PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Olympic National Park, Washington
Chances are your kids have never seen such stunning diversity of plants, wildlife, and ecosystems in a single place. Disappear into a rainforest on Spruce Nature Trail. Soak in the Sol Duc hot springs. Listen for marmots that whistle when approached. Explore ocean tide pools teeming with starfish. Spot seals, whales, and bald eagles on the rocky sea coast. Hike through meadows bursting with wildflowers. Picnic in the shadow of glacier-capped peaks.

San Juan Islands, Washington
Drive onto the ferry boat at Anacortes harbor with your binoculars ready. The trip to the islands is a bird-watching jackpot, from loons to nesting bald eagles. On San Juan Island, take a whale watching boat out of Friday Harbor to spot the area’s famous black and white orcas, harbor seal pups, and playful porpoises. Beachcomb or take a guided kayak trip at Lime Kiln Point State Park.

Seattle, Washington
Riding a high-wire bike 15 feet above ground and walking in a giant waterwheel are just two ways to enjoy The Pacific Science Center’s outdoor exhibits. Then step into the tropical butterfly house to see hundreds of winged beauties (wear red to encourage them to land on you). Nature meets art at Olympic Sculpture Park where kids wander among enormous sculptures. At Woodland Park Zoo families can see animals living in natural settings rather than cages, and play in the Habitat Discovery Loop. Juanita Bay Park’s boardwalk along the shore takes you through five different wetland habitats. And Alki Beach is perfect for rollerblading and biking.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
You see it from 100 miles away—one of the world’s most massive volcanoes. Explore a meadow so loaded with wildflowers it’s named Paradise. Hear a glacier crack. Hike to dramatic Narada Falls, glistening Carbon Glacier, and a rare inland rainforest. Bounce across the Tahoma Creek suspension bridge swaying one hundred feet high. Go on a guided snowshoe walk. Join free naturalist-led hikes explaining the geology, ecology, and wildlife of this unique land born of fire and ice.

Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Washington
In 1980 Mt. St. Helens erupted, and today kids can see the moonscape of incinerated devastation left behind. Hike, bike or fish with views of the volcano’s still-steaming peak, or join an interpretive tour or program to see the forest’s amazing rebirth.

Oregon beaches
Grab your sand buckets, beach towels, and binoculars! At Heceta Head Park kids can tour the lighthouse and meet noisy sea lions in a huge cavern. Fly a kite and see 235-foot Haystack Rock rising from the sea at Cannon Beach. Build sand castles at Sunset Bay State Park as towering sea cliffs loom overhead. Collect shells, surf, and watch the sun set at Lincoln City beaches. And swim or play volleyball at Seaside.

Mt. Hood, Oregon
Skiing in summer? It happens often here at Oregon’s tallest peak, glacier-shrouded Mt. Hood. Kids can also hike, bike, fish, boat, and bird watch, on the beautiful slopes of this giant volcano, less than an hour from Portland.