Best Getaways For Parents Near Seattle
There are many fantastic places to escape to within two hours of Seattle. Parenting is a challenging, yet wonderful 24-hour job, and parents need to find time to spend together without the kids. The natural beauty of the area lends itself to numerous opportunities to reconnect, talk and simply unwind. A weekend of good food, long walks and spa pampering rejuvenate the soul.
Mount Baker at Sunset (Credit, Karen Ulvestad)
Best Western – Edmonds Harbor Inn
130 W. Dayton St.
Edmonds, WA 98020
(425) 771-5021
www.bestwesternwashington.com
The Edmonds Harbor Inn is located about 20 miles north of downtown Seattle in Edmonds. This small seaside town is the location of many fine restaurants, art galleries, coffee houses, beautiful beaches and the ferry. It is a great place to view spectacular sunsets with views of the Olympic Mountains and Mount Baker. This quiet little core of downtown Edmonds is the location of the Edmonds-Kingston ferry run, which is the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula. The waterfront is a marine sanctuary and teaming with marine and bird life. It is a great place to sit on the beach and contemplate life, spend a romantic evening with dinner and a movie or simply walk through the Edmonds Marsh. The town offers wonderful food at Chantrelle's (breakfast, lunch and dinner) or the Red Twig (coffee, breakfast and lunch). The Inn is within walking distance of the historic downtown area, the beach, the ferry or the train station. On Friday nights, Edmonds Tunes brings local musicians to Cafe' Louvre for an hour or two of music. The coffee and food are wonderful for a light dinner or snack.
Historic Coupeville (Credit, Karen Ulvestad)
The Coupeville Inn
200 N.W. Coveland St.
Coupeville, WA 98239
(360) 678-6668
www.thecoupevilleinn.com
The Coupeville Inn is located on Whidbey Island, about two hours from downtown Seattle (depending on traffic). This island getaway is in the heart of the small, artist town of Coupeville. The Inn is within walking distance of Main Street, restaurants, the harbor and shopping. The island offers many places to visit for a day hike, local tours or a great cup of coffee. Local state parks include Fort Casey, Fort Ebby and Deception Pass. Each of these parks offer opportunities to view incredible sunsets, hiking, beach combing, bird watching and other recreational activities. In addition, the Inn offers sailing trips.
Mount Rainier (Credit, Karen Ulvestad)
Paradise Inn
Mount Rainier National Park
Paradise, WA 98398
(360) 569-2275
www.mtrainierguestservices.com
The Paradise Inn sits on the flanks of majestic Mount Rainier. During the summer months, the meadows above the Inn fill with a multitude of wild flowers with Mount Rainier in the background. The flowers usually peak towards the end of August through the first part of September. The well-maintained trails meander through the alpine meadows. Myrtle Falls is picturesque with the trail stone bridge and Mount Rainier in the background. The weather can be unpredictable, since Mount Rainier creates its own weather throughout the year. The Inn was built in the 1916, and has 121 guest rooms. Being so remote, the Inn has its own restaurant, cafe and gift shop. This is truly an escape from the city.
Related: Best Luxury Hotels In Seattle
Snoqualmie Falls and the Salish Lodge (Credit, Karen Ulvestad)
Salish Lodge & Spa
6501 Railroad Ave. S.E.
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
(425) 888-2556
www.salishlodge.com
The Salish Lodge sits above the scenic 268-foot Snoqualmie Falls. The lodge is known for its fine food, incredible guest rooms and its spa. This is truly the escape to pamper and rejuvenate the soul. Each room has its own spa tub, and many of the guest rooms have fireplaces and/or views of the falls. Snoqualmie Falls is light at night, so visitors may view the magnificent falls. The award-winning restaurant uses local ingredients and is a first-class establishment. Next to the lodge is a park and view point for the falls. A trail leads to the bottom, and requires appropriate footwear. The trail can be steep in places, and there is a viewing area at the base of the trail. It is worth the trip down to see the falls from river level. Overall, this is a great place to rekindle romance and relax.
Mukilteo Recreational Activities (Credit, Karen Ulvestad)
Silver Cloud Inn
718 Front St.
Mukilteo, WA 98275
(425) 423-8600
www.silvercloud.com
The Silver Cloud Inn sits on the shore of the Puget Sound in Mukilteo. It is a block from the ferry docks (Mukilteo to Clinton) and next to Ivar's at Mukilteo Landing. It is within walking distance of the Mukilteo Beach and Lighthouse. The beach is a great location to fly a kite, throw a frisbee, take a walk or have a quiet picnic. It is one of the few beaches that allows fires on the beach in the fire pits. The lighthouse is picturesque and sits on the point between the ferry docks and the beach. For a great cup of coffee, Red Cup Cafe' is just three blocks up the hill from the ferry docks. This little cafe is great for breakfast and lunch, and offers incredible views of Puget Sound. The ferry is a short 20-minute ride to Clinton on Whidbey Island. This is a great area to enjoy outdoor activities and simply relax.
Karen Ulvestad is a mother and professional writer/photographer, who lives in the greater Seattle area. She graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in English Composition. Her background is in fitness, travel, photography and writing. She continually researches locations to visit, and/or entertainment opportunities for family outings and/or photo shoots. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
