Sometimes you need a vacation but don’t want to pay for the expense of airfare or a long drive. Perhaps you just don’t have the time to go far. No worries. The Seattle area is close to all kinds of amazing places, making staycations—vacations where you stay close to home—an appealing way to get away from it all. Get away for a single night, a weekend, or a week and enjoy some much-needed relaxation right in the city or just a short drive away.

Stay at a Really Cool Hotel

Nothing makes you feel a million miles from home more than an amazing hotel. The right hotel can be a staycation all on its own. For that special staycation feeling, look for hotels with pizzazz—whether that means a luxurious environment, a low-key vacation rental, or lodging with a unique edge.

Some local suggestions:

• Edgewater Hotel – Seattle’s only waterfront hotel, and it’s a ritzy one at that!
• Thornewood Castle – A 500-year-old Tudor Gothic manor house located south of Seattle in Lakewood, WA.
• Treehouse Pointe Hotel – A hotel featuring individual treehouses!
• Boutique Hotels offer special charm and often artistic touches, such as Hotel Andra, Alexis Hotel, and Hotel Monaco.
• Luxury hotels like the Four Seasons or Grand Hyatt are also great options. Both are located in prime downtown locations to mix shopping or sightseeing with your staycation.

Go to the Beach

Within a two- or three-hour drive of Seattle is the beach! Washington’s coast has several beach towns worth exploring. Ocean Shores is popular for its quaint shops, drive-on beaches, jetty, and nearby Quinault Casino. Just across the bay is West Port, known for its fishing scene. Also, don’t miss the up-and-coming Seabrook, designed to evoke a New England beach-cottage town.

Go Wine Tasting

Just a half-hour from Seattle is Woodinville—a wine taster’s paradise! Tour wineries and breweries, such as the popular Red Hook Brewery. There are amazing bike trails that wind through rolling hills, perfect for biking between wineries. Willows Lodge is ideally situated right in the middle of the action, with several wineries nearby and the delightful, upscale restaurant Barking Frog located right on the hotel’s grounds.

Enjoy National and State Parks

National and state parks are ideal staycation spots for nature lovers. Washington State boasts several national parks within a short drive of the city, including Mt. Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park. Activities include camping, hiking, fishing, and climbing. Additionally, state parks offer other options, including unique accommodations like yurts.

Pretend You’re in NYC

Seattle and Tacoma both feature exceptional theaters, including the Paramount Theatre, 5^th Avenue Theatre, and Pantages Theater. All of these historical venues host amazing musicals and plays throughout the season. While you won’t exactly feel like you’re in New York City’s Broadway, with the right musical, an enjoyable dinner, and perhaps an overnight stay at a luxurious hotel with a view of the city lights, it may feel close enough!

Have a Museum Fest or Explore the Arts

Once you settle on your hotel or lodging choice, the next step is selecting suitable staycation activities. Staying at a hotel in downtown Seattle or Tacoma gives you access to explore the numerous museums and art galleries in both cities. In Seattle, don’t miss the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and the Museum of Pop Culture. In Tacoma, staying downtown allows for walking or riding the light rail to Tacoma Art Museum, Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, and LeMay – America’s Car Museum.

Kickback to Some Sports

If a staycation isn’t complete without a game, never fear! Consider staying at the Silver Cloud Hotel – Seattle Stadium, located conveniently between Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field. Regardless of which stadium you choose, you will avoid traffic and can conveniently walk to and from the game. The hotel is also situated close to the Pyramid Alehouse Restaurant, making it a perfect choice for sports enthusiasts!