4 Fantastic Day Trip Destinations for Seattle-Area Families

What’s the perfect recipe for a summer day trip? Each family will have a different answer to that question, but I’m willing to bet there are some common ingredients, at least for us Puget Sound–area parents: not too long of a drive; water to splash in; and a town to explore that offers history, whimsy and grown-up-worthy grub.

If you unfold your map, any direction leads to tantalizing day-trip destinations. Some are well-known and worthy: La Conner and Langley to the north; Gig Harbor to the south; Snoqualmie and Enumclaw to the east. We’ve uncovered three lesser-known small towns (and one enclave of a very big town) that offer big fun in all four directions — and all within a 90-minute drive of Seattle.

First stop: Edison