NORTH OF SEATTLE

San Juan Islands
There are many ways to enjoy the San Juan Islands, including regularly scheduled year-round ferry service, seasonal access via Victoria Clipper from downtown Seattle, charter boat excursions, airplane and seaplane charters, and auto. Plan to indulge your recreational and naturalist instincts as you discover the island charms, whether whale watching, beachcombing, kayak touring, or just relaxing. One driving option is to take I-5 to Anacortes, 85 miles (136 km) north of Seattle, and board a Washington State Ferry for one or all of the San Juan Islands stops. All the islands offer a myriad of opportunities for bicycling, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, hiking and naturalist-guided tours. Wildlife abounds - look for bald eagles, osprey, great blue herons, cormorants, tufted puffins, Dalls porpoises, harbor seals and sea lions, in addition to the always-popular orca whales.

On San Juan Island is the nation's first official whale-watching park, Lime Kiln Park. The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor focuses on the whale and its preservation. Friday Harbor is the commercial center of the islands, and San Juan Island the largest of the 172-island archipelago. On Orcas Island is the tallest mountain in the island chain, Mount Constitution in Moran State Park, offering a 360-degree view of the mountains and two islands including Vancouver Island - all the way to Mt. Rainier. Rosario Resort, site of the spectacular Moran Mansion and listed on the National Register of Historical Places, is a delightful stop on a tour of the island. Lopez Island retains a bucolic, pastoral ambience and an agricultural environment. It is a popular bicycling destination because of its long, flat country roads. The island has no public amenities, and limited camping and picnicking facilities.

Whidbey Island
The longest island in the continental U.S., Whidbey comprises 208 square miles and is 45 miles (72 km) long. Take the Washington State Ferry from Mukilteo, 29 miles (46 km) north of Seattle. The 20-minute ride will take you to the town of Clinton on Whidbey Island. Catch spectacular views of Saratoga Passage, nearby Camano Island, and the Cascade Mountain Range. Continue to Langley, "Village by the Sea," founded in 1880 and featuring many interesting antique shops and restaurants. Heading north you'll pass the town of Freeland, nestled on Holmes Harbor on your way to Greenbank Farms, a 525-acre (210-hectare) farm including more than 100 acres (40 hectares) of loganberries. Sample their loganberry, raspberry and rhubarb wines. Coupeville, the "City of Sea Captains," is the site of the nation's first and largest historical preservation district. Nearby is Fort Casey State Park, an old Army post with marvelous views to the Olympic Peninsula and a wind-washed beach for strolling. Visit the Rhododendron State Park and the State Game Farm. For a perfect lunch stop, the historic Captain Whidbey Inn is just outside Coupeville. Continue north through Oak Harbor to Deception Pass, the highest point on Whidbey Island. Here you'll be greeted with breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountain Range to the west, the Cascades to the east, and the lush Skagit Valley ... where so many tulips bloom every year they are actually exported to Holland! Continue to La Conner, a beautiful historic town filled with art galleries and fascinating shops. From La Conner, follow I-5 south, heading for Seattle.

Snohomish County
Between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains and only 12 miles (19 km) north of downtown Seattle, Snohomish County is a unique day tour. Seek outdoor adventure such as guided river float trips, whale watching excursions, and hot air ballooning, or see the panoramic beauty from the comfort of a your car. Enjoy antique and specialty craft shops in the historic village of Snohomish where 450 antique dealers provide a glimpse into the past with cherished collectibles and antiques. Other attractions include fine dining at waterfront cafes and restaurants, shopping, micro-breweries, the Tulalip Casino and a wide variety of performing and visual arts. Technical tours include the USS Abraham Lincoln, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at Naval Station Everett; the Boeing 747 Assembly Plant; Buse timber mill; US Marine Corporation manufacturing facility and others. Agricultural tours abound in the fertile Snohomish Valley.

Seattle City Light's Diablo Lake Adventure: Watch the rugged wilderness unfold before you. Waterfalls, ancient forests and wildlife abound as you cruise four miles up Diablo Lake to the base of Ross Dam. Learn about the history of the area, including how families made their homes here then - and now. This is a seasonal operation, June through September.

Bellingham and Whatcom County: Ninety miles (144 km) north of Seattle is the city of Bellingham in the heart of Whatcom County. Just south of the Canadian border, this region stretches from the saltwater of the Georgia Strait to the peak of the Cascades with Mount Baker at 10,778 feet (3,240 meters) dominating the skyline. The Bellingham cruise terminal is one of the departure points for excursions to the San Juan Islands and home to the southern terminus of the Alaska Marine Highway System. Take time to explore and shop historic Fairhaven, the original 1890s district of the city. Whatcom County also offers opportunities to explore other communities including Lynden, Birch Bay and Blaine.

Two Nation Vacation
Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia offer excellent options to combine with Seattle and Washington State to create the perfect "Two Nation Vacation." Both are a fusion of many cultures: European, Asian and Native aboriginal. You can see their many faces in the museums, art galleries, shop windows, markets and sidewalk cafes. Both are renowned for their parks and gardens as well as their flourishing visual and performing arts venues. Hiking, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving, cycling, caving, bird watching, and golf are some of the outdoor activities to enjoy.

The city of Vancouver is just a short 3-hour drive north from Seattle (also accessible via Amtrak Cascades or seaplane). It's the largest city in British Columbia, and its Asian population and influence give this city a unique urban flair. Stroll down Robson Street; explore Stanley Park, historic Gastown, Granville Island, and Canada Place with its CN Imax Theater. Head across to North Vancouver to explore Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Enjoy year-round outdoor activities on the local mountains, or give in to the lure of the ocean on a relaxing dinner cruise. Take in live theatre or savor culinary delights. For more information, visit www.tourismvancouver.com. In addition, visit www.culturalcascades.com for a lively overview and a comprehensive listing of cultural events and opportunities on the Amtrak Cascades route from Vancouver, BC to Seattle and Tacoma, WA to Portland and Eugene OR.

Victoria, on Vancouver Island, is a sophisticated seaside city, the cultural hub for the islands, and the political center for the province. Victoria combines the formality of afternoon tea with the exhilaration of whale watching, the exquisite beauty of Butchart Gardens with awe-inspiring natural scenery. Victoria is well connected to mainland British Columbia and Washington State with regular service by vehicle and passenger ferries, Victoria Clipper, airplanes and seaplanes. For more information visit www.tourismvictoria.com.

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