{"id":39029,"date":"2024-02-04T22:56:54","date_gmt":"2024-02-04T20:56:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.mindfultravelbysara.com\/?p=39029"},"modified":"2024-02-04T22:56:58","modified_gmt":"2024-02-04T20:56:58","slug":"day-trips-from-seattle-in-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mindfultravelbysara.com\/en\/day-trips-from-seattle-in-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Best Day Trips from Seattle in Winter to Take Now (2024)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looking for the Best Day Trips from Seattle in Winter? I’ve got you covered!<\/strong><\/p>

I get it, nobody likes when the temps drop for too many days and the sky seems to always be gloomy and gray. But rest assured, winter in Seattle<\/strong> is chock full of snow-laden fun, warm indoor activities, and plenty of day trips that maybe, just MAYBE, will change your mind about the cold.<\/p>

I’ve always loved Seattle<\/strong> and was lucky enough to spend some quality time faux-living there (it was hotel living but I had a LOT of downtime to pretend to be a local). <\/p>

My name is Sammie Pearsall and I am a travel and lifestyle blogger at www.theramblingrenegade.com<\/a>. I am a professional acrobat and clown who travels the world to perform internationally with one of the largest professional circus companies in the world. <\/p>

My boyfriend was parked there on his tour with Cirque Du Soleil, so I got to be a groupie for a while. I wasn’t working at the time, so I could spend my days planning out the best winter day trips from Seattle <\/strong>to keep myself busy. And I will show you my favorites! <\/p>

Winter Day Trips from Seattle<\/strong><\/h2>
\"Kerry<\/figure><\/div>

Seattle Winter<\/strong> Day Trips<\/strong><\/h2>

These are my top picks for the best day trips from Seattle in winter, all under 3 hours from the city.<\/strong><\/p>

1. Mount Rainier<\/h3>
\"Mountain<\/figure><\/div>

Potentially a day trip that is more worthwhile in the winter than in the summer (shhhhh). Mount Rainier’s grandeur is always eye-catching even when the fog and bad weather has settled in Seattle. <\/p>

Try snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding, and all things winter. Just make sure you bring your tire chains!<\/p>

🚗 ~1 hour 51 minutes from Seattle<\/p>

2. Tacoma<\/h3>
\"weekend<\/figure><\/div>

Such an easy day trip from Seattle, it’s less than an hour away! If you’re looking for something to get you out of the Emerald City, try Tacoma. <\/p>

They have great local brews, a lovely walkable downtown area, and nature close by. This quirky town is a sure win that’s close to Seattle. <\/p>

🚗 ~37 minutes from Seattle<\/p>

3. Snoqualmie Falls<\/h3>
\"Snoqualmie<\/figure><\/div>

Most impressive waterfalls involve needing to take a plane somewhere remote or do some serious trekking to get that jaw-dropping scenery. <\/p>

However, Snoqualmie Falls is a huge cascading waterfall reaching 269 feet, which is twice as high as Niagra Falls!! Who knew?? (I didn’t…). <\/p>

🚗 ~Only 35 minutes from Seattle<\/p>

4. Leavenworth<\/h3>
\"Leavenworth<\/figure><\/div>

A snow bunny’s paradise. Leavenworth<\/strong><\/a> is full of trails and paths for Nordic skiing and the scenery is breathtaking. <\/p>

Get carried around in a horse-drawn carriage or cozy up with a hot cider at one of the local restaurants. There are holiday lights and even a Nutcracker Museum. <\/p>

It’s the definition of a winter wonderland, and it’ll make you believe you’re in a fairytale. <\/p>

🚗 ~2 hours 15 min from Seattle<\/p>

5. San Juan Islands<\/h3>

Escape the rainy wintery days of Seattle and step foot in some slightly better weather not too far away. <\/p>

The San Juan Islands have a beautiful backdrop along the Salish Sea, lighthouses light up the dimly lit winter sky, and there are lots of biking and hiking trails if you need to extend some energy. The Islands are wonderfully quiet in the wintertime. <\/p>

⛴️ ~The Anacortes ferry dock is an hour and a half away from Seattle.<\/p>

6. Vancouver<\/h3>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>

I adore Vancouver and I had to add it to this list. This city has everything<\/a><\/strong>, from amazingly diverse cuisine to gorgeous parks, you can easily spend a weekend exploring. <\/p>

