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Day 1
Arrive at SeaTac Airport, then begin your nature adventure at
the Seattle Aquarium, resting on one of the most diverse aquatic
habitats on Earth. World-class exhibits and an underwater
viewing dome take you close to the wonders of marine life. Enjoy
lunch or mid-morning cup of coffee depending on your arrival
time to the Emerald City.
Proceed to a guided tour of the Chittenden Locks and fish ladder
which connect the fresh-water lakes to the salt-water Puget
Sound and allow salmon to migrate upstream. An amazing view of
how urban and natural environments co-exist.
Check into your hotel, then enjoy dinner at the hotel, with a
nature-oriented speaker as entertainment and education as you
begin your nature discovery tour.
Day 2
Start your day off with an Everett Everglades tour! Over 350
species of migratory birds pass through the largest wetland near
an urban center on the west coast. Eagles, falcon, heron, and
seabirds make their home in the 1400 acre estuary wetlands. Join
Mosquito Fleet for their guided tour on board a flat bottom
boat, or explore the wetlands by kayak. Kayaking is a great way
to view wildlife, and the Ebey Island estuary wetlands reserve
has sloughs and rivers to get you close.
Scuba diving off the beach in Edmonds is an exhilarating
experience. The Edmonds Underwater Park, located just north of
the ferry terminal, attracts scuba diver from across the nation.
Starfish, anemone in all shapes and colors, crab and fish are
just a few of the underwater sights to enjoy. For a less active
approach to wildlife viewing, the March Wildlife Sanctuary Trail
interpretive signs border the marshland and bird watchers are
rewarded during spring and fall migration. Deer Creek Fish
Hatchery is another suggested stop in this waterfront community.
The hatchery releases over 100,000 salmon annually.
Other stops could include a ferry ride to Jetty Island from the
10th Street dock in Everett. With two miles of sandy beaches and
the warmest water in Puget Sound, enjoy beach combing and marine
programs offered by the Everett Parks Department.
End your day's itinerary at the Tulalip Fish Hatchery on the
Tulalip Indian Reservation before trying your luck at the
Tulalip Casino.
Day 3
Orca whale watching excursion aboard Mosquito Fleet, departing
from the Port of Everett. This full day program guides you
through spectacular Deception Pass and the San Juan Islands. A
professional naturalist helps to identify local wildlife,
locating and identifying the most studied Orca whales in the
world. History of the islands and the Puget Sound eco-system are
in store while you view the abundant marine wildlife.
After your day at sea, pamper yourself with a Washington white
wine and a delectable meal at Anthony's HomePort Restaurant,
Confetti's Woodfire Grill or Lombardi's Cucina on the Everett
marina.
Day 4
Take a ferry to Whidbey Island, and visit Camp Casey for a
lesson in marine science. The Beach Watchers interpretive
display at the Admiralty Head Lighthouse at Fort Casey records
marine life facts. Take a ferry to Kitsap Peninsula and enjoy
lunch in Port Townsend before heading to the Naval Undersea
Museum in Keyport or the Marine Science Center in Pouslbo. The
museum provides a glimpse into the past of undersea warfare and
exploration as well as natural science interpretive exhibits.
The Science Center offers interactive exploration of sea life
from Liberty Bay.
If the Kitsap Peninsula is a bit too far for you to travel on
this day, stay on Whidbey Island. The historic village of
Coupeville has a preserved whale skeleton off the pier…worth a
close up look of the skeletal remains of this amazing creature.
Don't miss the wonderful shops and galleries of this wonderful
village as you enjoy a more leisurely pace.
For the flora portion of your nature tour, Meerkerk Gardens
offers a spectacular vision as the rhododendrons bloom from
mid-April through May, but the park is a beautiful haven year
round. The 53-acre park is located just south of Greenbank on
Whidbey Island and is maintained by the Seattle Rhododendron
Society. This is just one of the many gardens on Whidbey Island.
You'll be exhausted and invigorated at the same time after your
day of exploration, but leave enough time and energy to dine at
one of the waterfront restaurants as you watch the sun set.
