New Year Fling

New Year 2015 Trip to Seattle

Smart, good looking, and loves the outdoors. Yes, Seattle is your perfect match. And it's not looking for a major commitment, just a little fun. But beware: you might fall in love. If you only have a few days to get to know Seattle, here are a few ways to ignite a spark.

Snowshoe the North Star: At 14,411 feet tall, Mount Rainier is a massive wonder with world-record snowfall that's visible throughout the northwest. And this playground for cross-country skiing, sledding, and guided snowshoe walks is only a short drive away from downtown.

Visit a Bavarian Village: Take a festive day trip and get into the holiday spirit—check out the more than 5,000 nutcrackers at the Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth, a charming replica of a Bavarian village where you can eat schnitzel and find unique gifts. Afterwards, escape to the surrounding Cascade Mountains and work up some holly-jollies going dogsledding or taking a sleigh ride.

Do Some Island Hopping: Zip over to the San Juan Islands, scenically accessed by ferry or a Kenmore Air floatplane, for whale watching, wildlife sightings, world-class sea kayaking, and wandering shop to shop. Then head back to Seattle to dine at award-winning restaurants and nighttime hotspots.

Enjoy Seattle: At the end of your days there'll still be time to explore Seattle. Start at "the soul of Seattle"—the famous Pike Place Market. Check out this Complete Guide to Pike Place. Later grab drinks at a secret speakeasy before enjoying dinner and live music at intimate venues.

BONUS: Check out the Nine Great Day Trips Beyond Seattle. Plus find special hotel and accommodation rates at 2DaysInSeattle.com.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Napa Valley Paddle kayaker and paddle boarder on the Napa Valley river

    Napa's Wild Side

    It’s wine country’s Amazon. The gentle Napa River is an ecological—and recreational—delight. And Napa Valley Paddle sets you up for maximum enjoyment of this experience.

    View
  2. Been There, Dome That

    Surrounded by granite domes, craggy peaks, and miles of hiking trails, the High Sierra landscape of Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park is famous for good reason. For a truly grand view, take a short hike to bold—and bald (except for snow at times)—Lembert Dome.

    View
  3. Wapama Wows

    Hetch Hetchy can be overlooked in Yosemite National Park because of its more remote location and limited facilities. But this is where you’ll also find one of the best day hikes in the park: Wapama Falls.

    View
  4. Hike Mount Tamalpais into Muir Woods

    Muir Woods Through the Backdoor

    A backdoor entrance into Muir Woods? Hike a tranquil trail that starts in Mount Tamalpais State Park and quietly leads into Muir Woods, letting you avoid the busyness of the main parking area.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Inn-spiration Point!

    For more than a century, people have been hiking or mountain biking to West Point Inn for good reason. Perched at 1,785 feet on the southern slope of Mount Tamalpais, the historic inn has sweeping views from the Marin Headlands to the San Francisco skyline.

    View
  2. A Thousand Steps to Paradise

    A picture is worth a thousand words, but is a gorgeous beach in Laguna worth a thousand steps? The answer is yes, though the question is moot, because it’s only 223 steep steps down to the 400-yard stretch of sand known as 1000 Steps Beach.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Take the Exit to the Best of the San Francisco Peninsula

    The San Francisco Peninsula is proof that some of Northern California’s greatest surprises are hiding just off Highway 101. All you have to do is take the exit.

    View
  4. Hike to the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout in the Lakes Basin

    Lookout for This View!

    Sierra Buttes Lookout, at a lofty 8,591 feet, is a memory maker for its pucker-worthy stairway to the tower’s balcony. It's a 5-mile (round-trip) hike to reach it. And the reward? Epic!

    View