 723 acre park has lakes, meadows and trails to walk for views of black bears, wolves, lynx, cougars, owls and eagles in natural settings. From the park tram you’ll see free-roaming wildlife areas of Roosevelt elk, woodland caribou, deer, bison and other wildlife. http://www.nwtrek.org/

SNOQUALMIE FALLS

Less than an hour east of Seattle, the falls cascades 268 feet over granite cliffs into the lower Snoqualmie River. See the falls from the park observation deck or follow the Snoqualmie Falls River Trail to the foot of the falls. The Snoqualmie Tribe considers this as sacred site. The lodge is famous for breakfast. www.snoqualmiefalls.com.

MT. ST. HELENS

From the Johnson Ridge Observatory look into the crater at the steaming lava dome, view North America’s youngest glacier and learn how the landscape was reshaped by the 1980 eruption. The observatory features geologic exhibits and live seismographs readings. Approximately 3 hours south of Seattle by car. www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/

MT. RAINIER

This will make your ears pop! The mountain is the highest volcanic peak in the Cascade Range. The most popular destination in the National Park is Paradise on the south side of the mountain. Summer visitors will find a lush meadow carpeted with wildflowers and trails to streams and waterfalls to explore. The mountain is crowned with 26 named glaciers. Approximately 4 hours east from Seattle by tour bus or car. http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm.

RIVER TRIPS

Whitewater rafting, float trips and fishing trips are all along the Cascade Loop including the Wenatchee River. The river has one of the top 10 whitewater rafting day trips in the country. Wear your life jacket. www.blueskyoutfitters.com

AIRPLANES

If you enjoyed a visit to the Museum of Flight in Seattle, just wait until you take a tour of the Boeing Assembly Plant in Everett about an hour north. Tours begin at the Future of Flight Aviation Center at Paine Field.

This is a great family event. They’ll enjoy trying out the aerospace exhibits that have activities like the chance to sit in an airplane cockpit and design their own commercial jet.

When it’s time for the tour, you’ll go inside the world’s largest building to watch the latest Boeing Airplanes being built. Advance reservations are required and some restrictions apply. www.futureofflight.org.

The Flying Heritage Collection is also at Paine Field. This premier aviation attraction showcases the spectacular warbirds -- a collection of 15 restored planes dating from the 1930’s. Examples include rare U.S., British, German, Russian and Japanese planes. The collection is housed in a restored working hanger. There are special fly-over days during summer months. www.flyingheritage.com.

ART GLASS

The “City of Destiny” - Tacoma – is home of the world renowned Museum of Glass where you can see artists at work in the ‘hot shop’. The museum features ongoing glassblowing demonstrations and changing glass exhibits. The museum is part of the Tacoma Museum District. Walk across the Bridge of Glass created by world renowned artist Dale Chihuly and into the historic district to visit more art glass at the,

Restored historic district buildings house shops to browse and places to get a bit to eat. www.museumofglass.org

AUTOMOBILES

One of my recent visitors was an antique car enthusiast and I could hardly get him away from the LeMay Auto Museum.

Located some 30 miles south of Seattle, the tour takes approximately 2 hours and includes viewing over 300 vehicles. Tours are conducted by trained docents and reservations are recommended. Wear your most comfortable walking shoes! www.lemaymuseum.org.

MUSEUM OF RADIO & ELECTRICITY

About 2 hours north of Seattle in Bellingham is a unique museum dedicated to the advancement of electricity and history of radio. An interactive collection of communications equipment and antique radios is featured. Displays include a reproduction of the Marconi wireless room onboard The Titanic. Docent tours are provided. www.amre.us/site/index.

ROSALIE WHYEL MUSEUM OF DOLL ART

Over 1,200 dolls are on permanent display, ranging from antique to modern, plus teddy bears, toys, dollhouses, and miniatures . Tours are self-guided. You’ll find the museum by crossing Lake Washington to Bellevue. http://www.dollart.com/s

NORTHWEST RAILWAY MUSEUM

My brother considers this to be the very best thing to do because it features historic railway equipment and summer train excursions on weekends to the top of Snoqualmie Falls. www.trainmuseum.org.