Many seniors plan driving trips in the fall when kids are back in schools and the roads aren’t crowded with family vacationers. Are you looking for a laid-back, passport-free getaway?
USA Today recently ran a story by Jean Chen Smith, who rated the top seven island destinations in the United States. Washington state scored two in the top seven!
I suspect that many Washingtonians would add several more Washington islands to the author’s list, but here they are below.
Whidbey Island
Number 1 on Smith’s list of top laid-back islands in the nation is Whidbey Island. Whidbey Island is easily accessible by ferry from Mukilteo or can be accessed via the Deception Pass Bridge on the north end of the island — after a scenic drive through Skagit Valley. The author calls out the charming towns of Langley and Coupeville, with restaurants, lively shops, and water views galore.
For Langley, she recommends Sea Biscuit Bakery for a grab-and-go breakfast or sandwiches for a picnic lunch. Pen Cove Brewing serves tacos, sandwiches and salads. Ultra House serves ramen and an Asian fusion menu. Langley offers many vacation housing options, from the cutest motel at the edge of town, to a luxury seaside inn, and many options in-between.
Several miles north of Langley is the town of Coupeville, known to many as the location of the 1998 movie, Practical Magic, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. The author recommends Molka Xete for casual Mexican food in Coupeville, or Gordon’s Fusion for eclectic flavors. Fare Market has great takeout.
While on Whidbey, I never miss the chance to take a hike at spectacular Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, with trails for easy strolling or semi-strenuous hiking, along with miles of beach.
Whidbey also offers activities for the more adventurous, including kayaking, wildlife tours, and zip-lining through old-growth forest. For a more traditional beach outing, visit Double Bluff Beach, which offers miles and miles of beachcombing on a dog-friendly beach. There are wonderful beach parks throughout the island, including the state’s most visited: Deception Pass.
Vashon-Maury Island
Some may not know that Vashon Island is actually two islands connected by a land bridge built by homeowners in 1913. The author made Vashon Inn her home base while visiting this low-key, rural island just minutes to Seattle. She loved the location of the inn, which allowed her to walk to the island’s downtown, with its bakeries, restaurants and shops.
She enjoyed going horseback riding through the forest, visiting the llama farm, renting kayaks and e-bikes (Vashon Adventures), and exploring the beach at both Point Robinson Lighthouse Park and KVI Beach (Point Heyer).
One of the reasons Smith loves Vashon-Maury is that it is the reported location of a UFO sighting, known as the Maury Island Incident, which occurred at the Vashon Municipal Airport.
She couldn’t say enough about food choices on Vashon, which includes not only restaurants but food trucks.
I would say that Bainbridge Island, the San Juans and Camano Islands should have made the list too, but the author’s other five recommended islands in the country include: Amelia Island, Florida; Fripp Island, South Carolina; Mackinac Island, Michigan; Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island, Maine; Hawaiian Islands (take your pick).
To read the full article, click this link: A laid-back family vacation? Here are the 7 best US islands for fun-filled escapes
