Move aside Finland and Norway, Colorado’s selling tickets to Mother Nature’s best show and securing tickets is easier than ever before. A recent peak in the solar cycle’s sunspot activity means the mile-high state has been promoted to the Northern Lights big leagues.
And Colorado already boasts massive bragging rights. The mountainous Rockies, dark star-studded skies and picturesque national parks all combine to make the state a premier destination for nature lovers. That’s not new information. But adding in frequent and consistent sightings of those legendary green and pink swirls just feels a little like showing off.
The state has also been blessed with 11 DarkSky International Parks free from light pollution including Black Canyon of the Gunnisen National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area, and if you want to catch some serious natural phenomena those are the places to start. Although, some reports have even suggested the auroras will show their shiny faces as far south as Boulder and Fort Collins.
But searching for iconic twinkling lights isn’t the only nighttime adventure you can have in Colorado. From looking for UFOs in Hoover (a supposed hotspot for alien activity) and discovering DarkSky communities to watching a northern lights laser show for when the universe doesn’t deliver on the real thing, you’ll never be bored in this state when the sun goes down.
Or you could always settle in at Telluride Ski Resort for some serious ski and snowboard action and of course, a lot of Aurora Borealis watching.
Welcome to The Newsroom in New York, where gossip swirls around the space quicker than the bartenders can whip up their intoxicating cocktails. Located just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the city, this salacious bar is the perfect blend of classy, quirky, and chaotic—much like your favourite Daily Mail headline.
As you walk through a 1920’s newsstand (the entrance), you’re immediately transported into a world that feels like a cosy yet scandalous press conference. There’s vintage newspaper clippings strewn around, a neon-lit bar ready to serve up some piping hot tea (your new favourite cocktails) and aerialist performances starting from 7:20pm for those able to drag themselves away from the writing desk.
Try “The Front Page” where the vodka/matcha combo packs a punch strong enough to knock your socks off. Or how about a “Columnist Quencher”, a botanist gin and chambord concoction that’s way too easy to drink. Of course they have classic cocktails too but who wants a cosmopolitan when you can have an “Editors Punch”?
And we haven’t touched the snack menu yet. Straight from the brilliant culinary mind of celebrity Yankees chef Ricardo Cardona, these Latin-European fusion dishes could easily make the front page of your tastebuds— think filet mignon taquitos, chickpea dusted sautéed-shrimp and triple pork pizza.
Okay, we’ve flogged the news angle to death but this place is so cool. Which is really saying something given New York City is home to more cool bars than Times Square has LED lights.
So, whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day in the office or are just in the mood for some spirited banter, The Newsroom has got you covered.
I’ve stayed in my fair share of fancy hotels, but Hotel Ziggy in West Hollywood? It’s like a rock ‘n’ roll fever dream that somehow serves cocktails with way too much swagger. You walk in and immediately think, “Am I cool enough to be here?” Spoiler alert: you’re not. But that’s part of the fun.
The lobby feels like you’ve just wandered into a Rolling Stones album cover. Vinyl records line the walls, and there’s more neon lighting than a dive bar at 3 a.m. It’s got that “I don’t care what time it is, let’s party” energy, which is exactly what I was going for. Except, you know, with a side of West Hollywood glam.
The rooms? Let’s just say I felt like I was crashing in Mick Jagger’s guest room – if Mick had Wi-Fi and a minibar stocked with artisanal gummy bears. There’s a vinyl player in the room (obviously), and they practically encourage you to blast it. I half-expected a roadie to knock on my door and hand me a setlist for the night’s gig.
But let’s be honest: you’re not staying at Ziggy for the thread count on the sheets. You’re here because this place bleeds personality. The rooftop pool is where it’s at – perched above the Sunset Strip, it’s got that laid-back, sun-drenched L.A. vibe, complete with inflatable unicorns. You’re up there sipping cocktails with names like “Hotel California” while pretending you don’t notice that actual celebrities might be tanning a few loungers away. No big deal.
Downstairs, B-Side Pizza is doing its thing, serving pizza so good it could convince you to give up all other food groups. You’ve got to appreciate a place that gives you pizza, booze, and vinyl – it’s a triple threat that just makes sense. It’s loud, unapologetic, and just the right amount of indulgent.
So yeah, if you’re in West Hollywood and looking to sleep where the vibe doesn’t quit, Hotel Ziggy is your backstage pass. Just don’t expect a peaceful retreat – this place is pure, amplified chaos.
There’s nothing cooler than staying in a themed AirBnb. First it was Barbie’s Dreamhouse, then it was the Weasley’s quidditch world cup tent and now, guests can stay overnight in the two-storey, three-bedroom home iconic singer Prince used in his film Purple Rain.
That’s right, you can literally live like (a) Prince by sleeping in a remodelled room that looks exactly like The Kid’s basement bedroom. There’s purple lighting, shaggy carpet, Prince sheet music and even a mural of eyes over the bed to look at you while you sleep.
Click play to watch
But you don’t have to dream & dash. Included in the price of your stay is an exclusive tour of the rest of the Purple Rain House which is full of priceless Prince Memorabilia. You’ll even be treated to some never-heard-before tunes from the Purple Rain recording sessions, as well as a chance to speak with the ones hosting it all, Prince’s former Revolution bandmates, Wendy and Lisa.
