Happy summer! We wanted to use our blog space this month to highlight some amazing day trip opportunities right here in our backyard! Whether you’re a Pacific Northwest native or you’re here because you’re considering a move and a build in the PNW, we hope you find and are inspired by this list of some pretty cool places to visit this summer (and beyond!).

Radium Hot Springs, Canada

One of British Columbia’s top natural hot springs is found in Kootenay National Park. This family-friendly facility offers plenty of space to relax and soak in the expansive hot pool or cool off with the kids in the swimming pool.

Whether you are visiting the local Radium golf courses, skiing or snowboarding at Panorama Ski Resort, or just passing through Kootenay National Park, soaking in Radium Hot Springs is a unique experience not to be missed!

The mineral water of Radium Hot Springs is uniquely odourless and clear, making this hot springs perfect for a relaxing soak. There are a lot of nearby hiking trails, and the water temperature is kept between 98ºF and 104ºF, making it the perfect natural hot tub to relax in after a hike!

Lake Chelan, WA

Lake Chelan is known for its wine, over 300 days of sunshine, stunning natural beauty, and a whole lot of adventures that you can tune to your own tastes! The lake itself is 50.5 miles of crystal clear, glacier-fed water, which is surrounded by vineyards, mountains, and small-town charm. You can discover food, wine, hiking, water sports and much, much more in this must-see town.

Glacier National Park, MT

Glacier National Park is a 1,583-sq.-mi. wilderness area in Montana's Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running to the Canadian border. Other activities include backpacking, cycling and camping. It hosts a diverse wildlife ranges from mountain goats to grizzly bears and a showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness steeped in human history. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Silverwood Theme Park

Silverwood is actually the largest theme park in the Pacific Northwest! Located within just minutes of Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint, Spirit Lake, Rathdrum and Hayden, Silverwood Theme Park has more than 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions, including four roller coasters, Boulder Beach Water Park, a steam engine train, live entertainment scheduled multiple times during the season, several on-site restaurants, and more. Silverwood also offers a large adjacent RV park and campground.

Silverwood’s season runs May-September. Then, in October, things get a bit frightening as it morphs into Scarywood for the Halloween season, with rides, haunted attractions, “scare zones” and a whole lot of fun families that enjoy a good fright.

Walla Walla, WA

Wineries are beginning to rival the sweet-tasting Walla Walla onion as the hallmark of this lovely town at the foot of the Blue Mountains. In fact, the combination of excellent wineries and appealing scenery has put Walla Walla on the map as one of the country's hottest new wine-touring regions. The town's rich history, starting with the Indian tribes who first settled here followed by the early pioneers, the establishment and subsequent tragic demise of a famous mission and then a gold rush, is also a tourist draw. Fascinating museums and historic attractions bring this past to life. Music and the arts are a vital part of this culturally conscious college town, which boasts one of the oldest symphony orchestras west of the Mississippi, frequent summertime blues and jazz concerts, arts festivals and at least 15 art galleries. A revitalized downtown features restored 19th-century buildings, restaurants, galleries and wine-tasting rooms. If you're itching for outdoor fun, head east for hiking, mountain biking and fishing in the Blue Mountains or take the relatively easy Stateline Loop bike trail to Oregon and back.

Route of the Hiawatha

A former railroad line, the Route of the Hiawatha was converted into a spectacularly beautiful, gentle 15-mile downhill biking and walking trail. Known as the “Crown Jewel” of rail-to-trails, this route showcases ten tunnels, including the 1.6 mile St. Paul Pass Tunnel, and seven sky-high trestle bridges. Riders begin at Lookout Pass Ski Area where trail passes and mountain bike rentals (including helmets and lights and an optional return shuttle service) are available.

With an outstanding amount of cool things to see, outdoor adventures to have and mountains and lakes to explore, we recognize that this list is just a VERY small fraction of the amazing day trips you can enjoy living in the PNW! Is there anything we missed that you would add to the list?