Local Happenings

You are currently browsing the archive for the Local Happenings category.

Barbie’s 10 Tips for Summer Fun

July 11, 2011 in Clipper News, Day Trippers, Family Time, Local Happenings, Travel Seattle, Travel Victoria by Barbie | No comments

This week, Barbie, our Victoria Reservations Supervisor and frequent blog contributor brings us her 10 best ideas for summer fun!

Dallas Road Kite

Dallas Road Kite

1. Bike – book your bike aboard the Victoria Clipper or rent one in Victoria.  We have great bicycle paths and designated bicycle lanes.

2. Beer – hop aboard a water taxi cruise over to the Songhees stop and walk over to Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub, yum.

3. Berries – drop by Niagara Grocery in James Bay to pick up a basket of locally grown Blueberries, Strawberries, Blackberries and Raspberries.

4. Brunch – Benny & Bacon! Many varieties of eggs benedict and other scrumptious breakfast items to choose from on the menu at the Flying Otter Grill located at 940 Wharf Street.  Breakfast is served Monday – Friday 8am-11am and Saturday and Sundays from 8am-12pm.

5. Book & Beach – Pick up a book at Munro’s Books or Russell Books and head off to the beach. For a sandy beach head to Willows Beach in Oak Bay. You are sure to find a spot all to yourself along the 5km beach along Dallas Road.. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Sequim Lavender Festival Day Trips

July 7, 2011 in Clipper News, Day Trippers, Family Time, Festivals & Events, Local Happenings by Matt | No comments

Sequim Lavender Festival

Sequim Lavender Festival (photo by Kgrr via Wikimedia Commons)

Join Clipper Vacations as we make our annual trip to Sequim to celebrate all things Lavender!

Located on the Olympic peninsula, in a rain shadow created by the Olympic Mountains, Sequim, WA has the perfect microclimate for growing lavender. In fact, the lavender fields in Sequim have often been compared favorably to those in the south of France! Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , , , , ,

5 Fun Things to do During the Summer in Seattle

June 30, 2011 in Family Time, Festivals & Events, Local Happenings, Travel Seattle by Megan G. | No comments

Clipper intern, Megan, shares with us her list of things to do in Seattle this summer. Whether you call Seattle home or you are just visiting, you’ll enjoy these top Seattle summer attractions:

  1. A summertime must in Seattle is going to a Mariners baseball game. Whether you go during the day to soak up some sun while the roof is off the stadium or at night to enjoy an evening game, you will be in for fun all summer long. Remember to bring your appetite Safeco Field is filled with delicious food, one food in particular that grabs a lot of attention is their famous garlic fries!
  2. Ride the Ducks SeattleRide the Ducks is a great summer activity which takes you all around downtown Seattle, out to Fremont and into Lake Union. All the while, the captain of the Duck is cracking jokes and educating you about historical facts about the city. For two dollars extra you can purchase a quacker noise maker to take with you on the ride! Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , , , ,

New at the SAM: Nick Cave, Meet Me At the Center of the Earth

March 22, 2011 in Festivals & Events, Local Happenings, Travel Seattle by Melissa | No comments

The Seattle Art Museum’s record-breaking Picasso exhibit has come and gone but the 14,000 square foot gallery space has since been renewed with a jaw-dropping explosion of Technicolor created by visual artist Nick Cave. Last Friday night I stopped in at the SAM to catch the exhibit, Meet Me at the Center of the Earth, a dazzling showcase of Cave’s amazingly precious and wild hand-crafted wearable sculptures he calls Soundsuits.

Nick Cave’s background is in both fine art and fashion, makes his Soundsuit creations out of just about any found material from thousands of tiny buttons individually attached to thrift store stuffed animals, pot holders, sticks and vintage garments re-crafted with the most delicate sense of detail into imaginative assemblages that seem to straddle a line somewhere between psychedelic circus and high-fashion couture. I was drawn in first by the exciting pops of color and gorgeous texture but then found myself examining each piece up close trying to take in the immense detail of each sewn together object and masterful stitch. I noticed other galleries attendees doing the same including children who would go from excitedly skipping towards the most brightly colored Soundsuits only to stop to investigate them, looking for familiar objects and otherwise unnoticed elements. The joy and energy of Cave’s Soundsuits has appeal for visitors of every age.

