If you're joining us in Washington from outside the Pacific Northwest, we highly recommend making a trip of it! Whether you're adding on an extra day or an extra week, we have plenty of tips and favorite places.

A word of warning: June in Western Washington (i.e. west of the Cascade Mountains) can be a bit dreary—locals will refer to it as "June Gloom" or "June-uary." Since the wedding itself is east of the mountains, we're anticipating sunnier skies and warmer temperatures in Plain. But if you're planning to spend some time on the west side, pack your raincoat just in case!

Leavenworth

If you only have one extra day, we recommend driving 30 minutes from Plain into Leavenworth. This charming Bavarian-themed town can be a little touristy, but is well worth it. Stroll down the main drag, grab a beer at Icicle Brewing, eat overlooking the river at Yodelin Broth Company, and soak in the kitsch. Leavenworth's real strength, however, is its access to the outdoors. Icicle Ridge Trail is a great day hike that's very close to town. If you don't mind a crowd, Colchuck Lake (also known as the gateway to The Enchantments) is popular for a reason—the aqua blue lake framed by giant peaks is a true Washington experience. For lodging in Leavenworth, we like Sleeping Lady Resort.

Chelan

About an hour and a half from Plain, Lake Chelan is a stunning, 50-mile long glacial lake known for its crystal-clear waters, beautiful surroundings, and world-class wineries. And unlike Western Washington, Chelan is usually quite warm in June so you can take advantage of the water with a beach day or boat rental. The town of Chelan is located on the southern tip of the lake and offers plenty of charming places to stay.

Stehekin

If you're feeling adventurous, take a boat ride up the entire length of Lake Chelan to the tiny town of Stehekin. Accessible only by boat, floatplane, or foot, Stehekin is as beautiful as it is remote, located in heart of the North Cascades. There are several boat companies that offer round trips from Chelan to Stehekin, so you can easily make it a day trip—or choose to stay the night in town. We recommend the Stehekin Valley Ranch! Whether you visit for a day or spend the night, you'll want to rent a bike (they have electric options), grab some treats at Stehekin Pastry Co and head out to Rainbow Falls.

This is, in our humble opinion, perhaps the most perfect road trip in the Pacific Northwest. Start with stops in Leavenworth and Chelan (detailed above) and then continue on to...

Methow Valley

The Methow Valley is a favorite place for the Durland clan! It's an outdoorsy paradise, with tons of cross-country skiing in the winter and hiking/biking trails in the summer. For food, Alex recommends Meza in Winthrop (small plates and a great wine list) and Peter is a fan of the Mazama Public House—an outpost of the popular Old Schoolhouse Brewery. Either way, the Mazama Store absolutely cannot be missed. Get at least two of their homemade baguettes and eat them immediately. For lodging, there are plenty of great Airbnbs throughout the valley, or you can stay at Sun Mountain Lodge for a real treat.

North Cascades National Park

This is one of Alex's top three National Parks in the country (and she's been to a few!). From Mazama, head west on Highway 20 right through the center of North Cascades National Park. There are many, many great hikes and viewpoints along the way, along with a few campgrounds if you're so inclined. Don't miss the Lake Diablo overlook.

Note: if you're looking at Google Maps before May, this route will likely not show up, as the highway is closed for the winter.

Anacortes & Deception Pass

After you pass through the North Cascades, drive another hour and a half until you hit the shore. Anacortes is a quirky maritime town that serves as the jumping off point for many whale watching tours as well as the ferries to the San Juan Islands. Alex recommends grabbing a sandwich from Gere-a-deli and taking it on the road to Deception Pass State Park for a beach picnic or short hike. The park is also the gateway to Whidbey Island, and features the stunning Deception Pass Bridge. If you're not afraid of heights, make sure to park at either end of the bridge and walk out over the water!

Whidbey Island

The largest island in Washington, Whidbey is known for its idyllic farmland, dense forests, rugged coastline, and charming small towns. Don't leave without eating some of the island's famous Penn Cove Mussels (and a bunch of other seafood while you're at it). We also recommend hiking the Ebey's Landing Bluff Trail for fantastic views of the Olympic Peninsula and exploring the historic batteries at Fort Casey State Park. We recommend staying near the charming towns of Coupeville or Langley. There are plenty of great Airbnbs on the island (and many on the water!) but Alex and her mom Lisa's favorite place to stay is the Captain Whidbey Inn.

Ferry to Seattle

End your roadtrip with a true Washington experience: a ferry ride. The Clinton to Mukilteo ferry departs from the southern tip of Whidbey Island and brings you back to the mainland about 30 minutes north of Seattle. Reservations are not required, but make sure to check the schedule for timing.

Obviously we're a bit biased, but we think you can never go wrong with a few days in Seattle! If you've never been before, there are plenty of classic spots to explore: Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Smith Tower (go to the cocktail bar at the top!), the Olympic Sculpture Park. But if you're looking to get into the neighborhoods, here are some of our favorite spots.

Phinney Ridge

This is where Alex and Peter live! A few of our favorite places include Cornuto pizzeria, Holy Mountain Phinney taproom, Oliver's Twist cocktail bar, Autumn restaurant (get the espresso martini), El Chupacabra Greenwood, and Ridgewood Bottle & Tap (bring a burger from Red Mill next door). Mainstay Provisions is our go-to for breakfast or lunch.

Ballard

Breweries galore! Some of our most visited: Bale Breaker & Yonder Cider Taproom, Stoup, Reuben’s, and Cloudburst. If you happen to be in town on a Sunday, don't miss the farmers market. We also recommend walking down to the Ballard Locks to check out the fish ladder.

Fremont-ish

If you've ever visited Alex in Seattle, you'll know that her favorite place to take out of town guests is Westward—a foodie seafood-forward restaurant on the north shore of Lake Union. Order yourself a dozen oysters and slurp them while gazing out at the Seattle skyline. When you're done, watch the sunset at Gasworks Park.

Capitol Hill

Some of our favorite haunts from our old neighborhood: Fuel Coffee, Monsoon restaurant, Volunteer Park, and the Seattle Asian Art Museum. If you're looking for nightlife, head to the younger Pike-Pine corridor. We like La Dive and Life on Mars for bars.

Maple Leaf

Neighborhood of the Year 1986 (although once Peter and Matt arrived, it started going downhill). This is where Peter grew up and where his family still lives! Peter recommends dinner at The Maple and we all love Macrina Bakery. Maple Leaf Reservoir Park has great views of Seattle and Mount Rainier, and is also a favorite location for Pickleball.