Last week we found ourselves weighing our intense need for a weekend getaway against taking a tantrum-throwing, teething toddler away from his home and routine. We drew curly straws, the weekend getaway won, and I was soon searching for a destination that was relatively close to Seattle with lots of fun things to do and pretty things to look at.  So, off we went northward to Bellingham–a smallish city by the sea with a big reputation for livability, cultural attractions, kid-friendliness and outdoor fun.

Bellingham’s charms are many, but its cheap sleeps are surprisingly few. Save for a handful of no-frills motels, there just aren’t many rooms to be found for under $100. Most people I know who travel here end up at the Fairhaven Village Inn, where even winter rates for the most basic rooms start above our cheap sleeps ceiling of $150 a night.  Bed and breakfasts are sparse here, and strict county regulations for operating a B&B may explain why. Still, there are a few we can afford, and we were pleased as punch with the one we chose.

The Axton Road Bed and Breakfast has only been open for business a year, but you’d never know it; hosts Sandy and Barb made us feel right at home without any of the fussiness I’ve sometimes experienced with new B&Bs. Axton Road is a real B&B–this isn’t an inn, it’s the hosts’ beautiful, custom-built home. Semi-retired physicians and recent empty-nesters, the couple converted their three childrens’ former bedrooms into comfortable guest rooms with lots of warm wood, tasteful country finishings and gorgeous views out to the pastures and mountains. We were in the “oak room,” complete with an iPod deck and daybed for the kiddo. Through our window we took in the territorial view of goat pasture and gardens framed by the Cascades. The bath was just outside our door.

Here is a picture of the “maple room.”

Barb and Sandy’s main living room radiates comfort and warmth, and Barb made sure to let us know that we were welcome to hang out there, whether it was to browse the library (including a shelf of kids’ books), play a game of scrabble or just chat by one of the  stone fireplaces.

Axton Road B&B sits just north of Bellingham on twenty pastoral acres that comprise a native tree nursery, vegetable gardens, goat pasture, a vineyard, and an orchard.  A couple of short trails take you through the woods and meadow around the property. I was drawn in by the descriptions of wildlife and nature on the B&B’s website (tell any birder in western Washington they might see a barn owl and you’ve got them!) and Brian and Isaac looked forward to feeding the goats.

When we arrived early Saturday afternoon, Sandy was busy in the carpentry shop and he came to greet us and show us our room, graciously making no mention of the fact that our arrival was very much on the early side. We settled in, baby Isaac dozed for a bit, then we headed out to check out the six resident goats, the star attractions as far as our 1-year old was concerned. While the goats enjoyed a sampling of peanuts, I watched a nearby Cooper’s Hawk stalk some unsuspecting songbirds.

After an afternoon drive, we ended our evening back at Sandy and Barb’s with cups of hot chocolate. Breakfast on Sunday morning was spinach quiche, fruit and toast, which we took turns eating as the other contained the toddler, who was hell-bent on destruction.  I regretted not bringing along our portable high chair. (By the way, if anyone ever tells you that the “terrible twos” actually begin at 18 months of age, believe them!)

Before leaving Bellingham, we enjoyed a long walk around the marina at Squalicum Harbor, a beautiful spot for a morning stroll. It was pretty quiet on this Sunday morning, and we watched as a few fisherman prepared their gear on the dock and a handful of sailboats departed the marina. After that we checked out the Whatcom Museum’s new Family Interactive Gallery (FIG), a collection of interactive art and activities that was fun and engaging, as promised.

We’ll be back, Bellingham!

More information:

Axton Road Bed & Breakfast, $135 a night. (360) 398-9196 or www.axtonroadbedandbreakfast.com.

Check out kid-friendly Bellingham over at Cascadia Kids.

Discover more about Bellingham and its environs at the Whatcom County Tourism Bureau.

