Family activities

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

 

The Tulalip Resort Casino. (Sue Misao / The Herald)

Stay in style: Discover the top hotels for your perfect getaway

Which hotel will make your next stay unforgettable? Herald readers have the suggestions for you.

 

Open for the past 120 years, The Historic Everett Theatre plays a vital role as a venue for the Everett community. Photo courtesy of Historic Everett Theatre.

Experience the beat: Top 3 live music venues to visit

Where will you catch your next unforgettable performance? We have the answer.

 

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.

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
Walk through the skeleton of a real gray whale and learn all about the marine life that call the Puget Sound home in the Puget Sound Ecosystem exhibit.

Imagine Children’s Museum: A space to explore, learn and laugh for over 30 years!

Learn how community support drives the success of the Pacific Northwest’s largest children’s museum

Walk through the skeleton of a real gray whale and learn all about the marine life that call the Puget Sound home in the Puget Sound Ecosystem exhibit.
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
Children fish in the water and climb near the renovated boat launch at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Children fish in the water and climb near the renovated boat launch at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A couple stands on a large piece of driftwood in the wind at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park on Friday, Jan. 4, 2018 in Mukilteo, WA. There is a small craft advisory in effect until 10 pm Friday. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Chasing sunsets: The best spots to watch the day’s end

Looking for the perfect place to catch a stunning sunset? Herald readers have you covered.

A couple stands on a large piece of driftwood in the wind at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park on Friday, Jan. 4, 2018 in Mukilteo, WA. There is a small craft advisory in effect until 10 pm Friday. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A person walks their dog at the Centennial Trail Rhododendron Trailhead in Lake Stevens, Washington on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald).
A person walks their dog at the Centennial Trail Rhododendron Trailhead in Lake Stevens, Washington on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald).
The first large-scale Dart Blaster Battle of its kind in the area, for ages 8 and older, will be hosted in a 7,600-sq.ft. space inside the Everett Mall Nov. 16.
The first large-scale Dart Blaster Battle of its kind in the area, for ages 8 and older, will be hosted in a 7,600-sq.ft. space inside the Everett Mall Nov. 16.
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
A tractor sits next to barns at Bob’s Corn and Pumpkin Farm in Snohomish, Washington on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A tractor sits next to barns at Bob’s Corn and Pumpkin Farm in Snohomish, Washington on Thursday, July 27, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
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)
The San Juan Islands in Washington offer dramatic landscapes from mountaintop to sea.

Essential summer weekend getaways on the US West Coast

Summer is made for exploring and fortunately here on the West Coast, you have must-visit destinations in every direction! WASHINGTON 1. San Juan Islands, Wash.… Continue reading

The San Juan Islands in Washington offer dramatic landscapes from mountaintop to sea.
Grand Coulee Dam – one of the most popular destinations in central Washington.

Dam good fun: Family-friendly roadtrip through Central Washington

School is letting out for the summer, which means families have a chance to spend a little more time together. Most communities have pools and… Continue reading

Grand Coulee Dam – one of the most popular destinations in central Washington.
Mount Rainier National Park has seen a 40 per cent uptick in visitor numbers over the past 10 years. Dewar Photography // Shutterstoc

The 6 US national parks requiring an entry permit in summer 2024

By Cu Fleshman Jam-packed parking lots, gridlocked roads, bustling crosswalks – these aren’t scenes from New York City or Los Angeles but from some of… Continue reading

Mount Rainier National Park has seen a 40 per cent uptick in visitor numbers over the past 10 years. Dewar Photography // Shutterstoc
Some of the crew involved with the Whidbey Renaissance Faire. (Photo by Bill Huls)
Some of the crew involved with the Whidbey Renaissance Faire. (Photo by Bill Huls)
A mural by Gina Ribaudo at the intersection of Colby and Pacific for the Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett, Washington on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Mural brings wild animals, marine creatures to life in Downtown Everett

For the past month, artist Gina Ribaudo has been hard at work painting scenes from land and sea onto the brick building at 1515 Pacific… Continue reading

A mural by Gina Ribaudo at the intersection of Colby and Pacific for the Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett, Washington on Thursday, May 9, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)