Seattle TravelGram

Savoring Seattle Beer Week

Mira — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:16:16 +0000

One of the best things about Spring in the Northwest is Seattle Beer Week. You might ask, “isn’t every week beer week in Seattle?” Valid question! Cascadia has quickly become the home of the craft beer uprising. Breweries have been popping up on the nano level and the culture and community around the craft is booming. So yes, we do celebrate beer in every season, but this week it’s in hyperdrive!

Through May 20th, restaurants, breweries and pubs will be hosting a variety of events ranging from brewers paired dinners, to trivia nights, to fund raisers.

Check HERE for a list of all events, or stop by one of these hand picked by Seattle TravelGram!

05/14 from 06:30 PM-10:00 PM at McCormick & Schmick’s

Join us for four courses, each paired with a Widmer Brothers beer, at the McCormick & Schmick’s on 1st Ave. Pre-sale tickets $59.95 available at McCormicks, reserve your seat today.

05/15 from 05:00 PM-11:00 PM at Brouwer’s Cafe

5 Burgers, 5 world class brewers, and at the end there can only be one.
Confirmed Brewers: Reigning champs, Fremont Brewing (WA) taking on this year’s challengers New Belgium Brewing Co. (CO), 21st Amendment (CA), Black Raven (WA) and Hair of the Dog (OR).

05/16 from 07:30 PM-11:00 PM at Pyramid Breweries’ Seattle Alehouse

Get your brains working and you might win some free Pyramid swag. And bragging rights.

05/17 from 04:00 PM-05:00 PM at Taylor Shellfish Farms

Widmer Brothers Hefeweizen and specialty Oyster Stout perfectly paired with a variety of fresh local oysters by the experts at Taylor Shellfish Farms. Oyster and beer flight pre-sale at Taylor Shellfish

05/17 from 07:00 PM-11:00 PM at Pyramid Breweries’ Seattle Alehouse

Enjoy a four-course, beer-paired dinner featuring our special Beer Week Cask Barley Wine. The dinner includes a brewery tour and a free growler to take home. 7 p.m. $45, all-inclusive. Advanced purchase required. Tickets available at: http://www.pyramidseattle.eventbrite.com

05/18 from 07:00 PM-10:00 PM at Historic Flight Foundation

Beer Flights -A Fundraiser for Historic Flight Foundation Education Fund

A comparison of several different craft beers is called a beer flight. Our inaugural “Beer Flights”, as envisioned by event sponsor, Pike Brewing Company, is a festive celebration of flight and spring, with all proceeds supporting the Historic Flight Foundation’s Education Fund. This unique fund provides training opportunities to students of all ages interested in aviation, restoration and the history of flight, some of whom you’ll meet throughout the evening.

Climb on board to taste your way through flights of craft beers, fine wines and a variety of cuisines provided by elite restaurants and specialty food producers. Explore a superb collection of beautifully restored aircraft from 1927-57. Bid for one-of-a-kind aviation experiences and paraphernalia.

1940′s Period Music by Elizabeth Hott and the Sugar Daddies
Authors, Reenactors
A Special Ale Delivered by a Special Plane

For more information: www.beerflights.org

Tickets:
www.beerflights.org/events/beer-flights/

05/19 from 01:00 PM-11:00 PM at Maritime Pacific Brewing Co

Because of the popularity of last year’s Official Kick-Off Party, the parking lot of the Jolly Roger Taproom will again be blocked off for a special summertime party. Food will be available as well as beers and live music.

05/20 from 12:00 PM-03:00 PM at Fremont Brewing Company

The 2nd Annual “Oh My Gawd, What Have I Done to My Liver!” free BBQ. Come to our Urban Beer Garden between 12pm-3pm and get yer BBQ, have a frothy beverage and take pride in surviving SBW 2012.

Pic of the Week!

Mira — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:21:11 +0000

Musicians, Pike Place Market

Seattle, WA

Photo: Mira Anselmi, www.mirastories.com

Have an awesome photo to share from your travels in the Pacific Northwest? Email it to us and you might be featured as Seattle TravelGram’s Pic of the Week!

Jazz Hands

Mira — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:44:56 +0000

What a gorgeous May! All this great weather brings Seattelites out of the woodwork. We’re so ecstatic when the sun is shining, we need to dance it out! Check out this great lineup at Jazz Alley for the rest of May:

STANDARD SHOW TIMES
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday at 7:30pm
Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm and 9:30pm

Iconic Guitarist and Tonight Show Legend Returns to Jazz Alley in Support of his New Release ZEN FOOD

Kevin Eubanks Quartet
May 17 – 20, $26.50

Choklate, Seattle-Based Songstress Blending R&B, Hip-Hop & Soul

Choklate with Special Guests Opus
May 22 – 23, $20.50

Premiere Soulful Vocal Group - "Shining Star", "Kiss and Say Goodbye" and more.

The Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston and Blue Lovett
May 24 – 27, $30.50

Seattle’s Favorite Gypsy Jazz Quintet Celebrate Their New Release “Eleven”

Pearl Django CD Release Celebration

May 29 – 30, $21.50

Electric Blues Vocalist – A Force!

Shemekia Copeland
May 31 – June 3, $24.50

Sun is Shining on the Salish Sea

Mira — Sat, 12 May 2012 17:13:19 +0000

Spring! It has been truly amazing this year after a winter that was mild in the lowlands and dumped snow in the mountains just as it should! Spring in Cascadia means cherry blossoms, tulips and daffodils, salmon fighting their way back through the locks, migrating birds bringing songs of far off places, transient pods of marine mammals coming back to the Puget Sound and the waters mythically known as the Salish Sea coming to life. You can get in on the action and out on the water with an Argosy cruise!