Also part of Nick Cave’s SAM exhibit, are scheduled and unscheduled Soundsuit performances done by local dancers taking place at both the museum and public spaces throughout the city. To really appreciate the Soundsuits, you’ll want to catch them in action. Dancers bounce spin wildly, fully animating the suites into lively creatures with their own imaginative personalities. To better your chances of catching a Soundsuit performance, the SAM has been giving location hints on its Facebook page periodically.

Meet Me at the Center of the Earth is a an art exhibit with definite attitude that will put you in the mood for spring with its vibrancy. It is near impossible to leave the show without feeling energized and inspired by Nick Cave’s kaleidoscope of fashionable art so don’t miss it while it is here. The exhibit will be at the SAM from March 10-June 5 with many events and performances happening throughout. Full details and tickets are available on the SAM website.

Exhibit Details:

Tags: , , , , ,

Northwest Flower & Garden Show 2011

February 18, 2011 in Local Happenings, Travel Seattle by Sara | No comments

There is nothing like the Northwest Flower and Garden show to make me feel worse about how tore up my backyard looks after a rough winter. Luckily, the purpose of the show is to inspire creativity (and nobody can see the current state of my yard!).

I have noticed that there is something different about people who garden. They have a peaceful look about them. Some harbor pure excitement for gardening. One person who comes to mind… Ciscoe Morris! Ciscoe will be in attendance in addition to a long list of featured speakers who possess a multitude of accolades.

“They Will Not by Stumped!
Ciscoe & Meeghan Answer Your Toughest Garden Questions!
Saturday, February 26 at 12:45 pm in the Rainier Room”

The 2011 Flower and Garden show is next week, February 23 – 27th at the Washington State Convention Center. If you are traveling to Seattle to attend the show you can purchase your travel package including show tickets, here

Tags: , , , ,

Seattle Boat Show 2011, Win a $30,000 Fishing Boat

January 13, 2011 in Festivals & Events, Local Happenings by Sara | No comments

At the Seattle Boat Show this year,  Lake Union Sea Ray is giving away a fishing boat valued at $30,000.  The Seattle Boat Show is from January 21 – 30th, 2011.  In addition to lots of  contests and prizes there is a special day for women! On Monday, January 24th women can go for FREE, see details.

If you are traveling into Seattle to go to the boat show be sure to check out these Seattle Boat Show Clipper vacation packages:

From Victoria, BC

From Vancouver, BC

From Portland, OR

Tags: , , ,

Make your plans for 2011

December 28, 2010 in Local Happenings, Northwest Destinations by Sara | No comments

For most of us it is the time of year when we reflect on what we accomplished during the last year and try to overcome where we fell short. For me, as each year passes, I am stunned by how much my life changes in such a small time frame. Last year, I went sky diving for the first time at Sky Dive Snohomish to celebrate turning 30. I traveled through the Canadian Rockies and saw beautiful landscapes in Banff, Jasper National Park and Lake Louise in addition to a family of grizzly bears right off the side of the road. I joined the Clipper Vacations marketing team in August and I went to Victoria, BC on the Clipper for the first time where I learned that high tea at the Butchart Gardens is a full meal deal! I took my younger sister on a Twilight tour through the Olympic National Forest where I found a little slice of northwestern heaven when we stayed at Kalaloch Lodge.  I have always appreciated the beauty and adventure that the northwest has to offer. Even more so now that I spend my days reviewing vacation getaways on the Clipper Vacations website.

As I examine the many things that I did, I can’t help but be excited to plan for 2011. Working at Clipper Vacations has opened my eyes to the various destinations and events that are right in my backyard.

Perhaps, like me, you are already considering what you want to do in 2011. Here is a list some things that we offer to do in the Northwest in the coming months:

This year make it a point to get out and have some fun!

Tags: , , , ,

Picasso! in Seattle

October 7, 2010 in Family Time, Festivals & Events, Local Happenings, Travel Seattle, Uncategorized by Melissa | No comments

Pablo Picasso, 1962

If you have not heard already Picasso! has arrived in Seattle and it is spectacular. From October 8, 2010-January 17, 2011, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is hosting a very comprehensive exhibit containing over 150 works by one of the 20th century’s most influential artist, Pablo Picasso. What makes this particular collection so special is that it comes from the Musée National Picasso in Paris, containing Picasso’s personal collection of works. While the Musée Picasso undergoes renovations, the museum has allowed a world tour of the important collection and Seattle is one of only three US cities to display it.

