Scenic Drive Basics - Southwest

Equipment

Automobile, camera, binoculars, picnic lunch & snacks, journal, map, plan of travel route (plus what to see allowing time to see it), Discover Pass, good companion

Licenses

None needed although some of the museums or highlight areas may require admission.

Technique

Allow plenty of time for stops both to view and just stretch. Exit car at scenic highlights. Take photos and journal your impressions, learn to notice those things that your friends back home would be interested to hear about and discuss them with your companion to help remember them. Research the areas you will be passing through to see if they promote seeing specific highlights. Look for festival and/or fair calendars of your area to add to trip plan. If you decide to stay overnight make it fun. 

Highlights

Tour Tacoma waterfront. Cha Huley Glass, remodeled train station, redeveloped smelter area, Point Defiance Zoo & park.  Nisqually Delta restoration, Cabella tour near Olympia, SR 12 to beaches, Ocean Spray Cranberry, Westport area for razor clams, cranberry bogs, Long Beach Kite festival, Olympic National Park visitor center Wood carvings in Raymond, fish hatchery tour, Neah Bay Native American exhibits, Quinault Lodge, Ferry Victoria, Port Townsend music jazz & classical, Casino, Hood Canal Bridge, Ferry

Notes

Attitude will affect your trip.  Plan to have fun and stay well rested.