Seattle Family Calendar
Subscribe
Nearby vacation spots to book soon
We’re this close to summertime in the Pacific Northwest. There’s still time to book your dream getaway at some of Washington’s best vacation spots. Whether you want to stay for a quick weekend or an extended week, don’t let summer pass you by. There’s sure to be one that will suit your crew on our list.
First up: Mountain luxury
Suncadia Resort
If you have kids who tend to get carsick or if you don’t like long drives, Suncadia Resort is the perfect outdoor getaway. In just 90 minutes, you can zip from downtown Seattle to this rather posh mountain experience. Why rough it when you can have all the creature comforts of a luxurious hotel room — and panoramic views?
Suncadia’s grounds cover some 6,000 acres and include miles of paved trails. You can use all paths, open spaces and the disc golf course. Bike rentals are available, or just bring your own. On-site restaurants and swimming pools serve most of your kids’ needs. The spa and golf course are open for grown-up time.
You can reserve rooms at the inn, the lodge or at a number of vacation homes that will fit the size of your group.
Next stop: Hot soak
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
Head to the depths of Olympic National Park to find remote Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, open late March through October. Book a rustic cabin and spend your day lounging in the hot pools of various temperatures, occasionally steeling yourself for a plunge into the invigorating cold pool.
Round out your getaway by exploring more of the North Olympic Peninsula, from Sequim to Hurricane Ridge to Lake Crescent.
Next stop: Seaside escape
Seabrook
Seabrook is an award-winning beach town on the Washington coast, full of cute cottages and all within an easy walk of the Pacific Ocean. We’ve stayed several times and can attest to its manicured charm — it is perfect for families with young children. Enjoy bike rides, playing in the sand and long walks on the beach. The pool, fitness center and playground, plus restaurants and shops, will fill the time when you’re not on the beach. Be sure to check out the ’80s-style arcade and new fresh foods market during your next trip.
Seabrook suits in any season. Plan your Seabrook adventure with our guide.
Next stop: Resort on the bay
Semiahmoo Resort
Semiahmoo Resort is about as close as you can get to Canada without crossing the border. It’s super relaxing, family-friendly and right on the water.
There’s just the right amount to do here, all in complement to enjoying nature, which is exactly the point. Take a walk and look for bald eagles, check out hermit crabs in the tide pools, and admire the view of Mount Baker. Kids will have a blast beachcombing or riding bikes. There’s a movie theater, a game room with toys and tons of lawn games. Resort amenities include restaurants, the pool and a spa. Book a room online.
Next stop: Nature surrounds
Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort
Head into the Cascades to Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort for fresh air in a quiet setting. Unlike most hotels, the guest rooms here do not have TVs, refrigerators or minibars — and that’s by design. The idea is for you to get in touch with nature and eat chef-prepared food. (Sign us up!)
Go for a hike along the river and through the woods. Kids can earn patches for completing a bird walk, garden tour or scavenger hunt. Eagle Creek Ranch, about 25 minutes away, offers horseback riding, and area rafting companies will take you on a wild ride. From the resort, it’s a 10-minute drive into the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth, which is a delightful destination all year around.
The lovely pool and hot tub at Sleeping Lady are open seasonally from about mid-April through mid-October.
Next stop: Edge of the Pacific
Kalaloch Lodge
Rustic, remote, peaceful. Fall asleep to the sound of ocean waves. The rooms aren’t fancy (nor are they cheap), but you can’t beat the location. Kalaloch Lodge perches at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.
Book a room in the main lodge, the Seacrest House or one of the (dog-friendly!) cabins with kitchenettes. Note that there’s spotty reception and no Wi-Fi, so don’t bother trying to make it a working vacation.
Kalaloch Lodge is a home base for exploring the big outdoor playground that is Olympic National Park. Hike through the mossy rainforest, watch for whales, explore tide pools, walk along the beach. Don’t miss the large sea stacks at nearby Ruby Beach and the “Tree of Life” at Kalaloch Beach.
Pro planning tip: Kalaloch often books out months in advance.
Next stop: Go to the gorge
Skamania Lodge
Skamania Lodge, overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, offers loads of outdoor fun on 175 acres of incredible natural beauty. You can stay in the main lodge, or for an extra-special splurge, reserve one of the Alder Tree Houses, which sleep four and are set among towering Douglas firs. Be sure to check out the new luxury glamping tents which will be available in May 2024 (reservations can be made now).
Skamania Lodge offers an array of adventures, including zip-line tours, an aerial course and axe throwing (!?). The three on-site hiking trails — Lake Loop Trail, Creek Loop Trail and Gorge Loop Fitness Trail — are suitable for all ages. The hotel offers free bike rentals, and you can check out outdoor equipment such as soccer balls, frisbees or a cornhole game.
The spa and fitness center, swimming pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, and saunas will serve everyone’s recreational desires. Families can also play golf or disc golf.
Next stop: A very long beach
Long Beach, Washington
The Long Beach Peninsula, about a three-hour drive from Seattle, is a beautiful 28-mile stretch of the Washington coast. This is a pretty place to relax and explore, in any season.
The main attraction here is digging your toes into the sand and going for long walks to breathe in the salty air. The 8.2-mile Lewis and Clark Discovery Trail is paved, perfect for bikes and strollers. Do as much or as little of the trail as you like: The path follows the dunes from The Breakers over the Cape Disappointment headlands to Ilwaco Harbor. The Coastal Forest Loop trail is a manageable distance for kids, just a 0.5- or a 1.5-mile loop through a forest. (Bring bug spray!)
The outdoor Columbia-Pacific Farmers’ Market in Long Beach is open on Fridays in the summer, and the Ilwaco Saturday Market operates from May through September. For indoor time, check out the World Kite Museum and the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.
Next stop: On Hood Canal
Alderbrook Resort
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Alderbrook is a gem of a Pacific Northwest resort.
My kids don’t care much for spas, but they love the indoor pool here (and the big Jacuzzi tub we’ve had in our room). One side of the resort faces the water, and the other side faces a forest. Sit and watch the mist rising off Hood Canal. Relax. If it’s nice out, you can rent pedal boats, kayaks, floating tubes and even motorboats.
Or go hiking on 5 miles of trails right on the resort property. Families with a pooch can book the Fido on the Fjord special package and bring their furry family member along — there’s even a doggie menu!
Next stop: Lakeside fun
Campbell’s Resort, Lake Chelan
Generations of Seattleites have idled away sunny weeks at Campbell’s Resort, built in 1901. It is perfect for families. There are two pools, a private sandy beach and a lake that’s actually warm enough for swimming in summer and into early fall. Campbell’s is located in the town of Chelan, within easy walking distance of all of the restaurants and shops. ParentMap’s guide to summer fun in Chelan has lots of activity ideas.
More nearby family getaway ideas:
Editor’s note: This article was originally published a few years ago and was just updated for your 2024 summer planning.