Get in quick though. This unique stay is offered as part of the accommodation giant’s ‘icon’ experiences in line with the film’s 40th anniversary, but will only be available to rent for one year.
AirBnB’s other icon experiences also include livin’ it up in the VIP area with Kevin Hart, drifting off for a night in the ‘UP’ house and jamming with Doja Cat in an intimate living room session.
If you’ve ever fantasised about cracking a laugh or two with a few Hollywood heavyweights, then Airbnb’s just given you your best chance.
Forget hopping on a celebrity sightseeing bus because Kevin Hart has invited you into his private speakeasy for a night of tequila, dancing and performances by some of the best comedians in the biz—we’re talking dance battles, roaming cocktails and some epic names he refuses to drop.
Set in the uber-exclusive, members-only Coramino Live Lounge, this experience will not only make you feel like a VIP, it’ll have you acting like one. He’s really bringing out all the stops—think velvet ropes you don’t have to wait behind, fancy plant-based appetisers (that’s some real LA shit), free flowing Gran Caromino (his own tequila label), laser cut ice cubes and the best beat-bringing DJ Kevin Hart type money can buy.
This isn’t just a comedy show, it’s inner circle kinda stuff. And it’s fancy, like closed-toed shoes fancy.
But there’ll be photo ops (let us know if he’s taller in person), potential ACL-tearing dance moves and a whole lotta laughs, so we reckon this is one experience to dust off your nice shirt for.
Hold onto your glowsticks: history is about to take place in Las Vegas with the first ever EDM gig at The Sphere.
This feels like more than just any old electronic dance gig; more of a seismic shift in Vegas’ party scene.
The Sphere is the world’s hottest ticket. The $2.3 billion, 17,500-seat live entertainment venue being built just east of The Venetian Expo in Vegas is the largest sphere-shaped building in the world, standing 111 metres tall and 157 metres wide at its widest point.
A laser controlled, consistent and crystal-clear concert-grade audio sound system gives every single audience member the perfect listening experience – whether you’re front row or right at the back. The sphere wraps around to display the most extraordinary visuals ever seen on this planet – think giant eyeballs, life in outer space and immersive new worlds. The Sphere’s modus operandi is immersive experiences and mind-blowing visuals that’ll make you question if you’re even on Earth anymore.What a great place to do mushies.
Anyma is the lucky one they’ve chosen to fill the spherical marvel with beats. The Italian DJ is known for infectious tunes and mind-bending light shows, and has the next six months to work on an A-game to bring to The Sphere. The shows take place in the last week of December – after Christmas and then a huge New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day show, in what is absolutely the most epic way to bring in 2025.
I always get excited when I see an email from my editor about a new travel assignment.
My mind races; perhaps I’ll be experiencing ancient tea ceremonies in the Bhutanese mountains or forging an Arctic path in a luxury icebreaker. There have even been hushed talks of Virgin Galactic taking adventurous journalists on missions to space. Texas, however, is not what I consider an exotic destination. And Grapevine, frankly, sounds like a fake place.
So when I’m invited to journey to the small Texan town of Grapevine to cover a wine festival, I have to read the email twice. Grapevine, Texas. Alas, I’m indeed going to a small intersection between Dallas and Fort Worth that is—apparently—going to knock my socks off. Skeptically, I begin to pack.
As a proud cityslicker from the Yankee part of the US, Texas is quite far off my radar. I’m not into trucks, boots, guns, or livestock, so I normally opt for the saucy Barcelona subculture or the untread beaches in the Marquesas. But all cynicism melts away as I get into my Uber and am met with a warm Texan welcome.
“Oh man, you’re going to GrapeFest? I’m so jealous,” the ridiculously chipper driver, named Shannon, says with genuine excitement. “I’m driving all morning to make some extra cash so I can get down there myself and have-a-time!” According to Shannon, Grapevine—and GrapeFest—is kind of a big deal.
Shannon drops me at the end of Grapevine’s Main Street and that’s when I realise just how big of a deal it is. As far as the eye can see, Bacchanalian revellers are pouring through the barriers and into GrapeFest. I take a deep breath and enter the beautiful chaos.
Surprisingly, Texas is the fifth largest wine producer in the US and GrapeFest is one of the largest wine festivals in the world. What can you find here? Magical bubble lounges where you can sip on sparkling wine while being serenaded; the People’s Choice Award where you can sample over 100 local wines and submit your vote for the best of the bunch; and the famous grape stomping competition (which is harder and just as fun as it sounds).
Click play to watch
With or without this lively wine festival, Grapevine is a charming, somewhat magical town. Home to a classic Main Street with kitsch eateries, store owners who welcome you with “howdy!”, and a Glockenspiel clock that features an animatronic gunslinger shoot-out when it strikes 12; kids run free without worry, and adults sit in the shade talking about how lovely the weather is. People smile here.
I was wrong about Texas—it’s very exotic, and a welcome departure from the more dismissive American states.
Grapevine was founded in 1844 a year after General Sam Houston made a peace pact with 10 of the Indigenous native tribes—making it one of the earliest settlements in the country. Since then it has been the cantaloupe capital of the world (albeit briefly), home to Bonnie and Clyde, and a world-class wine hub.