The amount of markets alone can keep you busy for days. It’s a city along the water that is bustling at every time of year and shines with the changing of the seasons. <\/p>

🚗 ~2 hours and 42 minutes from Seattle<\/p>

7. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park<\/h3>
\"winter<\/figure><\/div>

You think you<\/em> need to bundle up in the winter? Check out the free-roaming wildlife at Northwest Trek and you’ll have a whole new understanding of winter coat. <\/p>

You’ll have the chance to see bison, bears, big horn sheep, and more in their finest winter layers. Also check out the Winter Wildland<\/a>, a mid-winter festival that usually starts in December.<\/p>

🚗 ~1 hour 20 minutes from Seattle<\/p>

8. Goldmyer Hot Springs<\/h3>

Open year-round, the Goldmyer Hot Springs gives you relaxation deep within nature. You’ll have to be self-sufficient here as the amenities are limited.  <\/p>

Experience the various temperatures of each pool as you rejuvenate from the holidays. You’ll want to pay attention to road conditions because often the road into the hot spring will close due to winter storms.<\/p>

🚗 ~45 miles from Seattle, timing can vary drastically depending on weather.<\/p>

9. Olympic National Park<\/h3>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>

If you’re looking for quiet time to recharge and relax surrounded by snowcapped mountains away from the crowds, Olympic National Park in the wintertime<\/strong><\/a> is your spot. <\/p>

This park is gorgeous year round but often people don’t consider this a premier destination for the winter. Sure, parts of the park are closed but the parts accessible are so quiet it will feel like you have the mountains to yourself. <\/p>

🚗 ~2 hours 30 min from Seattle<\/p>

10. Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve<\/h3>

If mystery is your thing, you might find a worthwhile day trip to the Mima Mounds. <\/p>

Researchers have been studying them for years but have yet to come to one conclusion as to what causes these mounds. From aliens to Natural phenomena, nobody knows for certain. <\/p>

There’s a nice ADA accessible .5 mile trail to get to the mounds, and an extra 2-mile pebbled path for extra exploring if you feel inclined.<\/p>

🚗 ~1 hour and 38 minutes from Seattle<\/p>

11. Woodinville Wine Country<\/h3>
\"Woodinville<\/figure><\/div>

The place to eat, drink, and be merry! Woodinville Wine Country is home to legendary winemakers and newbies trying to get their start in the business. <\/p>

There are over 100 tasting rooms for not only wine but also beer and spirits.<\/p>

🚗 ~26 minutes from Seattle<\/p>

12. Bainbridge Island<\/h3>

Most consider Bainbridge a destination for the summer but there are tons of things to enjoy in the wintertime, with far fewer crowds to battle. <\/p>

If you enjoy a chilly hike<\/a><\/strong>, there are trails and parks to explore. If you want to grab a drink, you can check out one of their wineries to relax in! Or catch a play at the Bainbridge Island Performing Arts<\/a>.<\/p>

⛴️ ~35 minutes by ferry from Seattle<\/p>

13. Portland<\/h3>
\"Pittock<\/figure><\/div>

If what you’re craving is a different city vibe I would highly suggest taking a little road trip to Portland. <\/p>

Besides going for the food and great beer, Portland has a HUGE collection of independent bookstores to meander through. Its city is also close enough to the mountains to keep your car at the hotel and use public transit to get to a trailhead. <\/p>

Check out my post on a great hike from the city, Pittock Mansion Hike<\/a>.<\/p>

🚗 ~2 hours and 50 minutes<\/p>

Weekend Trips from Seattle in Winter<\/strong><\/h2>

Not exactly a day trip but can easily be an overnight trip! These winter road trips from Seattle are far enough to feel like a getaway but close enough to enjoy. <\/strong><\/p>

14. Mount St. Helens<\/h3>

Only 96 miles south of Seattle, Mt. St. Helens might spark some adventure within you. <\/p>

This is the most active volcano in the contiguous United States. Potentially that might derail some from wanting to visit but I find it fascinating! Besides learning all of this volcano’s history make sure you make some time for the great outdoors.<\/p>

