Diablo Dam Tour
Clipper Adventures offers a way to see some of the North Cascades' best scenery in one day. Its Diablo Dam tour leaves Seattle for the town of Newhalem during the summer. After a stop at the Skagit General Store, famous for its fudge, you'll head off to the top of Diablo Dam, which was completed in 1936 and supplies power to the city of Seattle. Then you'll board a bus for a scenic trip along Diablo Lake and State Route 20, which winds through the mountains known as "America's Alps." The tour cost includes a continental breakfast, a tour escort and a guide.
Mount Rainier National Park Tour
If you want to see Mount Rainier National Park but only have one day, try Gray Line of Seattle's 10-hour sightseeing tour. The bus leaves Seattle and heads to the new Paradise Visitors' Center, where you'll find park rangers and exhibits to help you understand the mountain. Lunch is on you at the Visitors' Center or in the restaurant at historic Paradise Lodge. Along the way, your bus stops at several of the park's best scenic viewpoints and waterfalls. This isn't a trip for backpackers--bulky packs and gear aren't allowed on board--but for those short on time, this is a way to visit Washington's most recognizable mountain.
San Juan Islands
Puget Sound's San Juan Islands are famous for whale watching, bicycling and a relaxed pace of life. San Juan Transit, on San Juan Island, offers a good way for visitors to experience the island's history and scenery. Tours leave from Cannery Landing, near the ferry dock, and visit a lavender farm, a whale-watching beach and Friday Harbor. Bus drivers serve as tour guides, answering questions about the island's history and inhabitants. Since many visitors arrive in the San Juans without a car, this tour gets you to all of the island's major attractions.