Whether you’re a vino amateur, a wine enthusiast or a fully-fledged sommelier, there’s something for everyone here. After a few hours of drinking, I need a food break so I jump into a charcuterie board design class where we, yes, learn how to zhush up our house party offerings. I then stop by a wine glass workshop where I get the lowdown on what wines should be served in which glasses. Hint: full-bodied white wines, like aged chardonnay or viognier, are better in a large bowl because it emphasises the creamy texture. Honestly, this blows my mind—the glass shape changes the taste significantly.
Besides all the drinking, eating is also somewhat of a religion in Grapevine. I discover that a stop by the Grapevine Main train station is a must-do if you want epic views and a first-class food haul. You can even jump on stage for some live band karaoke, which is more than we can say for most train stations. Later I join the party at Esparza’s for authentic Tex-Mex that will satisfy even the biggest southern food connoisseur. I think I’m officially a Grapevine convert.
But what makes this place so unique is its perfectly preserved small town vibe. Walking down main street is like stepping back into a bygone western. Fancy trying your hand at a bona fide turn of the century printing press? You can do it at the Grapevine Historical Museum. Really into rodeos? Come see one of the longest running rodeos in the state. Love a honky-tonk? Billy Bobs Texas is the world’s largest. The streets here are a livewire of energy and are packed with characters that bring this western town to life.
It’s rare to find a place with such genuine hospitality. It’s like the entire town is a Disney set—that’s how welcoming Grapevine is. And while this small pocket of Texas wasn’t on my radar before, it’s definitely on my travel recommendation list now. Especially for all the wine lovers out there.
“Yes. Brennivín. Everyone here has drunk Brennivín,” says Birna, the blond, brassy bartender at Bastard sounding both like a gift and an insult in that typically Icelandic way.
The very next day I found myself pedalling south on a bike along the sea to Garðabær (no idea, before you ask) to see if I could wrap my lips around this mythical elixir that was, if nothing else, purely Icelandic.
Eimverk Distillerysits quietly beyond a round-a-bout, and a low-key facade from the outside, giving away no hint that you’re outside one of the northernmost distilleries in the world. It’s only when you move inside that you start to feel its magical power from the ancient Viking symbols which grace the walls and which are burnt deep into locally made barrels. As an alcohol anthropologist this was like discovering a newly contacted civilization.
Click play to WATCH
Brennivín is considered Icelandic’s signature distilled beverage. The original bottle (produced by the Government) displayed a white skull on a black label warning against consumption, and was sometimes referred to as ‘svarti dauði’ (black death). This rather grim marketing was designed to be visually unappealing, therefore limiting demand. It didn’t work. For decades, Brennivín became the drink of choice for Icelanders, and a must-try for travellers.
“We make wonderful gin and aquavit here, but I think we are most remembered for our whisky, Flóki. Well, remembered if you don’t drink too much of it,” says Erik with a straight face as he lined up several drams of various handcrafted delights. Eimverk Distillery, like most of Iceland, takes extreme pride in their craft, and sources pretty much everything locally. This includes their winter barley, which grows during an extremely short summer season — making this some of the rarest small batch whisky in the world.
“Most Icelandic people have a still in their house. We have just taken what we all do at home, and do it on a larger scale. Did you ever think you would drink shit and like it?”
Again, straight face. What has already been tasted cannot be untasted, but fortunately this century-old technique actually yields a surprisingly smooth, floral and even a little earthy whiskey, that is nothing else is unlike anything I’ve tasted before.
“We named the whisky after the Viking that discovered Iceland in 868. He was named Hrafna-Flóki because three ravens were said to lead him to Iceland.” (NOTE: Hrafna-Flóki Google translated to ‘Raven Complex’. We think something has been lost here, but it makes the raven stuff make sense).
Like Flóki I have been led somewhere; to a new favourite whisky, a millennia later, and I don’t think I will be the last person to discover this amazing distillery any time soon.
Try Flóki at Eimverk Distillery by heading to Lyngás 13, 210 Garðabær, Iceland. Check their website book a tour, and try their shit.
Excuse us if we sound dramatic, but we’re pretty sure we’ve found the best dome accommodation in British Columbia. Winderdome Resort came from turning lemons into lemonade as owners Deb and David explain. Having always wanted to show off the land and valley they love, they kicked into gear as most things were shut down during the pandemic. “It was our dream to create a place and an experience where people could come to rest, relax, and maybe even celebrate life’s special moments.”. Deb did her best at creating blueprints, David deciphered them like they were the Da Vinci Code – and with the help of many people around them they were able to open Winderdome Resort in 2022.
Canada, especially the west coast, is known for enjoying the outdoors. British Columbia is home to some of the best mountains and lakes, providing great opportunities to ski, hike, boat, fish, surf, paddle, kayak… look, if it’s an outdoor activity – you can do it in BC. The location of Winderdome Resort in Windermere provides you with a breathtaking location to relax while having you perfectly positioned to enjoy the attractions you around you. Like Swansea Mountain which has a plethora of hiking options, Windermere Lake, Radium Hot Springs in the north and Fairmont Hot Springs in the south – both just a 15-minute drive in each direction. And if you’re after 100% natural hot springs, you’ll find them at Lussier hot springs which is less than an hour south. With four hot spring pools to choose from, all with varying temperatures, it is the ideal location to sit back and take in the views of the river and mountains around you.
