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Christmas Lighting Festival, Leavenworth, Washington, the Christmas capital of the Pacific Northwest.

How one village became the Christmas capital of Washington state

Leavenworth, in central Washington, calls itself the Christmas capital of the Pacific Northwest

 

People take photos of the lights surrounding the the fountain at the the entrance to the Tulalip Resort & Casino in Tulalip, Washington. Olivia Vanni / The Herald

Record Tulalip holiday display lights up the night

The largest light display in Washington is free of charge and open through Jan. 12.

 

Enchant Christmas returns to T-Mobile Park in Seattle! Enchant Christmas photo / Courtesy Visit Seattle

Why Seattle is a favourite holiday season destination

No matter the time of year, Seattle offers endless opportunities for adventure, relaxation and celebration. Come December, many of those celebrations take on a decidedly… Continue reading

Enchant Christmas returns to T-Mobile Park in Seattle! Enchant Christmas photo / Courtesy Visit Seattle
Tourists crowd the Snoqualmie Falls viewpoint to get photos of the falls and the adjacent Salish Lodge & Spa, in Snoqualmie, Washington. Ryan Berry / The Herald

Twin Peaks fans may know this Snoqualmie, WA retreat as the Great Northern Hotel

Salish Lodge Spa is a perfect mix of romance and relaxation – and suspense, if you’re a Twin Peaks fan

Tourists crowd the Snoqualmie Falls viewpoint to get photos of the falls and the adjacent Salish Lodge & Spa, in Snoqualmie, Washington. Ryan Berry / The Herald
Mountains in the Spokane area are eying opening day as they start piling up snow.

Let it snow: Spokane-area ski hills ready for winter

It’s always a good sign when a chairlift starts running before the midpoint of November. That’s what’s happening this weekend at Lookout Pass Ski Area,… Continue reading

Mountains in the Spokane area are eying opening day as they start piling up snow.
A rainy day is no match for a city like Seattle, which offers an abundance of wet-weather activities, including a visit to the famed Space Needle. AdobeStock

12 great things to do in Seattle when it rains

An iconic city synonymous with rainy weather, Seattle brilliantly showcases that drizzle can’t dampen its spirit. From exploring Seattle’s world-class museums like MoPop to engaging… Continue reading

A rainy day is no match for a city like Seattle, which offers an abundance of wet-weather activities, including a visit to the famed Space Needle. AdobeStock
Avoid being taken in by a fraudster by knowing some of the tell-tale signs. Photo courtesy Canva

Don’t fall prey to a vacation scam: 7 tips to safeguard your holiday travels

It’s a nightmare scenario: you’ve made all the arrangements for an exciting vacation with your friends or family, only to find that you’re being charged… Continue reading

Avoid being taken in by a fraudster by knowing some of the tell-tale signs. Photo courtesy Canva
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.

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)
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 glimpse of the state’s tallest peak often elicits the expression: “Look! The mountain… Continue reading

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

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)
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)
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
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.