]]> http://nwcheapsleeps.org/2010/03/22/bellingham-a-city-by-the-sea/feed/ 3 http://nwcheapsleeps.org/2009/06/11/lake-chelan-is-calling/ http://nwcheapsleeps.org/2009/06/11/lake-chelan-is-calling/#comments Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:16:21 +0000 Lauren http://nwcheapsleeps.org/?p=585

I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus lately. My goal is to post once a week, and it’s been three since I last posted. And although I would love to say it’s because I’ve been chillaxin in some remote corner of the Pacific Northwest with no internet access in site, that would be a lie. I’ve been at home, just feeling a bit under the weather, which has been hard, because the weather has been pretty awesome.  But it did give me a chance to catch up on some reading. And I’ve been reading about Lake Chelan.

If you look at a map of Washington state, you will notice a long sliver of water right in the north central part of the state, bordered on its west side by the Wenatchee National Forest. Lake Chelan is actually an eighty mile long glacial valley, and for most of its length lies deeper than the Grand Canyon. This fjord-like lake is fed by more than 100 Cascade glaciers, filling it with water is that crystal clear and deeply blue. Its banks rise steeply towards the glacier-capped, rugged peaks of the North Cascades, resulting in a truly dramatic landscape.

The lake’s south end, including the town of Chelan, is more developed. Just a 3-hour drive from both Seattle and Spokane, the lake’s south end offers orchards, wineries, golfing, boating, swimming, and hiking. However, a little bit of quiet is hard to find with the roar of a jet ski always in the distance. This post is about the lake’s north end, where most of the landscape is wild, and all of it is remote, with the quiet villages of Stehekin and Holden accessible only by boat.

Life slows down the minute you walk onto the Lady of the Lake boat ferry in the town of Chelan to begin your journey north on the water. (Round trip ferry rates are $34 – $39 per person. Click here for the schedule and here for a list of what you can and cannot take with you on board the vessel.)

All who have to do after that is decide where to get off the boat.

Slow down in Stehekin. The remote and picturesque town of Stehekin is reached only by boat, floatplane, horseback or hiking boot–which explains why there are only about 100 full-time residents! Come summer, though, the village is crawling with visitors, including thru-hikers that take a much-needed rest here as they make their way north on the Pacific Crest Trail.  You’ll find a few good places to stay in Stehekin, though none as cheap as the tent you could pitch along a nearby trail. My top pick is the Stehekin Mountain Cabin which sleeps seven for $90 a night. It’s a screaming deal. The best-known accommodation is the Stehekin Landing Resort, part of the North Cascades National Park complex, where you can get a very basic room in the summer high season for $112 a night. The “resort” has a restaurant and general store. Also run by the Courney Family is the Stehekin Valley Ranch, where a perfectly acceptable tent cabin and all meals runs about $95 a person (an adult person, that is–kids are cheaper).

Retreat to the Wilderness. Holden Village is a year-round Lutheran wilderness retreat center about 11 miles up into the mountains from the Lucerne landing dock. Situated on the edge of the Glacier Peak Wilderness, this retreat village has so much to do regardless of your religious denomination, from art projects to crafts to spiritual renewal to wilderness exploration. It’s a day hiker’s dream come true, with several stunning trails departing from the village into the Glacier Peak Wilderness. While at Holden, you are invited to find your own pace and pursue your own unique renewal and interests. But don’t expect to connect with the outside world – Holden has no phones or television, no cell phone reception, and limited radio. Rates are about $70 per person (cheaper for kids) and all delicious meals are included in your stay.  Holden is not a resort, it’s a community. (NOTE: The Holden Village folks also operate Holden Bed and Breakfast, a fabulous deal at $30 per person, but this is separate from the Village and instead accessible by road from the town of Chelan.)

