Travel

The Best Scenic Fall Road Trips in the Northwest

Autumn colors, mountain vistas, idyllic island treks and the back roads of wine country

The forest and mountains near the brilliant blue waters of the North Cascades’ Diablo Lake come into view along a drive on the Cascade Loop

Seattle Magazine Staff

The Cascade Loop Is One of Washington’s Most Iconic Drives

The drive takes you through a stunning and varied landscape of farms, mountains and sagebrush

See craggy Liberty Bell Mountain, near Washington Pass, while driving along SR 20/North Cascade Highway

Niki Stojnic

Seattle’s Counterbalance? The Awe-Inspiring, Wide-Open Landscape of the Palouse

Part of our Scenic Fall Road Trips cover story

A trip to the top of 3,612-foot Steptoe Butte yields a panorama of the Palouse

Roddy Scheer

Take in Lopez Island’s Stunning Views on Two Wheels Instead of Four

Soak in the rural beauty of this small island from the seat of a bike

This article appears in print in the October 2018 issue, as part of the Scenic Fall Road Trips cover story. Click here to subscribe. On one of Lopez Island’s backroads is a green street sign with the words “Less Travelled Rd.” It succinctly sums up one of the big reasons to come to the smallest of the three most visited…

Virginia Smyth

Take a Deep Drive into Whidbey Island to Experience Great Views and Good Food

Part of our Scenic Fall Road Trips cover story

The Admiralty Head Lighthouse at 100-plus-year-old Fort Casey Historical State Park, part of the vast defense to the entrance of Puget Sound

Niki Stojnic

Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula Is a Trip Back in Time

Give reality the slip on a charming, delicious and weird weekend adventure

Stay at one of Sou’wester Historic Lodge and Vintage Travel Trailer Resort’s trailers, such as this refurbished 1952 vintage Westcraft

Jenny Cunningham

Washington’s State Capital Is the Perfect Jumping-Off Point For a Day Spent Exploring

Just an hour’s drive south of Seattle, head to Olympia and check out the scenic Thurston Bountiful Byway

This article appears in print in the October 2018 issue, as part of the Scenic Fall Road Trips cover story. Click here to subscribe. The Interstate 5 corridor between Seattle and Olympia can be a disheartening slog through traffic and a visual assault of strip malls and billboards. But not too long after you pass Tacoma, the landscape changes. This…

Chelsea Lin

Traveling the Willamette Valley’s Back Roads in Northwest Oregon

Making the trip, one milkshake at a time

Stop at Smith Berry Barn for the signature Marionberry Lavender milkshake and fresh marionberries, an Oregon staple.

Danielle Centoni

Road Trip: There’s More To Enjoy Than Wine and Vineyards in Prosser

This small town is a wine mecca, but it offers more for the visitor than tasting rooms

Prosser is 190 miles southeast of Seattle, about a three-hour drive

Sarah Edwards

Explore the Peaks and Perks of Fall in Whistler

There’s tons to discover during this mountain destination's crisp shoulder season.

Sponsored by Tourism Whistler For those who love the outdoors, good food and drink, lively events and quiet retreats, Whistler truly is a year-round destination. While powdery slopes are still a few months away, the bustling mountain town kicks off harvest season with a plethora of celebration. From breathtaking views to festive activities, there’s something…

Darien Parish Rozell

How to Hunt for Bigfoot in Washington State

Tips for your Sasquatch search

This article appears in print in the August 2018 issue. Click here to subscribe. According to scientist Ranae Holland, host of the Animal Planet show Finding Bigfoot, Washington is the scene of more Sasquatch sightings than any other state. While the legendary creature’s existence has yet to be confirmed—Holland herself has yet to encounter one—what we do know…

Austin Iverson

40 Best Water Adventures in the PNW

River floats, hot springs and perfect paddling a short drive away

This article is the cover story of the August 2018 issue. Find more from the story here. Click here to subscribe. By Danielle Centoni, Sarah Edwards, Gwendolyn Elliott, Austin Iverson, Hilary Meyerson and Roddy Scheer Sure, we’ve got beautiful mountains, but what makes our region truly special is the abundance of water all around us. Especially when the…