In winter you can take a 5-minute trip to Lake Windermere and skate across the world’s longest skating path – The Whiteway. A 34km groomed track that runs around the lake and connects the towns of Invermere and Windermere, making it a great way to explore in winter. After you’ve discovered muscles you haven’t felt or known about going across Whiteway, you can retreat to Winderdome Resort to rest and warm up. Even in the depths of winter, Deb and David make sure they crank the heating to ensure you’re nice and toasty. With three domes to choose from you can find the one that best suits your personality and taste.
Wolf Dome is decked out in rich greens that it will have you feeling like you’re in Emerald City. With red draped all around, Bear Dome is perfect for Taylor Swift and fans alike. Cougar Dome, which we thought would have the cougar uniform of leopard print is in fact filled with beautiful blues and navy.
Each dome sleeps up to 4 people with 1 king bed and 2 twin beds in the loft plus they’re fitted out with a kitchenette and bathroom, so you don’t need to worry about hiking across the sight to go to the loo. You can also chill out in the communal BBQ and pools areas that have plenty of shade on offer as well. Never underestimate that BC sun.
With prices starting from $250 a night, it almost feels like Winderdome Resort are paying you to stay there. Talk about value for money.
It is borderline ridiculous that a place likeSnoqualmie Fallscan exist within a half-hour’s drive from downtown Seattle. From the city’s famous Space Needle, take the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge and drive east for hardly any time at all before reaching the exquisite 82-metre waterfall, which the local Snoqualmie people have designated as the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer.
This is one of the best city day trips you’ll ever find and it’s not the only one you can do in Seattle—Bainbridge Island and Leavenworth are a couple of other epic adventures you can squeeze into a day from Seattle.
Methow Trails in the North Cascade Mountainsis North America’s largest cross-country ski area, with over 200km of perfectly groomed, skiable terrain. Within this 200km, there are long-distance town-to-town and lodge-to-lodge ski options and heart-pumping climbs and descents that will challenge the most seasoned mountain men and women.
All this space is good news—more room for you, more area to explore, more extraordinary landscapes to drink in. It also means you’ve got A LOT of skiing ahead of you.
It is borderline ridiculous that a place likeSnoqualmie Fallscan exist within a half-hour’s drive from downtown Seattle. From the city’s famous Space Needle, take the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge and drive east for hardly any time at all before reaching the exquisite 82-metre waterfall, which the local Snoqualmie people have designated as the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer.
This is one of the best city day trips you’ll ever find and it’s not the only one you can do in Seattle—Bainbridge Island and Leavenworth are a couple of other epic adventures you can squeeze into a day from Seattle.
The SoDo district of Seattle plays host to a number of pro sports teams. The Seattle Mariners are one of those, playing their home games at T-Mobile Park, a modern stadium with a retractable roof that also stages the occasional concert.
Get a hot dog and a beer, and sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game while taking in ‘America’s pastime’.
Methow Trails in the North Cascade Mountainsis North America’s largest cross-country ski area, with over 200km of perfectly groomed, skiable terrain. Within this 200km, there are long-distance town-to-town and lodge-to-lodge ski options and heart-pumping climbs and descents that will challenge the most seasoned mountain men and women.
All this space is good news—more room for you, more area to explore, more extraordinary landscapes to drink in. It also means you’ve got A LOT of skiing ahead of you.
It is borderline ridiculous that a place likeSnoqualmie Fallscan exist within a half-hour’s drive from downtown Seattle. From the city’s famous Space Needle, take the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge and drive east for hardly any time at all before reaching the exquisite 82-metre waterfall, which the local Snoqualmie people have designated as the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer.
This is one of the best city day trips you’ll ever find and it’s not the only one you can do in Seattle—Bainbridge Island and Leavenworth are a couple of other epic adventures you can squeeze into a day from Seattle.
The Edgewater Hotelin downtown Seattle is where the epic meets historic. It’s described as waterfront, and that’s putting it mildly—the Edgewater is so waterfront The Beatles fished out of their hotel room window when they stayed here. The lobby and restaurants are something to behold, situated right on the water, and with a blazing fire and epic bar to keep you warm in Seattle’s fresh winters.
*We’re not sure if you’re allowed to fish out of your window—it’s probably more of a Beatles thing. If you’re reading, Paul or Ringo, go right ahead lads.
The SoDo district of Seattle plays host to a number of pro sports teams. The Seattle Mariners are one of those, playing their home games at T-Mobile Park, a modern stadium with a retractable roof that also stages the occasional concert.
Get a hot dog and a beer, and sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game while taking in ‘America’s pastime’.
Methow Trails in the North Cascade Mountainsis North America’s largest cross-country ski area, with over 200km of perfectly groomed, skiable terrain. Within this 200km, there are long-distance town-to-town and lodge-to-lodge ski options and heart-pumping climbs and descents that will challenge the most seasoned mountain men and women.
All this space is good news—more room for you, more area to explore, more extraordinary landscapes to drink in. It also means you’ve got A LOT of skiing ahead of you.
It is borderline ridiculous that a place likeSnoqualmie Fallscan exist within a half-hour’s drive from downtown Seattle. From the city’s famous Space Needle, take the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge and drive east for hardly any time at all before reaching the exquisite 82-metre waterfall, which the local Snoqualmie people have designated as the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer.
