The annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of THE destination events for the Pacific Northwest. Each year, the festival welcomes people from across the United States and from around the world, including all 50 states and 85+ foreign countries! For over three decades, every spring hundreds of thousands of people … [Read more...] about Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (extended! May 14, 2023)
classes/talks & tours
2023 Free guided low tide beach walks in summer
During summer, you can visit Puget Sound beaches during low tide and learn about the marine plants and animals. The volunteer Beach Naturalist program runs on low-tide days throughout the summer and on select winter evenings. Local residents who want to help protect our waterways train as Beach Naturalists to help you … [Read more...] about 2023 Free guided low tide beach walks in summer
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
Nurseries & garden centers in the Puget Sound region
The following nurseries and garden centers offer supplies for fruit and vegetable gardening. Hardware stores and nurseries are considered essential services. Some are open for in-store shopping. Some offer online, phone, or email orders and curbside pickup. A few offer delivery on qualifying orders. Nurseries and … [Read more...] about Nurseries & garden centers in the Puget Sound region
Tours of Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park, Husky Stadium
Stadium tours of Seattle's professional and collegiate football, soccer, and baseball fields include exclusive back-of-house areas, press box, premier suites and club areas, dugouts, playing fields, and team areas. Bring your camera to capture stunning views of the Seattle skyline and sweeping vistas of … [Read more...] about Tours of Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park, Husky Stadium
Where and when to see cherry blossom trees
Flowering cherry trees burst into bloom, usually from mid-March through mid-April throughout the Pacific Northwest. Exactly when depends on the variety: early blooming versus late blooming. Seattle cherry blossom season begins with (red/pink) buds that burst into (pink/white) flower. As the flowers fade, the trees … [Read more...] about Where and when to see cherry blossom trees
Spectacular Asian gardens in the Puget Sound region
Here's a list of Japanese and Chinese gardens in the Puget Sound region. The Seattle Japanese Garden at the Washington Park Arboretum is the most well-known. However, there are at least 10 more you can visit, from Everett to Tacoma and Bellevue. Most offer FREE admission. They are arranged roughly north to south … [Read more...] about Spectacular Asian gardens in the Puget Sound region
Tours & Special Events at Seattle Japanese Garden
The Seattle Japanese Garden is located in Madison Valley within the Washington Park Arboretum. Over 100,000 people visit every year, including locals as well as visitors from around the world. It is one of the most highly regarded Japanese-style gardens in North America. About Japanese Gardens Gardens in Japan are … [Read more...] about Tours & Special Events at Seattle Japanese Garden
Salmon spawning season in Western Washington
Beginning in summer and lasting well into fall is the salmon spawning season in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area. Many people enjoy watching wild salmon as they swim upriver or navigate fish ladders to lay their eggs. There are also spring salmon runs, when young salmon migrate downstream to their life at sea. But the … [Read more...] about Salmon spawning season in Western Washington
6 Jimi Hendrix memorials in Seattle & Renton
James Marshall “ Jimi” Hendrix was born on November 27, 1942 and died September 18, 1970. Originally named Johnny Allen by his parents Al and Lucille (Jeter), his father changed Jimi’s name to James Marshall. He is renowned as one of rock n’ roll’s best guitarists with a unique left-hand playing style on a right-hand … [Read more...] about 6 Jimi Hendrix memorials in Seattle & Renton
Sunflowers Fields & Festivals in Washington State
Like our tulip fields in spring, acres of beautiful blooming sunflowers are another unique and stunning photo opportunity. Sunflowers typically bloom August-September in Western Washington. Several farms hold festivals during the blooming season. Enjoy self-guided field trips and u-pick opportunities. Below you … [Read more...] about Sunflowers Fields & Festivals in Washington State
15 fish hatcheries you can visit in Washington State
You may not know there are many salmon fish hatcheries throughout Washington State. Fish hatcheries here and across the country help manage and restore America's fish populations. Supporting a variety of fish species and issues, including habitat conservation, endangered species recovery, tribal fishing rights, and … [Read more...] about 15 fish hatcheries you can visit in Washington State
