Guides
Destination guides and booking advice, from the people who actually run these properties.
Booking direct
What You Actually Pay: Direct Booking vs. Airbnb & VRBO Fees
A plain breakdown of Airbnb and VRBO's guest service fees compared to booking directly — no platform fee, just the nightly rate, cleaning fee, damage waiver, and WA lodging tax.
Destination guide
A Weekend at Stevens Pass: Where to Stay, Eat, and Ski in Skykomish
What's actually in downtown Skykomish, how to get to Stevens Pass, and why River Rail Ranch sits 15 minutes from the lift line.
Destination guide
Fremont, Seattle: The Troll, the Sunday Market, and Where to Stay
A local's rundown of Fremont — the Troll, Gas Works Park, the year-round Sunday Market and First Friday Art Walk — plus two Sikes Vacations stays in the neighborhood.
Destination guide
Federal Way, WA: Dash Point, the Rhododendron Garden, and Where to Stay
What's actually worth doing in Federal Way — Dash Point State Park, the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden, Pacific Bonsai Museum — plus where to stay.
Destination guide
Downtown Bellevue: Parks, the Botanical Garden, and Where to Stay
Bellevue Downtown Park, the 53-acre Botanical Garden, and the new light rail link to Seattle — plus where to stay downtown.
Destination guide
Renton, WA: Gene Coulon Park on Lake Washington, and Where to Stay
What to do at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park — swimming, paddleboarding, the pier — plus where to stay in Renton.
Destination guide
Redmond, WA: Marymoor Park, King County's Largest, and Where to Stay
640 acres, a velodrome, a summer concert series, and an off-leash dog park at Marymoor Park — plus a wooded escape to stay in.
Destination guide
Lynnwood, WA: Light Rail, Alderwood Mall, and Where to Stay
The new Lynnwood City Center light rail station, Alderwood Mall, and the Interurban Trail — plus 6-bedroom and 4-bedroom stays in Lynnwood.
Destination guide
Maltby, WA: The Cafe, the Farms, and Where to Stay
Maltby Cafe's famous cinnamon rolls, Bob's Corn and Pumpkin Farm, and Lord Hill Regional Park — plus a farmhouse stay in Maltby.
Destination guide
Burien, WA: Seahurst Park and Where to Stay
300 acres of forest and saltwater beach at Seahurst Park, plus Burien Town Square — and where to stay nearby.
Destination guide
Tacoma, WA: Museum of Glass, Point Defiance Park, and Where to Stay
The Museum of Glass, the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, and 700 acres at Point Defiance Park — plus where to stay in Tacoma.