This is one of the best city day trips you’ll ever find and it’s not the only one you can do in Seattle—Bainbridge Island and Leavenworth are a couple of other epic adventures you can squeeze into a day from Seattle.
While further south grabs all the attention, Westport, Washington, has quietly made a name for itself as a place to get pitted, with spots suiting both the kooks and the Kellys. Westport has three main spots: The Jetty, a consistent beach break, The Groins—a left-handed point break subject to monster tides; and The Cove, a feared shore break that bears the full brunt of the roaring North Pacific Ocean. All three are easily accessed.
If you’re not a surfer, no matter; Washington State is full of epic beaches for all kinds of beachgoers—click here for more info.
The Edgewater Hotelin downtown Seattle is where the epic meets historic. It’s described as waterfront, and that’s putting it mildly—the Edgewater is so waterfront The Beatles fished out of their hotel room window when they stayed here. The lobby and restaurants are something to behold, situated right on the water, and with a blazing fire and epic bar to keep you warm in Seattle’s fresh winters.
*We’re not sure if you’re allowed to fish out of your window—it’s probably more of a Beatles thing. If you’re reading, Paul or Ringo, go right ahead lads.
The SoDo district of Seattle plays host to a number of pro sports teams. The Seattle Mariners are one of those, playing their home games at T-Mobile Park, a modern stadium with a retractable roof that also stages the occasional concert.
Get a hot dog and a beer, and sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game while taking in ‘America’s pastime’.
Methow Trails in the North Cascade Mountainsis North America’s largest cross-country ski area, with over 200km of perfectly groomed, skiable terrain. Within this 200km, there are long-distance town-to-town and lodge-to-lodge ski options and heart-pumping climbs and descents that will challenge the most seasoned mountain men and women.
All this space is good news—more room for you, more area to explore, more extraordinary landscapes to drink in. It also means you’ve got A LOT of skiing ahead of you.
It is borderline ridiculous that a place likeSnoqualmie Fallscan exist within a half-hour’s drive from downtown Seattle. From the city’s famous Space Needle, take the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge and drive east for hardly any time at all before reaching the exquisite 82-metre waterfall, which the local Snoqualmie people have designated as the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer.
This is one of the best city day trips you’ll ever find and it’s not the only one you can do in Seattle—Bainbridge Island and Leavenworth are a couple of other epic adventures you can squeeze into a day from Seattle.
The large, red, neon-lit sign that adorns the entrance to the 117-year-old Pike Place Marketis gorgeous, and it might just stop the Instagram crowd in their tracks. While they’re taking selfies, venture deeper into the market to find more time-honoured Seattle things—like fish throwing. Fishmongers and fishermen yelling, chanting, shovelling ice and hurling fish at customers and each other. It’s genuine chaos, and we love it.
The market is full of fresh food and classic Seattle dishes—like fresh oysters at Emmett Watson’s Oyster Bar.
While further south grabs all the attention, Westport, Washington, has quietly made a name for itself as a place to get pitted, with spots suiting both the kooks and the Kellys. Westport has three main spots: The Jetty, a consistent beach break, The Groins—a left-handed point break subject to monster tides; and The Cove, a feared shore break that bears the full brunt of the roaring North Pacific Ocean. All three are easily accessed.
If you’re not a surfer, no matter; Washington State is full of epic beaches for all kinds of beachgoers—click here for more info.
The Edgewater Hotelin downtown Seattle is where the epic meets historic. It’s described as waterfront, and that’s putting it mildly—the Edgewater is so waterfront The Beatles fished out of their hotel room window when they stayed here. The lobby and restaurants are something to behold, situated right on the water, and with a blazing fire and epic bar to keep you warm in Seattle’s fresh winters.
*We’re not sure if you’re allowed to fish out of your window—it’s probably more of a Beatles thing. If you’re reading, Paul or Ringo, go right ahead lads.
The SoDo district of Seattle plays host to a number of pro sports teams. The Seattle Mariners are one of those, playing their home games at T-Mobile Park, a modern stadium with a retractable roof that also stages the occasional concert.
Get a hot dog and a beer, and sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game while taking in ‘America’s pastime’.
Methow Trails in the North Cascade Mountainsis North America’s largest cross-country ski area, with over 200km of perfectly groomed, skiable terrain. Within this 200km, there are long-distance town-to-town and lodge-to-lodge ski options and heart-pumping climbs and descents that will challenge the most seasoned mountain men and women.
All this space is good news—more room for you, more area to explore, more extraordinary landscapes to drink in. It also means you’ve got A LOT of skiing ahead of you.
It is borderline ridiculous that a place likeSnoqualmie Fallscan exist within a half-hour’s drive from downtown Seattle. From the city’s famous Space Needle, take the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge and drive east for hardly any time at all before reaching the exquisite 82-metre waterfall, which the local Snoqualmie people have designated as the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer.
This is one of the best city day trips you’ll ever find and it’s not the only one you can do in Seattle—Bainbridge Island and Leavenworth are a couple of other epic adventures you can squeeze into a day from Seattle.
The Seattle Times recently ran a piece that showed that Washington is among the country’s most discerning states when it comes to beer (beer snobs, in their own words). As well as epic craft beer, the breweries and pubs around the state share a key element of Australian beer drinking: the beer garden.