Take a hike. Looking for a totally unique way to experience Lake Chelan? Hike the lakeshore! The Chelan Lakeshore Trail is a 17.5 mile backpack, and perhaps the only trailhead in Washington state that requires a 20-mile boat ride. Begin your backpack adventure at Prince Creek and make it a 2-3 day journey to, pitching your tent at fabulous lake view campsites along the way to Stehekin,  where you will board the Lady of the Lake once again for the return trip to Chelan. It is also possible to take the boat to Moore Point and dayhike 6.8 miles to Stehekin, which some feel is the best part of the trail – you can overnight at the campground in town or stay in the lodge. Make sure to consult the boat schedule carefully! If you are up for a really unique adventure, consider a Volunteer Vacation with Washington Trails Association – they host several working vacation trips in the north Lake Chelan area each year.

Photo of the Lady of the Lake by Kingfox.

Photo of hikers along Lake Chelan by Dan..

Sometimes, us city folks just want to unplug and escape to a really small town.

La Conner, Washington is a really small town. As in, there aren’t any stoplights. Or chain restaurants. La Conner is so small, in fact, that its population is around 850 people. And that’s counting the many Northwest artists that call La Conner home.

Why go? Because La Conner is not just any small town. It’s a very cool small town.

It’s setting could hardly be more picturesque. La Conner is nestled between the Cascades and Puget Sound, and near a fertile river delta where swans forage and tulips grow. La Conner’s 21 art galleries, 3 museums, waterfront restaurants and quaint boutiques are more than enough to fill a few days’ worth of browsing and eating. If the charming small town experience isn’t your thing, the nearby Padilla Bay Nature Reserve just might be.

And of course, there are all those tulips.

For a few months now, I’ve been on the lookout for a cheap sleep in La Conner to go with my family on a short weekend getaway. Every place I came across, while full of charm, had rates beyond what I consider to be a cheap sleep. And quite frankly, I was about to give up on La Conner for overnight accommodations and head instead to the Tulip Inn in nearby Mt. Vernon.

Until, that is, I found the Queen of the Valley Inn Bed and Breakfast, a charming historic farmhouse B&B just outside of town, that is thankfully well aware of the financial crunch we are all feeling about now. It’s running a “Financial Relief Package” through March -take 25% off a one-night stay, 30% off a two-night stay, and 35% off a three-night stay! That means you can stay for one night, on a weekend, for about $112. (Be sure and mention the package when you reserve your room!) Bring your appetite – this includes the “Queen’s Cuisine” breakfast that is reportedly worth writing home about. Not to mention all of those nice B&B things like generous porches and little balconies, hot beverages all day, wireless internet, water views, a hammock under a chestnut tree, and fluffy robes and comforters.

By the way, Mike McQuaide recently wrote in the Seattle Times about the abundance of winter bird life in the Skagit Valley, and the birders who flock here. I’ve spent many frigid winter days on the Skagit flats myself, gazing through binoculars at thousands of Snow Geese between sips from a hot thermos, or peering through a scope at a Short-eared Owl as it hunts for rodents. Be sure and pack a pair of binoculars if you go–you won’t be disappointed!

La Conner waterfront by Rich Murphy. Skagit tulip photo by 1IndieMike.

My neighbor Tom, who happens to be Northwest Cheapsleeps’ earliest subscriber and most frequent commenter, just spent a lovely winter weekend with his wife Lyanda and daughter Claire in Port Townsend, Washington.

Lyanda, a book author, was the reason behind the family’s trip. She was in PT for a reading and talk about her recent book (www.LyandaLynnHaupt.com). Tom, Lyanda and Claire quickly discovered lots more reasons to remember Port Townsend as an inexpensive, fun destination for future winter weekends. “There’s a winter beer festival, a winter film series, great deals on downtown hotels, after-Christmas sales in all the shops, and great bands scheduled in the local venues,” Tom shared with me. “Plus, Port Townsend is surprisingly close – less than a 2-hour trip from the city.” This includes the 30-minute ferry crossing from Seattle to Bainbridge Island or from Edmonds to Kingston.

