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This article appears in print in the May 2020 issue. Click here to subscribe. 

Editor’s note: Due to the COVID 19 health crisis, we recommend you save these trips for a time when it’s safe to leave your house. Many of these businesses are not fully operational, and some of the more rural areas we write about in our travel coverage don’t need an influx of Seattleites right now. But it’s fun to dream, isn’t it? 

Travel prep demands both planning and dreaming, and this guide to getaways in Washington and beyond—conceived in the long-ago days before the novel coronavirus derailed life as we knew it—aims to help you do both. A well-balanced mini-break is a work of art, whether you’re crafting a restful overnighter nearby, a heavenly long-weekend refresh, or, as may be the case for some time, a bit of armchair travel to sunnier locales. We hope that diving into these destinations, along with taking travel tips and inspiration from local experts, will keep your most adventurous daydreams alive as you appreciate your own backyard.

Overnight stays
Woodinville
Upgrade your staycation with wine tasting, entertainment and luxurious accommodations

Vashon Island 
The relaxing destination boasts beaches, art and great eats

Tacoma
Refresh yourself with 24 hours in the City of Destiny 

Weekends away
Orcas Island
How a convenient destination for young families became an indispensable springtime tradition

Port Townsend
A Seattleite’s guide to her seaport hometown

Long weekends
Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
The Valle de Guadalupe is a world-class wine region just south of San Diego

Bay Area wine country
Fly into San Francisco for a wine-centric experience blending of culture, cuisine and tasting rooms

Los Angeles
Done right, a quick trip to Southern California can be just the thing for sun-starved Seattleites

More to love
Get to know these local travel agents
When the time is right, these four Seattle-based travel experts will be waiting to help you unleash your pent-up inner adventurer

Interview with Michael Bennett of Explorer X
The travel professional offers answers to a fundamental human question: why do we travel?