The Fremont Brewing Urban Beer Garden is one of Seattle’s best spots for an ale, with an epic beer list. About a half hour away is South Fork North Bend, who serve pints in a beautiful beer garden that taste even better after bike ride through some gnarly trails nearby.
The large, red, neon-lit sign that adorns the entrance to the 117-year-old Pike Place Marketis gorgeous, and it might just stop the Instagram crowd in their tracks. While they’re taking selfies, venture deeper into the market to find more time-honoured Seattle things—like fish throwing. Fishmongers and fishermen yelling, chanting, shovelling ice and hurling fish at customers and each other. It’s genuine chaos, and we love it.
The market is full of fresh food and classic Seattle dishes—like fresh oysters at Emmett Watson’s Oyster Bar.
While further south grabs all the attention, Westport, Washington, has quietly made a name for itself as a place to get pitted, with spots suiting both the kooks and the Kellys. Westport has three main spots: The Jetty, a consistent beach break, The Groins—a left-handed point break subject to monster tides; and The Cove, a feared shore break that bears the full brunt of the roaring North Pacific Ocean. All three are easily accessed.
If you’re not a surfer, no matter; Washington State is full of epic beaches for all kinds of beachgoers—click here for more info.
The Edgewater Hotelin downtown Seattle is where the epic meets historic. It’s described as waterfront, and that’s putting it mildly—the Edgewater is so waterfront The Beatles fished out of their hotel room window when they stayed here. The lobby and restaurants are something to behold, situated right on the water, and with a blazing fire and epic bar to keep you warm in Seattle’s fresh winters.
*We’re not sure if you’re allowed to fish out of your window—it’s probably more of a Beatles thing. If you’re reading, Paul or Ringo, go right ahead lads.
The SoDo district of Seattle plays host to a number of pro sports teams. The Seattle Mariners are one of those, playing their home games at T-Mobile Park, a modern stadium with a retractable roof that also stages the occasional concert.
Get a hot dog and a beer, and sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game while taking in ‘America’s pastime’.
Methow Trails in the North Cascade Mountainsis North America’s largest cross-country ski area, with over 200km of perfectly groomed, skiable terrain. Within this 200km, there are long-distance town-to-town and lodge-to-lodge ski options and heart-pumping climbs and descents that will challenge the most seasoned mountain men and women.
All this space is good news—more room for you, more area to explore, more extraordinary landscapes to drink in. It also means you’ve got A LOT of skiing ahead of you.
It is borderline ridiculous that a place likeSnoqualmie Fallscan exist within a half-hour’s drive from downtown Seattle. From the city’s famous Space Needle, take the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge and drive east for hardly any time at all before reaching the exquisite 82-metre waterfall, which the local Snoqualmie people have designated as the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer.
This is one of the best city day trips you’ll ever find and it’s not the only one you can do in Seattle—Bainbridge Island and Leavenworth are a couple of other epic adventures you can squeeze into a day from Seattle.
Never has there been a less accurate name than the‘Easy Pass’. This breathtaking, brute of a trail winds through mountains, greenery and rocky sections. It packs in heavy timber, meadows, and avalanche chutes and takes trekkers as high as 1,981 metres, which is a really long way up.
This is tricky trekking, a proper calf-burner, but the 11.2km are doable in a day. Go in March or autumn, and the larch trees will turn captivatingly golden-yellow for you.
The Seattle Times recently ran a piece that showed that Washington is among the country’s most discerning states when it comes to beer (beer snobs, in their own words). As well as epic craft beer, the breweries and pubs around the state share a key element of Australian beer drinking: the beer garden.
The Fremont Brewing Urban Beer Garden is one of Seattle’s best spots for an ale, with an epic beer list. About a half hour away is South Fork North Bend, who serve pints in a beautiful beer garden that taste even better after bike ride through some gnarly trails nearby.
The large, red, neon-lit sign that adorns the entrance to the 117-year-old Pike Place Marketis gorgeous, and it might just stop the Instagram crowd in their tracks. While they’re taking selfies, venture deeper into the market to find more time-honoured Seattle things—like fish throwing. Fishmongers and fishermen yelling, chanting, shovelling ice and hurling fish at customers and each other. It’s genuine chaos, and we love it.
The market is full of fresh food and classic Seattle dishes—like fresh oysters at Emmett Watson’s Oyster Bar.
While further south grabs all the attention, Westport, Washington, has quietly made a name for itself as a place to get pitted, with spots suiting both the kooks and the Kellys. Westport has three main spots: The Jetty, a consistent beach break, The Groins—a left-handed point break subject to monster tides; and The Cove, a feared shore break that bears the full brunt of the roaring North Pacific Ocean. All three are easily accessed.
If you’re not a surfer, no matter; Washington State is full of epic beaches for all kinds of beachgoers—click here for more info.
The Edgewater Hotelin downtown Seattle is where the epic meets historic. It’s described as waterfront, and that’s putting it mildly—the Edgewater is so waterfront The Beatles fished out of their hotel room window when they stayed here. The lobby and restaurants are something to behold, situated right on the water, and with a blazing fire and epic bar to keep you warm in Seattle’s fresh winters.
*We’re not sure if you’re allowed to fish out of your window—it’s probably more of a Beatles thing. If you’re reading, Paul or Ringo, go right ahead lads.
