The Pacific Northwest is rich with places to explore. And Seattle is the perfect hub. You can take an easy day trip from Seattle to majestic Mount Rainier National Park; drive 174 miles south to Portland, Oregon, or about 143 miles north to Vancouver, British Columbia (be sure to bring your passport); head east to the hops- and winegrowing environs of Yakima and Walla Walla; jump on a ferry to neighboring islands in Puget Sound; and more.

Just know that wherever you go from Seattle, you'll most likely find yourself returning to Seattle, for the food, the markets, the museums, the art galleries, the music scene, the brewpubs and the diverse culture.