Kid-friendly ways to admire fall foliage in Washington State

Best Time: Mid-October to November Best Fall Color Display: In the park between Sunrise and Chinook Pass, the Paradise area, Reflection Lakes, Bench and Snow Lakes, Grove of the Patriarchs Fall Color Information: for Gifford Pinchot National Forest Website | HOTLINE: 1 (800) 354-4595 See vine maple, larch and high elevation huckleberry bushes change color in late September on the Chinook Pass and White Pass. On Chinook Pass, Highway 12, State Route 410 and White Pass feature cottonwoods, willows, elderberry, aspens and many other bushes and trees. Visit this website for more details and for a list of hikes: http://www.visitrainier.com/pg/fall_activities/fall-activities-in-the-mt-rainier-national-park-area

Marymoor Park is conveniently located in Redmond, and offers lots of recreation options for families. In the fall, many of the trees change to vivid colors, offering a beautiful location to play and observe the trees at the same time!

Leavenworth has lots to see and do at any time of the year, but in fall it's a town set in the middle of beautifully colored vine maples, larch, cottonwood and aspen.

The arboretum is located in Seattle, near the University of Washington. It's free to visit and offers lots of walking trails and chances to get up close to nature. In the fall, there are numerous trees, both local and imported, that show off their fall colors.

The North Cascades National Park has so much for families to do including hiking, fishing, picnicking, and enjoying all that the great outdoors has to offer. In fall, there are many places in the park that offer a view of fall colors. If your family is interested in making a scenic drive to check out fall foliage, consider the North Cascades Highway (Highway 20), which has spectacular views at any time of year.

Located in the Quinault Rain Forest, crimson vine maples and golden leaf big maples shine amidst the evergreens. At the Lake Quinault Lodge, located on the shore of Lake Quinault, there is lots to see and do, including some special activities. Olson recommends guests take a rainforest tour to see the best fall colors, as well as rainforest vistas, while staying at Lake Quinault Lodge. “In fall, the streams start following again, the waterfalls boom and the colors pop,” says Olson. The four-hour rainforest tour takes visitors to some of the best panoramas in the southern Olympic peninsula, including to views of salmon runs in November. Tours run daily at 9:30 a.m. and costs $30 for adults and $10 for children 7-12, children under 6 are free. Photography enthusiasts wanting to capture the fall beauty should consider the photography workshop weekend on Oct. 4-7. This four-day, three-night workshop includes insight and lessons from three professional photographers and includes many opportunities for that perfect shot. The weekend starts at $599 for two people. Lake Quinault Lodge will celebrate another aspect of fall with its annual mushroom festival from Friday Oct. 19 through Sunday Oct. 21. A must do for all foodies interested in cooking with wild mushrooms; the weekend includes guided field trips, cooking demonstrations and delicious food. To close October, the lodge will be offering “trunker-or-treating” on Halloween. The parking lot for the lodge is a safe place for families to come and “trunk-or-treat” with their neighbors. This event is free.