The SoDo district of Seattle plays host to a number of pro sports teams. The Seattle Mariners are one of those, playing their home games at T-Mobile Park, a modern stadium with a retractable roof that also stages the occasional concert.
Get a hot dog and a beer, and sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game while taking in ‘America’s pastime’.
Methow Trails in the North Cascade Mountainsis North America’s largest cross-country ski area, with over 200km of perfectly groomed, skiable terrain. Within this 200km, there are long-distance town-to-town and lodge-to-lodge ski options and heart-pumping climbs and descents that will challenge the most seasoned mountain men and women.
All this space is good news—more room for you, more area to explore, more extraordinary landscapes to drink in. It also means you’ve got A LOT of skiing ahead of you.
It is borderline ridiculous that a place likeSnoqualmie Fallscan exist within a half-hour’s drive from downtown Seattle. From the city’s famous Space Needle, take the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge and drive east for hardly any time at all before reaching the exquisite 82-metre waterfall, which the local Snoqualmie people have designated as the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer.
This is one of the best city day trips you’ll ever find and it’s not the only one you can do in Seattle—Bainbridge Island and Leavenworth are a couple of other epic adventures you can squeeze into a day from Seattle.
Wandering through the thick sheets of green that blanket theHoh Rain Forest, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve been pulled from Planet Earth and planted straight into a Dr. Seuss book.
As a result of the 355 centimetres of rain the area gets each year, the forest is spectacularly covered in green moss. Herds of elk wander the forest, and there are some epic trees that have been here long before grunge or the Space Needle. We’re not sure the Lorax ever made the four-hour drive from Seattle to Hoh, in Olympic National Park, but you definitely should.
Never has there been a less accurate name than the‘Easy Pass’. This breathtaking, brute of a trail winds through mountains, greenery and rocky sections. It packs in heavy timber, meadows, and avalanche chutes and takes trekkers as high as 1,981 metres, which is a really long way up.
This is tricky trekking, a proper calf-burner, but the 11.2km are doable in a day. Go in March or autumn, and the larch trees will turn captivatingly golden-yellow for you.
The Seattle Times recently ran a piece that showed that Washington is among the country’s most discerning states when it comes to beer (beer snobs, in their own words). As well as epic craft beer, the breweries and pubs around the state share a key element of Australian beer drinking: the beer garden.
The Fremont Brewing Urban Beer Garden is one of Seattle’s best spots for an ale, with an epic beer list. About a half hour away is South Fork North Bend, who serve pints in a beautiful beer garden that taste even better after bike ride through some gnarly trails nearby.
The large, red, neon-lit sign that adorns the entrance to the 117-year-old Pike Place Marketis gorgeous, and it might just stop the Instagram crowd in their tracks. While they’re taking selfies, venture deeper into the market to find more time-honoured Seattle things—like fish throwing. Fishmongers and fishermen yelling, chanting, shovelling ice and hurling fish at customers and each other. It’s genuine chaos, and we love it.
The market is full of fresh food and classic Seattle dishes—like fresh oysters at Emmett Watson’s Oyster Bar.
While further south grabs all the attention, Westport, Washington, has quietly made a name for itself as a place to get pitted, with spots suiting both the kooks and the Kellys. Westport has three main spots: The Jetty, a consistent beach break, The Groins—a left-handed point break subject to monster tides; and The Cove, a feared shore break that bears the full brunt of the roaring North Pacific Ocean. All three are easily accessed.
If you’re not a surfer, no matter; Washington State is full of epic beaches for all kinds of beachgoers—click here for more info.
The Edgewater Hotelin downtown Seattle is where the epic meets historic. It’s described as waterfront, and that’s putting it mildly—the Edgewater is so waterfront The Beatles fished out of their hotel room window when they stayed here. The lobby and restaurants are something to behold, situated right on the water, and with a blazing fire and epic bar to keep you warm in Seattle’s fresh winters.
*We’re not sure if you’re allowed to fish out of your window—it’s probably more of a Beatles thing. If you’re reading, Paul or Ringo, go right ahead lads.
The SoDo district of Seattle plays host to a number of pro sports teams. The Seattle Mariners are one of those, playing their home games at T-Mobile Park, a modern stadium with a retractable roof that also stages the occasional concert.
Get a hot dog and a beer, and sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game while taking in ‘America’s pastime’.
Methow Trails in the North Cascade Mountainsis North America’s largest cross-country ski area, with over 200km of perfectly groomed, skiable terrain. Within this 200km, there are long-distance town-to-town and lodge-to-lodge ski options and heart-pumping climbs and descents that will challenge the most seasoned mountain men and women.
All this space is good news—more room for you, more area to explore, more extraordinary landscapes to drink in. It also means you’ve got A LOT of skiing ahead of you.
It is borderline ridiculous that a place likeSnoqualmie Fallscan exist within a half-hour’s drive from downtown Seattle. From the city’s famous Space Needle, take the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge and drive east for hardly any time at all before reaching the exquisite 82-metre waterfall, which the local Snoqualmie people have designated as the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer.
This is one of the best city day trips you’ll ever find and it’s not the only one you can do in Seattle—Bainbridge Island and Leavenworth are a couple of other epic adventures you can squeeze into a day from Seattle.
