Thought hiking season was over? Think again: Snowshoeing is here to save winter adventuring.
Winter is in full force, and it's yet to be seen if the snow will be joining us. But Washington events continue, with activities indoors and out. Valentine's Day takes center stage in February, but beyond that there are restaurant events, snowshoeing, and other fun to be had across the state.
feb 1–28 | mt. rainier national park
Winter hiking is made possible thanks to snowshoes and knowledgeable rangers at Mt. Rainier National Park. Every weekend, the rangers act as tour guides through a 2-hour, 1.5-mile route that traverses lush evergreen forests and passes sprawling Rainier vistas, all while learning about the park's wintertime flora and fauna.
Walla Walla’s restaurants dish out local flavor this month.
feb 1–28 | Walla walla
Come to southeastern Washington hungry; a handful of Walla Walla restaurants and wineries have prepped $20–50 prix-fixe menus. The month kicks off with food-forward short films—with appetizers and wine, of course—at Gesa Power House Theatre.
feb 21 | Stevenson
The cozy Columbia River Gorge lodge’s culinary team rolls out a feast of small plates to pair with pours of Oregon's Compton Wines. On the list: Compton's minimal-intervention pinot noir and pinot gris, plus delicious views just beyond the dining room.
Band Mr. Sun and Friends performs at Bellevue’s Wintergrass.
Feb 19–22 | Bellevue
The family-oriented country and bluegrass fest returns to Bellevue with a full schedule of performances punctuated by a laundry list workshops like the art of the fiddle, improvisation, and blues history.
Feb 28 | Bothell
McMenamins Anderson School invites local brewers to pour alongside their house ales in its ninth annual festival. Admission includes 10 tastes and a glass, and live music rotates on the indoor stage. As ever, the hotel's various hangout spots, from the woodshed bar to the North Shore Lagoon pool, are available for extra socializing.