Best trip ideas in Washington - 1889 Washington's Magazine

written by Lauren Kramer | photography by Cole Massey/Hotel Hardware Dayton’s new Hotel Hardware is a polished boutique hotel whose rooms boast 15-foot ceilings, exposed brick walls, hardwood floors and leather saddles on the walls. Downstairs, guests mingle with locals over sophisticated cocktails in the Bobcat Room and gather for coffee in the coffee bar overlooking Main Street. But prior to its March 2025 opening and the nine months of extensive renovations that preceded it, the 135-year-old building was tired, dilapidated and direly in need of new direction. It took the vision and drive of Padraic Slattery, a historical preservationist…

The undulating landscape of Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve is a calming mystery you can hike through.

The Mystery of the Mima Mounds

by Aaron

In the San Juan Islands, expert-led whale-watching tours launch as early as mid-February, offering the chance to see orcas and other marine wildlife.

Wildlife Encounters in Washington

by Aaron

Visit the stately Point Wilson Lighthouse at Fort Worden Historical State Park.

Port Townsend Trip Planner

by Aaron

Bask in the magic of the northern lights dancing over Fairbanks’ snowy landscape.

Winter Magic in Fairbanks, Alaska

by Aaron

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Live Washington

Food | Drink | Entertainment

Primax cabbage is a favorite of Deep Harvest Farm owners Annie Jesperson and Nathaniel Talbot. They grow the spring and summer cabbage for seed as well as for their CSA and grocery store.

Deep Harvest Farm Celebrates Cabbage

by Aaron

Whidbey Island’s Deep Harvest Farm gives this cool-weather crop the limelight it’s due written by Corinne Whiting Cabbage enthusiasts may feel their favorite cool-weather crop doesn’t always get the credit it deserves. Some say it’s often overshadowed by trendier relatives such as kale and Brussels sprouts. Yet those in the know understand the benefits of this dense, leafy member of the cruciferous vegetable group. As an exceptionally healthy superfood, which comes in a rainbow of hues including green, white, purple and even red, cabbage is especially high in vitamins C and K. Annie Jesperson, co-owner of Whidbey Island’s Deep Harvest…

Seared Cabbage Steak with Sesame Miso Butter.

Cabbage Recipes from Seattle Chefs

by Aaron

The old cabin opens up to its modern shell in the living room, combining cozy with practical.

A Cabin in a Cabin

by Aaron

Katrina Carrasco’s second novel, Rough Trade, was a best novel pick by The New York Times and The New Yorker and won the 2025 Washington State Book Award for fiction.

Rough Trade Author on Writing with Muscle

by Aaron

Launched four generations ago in Olympia, Taylor Shellfish Farms is now a tide-to-table empire of mussels, harvested five days a week.

Why Healthy Mussels Mean Healthy Water

by Aaron

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Think Washington

Innovation | Architecture | Ideas

Where a cowboy poet finds his inspiration.

Cowboy Poet Dick Warwick Finds Inspiration in the Palouse

by Aaron

A Life in Rhythm, Rhyme and Rolling Hills written by Joni Kabana | photography by Tegra Stone Nuess Amid the rolling hills of the Palouse Country, Dick Warwick lives on the property where he grew up, a landscape that is far more than simply a backdrop. Those long, fluid lines of wheat and sky have worked their way into his consciousness and become part of the DNA of his identity. Place, for him, is formative. It influences his values, his sensibilities, the way he looks at the world and, inevitably, the way he writes. A cowboy poet at heart, words…

North Cascades Institute program participants take to the water for a guided exploration of Diablo Lake in the institute’s Big Canoe.

North Cascades Institute Inspires Stewards

by Aaron

Tattoo artist Susan Webber in her studio space at The Missing Piece Tattoo in Spokane.

Spokane Tattoo Artist’s Journey of Renewal

by Aaron

Not far from the Canadian border but close to our hearts, Fresco Chocolate is a choco-phile’s dream.

Fresco Chocolate’s Bean-to-Bar Journey

by Aaron

Jakob and his dad are pictured alongside Outdoors for All Foundation volunteers, geared up for a day on the mountain.

Adaptive Snowsports for All in Washington

by Aaron

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Lake Quinault Lodge

Lake Quinault Lodge is a destination where guests can disconnect from the modern world to enjoy outdoor adventure, lakeside accommodations and a historic charming lodge.

Sun Mountain Lodge

Luxury lodge nestled at the base of the North Cascades ripe with outdoor adventures.

Make your nearcation in Lakewood, WA—enjoy outdoor fun without going far.

City of Lakewood

In Lakewood, WA, you don't have to go far to get away. Featuring seven lakes, including the largest natural lake in Pierce County, you're invited to go swimming, fishing, or boating. But the fun doesn't end on the water.

Visit Huntington Beach, California

Why a trip to Huntington Beach, CA will surprise and delight you. Sun, surf, and sand. Beach vibes and a laid-back lifestyle. If you want to put a pin in a city that best represents iconic California, all signs point to Huntington Beach — which rightfully touts itself as Surf