Bellingham is a moderately sized, tree-lined city that shoulders up to Bellingham Bay. Visitors who find the often wet but decidedly mild temperatures of Bellingham more to their liking can still enjoy views of the bay from waterfront parks, or catch the peak of Mt Baker rising above the lesser mountains to the east of the city. There are also regular services linking Bellingham to the San Juan Islands and Victoria B.C.

At 10,778 feet, Mt. Baker is covered year-round in a thick white blanket of snow. In spring, foliage and flowers appear at the base of Baker and ice-free streams flow freely again. By summer, alpine meadows have thrown their own quilt of color over Baker's flanks, and North Fork Nooksack River runs blue-green with cold run-off waters. Fall ushers in first frosts and trees turn to brilliant reds and yellows. Winter snows again envelope the area and provide a new range of recreational opportunities. There are more than 400 miles of trails around Mt. Baker, ranging from hour-long hikes to longer overnight trips. For views of the Cascades, choose from a number of trails that climb up out of the trees, usually steeply. If you're after vistas without the work, hike a mile-long loop in Heather Meadow at the end of Mt. Baker Highway.

Port Townsend runs down to the waters edge on the northeast corner of the Olympic Peninsula. With spectacular views of the Olympics to the south and a stretch of the Juan de Fuca straights to the north, Port Townsend seems like the edge of wilderness, despite the close proximity of the San Juan Islands, Whidbey Island and Victoria B.C. Port Townsend has plenty of attractions to keep visitors occupied, though most pass through on their way see Olympic splendors.

Forests drop down to hidden coves, rocky beaches and steep cliffs at Whidbey Island's edges. Connected to the Washington mainland by a bridge spanning spectacular Deception Pass, this island is a popular Puget Sound getaway for visitors up on the ferry from Seattle, or down by road from the north. Despite the fact that the island is so easily accessible, Whidbey Island is a worthwhile stop, crowds or no.