DAY TRIPS

Day Trips from Wild Olive

Three Pacific Northwest destinations worth making a day of while using Wild Olive as your Tacoma home base.

Mount Rainier National Park

Approximately 60 miles • About 1½ hours

Mount Rainier is one of the destinations our guests visit most often, and it's easy to understand why. We love the variety of hiking opportunities throughout the national park and visit year-round to enjoy the changing seasons and different terrain.

In warmer months, the park offers hiking, scenic drives, wildflowers, and incredible mountain views. Winter brings a completely different landscape and its own opportunities to enjoy the snow. And even if hiking isn't part of your plans, the drive itself is beautiful and makes the trip worthwhile.

Our tip: Don't feel like you have to see everything in one visit. Pick an area of the park that fits the season and the amount of time you have, enjoy the drive, and give yourself time to explore. Conditions can change quickly—especially in winter—so check current park and road conditions before leaving.

Mount Rainier travel note: Distance and drive time vary depending on which area of the national park you visit. Approximately 60 miles and 1½ hours is a general estimate from Wild Olive. Seasonal road closures, snow, weather, and park conditions can affect access, and some areas may not be reachable at certain times of year.

Snoqualmie Falls & Salish Lodge

36 miles • Approximately 50–60 minutes

Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington's most impressive waterfalls, with water plunging 268 feet into the valley below.

There are two observation areas where visitors can take in the falls, including an ADA-accessible viewing area.

The falls also hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Snoqualmie Tribe, which considers Snoqualmie Falls a sacred birthplace of creation and an important spiritual site.

For television fans, the falls may look familiar. Snoqualmie Falls was featured prominently in the opening credits of the cult-classic television series Twin Peaks.

Salish Lodge & Spa

Right next to the falls is Salish Lodge & Spa, an iconic Pacific Northwest destination in its own right. The lodge offers multiple dining options and a wonderful gift shop filled with Pacific Northwest-themed gifts and souvenirs.

Even if you're primarily visiting to see the falls, it's worth allowing some extra time to explore the lodge and enjoy the setting.

Our tip: We enjoy stopping at Salish Lodge for lunch and spending some time browsing the gift shop. Combining the breathtaking falls with a meal at the lodge makes for a wonderful Pacific Northwest day trip.

Seattle & Pike Place Market

28 miles • Approximately 45 minutes

For many visitors to the Pacific Northwest, a trip to Seattle isn't complete without spending some time at Pike Place Market. Established in 1907, the market is a true piece of Seattle history and remains one of the city's most recognizable destinations.

Wander through the market and you'll find fresh flowers and produce, handmade goods, specialty foods, restaurants, and plenty of places worth exploring.

Don't Miss the Fish Toss

One of the market's best-known traditions is the flying fish at Pike Place Fish Market.

The First Starbucks

Starbucks began at Pike Place Market in 1971. There's a little historical nuance here: the first storefront was actually nearby at Pike Place and Virginia Street. Starbucks moved to the familiar 1912 Pike Place location in 1976.

Head Down to the Waterfront

Don't limit your visit to the market itself. Continue down to Seattle's waterfront, where you'll find the Seattle Aquarium and Seattle Great Wheel.

Our tip: Don't try to rush through Pike Place. Give yourself plenty of time to explore the market, grab something to eat, wander through downtown, and make your way down to the waterfront. Make a whole day of it.

Drive times are approximate and may vary depending on traffic, weather, road conditions, and your destination.