🚗 ~3 hours 21 minutes from Seattle<\/p>

15. Cascade Mountains<\/h3>

The beauty starts from the Scenic byway Highway 20, where you can already start admiring the high peaks and broad lakes. <\/p>

In the winter the Cascade Mountains transform into a stunning display of icy rivers and frozen-in-time waterfalls. There are also over 300 glaciers to see!<\/p>

🚗 ~3 hours 55 minutes from Seattle<\/p>

16. Umpqua National Forest<\/h3>

This is your call for snowshoeing. There are 530 miles of winding, beautiful trails to soak up the winter beauty. <\/p>

There are areas for snowmobiling, sledding, and any other snow activity you can dream up. Access to Umpqua National Forest can potentially close in more hazardous weather conditions so early winter may be better.<\/p>

🚗 ~5 hours 35 minutes<\/p>

17. Carson Hot Springs Washington<\/h3>

Basically, winter heaven, Carson Hot Springs is a must for winter getaways from Seattle. <\/p>

With their pools maintained at a balmy 98-104 degrees, some say soaking in mineral-laden springs may help soothe and heal your skin. Either way, it’s the perfect spot for some much-needed rest and relaxation.<\/p>

🚗 ~3 hours and 30 minutes from Seattle<\/p>

<\/div>

How to get around<\/strong> Seattle<\/h2>
\"Seattle<\/figure><\/div>

While walking is a fantastic way to get around Seattle, there is also great public transportation, bike paths, ferries, and driving of course. <\/p>

Seattle<\/strong> has a unique topography which means you might need to go from land to water and back to land to get to certain spots. Regardless, no matter your preference, getting around is pretty easy in this city. <\/p>

Public Transit<\/strong><\/h3>

By BUS<\/strong><\/h4>

Seattle’s bus system is very easy to manage. You might need to hop on to a couple of different buses depending on where you want to go. <\/p>

King County Metro<\/strong><\/a> buses are the main buses you would use to get back and forth across the city. Most routes operate until around 1 AM but there is now a Night Owl Service<\/a> that goes between midnight and 5 AM.<\/p>

FARE- The base fare is $2.75 and the buses won’t give change if it’s not exact. I’d suggest getting a loaded ORCA card from a light rail station or from the airport, or using the Transit GO App<\/a> to get your ticket on your phone. <\/p>

Sound Transit <\/strong><\/a>buses are another option for bus travel if you need to get further outside of Seattle’s city limits. While King Country Metro operates within the city, Sound Transit goes as far north as Everett, as far south as Tacoma and DuPont, and as far east as Sammamish and Issaquah. <\/p>

By RAIL<\/strong><\/h4>

Seattle Monorail<\/strong><\/a> is seen mostly as a touristy thing to do. There’s only one stop so it’s hard to get lost using it. The Monorail goes from Westlake Center Station to Seattle Center Station.<\/p>

Streetcars<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>can be useful if you are staying near one of the lines. There are only two lines, one is in South Lake Union and the other one is in First Hill.<\/p>

By WATER<\/strong><\/h3>
\"Seattle<\/figure><\/div>

Ferries<\/strong><\/h4>

Due to Seattle’s amazing location on Puget Sound, it lends to a unique tourism opportunity. Whether you are simply trying to get to Kitsap Peninsula across from Seattle, or you’d rather just enjoy the beautiful landscape, the <\/strong>ferries<\/strong><\/a> are easy to use. Expect to pay just under $10 for your ticket. <\/p>

Water Taxis<\/strong><\/h4>

Water Taxis<\/strong><\/a> don’t offer the ability to drive on (like they do for the ferries) but they do offer a convenient option if you are downtown Seattle. Connecting Pier 50 to West Seattle or Vashon Island, you can get around for $2-$7.<\/p>

Other transportation Ideas<\/strong><\/h3>

There are plenty of bike\/scooter shares around that I love to use. <\/p>

Also, can’t stress enough how nice of a city it is to walk in—plenty of tiny nooks and crannies in the city to explore by foot. Taking the Amtrak train<\/a> is also an easy way to get a bit further outside of the city. <\/p>

Seattle Travel tips<\/strong><\/h2>