Here are just a few tours they offer to get your feet off land:

While you’re there, you can pick up a TourSaver coupon book, sold at the Argosy Cruises Visitor’s Center on Piers 55/56, and get 2-for-1 deals on these cruises and much more! MAP

Front Country Wonder, Back Country Bliss

Mira — Sat, 12 May 2012 01:22:53 +0000

Wow! Seattle based tour operator Evergreen Escapes has paired up with local thrill seekers KAF Adventures to offer an amazing Pacific Northwest experience! Part nature, part food and wine, part guided backpacking and part luxury lodges? Only in Cascadia I tell ya! If you are interested in getting beyond the visitor centers and into the wild, this would be a fantastic, fun, safe and down right delicious way to do it! Departs in August!

Olympic World Heritage Center “Rainforest, Peaks and Beaches” is an all-inclusive and one-of-a-kind six-day journey, the perfect combination of luxury and ruggedness. EverGreen Escapes “Escape Artist” Naturalist Guides will combine their expert natural history knowledge with unique lodging experiences, gourmet fare with a regional flair and local brew and wines both before and after your journey through the majesty and wonder of the Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the trail, you will be led by one of KAF’s professional mountain guides. This carefully crafted trip, offering both cultural and wilderness enrichment, is a journey that you will remember for decades. Beginners are welcome!

Trip Highlights:

Welcome Reception at Port Ludlow Resort
Hurricane Ridge
Native Art Gallery, witness the indigenous art of woodcarving
Lake Crescent & Lake Quinault
Rialto, Ruby and Kalaloch Beaches
Hoh Rainforest
Hood Canal
Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Fine spirits and foods traditional to the area
Shops and stops that encompass the culture at the heart of the Olympic Peninsula
3-days 2 nights backpacking experience through towering old growth rain forests with KAF Adventures
Learn technical backpacking skills, ecology of the Pacific Northwest, and environmental ethics (LNT)
6 to 10 miles per day backpacking on moderate terrain through the Quinault Drainage and the Dosewallips drainage.
Luxury lodging at Port Ludlow Resort, Quinault Lodge, Alderbrook Resort & Spa

Length: 6-day

Departs:

August 22, 2012
August 14, 2013

Helloooo Cascadia

Mira — Fri, 11 May 2012 23:22:21 +0000

CASCADIA – It is what we in the Pacific Northwest (Cascadians) call the region that stretches from Oregon to Canada along the Cascade Mountains. OK the exact borders are debatable, but the point is that it’s a region connected not by nationality, but by common culture and extraordinary landscapes. We love this place and we’re back to show you why by bringing you all of the exciting things to do and see, whether you’re a first time visitor or a long time local. We’ll give you tips and advice covering everything from the best spots for a dinner cruise in Seattle, to whale watching at San Juan Island, to getting pampered in Victoria! We’ll share our top picks for everything from must-see art shows, to must-visit wineries, to must-try adventures!

Plus we’ll show you ways to do it on a budget with the Seattle TourSaver® book for tons of deals on top Northwest attractions!

Stay tuned, because we’re back from hiatus and we have SO much to share with you!

Remember, have fun!

Float Trip and Bald Eagle Viewing on the Skagit River

zoom — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:00:19 +0000

Join Pacific Science Center Jan. 8 on a Destination Discovery experience to see the largest gathering of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states! There will be experienced naturalist guides on each boat leading the ten-mile float trip through the protected section of the Skagit River.

Price

Pacific Science Center Members: $125 per adult; $85 per child under 13.
Non-members: $150 per adult; $100 per child under 13.
Includes hot lunch, river gear, and sales tax PLUS all trip proceeds return to benefit Pacific Science Center!

Reservations
Contact Leah Hausman at (206) 443-3642 or email travel@pacsci.org to purchase your tickets. Please make your reservations by January 3, 2011. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Meet Time & Location
10:00pm at Howard Miller Steelhead County Park. You are responsible for your own transportation to and from the meeting location.

North Cascades Climbing

zoom — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 08:00:31 +0000

Located in the remote northwest corner of the country, North Cascades National Park is known for its stunning jagged peaks, towering waterfalls, deep river valleys, and is adorned by more glaciers than any other park outside of Alaska. Take a weekend away with certified rock climbing guides who have dedicated their lives to teaching people how to climb in this protected wilderness. 2011 trip dates are:

Jul 29–31
Aug 5–7
Aug 19–21
Sep 3–5
Sep 9–11

Cost $695 for REI Members, $765 for non-members. For more information about REI’s adventure travel trips, visit the REI website.

Whistler Backpacking

zoom — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:02:50 +0000

Board the gondola in The Village and continue to the top of Whistler Mountain to hike the beautiful alpine trails overlooking the entire valley below. Delight in flower-filled meadows and spectacular views in every direction as our trail crosses the rolling Musical Bumps and alpine ridgelines on route to Russet Lake. Getaway to the Whistler Alpine with guides who will share their in-depth knowledge of the areas cultural history and the story of natural forces that have shaped this spectacular landscape. 2011 trip dates are:

Jul 28–31
Aug 11–14
Aug 18–21
Aug 25–28
Sep 2–5 Labor Day
Sep 8–11

Cost $625 for REI Members, $695 for non-members. For more information about REI’s adventure travel trips, visit the REI website.

Olympic Sculpture Park

zoom — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:41:26 +0000

The Olympic Sculpture Park has transformed a nine-acre industrial site into open and vibrant green space for art. This new waterfront park gives Seattle residents and visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of sculpture in an outdoor setting, while enjoying the incredible views and beauty of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. The Olympic Sculpture Park is open and FREE to the public 365 days a year!

Olympic Sculpture Park is located at 2901 Western Avenue in Seattle. Call (206) 654-3100 for more information.