The beauty of nature is everywhere in the Pacific Northwest of the state of Washington. From the looming mountain peaks of Seattle’s Mt. Rainier to picture-perfect views from Olympic National Park, to the dramatic coastline - beauty abounds. You will also find a thriving coffee culture, an abundance of locally produced food, and amazing art.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Seattle, WA
Arrive at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where you will meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. Together you will transfer to Tacoma for a two-night stay. Tacoma, located just south of Seattle is a vibrant port city nestled on Puget Sound’s shoreline. It has a colorful port area, a world-renowned glass art scene, great cafes, and sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains. Tonight we will have dinner with our group and learn about all we will be seeing in the days ahead. (D)
Day 2 - Northwest Trek Wildlife Park & Mt. Rainier National Park
After breakfast, we head to the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. This is the premier wildlife and adventure park of the region, where we will see native Northwest animals of all sizes frolic in their natural habitat. We will board an electric tram and meet a real wildlife keeper that will take us on an off-road adventure in this 435-acre free-roaming area. We may see Roosevelt elk, caribou, deer, bison, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and moose. Along the way, we will learn what a wildlife keeper’s conservation efforts are and listen to stories about the animals we see along the way.
Our next destination is one of the wonders of the Pacific Northwest, Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington’s tallest mountain that stands 14, 410 feet above sea level. An active volcano, Mount Rainier, last erupted about 150 years ago. It is one of the nation’s oldest national parks, and the most glaciated in the Pacific Northwest. Next, we will stop at the Henry Jackson Visitor Center which has exhibits and films in the park, a gift shop, and a restaurant. We will return to Tacoma at the end of this exciting day, where you will have a night at leisure to explore the delights of Tacoma and have dinner on your own. (B)
Day 3 - Tacoma - Olympic National Park - Port Angeles
After breakfast, we depart the artsy port city of Tacoma, for a drive to Olympic National Park. Here we will see old-growth temperate rainforests where we may be lucky enough to spot a resident herd of elk, see glacier-capped mountains, and miles of rugged coastline. As we drive through the park we will also see amazing vistas of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca from the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center. We will have time to explore this visitor’s center which has a number of displays, an award-winning film, and a gift shop.
Leaving the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center we head to Port Angeles, often described as “a small seaside town that meets the mountains.” Smithsonian Magazine named this town “one of the best small American towns next to a National Park!” This will be our base for the next two nights. After we check in, we will enjoy dinner with our group of intrepid travelers, and share our experiences of the day. (B,D)
Day 4 - Port Angeles - Whale Watching Cruise
After breakfast, we will head to Port Angeles and board our boat for an exciting whale-watching cruise. The water surrounding Port Angeles is one of North America’s finest areas for close-up viewing of humpback, gray, minke, and orca whales. The waters of Juan de Fuca, are referred to as the “Humpback Comeback” because of the cold, nutrient-rich waters that make them perfect feeding grounds for this magnificent mammal. After our on-the-water excursion, you have the rest of your day at leisure for lunch and dinner. (B)
Day 5 - Port Angeles - Port Townsend - Seattle
After breakfast, we depart for Port Townsend, a magical seaside village known for its elegant Victorian architecture, stunning views of the Quimper Peninsula, and its many shops and restaurants.
On our way to Seattle, the capital city of Washington, and the largest in the Pacific Northwest, we will board a Washington State Ferry crossing the iconic Puget Sound, for our two-night stay in Seattle. Arriving at our hotel, we will check in and have dinner on our own. (B)
Day 6 - Seattle
After breakfast, we will tour the urban cool metropolis of Seattle, which boasts 484 parks, Pike Place, the iconic Space Needle, and, is a city that is surrounded by the beauty of the Cascade Mountain Range.
Our day begins with a ride 520 feet to the top of the Space Needle. The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, and today has views of the Cascades, Mt. Rainer, and the colorful downtown of Seattle. The view is a bucket list experience and unforgettable.
Our next stop is Chihuly Garden and Glass, which showcases Seattle’s amazing avant-garde glass that is noted as fine art and totally amazing. When you see it, you will be mesmerized! Chihuly’s work is included in more than 200 museum collections worldwide, and he is the recipient of twelve honorary doctorates and two fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. We will have time to walk along the gallery, gardens, and shapes, enabling us to imagine the world as this artist imagined it to be.
Our city tour continues with a stop at Pioneer Square with its late 1800 Romanesque Revival buildings that hail back to the Gold Rush Days, en route to the bustling marketplace of Pike Place, often called the “soul of Seattle.”
Established in 1903, overlooking Elliot’s Bay, Pike Place is known as the nation’s oldest operating farmers market that is home to some of the best fish and vegetables you will ever see. Today, there are around 100 farmers, 190 craftspeople, and 200 street performers making this place a must-see. We will enjoy the rest of the day at our own pace. Tonight we meet our fellow travelers for a farewell dinner and share our adventures and photos. (B,D)
Day 7 - Depart Seattle
Today, we depart for home with cherished memories of the untamed natural beauty and great food and times of the Pacific Northwest. (B)