Tom has two cheap sleeps to recommend downtown. Both are in historic buildings, loaded with charm, and have screaming deals.

The Waterstreet Hotel website / 360-385-5467

Rates: $45 – $125 per night in winter; $50 – $160 in summer. Use this coupon for even better winter deals through March 15 on weeknight stays.

– Water views and decks from the back rooms
– Several very large rooms with bed, dining table, kitchen, loft, deck.
– Some rooms with full kitchen (not just microwave)
– Above a bar (Water Street Brewing and Ale House - “excellent food, beer and atmosphere but there was a beer fest going on when we visited, very loud even at noon”)
– AAA discount
– Free wireless

The Palace Hotel: website / 360-385-0773

Rates: $59 – $109

– No water views
– Fridge and Microwave in many rooms.
– “Frillier” decor with Victorian sitting areas
– In the historic Captain Tibbals building
– Each room has a name (Captain Tibbals, Miss Claire, Miss Genevieve, etc)
– Former brothel! (see history page on website)
– Some rooms are European style with shared bath
– Runs “2 nights for the price of one” specials midweek in winter
– Free wireless

Another PT cheap sleep I have stayed in is the Aladdin Motor Inn on Washington Street. Rates are $65 – $110, and some have good water views. They have a few good specials right now. Also, Hostelling International operates the Olympic Hostel in old military barracks at Fort Warden State Park. Private rooms available.

Oh, I almost forgot. Tom has one more bit of advice to add for you all: “Don’t forget to stop for a slice of pie at the Chimacum Cafe as you head back down to route 101!”

By the way, you have exactly 89 days before a six-week closure for reconstruction of the Hood Canal Bridge, which connects ferry traffic from Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula to the Olympic Peninsula, where Port Townsend is. For information on the closure and alternative routes to PT, click here.

All photos by Tom Furtwangler. Interior shots are of the Water Street Hotel. Thanks so much to Tom for sharing the information for this post! If you have a cheap sleep or destination to pitch to me, contact me at admin@nwcheapsleeps.org.

It’s very important to have that favorite place.

What kind of favorite place is that, you ask? It’s that place you daydream of quitting your job and moving to someday. You may visit this place only once a year, but still you feel like you’ve truly come home each time you visit. And yet, a long, slow weekend visit there is just perfectly relaxing enough to send you back to your real home with a smile on your face and a fresh outlook on life.

I have a friend who spring breaks to Saltspring Island BC year, after year, after year. It is, indeed, her favorite place. She has real estate websites for Saltspring Island bookmarked on her computer. She loves watching the painters and potters of Saltspring in action, and buys a good deal of the local art for her home in Seattle. She can spend hours photographing the numerous cottage gardens on the island. And her favorite Saturday pastime is a visit to the farmer’s market for organic produce, local goat cheeses and homemade chutneys.

Saltspring Island (also called Salt Spring Island), the largest and most settled of the northern Gulf Islands, is a unique place to visit; there’s really no place else quite like it. As soon as you walk (or drive) off the ferry that arrives here from either Vancouver Island or the mainland, you will feel that you are in a special place. Some call it Island of Peace and truly believe Saltspring nourishes the soul and promotes a deeper quality of consciousness. A visit there is an immersion in local art in culture, and an experience of natural splendor. For some, especially those of the hippy, homestead and herbal persuasions, Saltspring Island is the very definition of idyllic. For all, it is a relaxing, fun getaway in a fabulously mild climate.

For more on the art, culture and people of Saltspring Island, I recommend this Seattle Times travel piece written by Carol Pucci.

Getting to Saltspring Island is easy, and you have a few options. Most visitors arrive by ferry to one of the island’s three terminals. You can depart from Vancouver/Tsawwassen and arrive at Long Harbour or Fulford. You can also depart from Victoria/Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island to Fulford or via Crofton to Vesuvius. For information and reservations call 1-888-BC FERRY or go to www.bcferries.bc.ca. Some lucky folks get to arrive by floatplane.

