Alaska Bucket List ~ South Central Region

Posted on by cwolfgram714

Today we move further north into Alaska and visit the region that is home to the larger city of Anchorage.

Anchorage

  • Alaska Native Heritage Center: Shares the heritage of Alaska’s 11 major cultural groups.
  • Alaska Zoo: Features many “cold weather” species.
  • Anchorage Museum: Tells the history of the state.
  • Chugah State Park: One of the largest state parks in the nation.

Chitina

  • Kennecott Mines National Historic Landmark: This old mining area is located within Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.

Chugiak

  • Eklutna Historical Park: Features an old Russian Orthodox log cabin church and colorful spirit boxes in the cemetery.

Copper Center

  • Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve: Four mountain ranges can be found in this park.

Homer

  • Kachemak Bay State Park: Located on the bay, this was Alaska’s first state park.

Seward

  • Alaska Sealife Center: Premiere aquarium in Alaska with a mammal rehabilitation center.
  • Kenai Fjord National Park: Explore the glaciers that still flow from the Harding icefield.

Trapper Creek

  • Denali State Park: Located just to the east of Denali National Park, this park is one of the most beautiful in the region.

All attractions found in the 2019 Alaska Travel Guide.

Alaska Bucket List ~ Inside Passage Region

Posted on by cwolfgram714

Today we move into the “Final Frontier” of Alaska. We will begin this series in the Inside Passage region, which includes the capitol city of Juneau.

Gustavus

  • Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve: Filled with glaciers, fjords, mountains, and a temperate rainforest, there’s a little bit of everything at this park.

Haines

  • Fort William H. Seward National Historic Landmark: Location of a military fort during boundary disputes with Canada and the Gold Rush.

Juneau

  • Admiralty Island National Monument: National Monument site located within the Tongass National Forest.
  • Mendenhall Glacier: 13 mile long glacier located just outside of town.
  • Tongass National Forest: America’s largest national forest and a great place to view Alaska wildlife.

Ketchikan

  • Misty Fjords National Monument: Steep rock walls along the sea covered with layers of rain forest.
  • Totem Bright State Historical Park: Park known for its hand carved totem poles.

Sitka

  • American Flag Raising Site National Historic Landmark: Site of the first American flag raised after Russian America was sold to the United States.
  • Sitka National Historical Park: Known for its iconic totem poles.
  • St. Michael’s Russian Cathedral National Historic Landmark: Earliest Orthodox cathedral in the New World.

Skagway

  • Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park: Discover the history of the Alaska Gold Rush.

All attractions found in the 2019 Alaska Travel Guide.

Washington Bucket List ~ North Cascades Region

Posted on by cwolfgram714

Today we reach the final region of Washington before heading to the north towards Alaska! We end with the magnificent North Cascades.

Bellingham

  • Larrabee State Park: Forested park with many trails and a beach area that offers views of the sunset over the San Juan Islands.
  • Spark Museum of Electrical Invention: Interactive exhibits about how electricity experimentation has changed over time.

Deming

  • Artist Point: Offers views of glacier-encased Mount Baker.
  • Nooksack Falls: Dramatic 88 foot cascade.

Marblemount

  • Ladder Creek Falls: Take an evening walk when it is illuminated.

Mt. Vernon

  • Padilla Bay National Estuarine Reserve: Walk along the shore trail for a chance to see seals and falcons.
  • RoozenGaarde: One of the world’s largest flower farms.

Rockport

  • Diablo Lake Vista Point: View the dazzling lake and mountain peaks.
  • Gorge Powerhouse: Take a tour of this 1930’s hydroelectric station.

Sedro-Woolley

  • North Cascades National Park: Home to many waterfalls and 1/3 of the glaciers in the lower 48.

All attractions found in the 2019 Washington State Visitor Guide.

Washington Bucket List ~ The Islands Region

Posted on by cwolfgram714

Off the coast of Washington is an archipelago of 172 islands. Here are just a few things I’d like to explore in that area.

Anacortes

  • Deception Pass State Park: Explore the wonder of the cantilevered bridge.

