Summer Trips on a Budget

With inflation on the rise and gas prices getting ridiculously expensive, budgets are getting tighter. But, with school about to let out and summer trips beckoning, what’s a family to do?

While the cost of getting there is higher, there are still reasonably priced not-too-far getaways to enjoy in the Pacific Northwest. We have compiled a list of fun trips you can make that fun for the entire family.

Pike Place Market

How about a getaway that is more like a get-into. The Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle is not only a great place to show out-of-town visitors, but there are lots of fun things to see and do even if you’ve been there before.

If you can tolerate the traffic and the panhandlers, it won’t be too expensive and you can even same a bunch of gas money if you take mass transit there and back.

Gig Harbor

For those in the South Seattle and Tacoma areas, there’s a little gem of a town just across the Tacoma Narrows bridge. Gig Harbor is a quaint little village with a picturesque marina with boat tours and kayaking in the harbor.

Take a stroll through the historic downtown area, which features exhibits at the Harbor History Museum. You can learn how it evolved from Native American fishermen, to immigrant Croatian fisherman, to Scandinavian settlers during its early days.

Whidbey Island

Take a car ferry boat from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island and feed the ever-present seagulls on the trip, or you can drive up through Deception Pass to get onto the island. Either way, you’ll find a small-town only a short distance from the skyscrapers of Seattle!

The ferry boat lands at Langley and that’s where you’ll find the Langley Whale Center, a museum with hands-on exhibits and activities for everyone in your group.

Drive to Coupeville and discover a small town that features indie bookstores, a cute toy store, and lots of restaurants. If you decide to have a bite, you should try their famous Penn Cove mussels. Want to explore the countryside? There is Fort Casey, lighthouses, and Deception Pass for incredible views!

San Juan Islands

Unless you have your own boat, the only way to get to the San Juans is with a tourist boat from Seattle or a ferry boat from Anacortes. Most boats land at Friday Harbor and along the way you may see whales breaching in the Sound.

Once you’re in Friday Harbor, you don’t necessarily need a car. You can walk to shops, restaurants, or boutiques right off the dock. You can also book a whale-watching tour with one of the many tourist boats there. While its not cheap (around $125 per adult) you will see a variety of marine animals, including sea birds, Orca Whales, Humpback Whales, as well as seals, sea lions, and even porpoises.

Cape Flattery

Cape Flattery is the northernmost point in the lower 48 states. It is located on the Makah Reservation and ends up on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean! The hike is a little over a mile, but is paved the entire way, so it is wheelchair-accessible.

Hoh Rainforest

One of the few rainforests in the United States, the Hoh Rainforest is located on the Olympic Peninsula. It has free campsites within the park, so if you can afford the gas (and bring rain gear), it’s a lush, unspoiled moss-covered forest just perfect for exploring!

Mount Rainier

Of course, high on any visitor’s list has to be Mount Rainier! Hike the Skyline Trail and end up at beautiful Myrtle Falls. Explore the Visitor’s Center or hike one of the many trails that have spectacular views of the peak.

There is no place to camp at Mount Rainier, but there’s a spectacular place to stay if you have the money. The Paradise Inn is designated as one of the “Great Lodges of the West” is literally at the foot of the mountain, with miles of hiking trails just outside the door. Built in 1916, this is a hotel remembering times past: there are no TVs, phones, or internet connections.

So, whether you want mountains, forests, or seashores, there is plenty of things to see and do in the Pacific Northwest without breaking the bank.

Make sure your auto insurance is up to date before heading out on your trip. Call SAV-ON at 888-867-2866 or visit us online at https://sav-on.com