Day 5
Your final day begins at the Northwest Stream Center. An
environmental education (including laboratory experiences) and
interpretive facility located at McCollum Park in Everett is a
restored wetland. This wetland and salmon stream was heavily
impacted by urban development. The Adopt-A-Stream Foundation
located the Northwest Stream Center on these grounds as a
project to restore the wetland once buried by a parking lot! New
spawning beds and fish habitat structures, and diverse habitats
including wetland, mixed forest and salmon spawning stream are
located within the 20-acre site.
En route to SeaTac airport, make your final stop at the Pacific
Science Center in Seattle which offers interactive exhibits and
programs. From the top of the Space Needle you'll enjoy a
spectacular view of the incredible Puget Sound region which you
have just spent 5 days exploring
Bon Voyage!
In any of the communities,
expand your nature tour to include river rafting, farmers
markets, gardens and nurseries, agricultural tours of organic
farms, forest hikes, and zoos and wildlife farms or ranches. For
more ideas, contact Amy Spain at the Snohomish County Tourism
Bureau at (888)338-0976, extension 12, email us at amy@snohomish.org
or visit our website at www.snohomish.org.
Contacts:
Snohomish County Tourism Bureau 888-338-0976
Seattle Aquarium 206-386-4320
Mosquito Fleet 800-325-6722
Everett Parks Department 425-257-8300
Tulalip Casino 888-272-1111
Camp Casey 360-678-4636
Naval Undersea Museum 360-377-8924
Marine Science Center 360-779-5549
Northwest Stream Center 425-316-8592
Pacific Science Center 206-433-3625
Space Needle 800-964-7695
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Option 1:Walk charming historic
Snohomish downtown; visit
shops.
Option 2: Cycle, stroll or rollerblade Centennial trail; bikes,
roller
blades and safety equipment provided.
11:00 am Tour historic Victorian homes.
12:00 noon Lunch at local tea house or similar. Desserts by
Snohomish Pie
Company.
1:15 pm Depart for Mukilteo Lighthouse.
2:00 pm Tour Mukilteo Lighthouse. Afternoon lattes at famous
Mukilteo Coffee House en route to Boeing Tour Center.
3:00 pm Visit Boeing Tour Center.
6:00 pm Arrive Edmonds for dinner and cocktails at Anthony's or
Arnies
on Edmonds waterfront. View sunset over Olympic Mountains with
Washington State Ferry in the foreground.
8:00 pm Theatre and overnight in local hotel or B&B.
Day 2 - Beach Parks, Boutiques, Art, Action
6:30 am Early risers meet for organized walk of Yost Park Ravine
Trails or
Wildlife Sanctuary boardwalk.
8:00 am Full breakfast Edmonds area B&B.
9:00 am Tour Edmonds in Bloom areas, visit public art and
museum,
stroll the charming streets, browse the galleries; walking tour
map provided.
12:00 noon Picnic and beach combing at Meadowdale Park. In the
event of
rain, lunch at 5th Avenue Cafe ( or similarly charming eatery)
in downtown Edmonds. (Umbrellas provided for walking tour, if
needed).
1:00 pm Depart Edmonds for Everett.
1:20 pm Arrive Everett for the Arts Walk. Dale Chihuly, famous
glass
artisan affiliated with the Pilchuck School of Glass. Chihuly
glass art exhibited in Everett's historic Monte Cristo Hotel.
Other works displayed at the Everett Performing Arts Center, and
other area galleries.
4:00 pm Depart Everett for the Tulalip Casino in Marysville.
4:30 pm Welcome cocktails, dinner and gaming chips provided.
7:30 pm Earlier risers return to area hotel.
11:00pm Night owls return to area hotel.
Contacts:
Snohomish County Tourism Bureau 888-338-0976
Boeing Tour Center 800-464-1476
Mukilteo Lighthouse 425-513-9602
Tulalip Casino 888-272-1111
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Itineraries 
