At Macaroni Kid we pride ourselves on local content, but we also know that sometimes you want to get out of town and seek adventure for the day, or even a weekend. Here is just one, in a series of articles, about easy mini adventures you can take with your family.
Welcome to the Snoqualmie Valley, Washington.
Located approximately 30 miles east of Seattle, the Snoqualmie Valley is made up of several towns, including North Bend, Snoqualmie, Preston and Fall City. It's a perfect place for a day trip with the family, with so much to do and see, especially if you love to be outside!
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TOP SPOTS TO VISIT:
- Regular Season Train Rides run Saturdays and Sunday, April thru October.
- Special Events list, including Day Out with Thomas, Halloween Storytelling Train and Santa Train
- Various locations
- Located between Fall City and Snoqualmie, a visit to the 268-foot falls is a must for any local or visitor to the region.
- Insider secret (and a way to avoid the crowded parking lot), start the hike at the bottom of the falls. From Snoqualmie, head toward Fall City and follow the signs. The hike ascends (or descends, if you start near the Salish Lodge) about 300 feet in a half mile. Switchbacks through the forest provide coolness in the summer months. This hike is easy for all ages and since the park allows pets, bring the whole family!
- Located in North Bend, Rattlesnake Ledge is a scenic, 4-mile round trip hike, with an elevation gain of 1160 ft. The views of Rattlesnake Lake and the entire Snoqualmie Valley and beyond, are worth every step you take to enjoy them!
- By now you see the pattern, hiking is one of the great things to do in the Snoqualmie Valley. Mount Si is no joke as the four-mile trail (8-miles round trip) ascends to 3,500 feet at the summit ridge. Little Si, the neighbor and little brother to Mount Si, is a fairly easy 3.7 mile trail that starts and ends with steep inclines. With an elevation gain of 1,300 feet, Little Si may be smaller than Mount Si, but it's still a great climb.
- Over the past few years, the Snoqualmie Valley has definitely become a wine tasting destination. Most of the wineries are as unique as the wines they sell, but all are worth stopping for a visit if you're planning a girl's trip or romantic weekend.
- Convergence Zone Cellars (North Bend)
- Pearl and Stone Wine Co. (North Bend)
- Sigillo Cellars (Snoqualmie)
- Mt. Si Winery (Snoqualmie)
- Chateau NoElle Vineyards & Winery (Snoqualmie)
- William Grassie Wine Estates (Snoqualmie Ridge & Fall City)
- Fivash Cellars (Fall City)
- And if beer is more your thing, you've got Volition Brewing (North Bend), Snoqualmie Falls Brewery and No Boat Brewing Company (Snoqualmie) to fill your hops needs (and all are kid-friendly too).
- The the Snoqualmie Casino is not kid-friendly, the restaurants are. So, if you're looking for some casino fun, after wine tasting, or you're wanting to treat your family to an amazing meal, the Snoqualmie Casino will not disappoint. The casino also has an amazing line-up of musical acts and comedians all year round.
- To say Historic Snoqualmie is charming would be an understatement. Just a mile east of the Falls, Historic Snoqualmie offers visitors a slower pace in this frantic world. Unique shops, with local owners, will draw you in with a welcoming smile and have you returning for the amazing merchandise. Check their Facebook page for upcoming events like Wine Walks, holiday events (everything from Easter to Halloween to Christmas) and Cookie Crawls.
- Located in North Bend, the Premium Outlets are a destination itself. From Nike and Gap to Claire's and Carter's, there is something for your whole family at the Outlets.
- The popular TV show from the early 90's was filmed (and filmed again in 2017) in and around the Snoqualmie Valley. You can check out the list of landmarks here.
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Photos credit: Diana Reul
