A fetching slice of paradise, Friday Harbor is the largest town in Washington state’s sunny San Juan Islands. Often a homebase for travelers, the plethora of things to do in Friday Harbor without a car make it alone with a visit. 

Read more

Just 40 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Seattle, Orcas Island is a serene haven waiting to be explored. Thanks to 51Âé¶¹ Express’ direct flights from Boeing Field to Eastsound Airport, getting to this culinary paradise has never been easier. Once you land, and embark on a gourmet adventure through the island’s most notable dining spots. From cozy cafes to upscale dining rooms, the restaurants on Orcas Island will tantalize your taste buds while offering breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty.

Here’s a curated list of the best restaurants on Orcas Island (in no ranking order) perfect for a weekend getaway or a leisurely stay.

Read more
Orcas Island Resorts. Outlook Inn in Eastsound
Orcas Island Resorts. Outlook Inn

When searching for the ideal place to stay on Orcas Island, you’ll discover a plethora of remarkable options. This enchanting destination, nestled within the picturesque San Juan archipelago of Washington State, offers a range of accommodations that cater to diverse preferences. From charming bed and breakfasts tucked in lush forests to luxurious waterfront resorts boasting breathtaking views, Orcas has it all. 

Read more
Friday Harbor House Fire Pits
Fire Pits at Friday Harbor House

Island life is slow and beautiful in Friday Harbor. Here, the streets feature roundabouts rather than stoplights and restaurants showcase farm-to-table cuisine. Perched one block above the Friday Harbor Marina, is ideally positioned for the ultimate weekend getaway. 

This quaint San Juan Island hotel offers expansive views of seaplanes landing and ferry boats docking. It’s conveniently located within walking distance of the entire downtown core, while still feeling removed enough to give you a sense of solitude. Not to mention, it’s home to one the best restaurants on the island — The Restaurant at Friday Harbor House. 

Read more
things to do in Victoria BC
Victoria BC

Victoria is just 25 miles from Port Angeles, the closest American shore. That’s 25 miles closer to America than its Canadian mainland. But the quaint British Columbia capital feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of US city life thanks to its walkable streets, historic architecture, and friendly culture. 

Like its residents, its gardens tend to be bright and cheerful — thanks in large part to Victoria’s weather patterns. Tucked within the Olympic Rain Shadow, the small metropolitan hub gets 308 days a year with sunshine! So whether you’re looking for indoor activities or plenty of fresh air, there’s a wide variety of things to do in Victoria, BC. 

Read more

When summer hits the South Sound, Tacoma comes alive. From waterfront trails to skyline views, indie eats to stunning waterfront dining destinations. And what better way cap your perfect day in T-Town by taking to the sky with a scenic seaplane adventure.

Introducing Wings + Woven – a dream day trip built for adventurers, food lovers, and anyone looking to shake up their weekend routine. The ideal curated summer experience combining a jaw-dropping 25-minute scenic seaplane flight over the South Sound along with happy hour and dinner at (NOTE: our official Wings + Woven package is good for 1 scenic flight + 1 beverage of choice and 1 appetizer of choice at Woven for $135 per person) Tacoma’s stunning waterfront restaurant. Both are steps apart, right on Ruston Way, offering one seamless and unforgettable summer outing.

Here’s how to plan the ultimate Wings + Woven day with no passport or ferry ticket required.

Read more
Downriggers San Juan Island Waterfront Restaurant
Downriggers on San Juan Island

Tamed, just enough to be welcoming, is rugged and rural in all the best ways. Thanks to its remote location, chefs aren’t just inclined to source locally, they need to. As a result, San Juan Island is one of the best foodie destinations in the Pacific Northwest. 

Want to maximize your time noshing? Catch a quick and easy flight from Seattle to Friday Harbor Airport, where you can start exploring immediately. 

Read more

There are landscapes that move you, and then there are landscapes that reshape the very definition of awe. The Pacific Northwest is home to the latter—wild and raw places where fire, ice, and time have sculpted a topography so dramatic, it feels almost mythological. Nowhere is this more evident than in the glacier-laced crown of Mt. Rainier and the scarred bowl of Mt. St. Helens. And while trails and overlooks offer a taste, there’s only one way to take it all in: from the sky.

51Â鶹’s Volcanoes Scenic Flight Tour is a two-hour aerial expedition over some of the most breathtaking and geologically significant peaks in North America. Departing from Boeing Field just south of downtown Seattle, this high-altitude experience delivers something few adventures can promise: a front-row seat to the epic scale of nature’s power seen from above.

Read more
kenmore air seaplane flying into victoria inner harbour
kenmore air flying into victoria inner harbour

While Victoria is closer to American soil than its British Columbia mainland, it feels a bit like traveling to Europe. (It’s 75 miles from the Emerald City and just 28 miles from the closest US town, Friday Harbor.) Sure, the watery border can make you think twice about the best way to get to Victoria BC. 

But if you know your options, getting there can be just as much fun as being there. The following outlines the five top ways to travel between this Vancouver Island metropolis and Washington’s high-tech hub — including a scenic seaplane flight!

Read more
51Âé¶¹ Otter and Cattle Point Lighthouse
51Âé¶¹ de Havilland Otter flying past Cattle Point Lighthouse

Though the quaint archipelago tucked within the Salish Sea is technically part of Washington State, it feels a bit like its own country. Heck, some of its rocky inlets are closer to Canada than they are to the American mainland. But the 172-plus islands in the Olympic Rainshadow don’t require a passport and are relatively easy to access — if you know what you’re doing. 

The following outlines 9 ways to travel from Seattle to the San Juan Islands. But at its most primitive level, there are only two ways to get here: by boat or plane. The nature of being surrounded by water on all sides makes this remote destination exactly that, remote. That’s part of the charm, part of what keeps this paradise a destination worthy of visiting year-round.

And the great news is, whether you’re flying from Boeing Field to Friday Harbor or catching a seaplane from Lake Union to Roche Harbor — the views are endless and check-in is a breeze!

Read more