As part of the member’s preview Tuesday night, I got a sneak peak of the exhibition and I was mesmerized. Gallery after gallery was hung with pieces that I had only ever seen in my art history books. The artwork on view spans over eight decades, and contains stunning and iconic examples from his many periods of work. You will see personal portraits of Picasso’s children, wife and mistresses as well as abstracted sculptures and still lifes. One gallery contains only photographs of Picasso including documentation of his monumental piece Guernica. There was so much to look at, I am already planning to go back to see what I missed.

Aside from making the trek to Paris, seeing this Picasso exhibit is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it is right here in Seattle. I could not recommend enough that anyone living in the Pacific Northwest make a visit to the Seattle Art Museum to catch Picasso! before the show returns to France for good. You will not be disappointed with this world class exhibit.

Tips:

  • Book ahead online – The Picasso exhibit will be popular but you can save yourself sometime waiting in in line by scheduling and booking your visit in advance on the SAM’s website. You can buy your tickets here and for a limited time the online surcharge will be waved.
  • Discounted tickets are available on Thursday and Friday evenings and First Fridays are only $9 for seniors.
  • This Friday through Monday, the first 100 guests wearing blue will get in free each day.
  • Check the website ahead of time for public tour times.
  • Consider using the self-guided audio tour device. You will learn some extra insights on Picasso and it features guests like Chuck Close on the recording.
  • Don’t forget to check out the rest of the museum which features a constant rotation of art. I especially enjoyed the lo-fi Diana Camera exhibit in the hallway on the second floor.

Tags: ,

Inside scoop, who you shouldn’t miss at Bumbershoot 2010

September 1, 2010 in Local Happenings by Sara | No comments

This year marks the 40th Bumbershoot festival in Seattle.  In case you didn’t know “the word bumbershoot first appeared in the U.S. around 1915–1920. It is thought to be an alteration of the umber- part of umbrella plus a respelling of -chute (as in parachute). Bumbershoot was chosen as the Festival’s name as a metaphor for the Festival being an umbrella for all of the various arts and performers it encompasses,” Bumbershoot.org.

This year is chalked full of rising stars and famous artists. With popular musicians like Bob Dylan, Mary J. Blige and Rise Against, just to name a few, there is something available for all types of music and theatre enthusiasts.

Not to be missed is well-known comedian, Nick Thune. “Nick Thune is known for seamlessly combining music and humor. His stand-up has been featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and in his own special for Comedy Central Presents. He has also appeared in movies including Knocked Up, Extract, and Unaccompanied Minors”, as featured at Bumbershoot.org.

Nick Thune grew up in Seattle then moved to L.A. to pursue his talent.  And we are all glad that he did.

Nick had some time to answer a few somewhat random questions for us at Clipper Vacations.

Q. What do you like to do to pass the time on Ferry Rides?

Nick: To pass the time on a ferry ride, I like to walk up to the front of the ferry and yell out, “I SEE LAND! I SEE LAND!”

Q. What are the top three things to do in Seattle?

Nick: 1. GET OUT OF THE RAIN. 2. CLIMB THE SPACE NEEDLE AND THEN SLIDE DOWN. 3. FIGURE OUT WHAT SOUND A PUGET MAKES.

Q. What prank are you most proud of?

Nick: Hiding six alarm clocks all around my friends room. Setting the first one to go off at 3am and the rest to go off in thirty minute intervals. He didn’t get much sleep that night.

We are excited that Nick is going to be back in Seattle this weekend for a couple performances.

You can go see Nick Tune live at Bumbershoot this Labor Day weekend:

September 5, 2010 4:30PM – 5:30PM @ Comedy Stage South

September 6, 2010 4:30PM – 5:30PM @ Comedy Stage South

If you don’t have tickets yet, it is not too late to partake in the festivities. Click Here.

Tags: , , , ,

Not-to-Miss Summer Fun in the Northwest

August 5, 2010 in Festivals & Events, Local Happenings, Northwest Destinations by Melissa | No comments

The Blue Angels at Seattle's Seafair

My biggest problem during the summer in the Northwest is choosing between the many activities, festivals and events that seem to be going on all the time. It is already August (time does fly when you are having fun), yet the local happenings are not slowing down in Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver, Whistler and Portland. Here is my short list of last-minute late summer things and potential getaways you don’t want to miss:

Seattle’s Seafair (ongoing) – Events happen all summer but the highlights for me are this weekend. As part of Fleet Week, greet ships and sailors as they arrive on Seattle’s waterfront then take a behind the scenes look and tour the ships. Also happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday is the Boeing Air Show featuring the world famous Blue Angels.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags:

« Older entries § Newer entries »