7 design ideas from NW Flower & Garden Show
Celebrating 30 years in 2018, the Northwest Flower & Garden Show featured inspirational, beautiful, educational, and fun garden design ideas. The designers and landscapers were asked to incorporate a garden party theme into their display. The garden designs embrace current trends in urban gardening, sustainability, … [Read more...] about 7 design ideas from NW Flower & Garden Show
Our big list of free & cheap tours (guided, self-guided, virtual)
We found a cache of free tours (and a few cheap ones at $15 or less) that visitors and residents alike will enjoy. Each tour is unique to Seattle, something you won't find anywhere else. We think that makes them priceless. But, we'll take free! The free tours included guided tours, self-guided tours, walking tours, … [Read more...] about Our big list of free & cheap tours (guided, self-guided, virtual)
10 places at Pike Place Market to while away time
Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle has many retail shops and attractions to explore. Plenty of guides talk about the Gum Wall, Rachel the Pig, flying fish, and the "first" Starbucks. Our list below points out some of the more obscure locations in the Pike Place Market Historical District where you can while away the … [Read more...] about 10 places at Pike Place Market to while away time
16 Puget Sound lighthouses you can visit for free
The following list includes lighthouses you can visit in the Puget Sound region. They are arranged roughly north to south. Find our Google Map with each of these lighthouses pinpointed at the end of the list. Most lighthouse are free to visit, though most will gladly accept donations. Lighthouses inside … [Read more...] about 16 Puget Sound lighthouses you can visit for free
How (and why) to build a rain garden
Most Seattle rain is collected by gutters around your rooftop and flowing from your driveway and patio into the street. All of this runoff is diverted into the storm drain system that ultimately empties into the nearest body of water—namely Lake Washington or Puget Sound. Along the way, it collects oil, fertilizers, … [Read more...] about How (and why) to build a rain garden
Antique train rides on Snoqualmie Valley Railroad
The Snoqualmie Valley Railroad is a five-mile train ride aboard antique railroad coaches through the Upper Snoqualmie Valley. Trains operate April through October on weekends, Saturday and Sunday. Round trip is approximately one hour and forty-five minutes and includes a stop at the Railway History … [Read more...] about Antique train rides on Snoqualmie Valley Railroad
Free events throughout the year at Seattle Center
Seattle Center is an arts, recreational, and civic center at the core of the city. Its roots reach back more than 100 years, as a site of Native American celebrations. Today, it is one of the nation’s best gathering places. A wide variety of events and activities are hosted throughout the year, including art & … [Read more...] about Free events throughout the year at Seattle Center
Video tours of lighthouses around Washington State
Washington State has many lighthouses guiding ships along treacherous shores--some historic and some still functioning. Let these YouTube videos whisk you away to these idyllic and secluded structures. (Listed roughly north to south) Video tour of 3 San Juan lighthouses This video gives a brief tour of several … [Read more...] about Video tours of lighthouses around Washington State
Video tours of Seattle’s best attractions
Here are fun, local videos on some of Seattle's best attractions: the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, CenturyLink Field, T-Mobile Park, Seattle Aquarium, MOHAI, Ballard Locks, Seattle Arboretum. Scroll down to view any of these tours from the comfort of your home. Even if you've visited these places several times, … [Read more...] about Video tours of Seattle’s best attractions
Reserve a spot for owl night hike at Seward Park
Seward Park in south Seattle features an old-growth forest with beautiful, natural views of Lake Washington and Mount Rainier (on days the “mountain is out”). The Park is home to an environmental center, a partnership between National Audubon Society and Seattle Parks & Recreation. Check their calendar for … [Read more...] about Reserve a spot for owl night hike at Seward Park
93 Free attractions around the Puget Sound region
These are some of the Seattle-Tacoma metro area's best attractions. For any of these activities, you can easily spend an hour or two—and some the better part of a day. Best of all, they’re free and many are available year-around. Ballard Locks, officially named Hiram M. Chittenden Locks connects the (fresh) waters … [Read more...] about 93 Free attractions around the Puget Sound region
