traveldk.com

The Junction is the epicenter of what used to be an autonomous village in its own right. The name refers to the intersection where California Avenue and Alaska Street meet, and it is here that the bulk of West Seattle’s restaurants and shops are located. The small- town feel is palpable as you stroll along California Avenue past mom ‘n’ pop shops and notice old-timers out for walks or sipping coffee at sidewalk tables. Murals painted on the sides of businesses mirror the warmth and pride of a tightly knit community in its prime, and reflect on its 150-year-old history. Illustrations include the original streetcar lines from 1918.

Every year, 100,000 vessels pass through the Ship Canal’s Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (see Lake Washington Ship Canal), and nearly as many tourists come to marvel at the site between Salmon Bay and Shilshole Bay. Named for a retired US Army Corps of Engineers general, the Locks’ sophisticated engineering, and the sheer variety of pleasure boats and industrial ships that are able to pass through, impress visitors. The Locks also feature fish ladders to allow migrating salmon to leave from or return to their home streams, best observed between June and November. Don’t miss the small but fascinating visitors’ center, with its informative short film and displays.

When an Army surplus store closed in Belltown, its outside adornment ended up in the hands of Fremont sculptors and painters who renovated the World War II-era missile and placed it atop this store.

Blake Island, across the bay from the waterfront, contains a rainforest park and a fabricated Northwest Coastal Native American Village. A four-hour adventure includes the cruise, a traditional buffet, and ample time to stroll beaches and forested trails.

Take a hiatus from healthful dining and grab a few doughnuts from this stylish cafe’ that welcomes loungers sipping coffee and dipping tasty treats.

The city’s most popular local toy stores have a loyal following because their toys spur children’s imaginations without sparing the fun. Browse the jam-packed aisles at Top Ten Toys and Magic Mouse.

Amenities are few, but there is a children’s play area, free breakfast, and an outdoor pool.

Families will appreciate the inn’s 100-percent non-smoking rule and free breakfast.

Vashon’s gentle, two-lane roads make it a favorite destination for both bicyclists and motorcyclists looking for a quick and unique getaway to the countryside. Board the Fauntleroy Ferry (see Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal) in West Seattle to discover the island’s huge estates, arts and craft galleries, berry and llama farms, and a subculture of 1960s-style progressives.

Catch a ferry or seaplane to British Columbia’s provincial capital, Victoria. Established as a Hudson’s Bay Company furtrading post in 1843, it has become a favorite destination for Anglophiles who queue up at the grand Fairmont Empress Hotel for traditional tea and cakes. Other attractions include the Inner Harbour, the Royal British Columbia Museum, and Butchart Gardens – an amazing collection of flora planted in a sprawling former quarry.