Which brings us to the topic at hand. Where to stay? There are a surprising number of cheap sleeps on Saltspring Island. The problem is choosing which fabulous place to book a room.

If you like funky, unique places to stay and are seeking an excellent value, check out the Valhalla Sleeping Units. Valhalla is an organic fruit tree orchard located in the center of Saltspring with three private cedar sleeping units — the playhouse, karma cottage, and luna lounger. The little cabins run $40 – $50 per night (all prices Canadian dollars). Please note that the washroom is a shared composting toilet a short walk down a path from your little cabin. And the showers are in town. But the units all have lights and power! No pets.

The Seabreeze Inne just outside of Ganges is a good value. It’s basically a well-kept hotel, but some rooms do have an ocean view, and breakfast is free. Shoulder-season rates (through April) are well under $100 a night.

Right in the middle of the island is The Forest Loft, a cozy, second story suite with private bathroom and a private entrance in a modern cedar-shingled home. It even has a small kitchenette. Rates are just $65 in winter / $75 in summer.

If you like nature and hiking, book a room at the Caprice Heights Bed and Breakfast, halfway between Ganges and Fulford Harbour. From your front door you can take a forest hike up Mount Maxwell to an outstanding viewpoint. After that, relax on the big sunny deck, read a book on the brick patio, or wind down in the hot tub. The proprietors, Chris and Sara, say that “hospitality” is the word that pops up most often in their guestbook. The Arbutus Room is $90-$100; the larger suite, The Beams, is $125.

Hit the farm! Island Farmhouse B&B is a working farm situated on ten rural acres with both pasture and pond. Their tasty, organic breakfasts are made with eggs you can collect yourself! Two budget rooms that share a bath are $70 – $90 a night.

Want your own place? A Cabin in Echo Valley has everything you need for a cozy, romatic weekend – from a woodburning stove, to a library of books , to your very own herb garden where you can flavor up dinner cooked in your very own fully-equipped kitchen. There are even bikes for your use. Just $95 a night.

Truly, there are so many cheap sleeps on Saltspring Island, it might just replace the Willamette Valley and become my favorite place, too.

Photo of Saltspring Island farmer’s market by UtahCanuck.

Photo of visitors to Salt Spring by Noah Sussman.

Aspen, Jackson and Tahoe, and… Bend. For awhile there, it seemed as if every person in the west with a little disposable income was descending onto Bend, Oregon to buy up a vacation home and ski Bachelor. Naturally, housing prices went through the roof.

It’s no mystery why Bend fast became one of the most favored mountain towns in the west. It’s an outdoor paradise. There’s hiking, skiing, climbing, fly-fishing, white-water kayaking, great restaurants, stunning scenery, unique shopping, and even a pretty decent nightlife.

The small central Oregon city, long a favorite destination for Northwestern outdoors enthusiasts, was of late becoming a bit too well heeled for the tastes of some. And then, the bubble burst.

Just one year ago, Bend’s housing market was named the most overvalued in the nation. And we all know what has happened to the nation’s economy and housing markets since then.

I was reading a recent article in Budget Travel the other day on Bend (Around the Bend), and after remembering the sweet smell of Ponderosa Pine trees and the taste of Mirror Pond Pale Ale straight from the brewery, I suddenly found myself planning a weekend trip there for a little snowshoeing and a lot of relaxing. And to my pleasant surprise, Bend has suddenly become a lot more affordable.

Any article on Bend (the Budget Travel piece included) will tell you to book a room at the McMenamin’s Old St. Francis School. I wouldn’t dare steer you away from there if you can afford it! Rooms start at $114 a night and go way up from there, and unlike other McMenamin’s hotels, there are no cheaper hostel or shared-bath options available. St. Francis, a renovated Catholic schoolhouse, is right downtown, has a Turkish-style soaking pool, and its very own movie theater.

