Pacific Northwest Day Trips Just south of Seattle, Tacoma is an ideal location for exploring the Pacific Northwest sights. Popular day trips include: Seattle... 30 minutes by car, 45 minutes by express bus, or 30 minutes by ferry and 20 minutes car drive by way of Vashon Island (Vashon is an artist community dating back to early 1900s - wonderful galleries, local art and antique shops, great used book store). Mt. Rainier... 1.5 hours Olympic National Forest and ocean beaches ... 1.5 to 3 hrs Victoria... 2 hrs by car, then a 1 hr scenic ferry ride (or 40 minutes by car, then 2.5 hrs by ferry) Mt. St. Helens... 2 hrs Crystal Ski Resort (best skiing in Washington - next to Mt. Rainier)... 1.5 hrs

Reprint of a 1912 postcard, courtesy of City of Tacoma Planning Services

Local Activities... Washington State History Museum (new 42 million dollar facility next to Union Station - a must see!)... 5 minute drive or 15 minutes by bus. Pt. Defiance Park (698 acres of rainforest - beaches, marina - can rent boats, zoo, sea aquarium, gardens, and an extensive system of rainforest trails). If you don't have the time for a daytrip to the Olympic Forest, get your rainforest fix here!... 15 minute drive. Antique Row (several blocks of great antique shops -- Tacoma/Pierce County is considered the antique capital of the Northwest)... 8 blocks. Ruston Way waterfront park (great for walking, jogging, rollerblading - wonderful waterfront restaurants)... 3 minute drive. Sea-kayaking & scuba diving (the protected Puget Sound waters around Tacoma have been called the best scuba diving in the world, home to a myriad of natural fish nurseries - including the best giant octopus colony known to man) ... 15 minute drive. Charter a boat (or hop on the ferry) & tour the Sound - a must during whale watching season! (we can arrange trips for you - usually require advance notice)... 15 minute drive or longer, depending on tour or ferry origin. Art galleries, museums & Theatre District... 10 blocks. Check season schedules for special events. Farmer's Market (every Thursday, June thru September)... 8 blocks. Gig Harbor (quaint little fishing village across Tacoma Narrows Bridge - marina, shops, fine restaurants - one of the most photographed sites in Washington)... 20 minute drive. Northwest Trek (600 acre animal preserve - grizzlies, moose, buffalo, mountain lion, etc.) - experience the Pacific Northwest's wildlife, as they roam free in the park...30 minute drive.

Union Station Pt. Defiance Rainforest Trails View of Bay from Chinaberry Hill

Within 3 blocks of Chinaberry Hill... Stadium Historical District Market & Flower Shop Shops (gourmet, antiques, gift, etc.) Restaurants & Delis Coffee houses Wright Park & Conservatory (27 acres with over 500 species of plants in the historic Victorian Conservatory) Theatres Museums Stadium Historical Landmark Primitive trail system along bluff overlooks Puget Sound Wonderful walks in Victorian neighborhood (over 100 buildings on National Historical Register). Bank Pharmacy Post Office Service Station Hair Salons Dry Cleaners Video & CD Store (great art film collection) Churches Meeting Facilities/Ballrooms

Stadium Historical Landmark Wright Park Conservatory (100+ years old) Chinaberry Hill Gardens

Or just hang out on the wraparound porch and watch the ships go by...

Historic mansion, on National Register, features bay views, fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs. Pacific Northwest - Washington bed and breakfast is close to Seattle, Tacoma, Mt. Rainier, Puget Sound and Olympic Peninsula National Forest - fine hotel amenities - reservations (253) 272-1282 - B&B downtown Tacoma Seattle business corporate travel, executive residence suites, vacation rentals, villa resort, and romantic getaway accommodations. cottage antiques honeymoon romance anniversary gifts flowers. vacation cabin family children cottage lodging accommodations hotel hotel reservations reservations Washington BED & BREAKFAST INN WASHINGTON Gardens garden Antiques Victorian mansion Romance Washington Travel Lodging Accommodations Bed and Breakfast Inn Seattle Seattle business travel Lodging Accommodations Pacific Northwest Puget Sound Lodging - Fireplace Jacuzzi Tubs Bay View ROMANCE HONEYMOON Ocean View Business Accommodations Business Real Estate Relocation Lodging Family Cottage Guest House. Close to Sheraton Convention Center, Landmark Convention Center, Seattle - Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, Visitor & Convention Bureau, Frank Russell, Fife, Olympia, Portland, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Vashon Island, Steilacoom Intel, University of Puget Sound, Annie Wright, Pacific Luthern University, Seattle Law School, St. Joseph Hospital, Tacoma General, Port of Tacoma, Tacoma News Tribune. Puget Sound Pacific Northwest offers kayaking, sailing, fishing, diving, antiquing, ferry, ferries, wedding