If you’re coming from out of town, we hope you can allow some extra time to take in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest! There’s so much to explore in the Seattle region, so we've gathered some suggestions to get you started.

SEATTLE is full of attractions, from iconic landmarks like the Space Needle and Pike Place Market to lesser known sites such as Discovery Park, the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum, and the Woodland Park Zoo. Just a short drive north, you’ll find EDMONDS, where Hannah and Ryan call home. This charming and walkable town features Puget Sound views, beaches, and cozy cafés.

Hop on a ferry from Edmonds to KINGSTON—location of the wedding venue—known for its picturesque coastal scenery and small-town charm, and POULSBO—location of the wedding hotel and welcome picnic—famous for its Norwegian heritage and shops. Kingston and Poulsbo are both on the Kitsap Peninsula, which lies west of Seattle and Edmonds, across Puget Sound. While it's often considered part of the Olympic Peninsula, others consider Kitsap its own peninsula with Hood Canal separating it from the Olympic Peninsula on its west side.

Kitsap serves as a gateway to OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, which encompasses nearly one million acres of diverse environments—lush rainforests, alpine highlands, tranquil lakeshores, and rugged Pacific coastline. To truly appreciate the diversity of Olympic National Park, we recommend staying for at least three to four nights. Keep in mind that the park is expansive, so you won’t be able to explore everything from a single "home base." You'll need to venture to different regions to fully experience all that the park has to offer.

MOUNT RAINIER serves as a stunning backdrop to Seattle, often visible from all over the city on clear days. Just a couple of hours southeast of Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park is an easy day trip with breathtaking views and fantastic hiking opportunities. Another great spot for a day trip is North Cascades National Park, known for its incredible mountain scenery and beautiful trails.

If you'd like to venture a little further, consider a few days on the SAN JUAN ISLANDS, a group of islands near the Canadian border. You could even cross into VICTORIA, B.C. for a night, for a taste of British charm.

For nature lovers, WHALE WATCHING excursions offer the chance to see orcas, humpbacks, and gray whales in some of the richest waters for marine life in the world, with departures available from Seattle, Edmonds, Port Angeles and Port Townsend on the peninsula, and from the San Juans.

If you're a wine enthusiast, WOODINVILLE, just a 30-minute drive from Seattle or Edmonds, is a wine mecca with a small-town vibe offering 100-plus tasting rooms for wine, beer, and spirits.

Visiting SNOQUALMIE FALLS is one of the quickest ways to experience the splendor of the Pacific Northwest without straying far from the city—just a 30-minute drive east of Seattle. The impressive 270-foot waterfall and short trail to its base alone make it an ideal half-day trip. But since the ancestral caretakers of the land, the Snoqualmie Tribe, purchased their land back, they have added more cultural significance, including a visitor center opened in 2023. It highlights the history of the tribe and the falls through Indigenous art and cultural exhibits, and includes a gift shop featuring art by minority and women artists.

Each of these activities has its own unique character, all beautiful and unforgettable! Please feel free to reach out to any of us for guidance and advice while planning your trip.

Thank you for your generosity, love, and support. We can't wait to celebrate our wedding day with you!