If you only had 12-18 months left in SEA..

[stretchad]

What would be on your must-do PNW Bucket list before moving away?

We're thinking about moving back to the midwest to be closer to family and to take advantage of a lower cost of living. We have really enjoyed the last 4 years in Seattle, but haven't done nearly all the things I've wanted to do living out here. 

Have yet to visit Vancouver & Whistler as residents of SEA (did Whistler before we moved here). We've not really gotten out much to do stuff around here besides a couple day trips to crystal to see Mt. Rainier, Bainbridge, touristy stuff in SEA, etc. Skied at Summit at Snoqualmie once...

So what would be on your list?

[dana86]

Probably just things that wouldn't be as easy to get to once I moved. So the beach? Maybe take a few days road tripping the coast. Visit any restraints I'd be meaning to try out that won't be in the new place.

[minion]

I would eat a lot of the fresh seafood we have here. Lots of sushi.

Alaska Cruise. People fly here to catch the cruise ship, you are already saving money by not having to fly here.

Along the same lines of travel, I'd make the most of traveling to other places, Hawaii with the 6 hour direct flight.

I've never done the Victoria Clipper so I would want to do that.

A burlesque show. IDK if the burlesque scene is big where you may be moving to.

[piffka]

Really go to Mt. Rainier... going to Crystal is not the same at all. Spend the night at Paradise Lodge or, if you can't get in, at Longmire/National Park Inn and get up early to see Paradise wildflowers first thing in the morning. (Head to Sunrise and watch the Perseids this Thursday night. That's where I plan to be.)

Go to the San Juan Islands -- tour San Juan Island and spend the night, be sure and watch the flag-ceremony at Roche Harbor, look for whales at Lime Kiln and at American Camp. Then go to Orcas and spend the night, drive all the way up to the lookout on Mt. Constitution. Swim in the mountain lakes. Hang out at Olga and Rosario. Enjoy the ferry rides. Go on a whale watching boat.

Take the North Cascades Highway and visit Winthrop... head south, stop in at Leavenworth, return via Hwy 20.

Tour Eastern Washington... see the dams on the Columbia, get some fresh produce. Go east via I90, visit Walla Walla and return via the Columbia Gorge.

Other big points of interest: Deception Pass on Whidbey Island. Port Townsend. Port Angeles and the Black Ball ferry to Victoria. Hurricane Ridge. Sol Duc Hot Springs. Washington coast in all its many iterations... Long Beach, Gray's Harbor, Kalaloch, La Push, Dungeness Spit.

[MrsPotatohead]

In addition to the local things, I'd travel abroad going West since that gets harder to do. Seems kind of crazy, but it is SO nice to directly fly to places like Hawaii (especially if you haven't been)

Ditto the seafood rec. And in addition to Vancouver (you should take the train!), I love taking the clipper to Victoria. Save

[tacocat]

Ditto all of the above.

Have you been to Cannon Beach? You could do this and Oregon wine country all in one trip and they are both beautiful.

Hiking in the enchantments area.

[minion]

Free Mt Rainier days - www.nps.gov/mora/learn/news/mount-rainier-fee-free-days-2016.htm

[mkate710]

All of the above + a food weekend in Portland!

[spa]

Aug 9, 2016 16:03:34 GMT -5 minion said:

I would eat a lot of the fresh seafood we have here. Lots of sushi.

A burlesque show. IDK if the burlesque scene is big where you may be moving to.

Ok this burlesque is so funny because I was looking up hobby groups in Seattle - and there is a burlesque group that puts on the Moisture Festival and I was like   at the name 

I would go to Leavenworth during the winter and ski at Baker. 

Go to the Kangaroo Zoo in Arlington - because seriously petting kangaroos, I sound like a broken record

Go hiking in places like Wallace Falls or Hurricane Ridge, just because the forests and elevation are something I missed while being in the midwest.


Go to Ruby Beach and Kalaloch, Cannon Beach and the San Juans if you can manage it. 

Those are the things I would do, and eat all the Asian food... all of it...

[dana86]

I thought of another fun idea. Go up to Kenmore Air and see about doing a plane ride either just do one around the area or they have specials for doing trips up to vancouver and other places. Definitely worth the $$ for the experience.

[spa]

Aug 10, 2016 20:14:26 GMT -5 dana86 said:

I thought of another fun idea. Go up to Kenmore Air and see about doing a plane ride either just do one around the area or they have specials for doing trips up to vancouver and other places. Definitely worth the $$ for the experience.

You can fly into Friday Harbor  

[ilovebed]

Mt. St Helens, Mt. Rainier. Ho Rainforest. Hurricane Ridge. OR/WA beaches (do a week long trip camping at a few choice spots). Vancouver Island and Vancouver city. San Juan Islands.

[dragon's breath]

Beaches, Columbia River Gorge, Highway 101, various mountains (Rainer, Mt Hood, Adams, Three Sisters...), lava caves. I've lived in Oregon my whole life and still have not seen Crater Lake, so that is on my list (I've been very close many times). Leavenworth and eat at all the cheese/meat shops and bakeries. Rafting on the Deschutes.