Spokane
This big little city is full of surprises. One of the largest urban waterfalls in the U.S. rolls right through downtown; flanking the falls is 100-acre Riverfront Park, site of the 1974 World’s Fair. Now, it’s a favorite hangout for all, with an IMAX theater, a tour train, outdoor art, and a classic 1909 carousel. Look for little brown bumps on the hillsides-they’ re marmots. For a thrill, take a gondola ride over the lower falls of the Spokane River. Hand-feed chicken necks to a lion, if you dare, at Cat Tales Zoological Park.
Yakima
Surprise! Washington State is the second-largest producer of premium wine in the United States, home to nearly 100 wineries. Most wineries offer tasting rooms. Some are clustered in the Greater Puget Sound area; some in the Yakima Valley-look for Covey Run, Eaton Hill, and Zillah Oakes Winery.
Seattle
Seattle is home to a blend of cultures, outdoor recreation and a host of major attractions and sports. Cultural diversity permeates this Northwest center, and outdoor recreation ranges from sailing and ocean fishing to hiking and downhill skiing. Fine ethnic foods are well represented in the selection of more than 2,200 restaurants, which also feature seafood and other fresh culinary delights. Discover the Waterfront and tour the Pike Place Market. Urban attractions include the Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo and the Space Needle. Shop and dine city style or experience the lakes, Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. This jewel of the Northwest offers spectacular mountain ranges and nearby Pacific Ocean beaches.