Our guides

Rent an RV for summer vacation or travel

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Advertiser article Summer is coming! It’s time to leave the house you’ve been stuck in all year and venture out to the beach, the mountains or the parks. But how can you do that safely? Travel is full of cramped airplanes and crowded rest stops that you may not be ready to revisit. Your solution: Rent an … [Read more...] about Rent an RV for summer vacation or travel

Our big list of public gardens and garden tours

Listed below are arboretums and botanical gardens* in cities throughout the Puget Sound region. Most gardens specialize in one or more aspects of Pacific Northwest native plants. A few offer non-native varieties and some have exotic specimens from far flung corners of the globe. These public gardens are regularly … [Read more...] about Our big list of public gardens and garden tours

Washington State Fair events at Puyallup Fairgrounds

Located south of Seattle and east of Tacoma in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier, the Washington State Fair Events Center comprises over 160 acres. The facilities are available for rent during the year. The Washington State Fair hosts two annual events, the 20-day Washington State Fair every September, and … [Read more...] about Washington State Fair events at Puyallup Fairgrounds

Our big list of camping, sports, and RV Shows

A recreational vehicle (RV), whether it's a family-size trailer, small camper for two, or luxurious motor home for cross-country adventure can be a great way to get away. Hiking, biking, fishing, rock climbing, family vacations, camping, outdoor concerts, and kids sporting events…life is more accessible in an RV. … [Read more...] about Our big list of camping, sports, and RV Shows

Our big list of movie theaters (live & virtual)

Below is a comprehensive list* of movie theaters in the Seattle-Tacoma area, including independent first-run movie theaters, art film houses and second-run discount movie theaters, major cinema multiplexes, and drive-in theaters in the Puget Sound region. Check this list anytime you're in the mood to see something on … [Read more...] about Our big list of movie theaters (live & virtual)

Our big list of wedding shows & bridal expos

Wedding Shows and Bridal Expos let you see many wedding planning professionals in one place and provide lots of ideas for your wedding day. You can pick up free literature and talk with wedding service providers who can help you plan a perfect wedding day. Thoughtful wedding planning ensures it will be a memorable day … [Read more...] about Our big list of wedding shows & bridal expos

Our big list of boat shows & waterfront festivals

Seattle is nearly surrounded by fresh and salt water. This city is inextricably linked to fishing and maritime industries, pleasure boating, and waterfront activities. Residents in the Puget Sound region enjoy a wide variety of activities on the water, in motorboats, sailboats, and a wide variety of paddle … [Read more...] about Our big list of boat shows & waterfront festivals

Our big list of film festivals and special movie screenings

Seattle is one of the top cities worldwide (easily in the top 100) for "cinemability", which is a measure of our ability to support movie goers. Cinemability includes issues such as ticket price, available movie titles, and the number of movie screens, cinema multiplexes, independent movie houses, and film … [Read more...] about Our big list of film festivals and special movie screenings

Affordable holiday champagne and sparkling wine

If you are looking for some bubblies to celebrate the New Year, there are many deliciously frugal alternatives. Local Seattle wine shops offer a great selection of sparkling wine offering good value and quality at very affordable prices. The selection includes local and domestic wines, as well as sparkling wines from … [Read more...] about Affordable holiday champagne and sparkling wine

New Year’s Eve 2020 events and dining options

Here are our suggestions for free New Year's events. Typical NYE events and parties are, of course, cancelled in 2020. However, we found a few virtual New Years Eve events and will continue to add more if we find them. Virtual New Years Eve events 2020 Listed by start time, early to later. Seattle … [Read more...] about New Year’s Eve 2020 events and dining options

New Year traditions and celebrations

The start of a new year has been celebrated since ancient times. Only the date has changed. When is New Years celebrated? Today, many people around the world celebrate New Year's Eve every December 31 and New Year's Day on January 1. Two places in the central Pacific Ocean are the first and last to greet … [Read more...] about New Year traditions and celebrations

Best summer vacation ideas in Washington State

One of the many benefits of living in Seattle is all the amazing getaways around Washington State. The following summer vacation ideas are some of the most beautiful sites in the United States. You can head out for a day trip, a long weekend getaway, or a long family vacation. You'll spend less time getting there … [Read more...] about Best summer vacation ideas in Washington State

Christmas lights around the Puget Sound region

Here's our list of Christmas light displays burning brightly with 100,000 to 1,000,000 lights. Most are FREE. Many are at private homes in neighborhoods throughout the Puget Sound region that can be enjoyed from the warmth of your vehicle as you idle past. Others are commercial displays with an admission … [Read more...] about Christmas lights around the Puget Sound region

