Basecamp Seattle Southside - Regional Day Trips

Downtown Seattle - Busy!
Begin at the Woodland Park Zoo and experience exotic animals in their unique habitats at this urban zoo.  Stop by the Ballard Locks (AKA Hiram M. Chittenden Locks) which links the salty Puget Sound waters to the fresh waters of Lake Union.  Watch the boats parade up and down as they are raised and lowered through the channel and view the salmon ladder when in season.  The locks are free to visit!  Drive down to Pike Place Market, America's premier farmers' market.  Experience the open-air market with fresh produce, flowers, fish, and handmade crafts.  Walk down the Pike Street Hillclimb stairs to the Waterfront.  Enter the Seattle Aquarium for close-up and underwater viewing of Puget Sound sealife.  Stop at Argosy Cruises Terminal and hop on the one hour Harbor Cruise that takes you around Elliott Bay and afford you great views of the Seattle skyline.  Don't forget to check out the famous Ye Ole Curiousity Shop, a unique and ecclectic gift and souvenir shop on pier 54.  Stop and enjoy a waterfront seafood lunch at one of Seattle's favorite restaurants, the casual dining of Elliott's Oysterhouse on pier 56 or go for fish and chips at Ivar's on pier 54.  Head over to the Seattle Center - home of the Space Needle.  Here you can head up to the observation deck at anytime before midnight for 360 degree views of the city.  While at the Seattle Center, enjoy a stroll through the grounds, checking out fountains, public art and more.  Stop at the Pacific Science Center (for kids) to experience the tropical butterfly house, the Insect Village, hands on science exhibits and more.  Inside the Experience Music Project, learn about the history and evolution of music through interactive exhibits. The and is a Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame located within EMP has collections of artifacts for big fans.  And the Children's Museum is a fun, interactive experience of learning and challenges great place for families with small children.  While at the Seattle Center, there are many restaurants in the center and in the Center House to choose from.  Or visit the Space Needle after the museums and try their restaurant for dinner!

Mt. Rainier Loop
Mt. Rainier is the fifith tallest mountain in the country and Washington's largest peak!  Head to the Nisqually entrance in the Southwast corner to reach the Paradise Visitor Center.  This entrance is the only one open year-round for visitors.  After entering the Nisqually entrance, but before reaching Paradise, you can stop at the Longmire Museum at elevation 2,700 feet.  Take the "Trail of Shadows" from Longmire, a short nature trail that takes about 30 minutes to complete and explores a hot mineral spring and a displays an old homestead cabin.  Continuing up to Paradise, you will get several views of waterfalls along the way and 360 degree views of the surrounding area once to Paradise and the Henry M Jackson Memorial Visitor Center.  From there continue on to Sunrise, the highest peak reachable by car.  At the top of Sunrise on a clear day you can see five of the Cascade volcanoes - Mount Adams, Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, and Mount Hood.  From Sunrise, head down the mountain along the White River.  The road is full of switchbacks, winding through the forests along the river and out of Mount Rainier National Park.  As you head back toward Seattle Southside, along highway 410, there are still great views of the river, Mud Mountain Dam, you can stop at the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort for a chair lift ride or even stop at one of the several camp grounds to stay the night. 

Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria on Vancouver Island is a city by the sea.  Known as the Garden City, the Butchart Gardens are a must see while visiting.  Getting there from Seattle Southside is easy!  Simply arrange to take the Victoria Clipper catamaran from Seattle's waterfront to downtown Victoria's waterfront.  Or drive up to Anacortes and take a Washington State Ferry to Sydney, B.C. just a few minutes from Victoria.  Or even drive to Port Angeles and take an independent ferry to Victoria. 

Mount St. Helens
Experience the incredible sight of this powerful volcano by viewing it from one of the five interpretive centers as you drive up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory - the closest center to view the crater.  Or, choose to take a guided bus tour, helicopter tour, plane fly-over, or do the self-guided version. About 3.5 hours south of Seattle Southside, Mount St. Helens is a definite must see to take in the experience of one of the most destructive forces of nature in US history. 

Downtown Tacoma
Just off of I-5, about 30 minutes south of Seattle Southside is the city of Tacoma.  Start by parking your car at Tacoma Dome Station and walking across the street to Freighthouse Square.  This building sits on the site that used to be the western terminal for the Old Milwaukee Railroad.  Inside you will find two stories of unique shopping from art, wine, handcrafted gifts, and the best cinnammon rolls around at Peggy's Bakery!  Hop on the Tacoma Light Rail Train that will take you to the downtown Museum District for free!  Stop at Union Station and S 19th Street to visit the Museum of Glass.  Walk across the spectaculr Chihuly Bridge of Glass before you make your way into this contemporary art museum.  Visit the Washington State History Museum next door to really experience the characters of Washington's past.  If you are still in the mood for museums, stroll down to the Tacoma Art Museum and view their permanent collection of American, European and Asian art.  Ride the light rail back to your car and head down to Ruston Way, Tacoma's waterfront promenade and take a stroll along the waterfront while you choose from one of the several fabulous northwest waterfront restaurants to eat a late lunch at.  Afterwards, drive up Ruston Way to Point Defiance Park, a 702-acre park with the scenic Five-Mile Drive, beachfront parks, a marina, Japanese, rose, and specialty gardens, and more.  Enjoy a short hike on one of the parks many trails or stop in at Fort Nisqually, the Camp 6 Logging Museum, or Never Never Land (for families with kids) all on the grounds of Point Defiance Park.