Washington Archives

The Fremantle Troll in Fremont, Seattle.

The Fremont Troll: How to see Seattle’s quirkiest sculpture

The Fremont Troll is an 18-foot concrete sculpture depicting a troll clutching an actual Volkswagen Beetle. It's located beneath the north end of the Aurora Bridge (George Washington Memorial Bridge) at N. 36th Street and Troll Avenue in Seattle's quirky Fremont neighborhood, Washington. This guide…

Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, Washington.

Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park: Fees, hours, access & visitor guide

Hurricane Ridge is a subalpine area at 5,242 feet elevation offering panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains, wildflower meadows and hiking trails. It's located 17 miles south of Port Angeles in Olympic National Park, Washington. This 2026 Hurricane Ridge visitor guide covers opening times, entrance…

Marymere Falls in Olympic State Park, Washington,

Planning a visit to Marymere Falls, Olympic National Park: Trail & fees guide

Marymere Falls is a 90-foot waterfall accessed via a 0.9-mile trail through old-growth forest near Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park, Washington, making it one of the most popular family-friendly hikes on the Olympic Peninsula. This guide covers opening hours, entrance fees, parking, accessibility and…

Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park, Washington.

Sol Duc Falls, Washington: What visitors need to know

Sol Duc Falls is a multi-tiered waterfall within old-growth forest in the Sol Duc Valley of Olympic National Park, Washington, accessible via a 0.8-mile relatively level trail from the trailhead parking area. This 2026 Sol Duc Falls visitor guide covers opening hours, entrance fees, parking,…

Snoqualmie Falls near Seattle, Washington.

Planning a visit to Snoqualmie Falls, Washington: Parking, access & tips (2026)

Snoqualmie Falls is a 268-foot waterfall on the Snoqualmie River approximately 30 miles east of Seattle, Washington, featuring upper and lower viewing platforms and a 0.7-mile hiking trail through temperate rainforest. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting…

The Hiram M Chittenden locks in Seattle, Washington.

Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Seattle: Salmon, ships and the city’s overlooked soul

A short trip north of downtown reveals a side of Seattle that guidebooks often skim past. At the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, engineering, ecology and local identity quietly intersect. In the hotel lobby stands my very unofficial tour guide. “Howdy,” she says. “I’m going to…

Seattle vs Vancouver: How weather quietly shapes the way we judge cities

A harbour cruise, a market stroll and two West Coast cities seen under very different skies. This is a reminder of how weather and travel experiences can tilt our feelings about places far more than we like to admit. The captain tries to rouse the…

Ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island: essential guide for first-time travellers

Taking the Seattle to Bainbridge Island ferry is one of the most direct and scenic ways to cross Puget Sound. This guide gives you practical details - terminals, schedules, fares, parking, accessibility and nearby attractions - so your journey goes smoothly without surprises. It was…

Inside Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, Washington.

Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle: Guide with prices, hours & booking tips

This guide to Chihuly Garden and Glass gives you verified details: opening hours, ticket prices, tips for cheaper booking, how to get there, parking, accessibility, and best times to visit. It was updated in October 2026 to reflect ticket price increases. History and overview of…

The Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle, Washington.

Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle: Free entry, hours, parking & what to see

This guide to Olympic Sculpture Park contains the key details visitors need: hours and admission, how to get there, parking costs and options, accessibility, and the best times to visit. This guide was updated in September 2026. Overview of Olympic Sculpture Park Olympic Sculpture Park…