Given the economy and the probable number of empty hotel rooms in Bend this winter, I began searching for specials. You can get some pretty good prices on standard motel rooms right now. The Motel 6 is the cheapest sleep in town at $46 a night, and the Shilo Inn is running a special through June for $79 / night. The Phoenix Inn Suites have rooms for $99, but give you a $25 gas card for each night you stay. The best pick of these motels is the Entrada Lodge, set on 42 acres adjoining the Dechutes National Forest, for $89. They offer a free continental breakfast and there are hiking trails that start from their property.

I don’t mind a basic hotel room if my choices are limited. But in Bend, they’re not. Some of the best deals in Bend right now are at charming bed and breakfasts. The Country Inn the City B&B (541.385.7639) has single rooms for $45, or $89 double occupancy, and that rate includes tax and breakfast. A fun and funky B&B option is Mill Inn (877.748.1200) which offers three options – a bunk bed room for $40, queen bed with shared bath for $70, and a queen bed with private bath for $90.

A very cool overnight option in Bend is to rent a bungalow in the heart of town. Check out Bend Cottages where a bungalow rents for as low as $99 a night. The Stone’s Throw Bungalow rents for $99 / night, or $275 for 3 nights. This charming Bend bungalow listed on VRBO is just $99.

Now the only problem is deciding where to have dinner!

Photo of downtown Bend by Matthew Hickey. Photo of climber at Smith Rock by moore fun.

When I haven’t traveled in awhile (and I haven’t traveled in awhile), I start to make lists of where I want to go. Right now, the Methow Valley is on that list, right near the top, for a late winter snowshoe trip. It’s a fantasy, but I’m leaving it on there. This spring, I want to make it to the Walla Walla region for the first time, both to hike in the nearby Blue Mountain range and sip some wine at some of the smaller regional wineries. That’s a trip that will probably happen. And then this coming August, I want to return to North Cascades National Park for a fabulous, rugged backpacking trip. (Having a ten-month old may put a small wrench in that one).

Imagine my joy, then, to open the January issue of Seattle Metropolitan magazine. Talk about a list! The cover story is “52 Great Weekends — Northwest Getaways for Every Week of the Year.” Just reading through this list of weekend excursions got me mentally packing my bags and pulling out the old gazetteer.

Granted, most of the suggested trips don’t point you to cheap sleeps for your overnight accommodations (in the Methow valley, for example, they’ll send you to the uber expensive Sun Mountain Lodge, which bears little resemblance to the Idle-a-While.) But that’s okay. Let them be out-of-touch. It’s not the recommendation to stay at the Fairmont Vancouver that makes this article so great. It’s the reminder – all 52 reminders – of all the Northwest has to offer. Even in 2-3 day chunks. And especially for locals.

The trip suggestions aren’t original, but they’re fun. How about an art-filled weekend in Tacoma? (If you are turning up your nose, you haven’t been to Tacoma lately.) Offbeat weekend ideas include crabbing along the Oregon Coast or apple-picking in Wenatchee. For adventurous types, spend a Saturday surfing in Tofino (on the west side of Vancouver Island) or take in the rodeo in Pendleton. Personally, I’d pass on the golfing weekend at Suncadia Resort near Cle Elum. Ditto for the luxery resort at the Tulalip Casino. I just might have to check out the Bronze, Blues and Brews Fest in Joseph, Oregon this August, though. I wonder if they allow ten-month olds…

With gas prices still hovering around $4 a gallon , this fall and winter we will highlight some great half-tank weekend getaways from Seattle or Portland. Our first half tank trip is to the city of Port Angeles on the Olympic Peninsula.

Port Angeles has long been a popular destination for tourists to Washington state. The small city, nestled between the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic mountains, makes a terrific base for Olympic Peninsula sightseeing and recreation. It’s also a great launching point for ferries to Victoria, British Columbia (the Coho or Victoria Express.) And with many hotel choices, fabulous views, waterfront parks and great restaurants, it’s a pretty nice base to explore from.

