Walla Walla, Washington
Although known primarily for its renowned sweet onions, Walla Walla has much more going for it than simply agricultural finesse. With historic architecture, more than 300 days of sunshine a year, and a pleasingly old-fashioned feel, Walla Walla is a delightful small-town retreat that has enough attractions to keep big city visitors from twiddling their thumbs.

Named as one of the "100 Best Small Art Towns in America" by author John Villani, Walla Walla is home to art galleries, theaters, jazz and blues venues, and the oldest continuous symphony west of the Misssissippi. As a former Hudson Bay Post, part of the Oregon Trail, and visited by Lewis & Clark, Walla Walla is also rife with historical sites. Among the highlights is the Fort Walla Walla Museum, a 16 building complex featuring original and replica pioneer settlement buildings, and home to historical exhibits and Sunday afternoon reenactments. To step further back in time, visitors should visit Lyons State Park, home to the Marmes Archeological site where 10,000-year old human remains were discovered. Lyons State Park is also the location of Palouse Falls, a dramatic 198-foot waterfall. Umatilla State Forest and Lewis & Clark Trail State Park are close by, making for ample back-to-nature opportunities.

Overnight visitors to Walla Walla have a handful of lodging options. The Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center is a lavish historic hotel in the center of downtown. Opened in 1928, the hotel now offers the best of both worlds - afternoon tea and high-speed Internet access. For bed & breakfast aficionados, The Green Gables Inn resides in a 1909 Craftsman-style mansion and features a candlelit breakfast on antique china and crystal. For fans of the Inn's namesake, all rooms are named after references made in the L.M. Montgomery novel.

Eastside Wineries
Second only to California in the production of premium wines, Washington wines are so much in demand that, according to Washington Wine Commission statistics, a new winery opens in the state every five weeks.

More than just an excuse to get tipsy on local vintages, winery tours are an occasion to observe the processes that contribute to a good glass of wine. Depending on the season, visitors can catch glimpses of the different stages of production, from planting to bottling.

Yet, winery visits offer more than simply technical elements.

Chateau Ste. Michelle, located on 87-acres of manicured grounds, features summer concerts, cooking and wine appreciation seminars, dining experiences, and a summer concert series. A shop sells wines and Northwest cheeses, and visitors are encouraged to picnic on the grounds. For a well-rounded wine experience, don't miss the tastings at DeLille Cellars, Columbia Winery, Silver Lake Winery, DiStefano Wines, or Facelli Winery.

In fact, with over ten different Eastside wineries to choose from, a good option is to plan a tour with Washington Wine Tours. The company provides guided day excursions to Woodinville area wineries that include lunch and hotel pick-up service. Custom tours can also be arranged.

For those who want to plan their own wine excursion, the Washington Wine Commission and East King County Convention & Visitors Bureau have a wealth of free trip planning resources.

Port Townsend
The flavor here is more Victorian than American, provincial yet enticing. Located closer to Canada than to Seattle, part of Port Townsend's Charm is its combination of an American and foreign atmosphere. Colonies of painters, sculptors, and assorted artists make up many of the attractions. Concerts, art shows, breathtaking historic Victorian homes, and great shopping make it a favored Seattle getaway.

Olympic Mountains
It's not Hawaii, but the temperate jungles of the Olympics make up the only rain forest you'll find on the North American continent. Nature loving travelers can take a hike up to the mountains and visit the many peaks seen from the office or home. Much of the park is roadless, making for a pristine environment in which to hike, look at wildlife, and marvel at the gigantic old-growth trees.