Close Encounters
These three enchanting day trips from Seattle are easy to do without a car.
Woodinville
Experience this beacon of the Washington Wine Country just 20 miles from downtown Seattle.
Getting there:
Tour services like Butler Seattle and Wine Tasting Shuttle provide transportation from your hotel to local vintners in about 30 to 40 minutes.
What to do:
Start with a tasting! The grande dame of Woodinville wineries is Chateau Ste. Michelle, where you can book a guided walking tour and tasting flight. Have lunch up the road at Hollywood Tavern—try the maple pear salad or Cajun chicken sandwich. In the afternoon, consider the red or white tastings at Chelan Ridge Winery, the wine–and–ice cream pairing at Bayernmoor Cellars, or the Korean-style rice wine of Rainbrew.
J A UPPENDAHL/SHUTTERSTOCK
Vashon Island
This quaintly rural enclave isn’t far from Seattle but feels a world away.
Getting there:
From downtown, take a 22-minute ride on the King County Water Taxi. Then catch bus 118 or 119 to get to town. Note that you can bring a bike on the water taxi and that the buses have bike racks.
What to do:
Go for a leisurely browse among the village center’s cute shops, like the kitschy Standard Goods, a mash-up of apparel and housewares, or the cozy Vashon Bookshop, featuring plenty of local authors. Snapdragon Bakery & Cafe serves vegetarian dishes and is also ideal to pop into for a snack—perhaps a cinnamon roll and a cup of the secret-recipe chai, while The Ruby Brink is a carnivore’s delight, with a focus on whole-animal butchery.
courtesy San Juan Safaris
San Juan Island
Soak up stunning views of the Salish Sea on your trip to this idyllic island.
Getting there:
The journey and the destination are of equal billing here—hop on a 45- to 50-minute seaplane ride with Kenmore Air or Friday Harbor Seaplanes. Alternatively, you can catch the Bellair Airporter Shuttle bus from Seattle to Anacortes, and continue from there to San Juan Island with Washington State Ferries .
What to do:
In the main village of Friday Harbor, stroll among the fine art galleries and dapper shops, breaking for a delicious lunch at Downriggers or Salty Fox Coffee. Whale-watching is epic in these waters—book a trip with San Juan Safaris. For a more active adventure, join a half-day kayaking tour with Crystal Seas Kayaking or San Juan Kayak Expeditions. Or to explore by land, rent an adorable Scoot Coupe from Susie’s Mopeds.
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