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IDEAS FOR FAMILY TRAVELS IN WASHINGTON STATE WITH YOUR KIDS
Where would you go in Washington if you took your family there on a vacation? Would you check out all that there is to see in busy city of Seattle? Would you head further south to check out the natural wonder of the volcanic Mt. St. Helens? Or would you go instead to the eastern part of the state where the landscape is entirely different, maybe in part because your kids could then tell their friends they spent the summer in a place called Walla Walla, Washington? Wherever you go in Washington, you won’t be wanting for something to do while you’re there. Wander around the Puget Sound
If you have some time to spare so that you can afford the luxury of a longer vacation in Washington, use that time wisely by exploring the entire region that surrounds the Puget Sound. You can start all the way north up in Bellingham where your kids will get to hear a little bit of the Canadian accent filtering down from the oh-so-close border. Travel down to Seattle, then to Tacoma, then around to Olympia. Finally, you’ll wind up at Port Angeles. Each of these locations offers something that your family can enjoy in terms of attractions and activities. But even more important than these are the adventures that you’ll have along the way. The beauty of the area, the multitude of things to see and the chance to talk about all of what you’re taking in will help to bond your family in the way that summer vacations should.
Mt. St Helens
Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument is practically a must-see during any family vacation to Washington. And there’s enough to do in the southern and central regions that surround it that you won’t have to go anywhere else in the state if you don’t want to. (If you’re coming from or heading to the Puget Sound area, you’ll want to also be sure to stop off at Mt. Rainier). In the park area itself, you’ll want to make sure to go to Silver Lake (where the visitor’s center is located and lots of area education is available), Coldwater Lake which is one of the favored spots for day use only activities like hiking and picnicking, and Johnston Ridge Observatory where you can get into the science side of the nature that you’re visiting. For spending time in a nearby city, you’ll want to check out Longview which has a historic walking tour, several parks and a welcoming air to its credit.
Walla Walla
If your family goes to Walla Walla in large part just to say that’s where you went for your summer vacation, well, you probably wouldn’t be the first family to do so. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do once you get there. Visit the unique Blue Mountain Lavender Farm where a French-American family planted lavender to add to the already pretty scenery of the area. Spend a day at The Children’s Museum of Walla Walla which is always being expanded with new exhibits. Check out the railroad museum at the Dayton Historic Depot. And spend time at Hair’s Cow Camp & Ranch to get a real sense of the Old West history of the area.
Spokane
If you’re already over in eastern Washington checking out Walla Walla, you might want to make your way further north up to Spokane. It, too, has a children’s museum and also has plenty of other attractions including The Finch Arboretum, Carr’s “One of a Kind in the World” Museum, and Mt. Spokane State Park.
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