Meat Lover? Vegetarian? Looking for some soup, salad, or pizza? Food is truly an adventure in Island Park, Idaho! Whether you are after a slice of Mexico, or a taste of China, or simply a good old American dish, it’s here! We’re highlighting some of our absolute favorites here today. We know you’ll love them, too!
After a long day outside, you can grab a bite at Café Sabor. This riverside delight with outdoor dining offers their hit, called a Spinach Cheese Appetizer. You cannot miss the fried ice cream and a delicious, thick, and crunchy coating with a topping of strawberries or caramel and some whipped cream. Chips and salsa can be a good meal balancer, and blackened salmon with fruit salsa is an absolute winner.
Are you looking for something heavier? Ribeye steaks will make you drool! This gem off the snowmobile trail has a name you won’t forget either. Boondocks Restaurant is an American nook that also offers vegan dishes. So if you have a vegetarian or vegan friend, they can tag along while you enjoy your juicy ribeye steak! A great wine list awaits you, too. It’s the perfect spot!
TroutHunter has an exceptional Bar & Grill that is the perfect gathering place for anglers. Enjoy delicious fine dining in a casual atmosphere. You’re going to love the views of Henry’s Fork from the bar, restaurant, or patio seating. From delicious sandwiches and burdgers, to delectible ribeyes (including Bison!) there is something for everyone.
Are you looking for a romantic spot on this busy trail? You and your special someone can grab a table in this gourmet restaurant with a tranquil view of the river. Henry’s Fork Lodge and Restaurant offers one of the best menu lists on this side of the trail. Each meal is carefully curated with the best ingredients and executed to perfection. With its peaceful location in the woods you will, without a doubt, have a memorable meal with your partner. Be prepared to be blown away by the ambiance, great service, and excellent dishes!
Island Park truly has a long row of excellent restaurants, and whatever your tummy desires, you’ll indeed find it here! Make your meals as adventurous as your trip to Island Park! The area offers excellent spots for families, for groups of friends, and even for a romantic treat! After a day of activities in Island Park, you can guarantee you’ll be in for a culinary adventure with any of these spots. And we have many vacation properties that would serve as the perfect home base for your getaway. Check them out at Kabino.com!
The Pacific Northwest is brimming with famous national parks and treasures that top the bucket-list of brave explorers across the globe. While the popular attractions should definitely rank high on your to-do list, the area also boasts plenty of hidden gems that are off the beaten path, but no less enjoyable than their famous neighbors. In fact, their lower crowds and undisturbed wilderness make them even better!
If you’re planning your Pacific Northwest vacation, be sure to include some of these lesser-known landscapes in your itinerary.
Hoh Rain Forest Loop, Olympic National Park
You might not immediately think ‘Washington’ when you think ‘rainforest’, but the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park says you should. This temperate jungle has everything you’d expect for a magical rainforest adventure: giant conifer trees, vibrant plants and flora overlapping in splendid color, along with plentiful wildlife.
The Hoh Rain Forest Loop Trail is a short, family-friendly stroll through three popular trails in the Hoh Rain Forest. You’ll begin on The Mini Trail, a short-paved loop that gives a nice introduction to the forest and provides access to several other trailheads for deeper exploration. When you reach the junction, head right to access the Spruce Nature Trail, an easy 1.2-mile loop that takes you through lush old-growth forest and along the Hoh River before winding back to the Mini Trail. When you return, take the opposite loop for the .8-mile Hall of Mosses Trail, where you can explore the towering trees draped in thick sheets of dense, vibrant moss before returning to The Mini Trail and the parking lot.
Capitol Reef National Park
Overshadowed by the nearby Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden gem in southern Utah that should be high on your itinerary. This natural treasure features amazing geological wonders like the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline where a wrinkle in the earth almost 100 miles long has formed deep canyons and interesting formations across the surface.
Hiking, canyoneering, and rock climbing are popular ways to explore the diverse landscapes of the park. Head to the small town of Fruita inside the park to stroll through vibrant fruit orchards (and grab a fresh snack of their abundant limbs), view the ancient petroglyphs left by the native Fremont people nearly 1,000 years ago, and hike to the Capitol Dome to see the amazing rock formation that looks just like the U.S. Capitol.
