Weekend trips from University of Puget Sound
Hidden spots near Tacoma, day trips and weekend road trips from University of Puget Sound in November, scored 1–10 on price, timing and what's happening, with gas, park fees, a campsite or room and food included.
Plan your own trip from University of Puget Sound →Local finds near campus
Bainbridge Island ferry
The ferry ride gives the best Seattle skyline view, then a small island town of bakeries.
Day trips
Leavenworth
A whole mountain town dressed as a Bavarian village, with river tubing and alpine lakes.
Seattle
Pike Place's fish throwers, the Fremont Troll under a bridge and the skyline from Kerry Park.
Olympic National Park
Moss-draped Hoh Rain Forest and Rialto Beach's sea stacks and driftwood, in one weekend.
Deception Pass
A high bridge over a churning tidal channel, with madrona-tree trails and driftwood beaches.
Snoqualmie Falls
A 268-foot waterfall and the lodge from Twin Peaks, 40 minutes from Seattle.
Mount Si
Seattle's training hike: 3,150 feet up to a rocky haystack summit over the valley.
Weekend trips
Leavenworth
A whole mountain town dressed as a Bavarian village, with river tubing and alpine lakes.
Columbia Gorge & Multnomah Falls
A river canyon lined with waterfalls, the tallest 620 feet, 40 minutes from Portland.
Lake Chelan
A 50-mile glacier lake with sunny beaches and wineries, Washington's summer escape.
Silver Falls
The Trail of Ten Falls, where you walk behind several of the waterfalls.
Painted Hills
Hills striped red, gold and black that change color with the light. Free.
Deception Pass
A high bridge over a churning tidal channel, with madrona-tree trails and driftwood beaches.
Long weekends
Columbia Gorge & Multnomah Falls
A river canyon lined with waterfalls, the tallest 620 feet, 40 minutes from Portland.
Smith Rock
Golden river cliffs where American sport climbing began; Misery Ridge has the view.
Silver Falls
The Trail of Ten Falls, where you walk behind several of the waterfalls.
Lake Chelan
A 50-mile glacier lake with sunny beaches and wineries, Washington's summer escape.
Painted Hills
Hills striped red, gold and black that change color with the light. Free.
Bend
Float the Deschutes through town, then a lava tube and a mountain of breweries.
Personalize it
Set your budget, how many friends are coming, your car (or no car: train and bus), and what you're into (hiking, beaches, camping, stargazing, food and more), and Weekender re-ranks every trip for you, with a day-by-day plan, directions and campsites.
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