Kurt Cobain, the birthplace of grunge, the Space Needle. We get it—we know you know all that.
But we’re pretty sure you had no idea that the state of Washington on the U.S. West Coast is one of the country’s ultimate outdoor destinations, home to a unique set of topography with options for every kind of outdoor person.
We’re also certain you didn’t know how nice it is to be outdoors in Seattle, in beautiful beer gardens or at an unlikely waterfall incredibly close to the city centre, or at one of America’s best ballparks. If you like adventure and being outside, Seattle and Washington need to be on your list. Here are ten of the most epic outdoor experiences in the city and state that prove it.
The San Juan Islands is the United States’ final bastion in the northwest, around 400 rugged islands that separate the country from Canada. These dramatic landscapes are one of the world’s best places to spot orca whales, year-round. And the best place to see these incredible beasts? In the water, obviously.
Crystal Seas Kayaking offer different kinds of kayak tours through these stunning waters, where you might just encounter an orca along the way.
They also offer a Women’s Weekend, a three-day, two-night kayak adventure for the girls only. YTG. And then there’s Discovery Sea Kayaks, who offer bioluminescent night kayaking, where the darkest nights are lit up by streaks of marine bioluminescence.
Wandering through the thick sheets of green that blanket theHoh Rain Forest, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve been pulled from Planet Earth and planted straight into a Dr. Seuss book.
As a result of the 355 centimetres of rain the area gets each year, the forest is spectacularly covered in green moss. Herds of elk wander the forest, and there are some epic trees that have been here long before grunge or the Space Needle. We’re not sure the Lorax ever made the four-hour drive from Seattle to Hoh, in Olympic National Park, but you definitely should.
Never has there been a less accurate name than the‘Easy Pass’. This breathtaking, brute of a trail winds through mountains, greenery and rocky sections. It packs in heavy timber, meadows, and avalanche chutes and takes trekkers as high as 1,981 metres, which is a really long way up.
This is tricky trekking, a proper calf-burner, but the 11.2km are doable in a day. Go in March or autumn, and the larch trees will turn captivatingly golden-yellow for you.
The Seattle Times recently ran a piece that showed that Washington is among the country’s most discerning states when it comes to beer (beer snobs, in their own words). As well as epic craft beer, the breweries and pubs around the state share a key element of Australian beer drinking: the beer garden.
The Fremont Brewing Urban Beer Garden is one of Seattle’s best spots for an ale, with an epic beer list. About a half hour away is South Fork North Bend, who serve pints in a beautiful beer garden that taste even better after bike ride through some gnarly trails nearby.
The large, red, neon-lit sign that adorns the entrance to the 117-year-old Pike Place Marketis gorgeous, and it might just stop the Instagram crowd in their tracks. While they’re taking selfies, venture deeper into the market to find more time-honoured Seattle things—like fish throwing. Fishmongers and fishermen yelling, chanting, shovelling ice and hurling fish at customers and each other. It’s genuine chaos, and we love it.
The market is full of fresh food and classic Seattle dishes—like fresh oysters at Emmett Watson’s Oyster Bar.
While further south grabs all the attention, Westport, Washington, has quietly made a name for itself as a place to get pitted, with spots suiting both the kooks and the Kellys. Westport has three main spots: The Jetty, a consistent beach break, The Groins—a left-handed point break subject to monster tides; and The Cove, a feared shore break that bears the full brunt of the roaring North Pacific Ocean. All three are easily accessed.
If you’re not a surfer, no matter; Washington State is full of epic beaches for all kinds of beachgoers—click here for more info.
The Edgewater Hotelin downtown Seattle is where the epic meets historic. It’s described as waterfront, and that’s putting it mildly—the Edgewater is so waterfront The Beatles fished out of their hotel room window when they stayed here. The lobby and restaurants are something to behold, situated right on the water, and with a blazing fire and epic bar to keep you warm in Seattle’s fresh winters.
*We’re not sure if you’re allowed to fish out of your window—it’s probably more of a Beatles thing. If you’re reading, Paul or Ringo, go right ahead lads.
The SoDo district of Seattle plays host to a number of pro sports teams. The Seattle Mariners are one of those, playing their home games at T-Mobile Park, a modern stadium with a retractable roof that also stages the occasional concert.
Get a hot dog and a beer, and sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game while taking in ‘America’s pastime’.
Methow Trails in the North Cascade Mountainsis North America’s largest cross-country ski area, with over 200km of perfectly groomed, skiable terrain. Within this 200km, there are long-distance town-to-town and lodge-to-lodge ski options and heart-pumping climbs and descents that will challenge the most seasoned mountain men and women.
All this space is good news—more room for you, more area to explore, more extraordinary landscapes to drink in. It also means you’ve got A LOT of skiing ahead of you.
It is borderline ridiculous that a place likeSnoqualmie Fallscan exist within a half-hour’s drive from downtown Seattle. From the city’s famous Space Needle, take the Homer M. Hadley Memorial Bridge and drive east for hardly any time at all before reaching the exquisite 82-metre waterfall, which the local Snoqualmie people have designated as the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer.
This is one of the best city day trips you’ll ever find and it’s not the only one you can do in Seattle—Bainbridge Island and Leavenworth are a couple of other epic adventures you can squeeze into a day from Seattle.
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