Inn Places For Valentine’s
Kudos to the area inns that made the list of Top Romantic Hideaways in a new book, “Bed & Champagne” by Bradley S. O’Leary (Boru Publishing, $13.95).
The Washington inns include the Alexis Hotel, the Salish Lodge and Sorrento Hotel in Seattle. In Oregon, the Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River and the Heathman Hotel in Portland made the book. The only Montana entry is the Triple Creek Ranch in Darby. Idaho didn’t make the book.
And, while romance and Valentine’s Day are on our minds, the sixth edition of “The Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest” (Beginning Press, $15.95) is available. The book jacket says it’s “completely revised and updated” by authors Stephanie Bell, Kristin Folsom, Elizabeth Janda and Laura Kraemer. It includes more than 700 locations where you can experience the intimate best this region has to offer.
Unfortunately for those of us in the Inland Northwest, the authors didn’t make it east of the Cascades. The nearest “best place to kiss” is in Leavenworth. But there are plenty of suggestions throughout the coastal regions of Oregon, Washington and southern British Columbia.
The ninth edition of the “Innkeepers’ Register: A Guide to 315 Distinctive Destinations” is also new on the market.
The Washington entries are Turtleback Farm Inn, Captain Whidbey Inn, The James House, Old Consulate Inn, and Willcox House Country Inn all on Puget Sound, Shelburne Inn near Longbeach, Birchfield Manor in Yakima and Haus Rohrbach in Leavenworth.
Neither Montana nor Idaho make this book, which is $12.95, available from the Independent Innkeepers’ Association by calling (800) 344-5244.
Git along, little doggie
The slate of summer trail rides in the Canadian Rockies is detailed in a new brochure. The rides are in the Banff, Alberta, area and lodging is in Indian-style teepees.
A six-day trail ride runs about $830 (U.S. funds).
For more information about the trail rides, contact the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies, Box 6742, Station D, Calgary, AB Canada T2P 2E6; (403) 264-8656, fax (403) 264-8657 or e-mail trcr@canuck.com.
Thinking home
Those in Seattle for a Valentine’s Day getaway can also take in the Seattle Home Show, billed as “America’s Biggest Open House.” It’s at the Kingdome Feb. 15-23. Admission is $6, $4/seniors, $2/kids.
Let someone else drive
The Gray Line of Seattle has resumed its Grand City Tour - a six-hour excursion of Pioneer Square, the International District, the University of Washington Arboretum, the Space Needle, lunch at Pike Place Market and the Hiram Chittenden Locks.
The tour cost is $33, $16.50 for kids, which includes admission to the Space Needle observation deck. Other Gray Line Tours include the Museum of Flight and overnight packages to Mount Rainier, Vancouver and Victoria.
Not just for kids
The Children’s Museum of Tacoma has a new home and new exhibits.
The facility is in downtown Tacoma at 936 Broadway, between Ninth and 11th streets; hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. It’s free on Fridays, otherwise admission is $3.75. For information (206) 627-6031.
, DataTimes