Camano

  • Cama Beach Historical State Park: Take in views of the Olympic Mountains from this park.

Friday Harbor

  • Lime Kiln Point State Park: Also known as “Whale Watch Park.”
  • Whale Museum: Promotes and protects the orca whale population.

Langley

  • Earth Sanctuary: Unique area to explore and unwind.
  • Langley Whale Center: Learn about the resident orca and gray whales.

All attractions found in the 2019 Washington State Visitor Guide.

Washington Bucket List ~ Greater Seattle Region

Posted on by cwolfgram714

One of the most visited areas in Washington state is the Seattle area, so naturally, this list is a bit longer than some of the others I’ve had in the Washington Bucket List series.

Bainbridge Island

  • Bainbridge Island: Hop on the ferry to explore the island and city of Bainbridge Island.

Everett

  • The Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour: Tour the jet assembly line.
  • Funko Headquarters: We love these little figurines and if you visit their headquarters you can make your own customized figure!

Issaquah

  • West Tiger Mountain 3: Trek to the mountain top for great views of Mount Rainier.

North Bend

  • Twin Falls Trail: Take this easy trail to view the falls.

Redmond

  • Microsoft Visitor Center: Learn about the history of the company at Microsoft headquarters.

Renton

  • Harvey Manning Trailhead: Take this easy trail through the Cascades and view a former anti-aircraft missile installation from the 1950’s.

Seattle

  • Amazon’s Spheres: Indoor Gardens at Amazon headquarters.
  • The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center: Provides a glimpse at how modern innovations are bettering the lives of many.
  • Columbia’s Tower: Take in the skyline views from the Sky View Observatory.
  • Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park: Learn about this event that helped to shape Seattle.
  • Museum of Flight: One of the largest air and space collections in the U.S.
  • Museum of History and Industry: Uses interactive exhibits to explore the industries that shaped Seattle.
  • Museum of Popular Culture: Learn about the region’s musical history at this museum.
  • Pike Place Market: Of course you can’t visit Seattle without visiting the famous fish market.
  • Space Needle: Of course a visit to this icon is in order when in town.
  • Starbucks Reserve Roastery: While I’m not a huge coffee fan, I do love my Fraps from Starbucks and would love to visit this giant establishment in the town where it all began.
  • Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience: Learn about the people and history that shaped this area.

Snoqualmie

  • Snoqualmie Falls: Take a short hike to see these stunning falls.

All attractions can be found in the 2019 Washington State Visitor Guide.

 

Washington Bucket List ~ North Central Region

Posted on by cwolfgram714

Today we head to a region of Washington filled with some fun hiking possibilities.

Chelan

  • Lake Chelan State Park: Explore the area around the nation’s third deepest lake.

Coulee City

  • Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park: Look out over the cliff of what was once the planet’s largest waterfall.

Grand Coulee

  • Grand Coulee Dam: Take a tour of this mighty dam.
  • North Dam Park: Explore the works of art in the Gehrke Windmill Garden.

Leavenworth

  • The Enchantments: Explore this crowning glory of the area.
  • Icicle Creek Trail: Take in a beautiful hike in the area.

Moses Lake

  • Potholes State Park: Popular park for birding.

Stehekin

  • Rainbow Falls State Park: Walk, bike, or take a vintage bus to this state park.

Tonasket

  • McLaughlin Canyon Trail: This route was once used by the Hudson Bay Company.

Wenatchee

  • Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail: 88 pieces of art dot this 11 mile trail.
  • Pybus Public Market: One stop spot for all sorts of food and treats.

All attractions found in the 2019 Washington State Visitors Guide.

Washington Bucket List~ Northeast Region

Posted on by cwolfgram714

We’ve got a very short list today in the northeast corner of the state!

Cheney

  • Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge: Provides opportunities to see lots of native wildlife like beaver, elk, and trumpeter swans.

Spokane

  • Riverfront Park: Take in the views from the SkyRide Gondolas and visit the town’s namesake falls.

All attractions found in the 2019 Washington State Visitor Guide.