Tourists flock in the summer. But it is off-season, especially the fall months, when Port Angeles makes the perfect weekend getaway for Northwesterners. Vacancies are plenty, there is still great fall hiking to be had at nearby Hurricane Ridge just 17 miles away in Olympic National Park, and the fall harvest– from the land and the sea — will keep your senses happy and stomachs full. (One great place to start your sample the bounty of Port Angeles is this weekend’s Streamfest.)

A leisurely good-weather day in PA might start with a strong cup of Zoka coffee and a pastry at Bella Rosa Coffee House (403 S. Lincoln St.) to go. Enjoy your hot beverage down at the City Pier, where a two-story tower gives you one of the best views to be had in the Pacific Northwest – a sweeping panorama of the strait. From here, you can stroll east for a mile along the Waterfront Trail, where interpretive signs teach you about the rich native history of the area and the diverse marine life stretched out before you. Or head west from the Pier along the Waterfront Trail, past the paper mill to the beginning of the two-mile long Ediz Hook, one of the longer sand spits in the world and great for birdwatching, picnicking or just drifting through the driftwood. For a longer walk or bike ride, head east from downtown Port Angeles beyond the Waterfront Trail’s end at the old Rayonier mill to the Olympic Discovery Trail, 40-miles of mostly-paved trail, much of it waterfront, between Port Angeles and Sequim. The longterm plan is to eventually extend this discovery trail all the way to Port Townsend. The Port Angeles area boasts a bounty of great produce and seafood, so if your visit falls on a Saturday or Wednesday, be sure and check out the local farmers market for some local, organic flavor.

Of course, being in the rain shadow of the Olympic mountains the sun often shines in PA while the rain drizzles in Seattle. But on the off-chance that your weekend getaway gets rained on, there’s plenty to do indoors. Visit the Olympic Coast Discovery Center, operated by NOAA, at the Landing Mall. PA’s Fine Arts Center features work from Northwest artists, and the Clallum County Museum offers history buffs guided and self-guided tours. Or, you can always just pack your umbrella and wander through the many galleries, boutiques and antique stores downtown.

Looking to venture beyond town? Take a fall color hike from Hurricane Ridge on trails like Hurricane Meadows or Klahhane Ridge. Visit the Olympic Game Farm and get close to wildlife, at least from the comfort of your car, including zebras, lions and bears. Watch birds at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge. Go wine tasting at one of the north Olympic Peninsula’s seven local wineries (November hosts two Peninsula wine events.) And PA is a great jumping off point for a day trip or overnight to Victoria B.C.

However you spend your day, make sure you save some time and money for a leisurely dinner at one of the best restaurants on the Olympic Peninsula, the romantic and delicious Michael’s (117 B East First St / 360-417-6929.) The pastas are fantastic.

So, where are the cheap sleeps to be found in Port Angeles? Certainly one of the least expensive is the Downtown Hotel (101 1.2 East Front St / (866) 688-8600) where rooms start at just $45. Many of the nicely-designed rooms are European style, with shared baths. Even these Euro-style rooms have a washbasin and cable TV. One room, for only a bit more money, has an ensuite bath. The more expensive options (up to $120 / night) are much larger suites with kitchenettes. As for bed and breakfasts, the Ocean Crest B&B is always just $75 – $95 a night, and serves up all kinds of warm hospitality. The Angeles Inn B&B has low season rates (starting October 1) for under $100. (With tourism down from high gas prices, don’t be shy about asking if the low season rates start sooner this year – I’ve heard some places are already honoring low season rates.)

Thinking of planning a fall getaway to Port Angeles? Here is a link to the Port Angeles tourism brochure, which is chock full of great suggestions on what to do, where to go, and local festivals and events you won’t want to miss.