This 5.5-mile loop in the Mount Rainier National Park takes you through the best scenes in Paradise, the park’s southern hub. Your journey will take you through subalpine meadows brimming with wildflowers and along the majestic Nisqually glacier before climbing to Panorama Point. Here, you’re treated to stunning views of Paradise Valley all the way to Mount Hood. The second leg of your journey will treat you to such icons as the Stevens-Van Trump Memorial and the impressive cascade of Myrtle Falls before winding back to the trailhead.
The trail can be completed in either direction from the trailhead behind the Jackson Visitor Center. A clockwise direction quickly offers impressive views and lots of ancillary trails to explore, while a counter-clockwise loop has a slower elevation gain and a more tranquil beginning.
Maple Pass Loop (Wenatchee, WA)
A few miles south of Maple Falls, this classic loop is the epitome of a perfect Washington hike. Its diverse landscape changes with the seasons, boasting vibrant ridges coated with colorful wildflowers in the summer, tranquil lakes framed by golden larches and resplendent foliage in the fall, and of course, plenty of stunning views of the snow-topped Cascade peaks.
The 6.5-mile loop can be hiked in either direction. Both ways will bring you to the same sights: serene Lake Anne in her dramatic talus field, and Heather Pass, the starting point for several auxiliary trails that wind into the Cascades. But the crowning jewel is Maple Pass, a 7,000-foot high-point that offers unmatched views of the surrounding Cascade Mountains in all directions.
The Crescent Beach Hike, Cannon Beach
This short, but moderate, hike leads to the ultimate reward: a hidden beach featuring a small waterfall, teeming tide pools, and intricate caves to explore (when the tide is low). Though the wildly popular Cannon Beach isn’t far away and is easier to access, the journey to Crescent Beach from Ecola Point is well worth the effort for its picturesque seclusion.
The trail begins at a clearly marked trailhead just off Ecola Point. You’ll meander through dense forests of spruce and alder trees, across lush gullies and trickling streams, and along towering cliffs that offer stunning views of the coastline and beaches below. After traversing a series of switchbacks in and out of the forest, you’ll follow the sign to Crescent Beach and begin a harrowing descent toward the shore. Shed your shoes and explore the beach, but don’t lose them – you’ll need them for the trek back!
Note: The Crescent Beach Trail is often muddy and has some seriously staggering switchbacks, making it a challenging trek suited to experienced hikers.
Mount Grant Preserve, San Juan Islands
The Mount Grant Preserve may be San Juan’s best-kept secret. This 250 acres of protected landscape offers nearly 5 miles of hiking trails through native forest, vibrant meadows, and sky-high ridges. If you trek all the way to the ridgetop summit, you’ll be rewarded with a striking view of three of Washington’s five volcanoes in the distance: Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and Glacier Peak.
The preserve is still under construction, and visitors are strongly encouraged to stick to the designated trails to protect the fragile ecosystem. Each trailhead can be accessed from the parking lot at West Valley Road.
April showers bring May flowers! But also, the two months collectively provide lots of opportunities across the northwest for travel and entertainment. Planning a trip to the northwest? This might help you find festivals or events that you simply don’t want to miss!
Seattle in the Springtime
Enjoy the Northwest Art and Fine Craft Show April 13-14, 2019, with some 90 artists in various categories from jewelry, clothing and painting to glass art and sculptures. Held at Hangar 30 in Magnuson Park, there will also be food trucks. This show is also held in November.
The annual Cherry Blossom Festival is a fantastic way to celebrate Seattle’s friendship with Japan and its prized cherry trees gifted to the city in 1976. Come and find fun with Japanese art, dance, music, martial arts, and food at the Seattle Center from April 26-28, 2019.
May 16-June 9, 2019 brings the 45th Annual Seattle International Film Festival—America’s largest film festival. Top directors will be there along with actors and critics.
Of course you’ll need accommodations in the Seattle area, so be sure and spend some time choosing the perfect home away from home.
Jackson Hole/Tetons/Teton Village Events
April 1-16, 2019 is Spring Cycle Days in Yellowstone, where folks can enjoy the National Park before the roads open to motorized travel. Ride in the Park for free and spend a fabulous day (or longer) exploring by bike, on foot, or rollerblades (conditions allowing).
