Paris is known as the City of Romance—but if a
European jaunt isn’t in the cards this Valentine’s Day, there is no shortage of places in Washington state to share a romantic weekend with your
mon or ma cherie. In fact, the toughest part of planning an in-state fantasy weekend for two is choosing a destination. Wine Country, the Cascade Mountain Range and Puget Sound all offer different, but equally fantastic, experiences. Our insider’s guide to three spotlight destinations—Walla Walla, Leavenworth and Orcas Island—makes planning the rest of the trip easy.
Distance from Bellevue: About three hours by car If you and your paramour are never happier than when communing with nature, pack up your cross-country skis and head east to Leavenworth. The quaint Bavarian-themed village, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Cascade Mountains, is a playground for nature-lovers. A four-season destination, Leavenworth offers skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling during the colder months, and hiking, rock climbing, biking and golf during the warmer ones. The interesting specialty shops (not to mention some amazing bakeries) on the main street are open year-round.
Leavenworth in the winter.
Leavenworth’s Bavarian theme was not an accident, but rather the result of careful planning. When the town fell on hard times in the 1960s, a group of forward-thinking townspeople, inspired by the surrounding countryside, decided to model their home after Bavaria, Germany, in hope of attracting tourists. (Der Markt Platz on Front Street has daily showings of a 30-minute film that tells the story.) Their gamble paid off; today Leavenworth attracts about 1 million visitors a year. After a day of togetherness outdoors, dine à deux at Café Mozart. The refined restaurant specializes in traditional Viennese, Austrian, French and Northwest cuisine. Park views, a 1,600-bottle wine attic and live harp music on Fridays and Saturdays have earned the eatery a reputation as one of the most romantic spots in town. For lodging, reserve a room at Abendblume Pension, an elegant Austrian chalet. Our favorite is the Dornröschen (“Sleeping Beauty”), a top-floor suite with a two-person whirlpool tub, marble shower with two showerheads and four body sprays, wood-burning fireplace, window seat and roomy corner balcony.
L’Ecole No. 41, just outside of Walla Walla.
Distance from Bellevue: About four and a half hours by car The name Walla Walla means “many waters,” but these days “many wines” would be a more apt moniker. Couples who enjoy the nuances of a fine glass of vino—particularly bolder reds, such as syrahs, cabernet sauvignons and merlots—will be captivated by this surprisingly sophisticated town tucked in the far southeastern corner of the state. The Walla Walla Valley has been a top wine-producing region since 1984, when it was first recognized as an American Viticulture Area. Since then, the number of wineries has grown significantly—from four to more than 100. So, too, has the area’s glowing reputation: In 2005, Sunset magazine selected Walla Walla as the Best Wine Destination of the Year in their first Western Wine Awards. Several wineries are located in the downtown area, so you can plan a day of tasting without getting behind the wheel. (Many more are clustered near the Walla Walla airport located minutes
from town.) A little farther afield, in the town of Lowden just west of Walla Walla, is L’Ecole Nº 41, a picturesque winery housed in a circa 1915 schoolhouse. The charming surroundings and award-winning wines are worth the short drive. For dinner, book a table for two at one of Walla Walla’s gourmet restaurants. A local favorite is Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen, where specialty flatbreads round out a menu of creative main dishes with an emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients. Retire for the night to the Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center, a classic 1927 hotel restored to its original elegance in 2000. The elegant wine bar is the perfect place for a romantic nightcap.
For More Information Following is contact information for the establishments mentioned in this article.
L’Ecole Nº 41 41 Lowden School Road Lowden, WA 99360 509.525.0940 www.lecole.com
Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen 125 W. Alder St. Walla Walla, WA 99362 509.525.2112
Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center 6 W. Rose St. Walla Walla, WA 99362 509.525.2200 www.marcuswhitmanhotel.com
Rosario Resort & Spa 1400 Rosario Road Orcas Island, WA 98245 800.562.8820 www.rosarioresort.com
Inn at Ship Bay 326 Olga Road Orcas Island, WA 28245 877.276.7296 www.innatshipbay.com
Distance from Bellevue: About four and a half hours by car and ferry Like all of the San Juan Islands, Orcas Island is synonymous with romance, beginning with the scenic ferry ride from Anacortes. Offering an endless combination of recreation activities—beachcombing pristine shorelines, kayaking, sailing, whale watching and hiking in Moran State Park, to name a few—the horseshoe-shaped island is made for making memories. Like the rest of the Gulf and San Juan Islands, Orcas was once part of Vancouver Island. The islands were separated by continental glaciers during the last ice age. At 36,000 acres, it is the largest island in the chain. Orcas has a vibrant art scene, and browsing for a special keepsake in its dozen-plus galleries is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. One of our favorites is Orcas Island Pottery, which offers beautiful jewel-toned pottery in a forested setting overlooking the Sound. Commanding 30 waterfront acres, the renowned Rosario Resort & Spa offers a Romance package tailor-made for lovers. Couples arrive for their two-night stay to find chocolate-covered strawberries and a chilled bottle of champagne in their rooms, along with a special gift from the resort’s boutique. Also included is dinner for two in the water-view dining room tucked inside the historic Moran Mansion, which was built in the early 1900s by Seattle mayor and shipbuilder Robert Moran. For dinner the next night, journey about a mile away to sample the sublime American regional cuisine served at the Inn at Ship Bay. The charming facilities (including an
11-room inn) are built around a historic 1896 farmhouse in the center of heirloom fruit orchards. Ingredients from local farmers are heavily featured on the menu, including free-range lamb, oysters, broccoli, asparagus, peas, pears and plums. For dessert, share one of the excellent house-made desserts, such as the flourless chocolate cake with pistachio anglaise and vanilla ice cream. Before you board the ferry for home, drive to the top of Mount Constitution to admire the panoramic view of the San Juan Islands and the Olympic and Cascade mountains.
