Things to do in Seattle in Summer : Day Trip to Mount Rainier

Mom and I visited Mt. Rainier National Park a few years ago. The drive from Seattle in summer is beautiful and it is one of the best day trips we've ever taken together.

Mount Rainier National Park is one of Washington state’s most spectacular sites to visit in summer. An active volcano reserve with massive glaciers, beautiful waterfalls, rivers and alpine meadows, it is a must do if you are exploring the scenic Pacific Northwest. The majestic views of Mount Rainier are a sight to behold.

We stopped at the Christine Falls, Nisqually River and eventually went up to the scenic visitor center at Paradise. We strolled around, had our lunch, went for a short hike to savor the beautiful rolling views of the alpine meadows. After a few hours of ambling around we started on our way back with a short halt at the gorgeous Reflection Lake.

Know before you go:
1. Check the weather forecast before you go. You don’t want to miss the views due to cloud cover.
2. In summer and high season, the traffic can be tedious. Start as early in the morning as you can and avoid weekends.
Patience is your best friend :)
3. Carry a water bottle, some snacks and food.
4. There is ample parking available at the visitor center at Paradise. The food is pretty good too though let me forewarn you that vegetarian options are limited. It’s a great place to relax and also to hike around. Everything is just beautiful!

Here is a compilation of some of the footage I took on my good old phone.