Jackson Hole offers a unique option for Memorial Day—Old West Days Celebration, held May 23-27, 2019. Visitors enjoy a parade, rodeo, Old West Brew Fest, Draft Horse Pull, Mountain Man Rendezvous, American Legion Memorial Services, Pipes for Peace, Single Action Shooting Match, and so much more! Check out area lodging for the best, most comfortable places to hang your hat.
Leavenworth, Washington Events
Good times are happening at the 13th Annual Leavenworth Ale Fest on April 13, 2019. Enjoy a great mix of breweries, cideries, music and all-around fun in Leavenworth’s beautiful alpine setting. New for 2019, the festival now serves as a benefit for local non-profit Icicle Creek Center for the Arts, helping to bring the arts to families and communities across North Central Washington.
May 18, 2019 don’t miss the 2019 Red Bull Pump Track World Championship—a 2nd Annual Qualifier race. There will also be a kid’s race for the little ones. And, speaking of kids, find your family-friendly vacation rental early for the best selection.
Whistler and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada for Fun Festivals
The World Ski & Snowboard Festival makes for five days of extreme fun April 10-14, 2019 in various locations around Whistler. This spring festival celebrates the Whistler mountain culture with winter sports, music, and the arts, including the world’s steepest ski and snowboard competition.
With hundreds of annual festivals and events, it’s always easy to find fun in British Columbia.
Victoria plays host to the 156th Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival on May 18-20, 2019 at Topaz Park. This year the event has expanded even more, celebrating Scottish and Celtic music, arts, and culture with a Tartan Parade through downtown, a pub crawl, and tons of performing arts activities. This event is sure to bring a weekend of fun so make your accommodation reservations quickly.
Check out Victoria’s SwiftSure International Yacht Race from May 23-27, 2019, the largest yacht race on the West Coast of North America with more than 200 race boats and 1400 race crew members.
Spring Festivals on Oregon’s Coast
Are you a foodie? This just might be your kind of festival—Beer & Cheese Festival on April 13, 2019 in Rockaway Beach, Oregon looks to be delicious! Join brewers and cheesemakers as they pair their goods for partakers. There will be food trucks serving locally-sourced foods or you can dine at the Pelican Taproom. Proceeds will go to Food Roots, which will be on-site selling local foods. Leave with a little souvenir also—a free tote and logo tasting glass.
Less than an hour from Cannon Beach in Astoria, Oregon you can find the 37th Annual Astoria Warrenton Crab Seafood & Wine Festival with great coastal cuisine, arts and crafts, wine tasting, and more! The Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the festival held on April 26-28, 2019. Start the planning by searching for the best accommodations to call your home base.
Fun in Park City, Utah
Join the fun for the 1st Annual Utah Latin Dance Festival. Enjoy the biggest salsa and bachata festival in Utah history on May 3-5, 2019 for an unforgettable weekend of fun. The event takes place at the Double Tree by Hilton in Park City (world-renowned destination and home of the SunDance Film Festival). Choose a nearby condo or hideaway for a true destination getaway, complete with all the comforts of home, which you’ll long remember.
The Tulip Festival in Mt. Hood, Oregon
Highly-regarded and tons of fun, the Tulip Festival is the prized event of Mt. Hood and takes place March 23–April 29, 2019. This extensive festival is jam-packed with everything tulips as well as hayrides, a children’s play area, a Cow Train, food vendors, crafts, balloons and a huge variety of other activities. Be sure and visit the website for a schedule of events for this amazing event and book a lodging spot today!
San Juan Islands and Orcas Island, Washington for Spring
Orcas Island Lit Fest is designed to bring folks together who share the love of reading books with authors who love to write them. Less than a half an hour drive from San Juan Islands, guests can find Washingon vacation rentals at both places and be near the event which takes place April 5-7, 2019 at the Orcas Center. Come and participate in this annual celebration of literature.
Tour De Lopez is April 27, 2019 and is a non-competitive bicycle tour of Lopez Island, beginning in San Juan Islands. Every year there are lots of return riders, which speaks to the fun of this beautiful getaway.
This is by no means a complete listing, but a sampling from each area. There’s a lot of fun travel in the northwest, and we invite you to be a part of it all this spring!