13+ Getaways & Staycations Pierce County Residents Need to Know About
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we’re fortunate to live so close to all types of adventures! Whether you want to head to the beach for a relaxing getaway or head into the mountains for some exploration, we have it all right in our backyard.
“The best of Western Washington is so easily accessible from Tacoma and it's definitely something we take advantage of,” shares Michael Duggan. Michael is no stranger to adventuring in the area, and he has some great recommendations to begin our getaway guide with:
“My wife and I love taking day trips to La Conner, Port Townsend, Poulsbo, Roslyn, Centralia (awesome antiquing and La Tarasca/McMenamins = a good time) and many more.”
For overnight or weekend trips, Michael advises checking out these special getaways:
“Orcas and San Juan Islands are heaven, Long Beach, WA is my favorite beach town in Washington, Bellingham/Fairhaven is beautiful, and Leavenworth is just fun no matter what time of year you go. We also love visiting the platform tents at Dosewallips State Park. All you need is a sleeping bag and maybe some firewood since the Geoduck Tavern, rated by Esquire magazine as a top US tavern, is just across Hwy 101 for all your oyster burger and Hood Canal viewing needs.”
Ready to see what else our region has to offer? Get ready to add some fun destinations to your “must visit” list!
Gig Harbor & Fox Island
If you’re planning a getaway with relatives or a group of friends, Brenna Harrington recommends this gorgeous 5-bedroom retreat you can rent out in Gig Harbor. For another nearby option, Maggie Schauble says that “Beachside Bed & Breakfast on Fox Island is a great place to get away and walk on the beach.”
(Want to head a little farther north? Brenna also recommends the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort!)
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San Juans
“I recommend Friday Harbor, or any place in the San Juan Islands really,” shares Piper Troxler. “The San Juans are beautiful! They are close enough to be convenient but far enough away to feel like a REAL vacation. There are tons of amazing places to stay, too. It doesn't matter if you're looking for something a little more romantic or if you're planning more of a family getaway, the San Juans have something for everyone.”
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Olympic Peninsula
The Olympic Peninsula is a gem that offers beaches, a rainforest, and charming towns to explore! “Port Angeles is one of the hidden gems of the Northwest,” says Maggie Schauble. “It's a great place to stay at a bed and breakfast on your way up to Canada!”
Maggie also loves stopping by Sequim: “In mid-July the Lavender Festival is held in Sequim, Washington. Make your [hotel] reservations early—they always sell out! You can buy just about anything lavender-themed—lavender soap, lavender ice cream, lavender hand lotion, lavender sachets, lavender plants! You name it, you can just about buy it if it's lavender and mid-July in Sequim!”
If you’re interested in a truly indulgent experience, look no further than Alderbrook Resort! “If you just like to unwind, be really near the water, be pampered, watch the sunset, and be surrounded by the Olympic Mountains (pets allowed, too!), this is so close by and should be on your list of easy getaways!” recommends Sheryll Tan.
When you’re out and about exploring the Olympic Peninsula, Krista Osborne has a great spot for you to check out: “If you love a comfortable hike surrounded by sky-reaching birch and fir, a day journey to the Southeast Corner of the Olympic Peninsula will bring you to the second tallest bridge in Washington State, the abandoned Vance Creek Railway Bridge looming high above the Skokomish River. Spanning 422 feet across and towering 347 feet above the river, this bridge was originally built in 1929 and helped the logging industry transport some of the most robust logging in America. You are no longer allowed on top of the bridge but the journey to see it, the views of the bridge and below it are a fabulous staycation opportunity.”
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Coastal Beach Towns
All along the Washington State coast, you can find lovely little beach towns to explore. Trish Stone recommends Westport for its “Charter fishing, crabbing, beach combing, little beach front shops, lighthouse tours, and weekend events throughout the summer (Pirate Daze is my fave!! Yes, 'real' pirates, crab races, kite festival…).”
Sheryll Tan recommends Seabrook: “Seabrook is always a favorite getaway from our busy lives! It's called "Washington's Beach Town" and we love that we can choose the cottage we want to stay in and take our family dog with us. Some would always like to go back to the same cottage, but we prefer to have a different theme every time so there's always the element of surprise for the kids (bunk beds are the answer to everything!). They have so many activities, especially in the summer, and my favorite must be the doggie days, Saturday market and Sunset concert series. Of course, simply lounging by the beach or gathering around a bonfire making s'mores with family or friends make this place a perfect place to de-stress!”
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Journey East
For those who are looking to head the opposite direction, head east for some fun and exciting Washington adventures! Sheryll recommends the Suncadia Resort: “Any place we can take our dog along with us makes it a great getaway. There’s much to do here—hiking, biking, golfing, swimming, even fly fishing—which we have yet to try!”
Along the way, stop at Treehouse Point! Piper Troxler recommends that everyone experience this neat spot at least once: “[Treehouse Point is] a unique getaway located just outside of Issaquah (but it includes unplugging from technology). It is a bit like camping, except in incredible little tree houses! They don't allow pets, kids under the age of 13, and you'll have to make your reservations (sometimes quite a bit in advance). This one definitely requires some planning, but I promise it's totally worth it!”
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Seattle
Of course, Seattle is less than one hour from Tacoma and offers a great way to enjoy a bigger city without having to travel far. Patience Colkitt likes to stay at Hotel Andra in Seattle, and she likes to do walking food tasting tours with Savor Seattle Tours when she’s in town. “We always a great time and meet fun new people along the way,” she says.
When you’re in the city, Sheryll Tan recommends stopping by Green Lake Park: “Green Lake is a wonderful place to go on a picnic, especially during our beautiful Washington summer. It also has a 3-mile path around the lake where you can go walking, running, biking or skating. Boating and kayaking are also very popular activities here.”