What does winter in Washington mean to you? For many of us, it’s well-known holiday events like the Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival and skiing or snowboarding down one of our majestic mountains. But there are also plenty of things to do this time of year that somehow stay under the radar. Here’s how to expand your horizons before spring.
- Challenge yourself with a winter hike to Gothic Basin.
Reid Webster / alltrails.com Best for experienced hikers, the Gothic basin trail is a 9-mile out-and-back journey near Granite Falls. The scenery is unbelievable.
- Check out Strange Brewfest in Port Townsend
Strange Brewfest Facebook For those less jazzed about outdoor adventures (and more jazzed about beer), Strange Brewfest is the place for you. The next dates are January 26 and 27, when brewers from around the region will bring their “strangest” concoctions to Port Townsend.
- Experience the Bavarian Icefest in Leavenworth.
Visit Leavenworth WA Facebook You’ve heard of the amazing tree lighting ceremonies, but Leavenworth has all kinds of winter events, including January’s Bavarian Icefest. Held on January 13-14, the festival features snow sculptures, a live ice carving, sledding, fireworks… oh, and those amazing lights are still up.
- Go sledding — for free! — near Mt. Baker.
BellaEatsBooks / Flickr Ski and tube to your heart’s desire at at Highwood Lake, an unofficial sledding area at Milepost 55 off the Mount Baker Highway near one of Mt. Baker Ski Area’s day lodges. Mt. Baker holds several snow records, so you should be able to sled there for months.
- Ring in the Lunar New Year in Seattle.
Seattle’s Chinatown-International District Facebook Seattle’s International District is the place to be during the Lunar New Year (2018’s is on February 16). There’s a weekend-long celebration full of live performances, delicious food, and plenty of activities.
- Indulge in wine and chocolate in the Yakima Valley.
Yakima Valley Facebook Every February, Wine Yakima Valley hosts the Red Wine & Chocolate festival to celebrate Valentine’s Day (and also wine and chocolate). The next event is February 17-19, and more than 40 wineries are participating.
- Start your year off right and explore a state park for free.
Selbe Lynn / Flickr Washington State parks are free to visit on select dates, and January 1 happens to be one of them. If you can’t make it that day, you can also visit free on January 15, MLK Jr. Day.
Washington is incredibly beautiful this time of year. These resorts are all perfect for a cozy getaway.
Reid Webster / alltrails.com
Best for experienced hikers, the Gothic basin trail is a 9-mile out-and-back journey near Granite Falls. The scenery is unbelievable.
Strange Brewfest Facebook
For those less jazzed about outdoor adventures (and more jazzed about beer), Strange Brewfest is the place for you. The next dates are January 26 and 27, when brewers from around the region will bring their “strangest” concoctions to Port Townsend.
Visit Leavenworth WA Facebook
You’ve heard of the amazing tree lighting ceremonies, but Leavenworth has all kinds of winter events, including January’s Bavarian Icefest. Held on January 13-14, the festival features snow sculptures, a live ice carving, sledding, fireworks… oh, and those amazing lights are still up.
BellaEatsBooks / Flickr
Ski and tube to your heart’s desire at at Highwood Lake, an unofficial sledding area at Milepost 55 off the Mount Baker Highway near one of Mt. Baker Ski Area’s day lodges. Mt. Baker holds several snow records, so you should be able to sled there for months.
Seattle’s Chinatown-International District Facebook
Seattle’s International District is the place to be during the Lunar New Year (2018’s is on February 16). There’s a weekend-long celebration full of live performances, delicious food, and plenty of activities.
Yakima Valley Facebook
Every February, Wine Yakima Valley hosts the Red Wine & Chocolate festival to celebrate Valentine’s Day (and also wine and chocolate). The next event is February 17-19, and more than 40 wineries are participating.
Selbe Lynn / Flickr
Washington State parks are free to visit on select dates, and January 1 happens to be one of them. If you can’t make it that day, you can also visit free on January 15, MLK Jr. Day.
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