Summer in Seattle | Day Trips

This summer, I jetted across the United States for an internship at Google's Kirkland campus. On weekdays, my time was spent working with amazing people on a chatbot. The weekends, however, held different adventures in the Seattle area. Mount Rainier, Olympic National Forest, and Bainbridge Island are all close enough to the city to make interesting day trips possible.

Mount Rainier National Park

Although Mount Rainier National Park is about a 2-hour drive outside of Seattle, the views, nature, and variety of scenery are more than worth the trip.

At the entrance, you are provided with a map that will assist you in navigating the park. If you enter from the southwestern Nisqually Entrance, follow the paved road to Paradise Inn. You can stop along the way for photos, especially of Christine and Narada Falls, and short hikes. Paradise Inn has a lovely restaurant and cafe, and seeing snow in the summertime is unlike anything else.

Olympic National Forest

Despite the fact that a drive to Kalaloch Lodge at Olympic National Park clocks in at over 3 hours, the national park and forest on the Olympic Peninsula hold incredible natural beauty.

The highlight of a trip to the southern part of the forest is a walk around Lake Quinalt, on the shores of which stands the world's largest spruce tree.

If you continue your drive to the lodge, take some time to walk along the nearby beach. The gray mist, harsh waves, and driftwood creates an ambiance fully divergent from that of touristy beaches found elsewhere.

Bainbridge Island

When the ferry ride costs under $10 and the trip across the water takes only 35 minutes, it is next to impossible to come up with an excuse not to visit Bainbridge Island.

Once there, you can walk the Waterfront Trail or follow the signs to the downtown, which is only a five minute walk from the ferry terminal. There are many restaurants and shops in which to dine and browse, but my top recommendations are Pegasus Coffee and Mora Iced Creamery.