Spring Break in the Northwest

Many times, spring break can be a blessing and a curse. Unless you have a highly anticipated vacation planned for this most coveted week of the school year, many families can find themselves restless and aimless for a week lacking a school day structure.

Our typical weather is rarely one to be celebrated during early spring and well-intentioned plans can end up a bit wet.  While our southern west coast friends might find the extra days ideal for hitting the beach, we’re catching more TV rays than UV rays.

So as we hit the last few days of spring break week, or ramp up for the start of one, consider these ideas for an easy way toward planning a memorable week.  And if you missed it this go-round, well, there’s always next year.

BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN

Spend a night or two in Seattle and rediscover with your kids all the things that people pay a lot of money to come see.  Day 1 might consist of a morning through Pike Place Market, lunch at the waterfront and dinner onboard a Puget Sound cruise.  If you can swing it, consider staying in the heart of the city overnight and padding the evening with a little downtown shopping at Westlake or Pacific Place.  Day 2 might include a venture on a Ride the Ducks tour and dinner at the top of our world famous landmark, the Space Needle.

Other day activities could include visiting the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, or going on a Safeco Field Tour – after all, our home opener is April 8.

If you plan to hit up multiple Seattle attractions, it may be advisable to purchase the Go Seattle Card which includes admission into more than 35 top attractions around town.

GET OUTTA TOWN

Washington State is full of amazing cities and remarkable attractions.  Venture out with these day- and overnight-trips to see what our abundant state has to offer.

• Boot Hill Fossil Site in Republic, WA – Visit the Stone Rose Interpretive Center for an opportunity to dig for your very own fossils from a dig site that dates back 48 million years.
• Holland America Bulb Farm in Woodland, WA – Head south this spring to check out the Woodland Tulip Festival starting today, Saturday, April 2.
• Scenic Byways of Washington – Make your own route through the state's most diverse landmarks.  From lakes to desert, volcanos to rainforest, there is a path for any interest.  Use the Experience WA site to help map out your next drive.
• Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA – if you need a little more attraction and a little less drive time, consider the Spring Break specials at Great Wolf Lodge.  Of course the indoor water parks are included, but other features such as the morning Wolf Walk, nightly Pajama Story Time and the animated Great Clock Tower Show are included too -- IF you can pry the kids away from the water slide.

P.S. We know with gas prices being what they are, you might be thinking twice about taking long drives. Nonetheless, here's a helpful site to help you comparison shop a bit when looking for a nearby station for a fill-up. Plug the site into your smart phone as you're headed out the door and you're good to go!