Family Road Trip

The great American family road trip is alive and well on the Cascade Loop! Little ones and grown-ups alike will love the amazing views and wiggle stops along the way! Learn as you go and have fun! 

1. Start out in Everett at one of the best "kids" museums we’ve ever seen (no joke, it really is that cool), The Imagine Childrens Museum.
2. Wallace Falls–This view requires a little walking, but if you’re game, it is worth the walk. Just east of Gold Bar in the lush Sky Valley, turn at MP 28 and follow the signs to reach this stunning waterfall. Follow the trail from the trailhead until you reach a fork in the trail. For the shorter walk to view the falls, take the trail on the right and follow for 2 miles. This is the lower falls viewing area, but the scene is still breathtaking and worth the while!
3. Take the kids on a free train ride in Skykomish on the Great Northern and Cascade Railway.
4. Spend some quality time in Leavenworth--there is a TON of family fun here. 
5. Plain’s Mountain Springs Lodge is home to guided horseback rides, fly fishing lessons and ziplines in summer. 
6. The whole family will love the Aplets & Cotlets Candy Factory Tour in historic Cashmere. Watch how the candies are made and hand-packed and of course pick up some of your favorites for the road!
7. Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center–kids love the miniature train and the hands-on Apple Harvest Exhibit-- lots to learn and lots of fun!
8. Rocky Reach Dam Discovery Center is located just off of Hwy 97A between Wenatchee and Entiat. Start by turning the kids loose in the playground, then head straight toward the dam. Walk across the public walkway and take in views of the Columbia River you'd otherwise never see. Check out the outdoor fish ladder, and head inside to see huge, live salmon passing through in the fish viewing area.
9. Lake Chelan and SlideWaters Waterpark are hugely popular with all ages! Whether you want to slide at the park or simply float on the lake, water activities are abundant!
10. Take the Lady of the Lake boat tour to off-the-grid Stehekin on Lake Chelan and the Skagit Tours Boat Tour on Diablo Lake to catch one-of-a-kind views.
11. Grab a treat in western-themed Winthrop. Let the kids take silly photos by the Old Schoolhouse or sitting on saddle seats downtown.
12. Big views: Washington Pass Overlook just past Mazama, and then Ross and Diablo Lake Overlooks on the North Cascades Highway.
13. North Cascades Visitor Information Center near Newhalem has hand-on activities in the center and lots of accessible, family-friendly trails.
14. Explore the Trail of the Cedars, a family-friendly interpretive trail in Newhalem, or climb on Old Number 6 an old railcar, and ring the bell!
15. Visit the Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport. Watch for eagles here–they’re plentiful!
16. Bicycle through the beautiful Skagit Valley. 
17. Go whale watching and see all manner of wildlife. The kids will NEVER forget it.
18. Big View: Deception Pass Bridge Connecting Fidalgo and Whidbey Island, there will be no doubt in your mind if you've reached this bridge. Just be sure to hold the kids' hands AND don't forget to explore their State Park below the bridge.
19. Fort Casey State Park and Admiralty Head Lighthouse–Explore Fort Casey a well-preserved military installation that once protected the entrance to Puget Sound.
20. Clinton Ferry at Clinton-Drive onto the Washington State Ferry for a quick ride back to Mukilteo. Step out onto the deck to take in maritime views, breathe fresh salt air, listen the sounds of the water, the ship and of course seagulls. If you’re going to vacation in Washington State, a ferry ride has to be on the itinerary!