U-cut, fresh cut Christmas trees around the Sound

Here’s our list of Christmas tree farms where you can cut your own Christmas tree, plus some of the best local stores for fresh cut trees and other holiday greenery, as well as holiday lights, ornaments, and other seasonal décor. Choosing a Northwest Christmas Tree The Pacific Northwest is home to many species of … [Read more...] about U-cut, fresh cut Christmas trees around the Sound

25 books to read aloud with family during the holiday season

Here are our suggestions for books to read aloud with family over the winter break. We've proposed a wide range of themes, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa stories. Some Christmas books offer Christian stories and others are secular holiday stories, tales about winter, and folktales from cultural … [Read more...] about 25 books to read aloud with family during the holiday season

Where to get pictures with Santa Claus

Here's a list of Santa photo opportunities. They include free and paid Santa pictures. We found Santa in locations from Stanwood to Puyallup. All that, and toys, too! We're indubitably impressed. Some of the Santa photo ops are at Christmas festivals and other holiday events featuring an appearance by Santa Claus. … [Read more...] about Where to get pictures with Santa Claus

RV rental: great for fall & winter travel, home office space, holiday overflow

Some of the links in this post are special! When you make a purchase through our links, we might earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Sponsored by RVshare.com It's common to rent an RV or motor home for summer travel. But there are other times of the year, and many great reasons, for renting an RV – weekend getaways, holiday travel, or just some extra space at home. In many parts of the Pacific Northwest, fall is the perfect time to get … [Read more...] about RV rental: great for fall & winter travel, home office space, holiday overflow

FREE Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other holiday events

Any day of the week during the long holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, you can find FREE things to do that put you in a festive mood. Some events are short-lived, but some begin on Thanksgiving Weekend (or before) and some continue through New Year's Eve. Some of the popular events include Festival … [Read more...] about FREE Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other holiday events

Free Winterfest activities at Seattle Center

Seattle Center is the scene for Winterfest--five weeks of free and affordable family activities and holiday-inspired fun. The festivities begin the day after Thanksgiving and go until New Year's Eve. The Seattle Center grounds are open 365 days a year. The Armory, Fisher Plaza and other buildings are closed … [Read more...] about Free Winterfest activities at Seattle Center

Our big list of live & virtual music shows & concerts

Most, if not all music venues closed in spring 2020 for the foreseeable future. However many are offering virtual content. Find a calendar of upcoming music performances--live or virtual, in the calendar at the end of this list. The events include concerts, music festivals, sing-alongs, and more. These bars, clubs, … [Read more...] about Our big list of live & virtual music shows & concerts

Best Halloween DIY candy chutes from around the country

In 2020, to trick or treat safely many households are coming up with clever ways to deliver Halloween candy to revelers in the neighborhood. Some houses are simply placing treats on a table on the porch, in the driveway or yard, or some other location where trick-or-treaters can help themselves to candy. Of course, … [Read more...] about Best Halloween DIY candy chutes from around the country

Seattle-Tacoma trick or treat map

Use the following Google Trick or Treat map to find homes that are safely participating in trick-or-treating. This is a community-sourced project and anyone can add a location to this map. Therefore, these locations have not been verified or background checked. Use caution and proceed at your own risk. (See our … [Read more...] about Seattle-Tacoma trick or treat map

Our big list of Halloween haunted houses, corn mazes, spooky tours

The following list of Seattle and Puget Sound Halloween attractions and haunted houses are very scary and intended for adults and teens. Some of these attractions are indoors, some are outdoors, and some are a mix. Those that are indoors are often in unheated buildings. Most haunted houses are closed for 2020 due to … [Read more...] about Our big list of Halloween haunted houses, corn mazes, spooky tours

All the corn mazes (scary and friendly) in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area

The following list of Seattle-Tacoma metro area corn mazes are popular Halloween outings for many families and an alternative "haunt" for thrill-seekers. Some corn mazes are scary. Haunted corn mazes have screaming, ghoulish inhabitants. Not all scary corn mazes are haunted--some are just dark and very, very … [Read more...] about All the corn mazes (scary and friendly) in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area

100+ fun, cheap ideas for Halloween costumes

If you are looking for cheap and easy Halloween costume ideas, you've come to the right place. We've got the lowdown on Halloween costumes you can pull together from stuff you have around the house. Our super easy costume ideas use every day clothes and include accessories and makeup to complete the look. … [Read more...] about 100+ fun, cheap ideas for Halloween costumes