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Get Out of Town: Snoqualmie Valley

Trains, Hikes, Wineries, Shopping and More

By Diana Reul, Macaroni Kid - Snoqualmie Valley-Issaquah-Sammamish Publisher March 4, 2020


At Macaroni Kid we pride ourselves on local content, but we also know that sometimes you want to get out of town and seek adventure for the day, or even a weekend. Here is just one, in a series of articles, about easy mini adventures you can take with your family. 

Welcome to the Snoqualmie Valley, Washington.

Located approximately 30 miles east of Seattle, the Snoqualmie Valley is made up of several towns, including North Bend, Snoqualmie, Preston and Fall City. It's a perfect place for a day trip with the family, with so much to do and see, especially if you love to be outside!


TOP SPOTS TO VISIT:

Northwest Railway Museum

  • Regular Season Train Rides run Saturdays and Sunday, April thru October.
  • Special Events list, including Day Out with Thomas, Halloween Storytelling Train and Santa Train
  • Various locations

Snoqualmie Falls Hike

  • Located between Fall City and Snoqualmie, a visit to the 268-foot falls is a must for any local or visitor to the region. 
  • Insider secret (and a way to avoid the crowded parking lot), start the hike at the bottom of the falls. From Snoqualmie, head toward Fall City and follow the signs. The hike ascends (or descends, if you start near the Salish Lodge) about 300 feet in a half mile. Switchbacks through the forest provide coolness in the summer months. This hike is easy for all ages and since the park allows pets, bring the whole family!

Rattlesnake Ledge

  • Located in North Bend, Rattlesnake Ledge is a scenic, 4-mile round trip hike, with an elevation gain of 1160 ft. The views of Rattlesnake Lake and the entire Snoqualmie Valley and beyond, are worth every step you take to enjoy them!

Mount Si and Little Si

  • By now you see the pattern, hiking is one of the great things to do in the Snoqualmie Valley. Mount Si is no joke as the four-mile trail (8-miles round trip) ascends to 3,500 feet at the summit ridge. Little Si, the neighbor and little brother to Mount Si, is a fairly easy 3.7 mile trail that starts and ends with steep inclines. With an elevation gain of 1,300 feet, Little Si may be smaller than Mount Si, but it's still a great climb.

Wineries 

Snoqualmie Casino

  • The the Snoqualmie Casino is not kid-friendly, the restaurants are. So, if you're looking for some casino fun, after wine tasting, or you're wanting to treat your family to an amazing meal, the Snoqualmie Casino will not disappoint. The casino also has an amazing line-up of musical acts and comedians all year round.

Historic Snoqualmie

  • To say Historic Snoqualmie is charming would be an understatement. Just a mile east of the Falls, Historic Snoqualmie offers visitors a slower pace in this frantic world. Unique shops, with local owners, will draw you in with a welcoming smile and have you returning for the amazing merchandise. Check their Facebook page for upcoming events like Wine Walks, holiday events (everything from Easter to Halloween to Christmas) and Cookie Crawls.

North Bend Premium Outlets 

  • Located in North Bend, the Premium Outlets are a destination itself. From Nike and Gap to Claire's and Carter's, there is something for your whole family at the Outlets.

Twin Peaks

  • The popular TV show from the early 90's was filmed (and filmed again in 2017) in and around the Snoqualmie Valley. You can check out the list of landmarks here.

Photos credit: Diana Reul