what about northwest trek?

jennlin · August 2011

anybody been recently? i always thought you drive your own cars through there....but the website says it's a tram.

is it fun for adults? or kids only?

CDMay2006 · August 2011

You pay to enter. At that time they give you a token and a tram ride time (i think you can request a time if they aren't too busy). About 15 minutes before that time you line up for the tram, which takes you through the otherwise-inaccessible portion of the park to see bison, mtn goats, etc. It's about an hour. The rest of the time you can wander the more traditional zoo grounds.

ETA: This is why you don't drive your own car:

jennuinne · August 2011

I went as a kid and remembering it being cool. I've been meaning to go, but haven't. I have a friend who went in the last year, they liked it but were a bit underwhelmed.

picksthemusic · August 2011

My mom lives 10 minutes away from NWT. It's a fun experience! You drive in there, and then they take you around the park in an open-air tram. You see elk, deer, buffalo, all kinds of natural wildlife. It's so pretty out there (you should go get lunch or an early dinner afterwards in Eatonville - it's just down the road and has good little local restaurants and antique shops), and you'll definitely want to take your camera.

ETA: There's also a drive-off-the-road site down the road on the way to Eatonville (just past NWT) where there's an amazing view of a giant field (usually with cows on it) and then Mt. Rainier is HUGE (because it's only about 30 miles away). It's a historical site/scenic site. So pretty!

CDMay2006 · August 2011

picksthemusic:
ETA: There's also a drive-off-the-road site down the road on the way to Eatonville (just past NWT) where there's an amazing view of a giant field (usually with cows on it) and then Mt. Rainier is HUGE (because it's only about 30 miles away). It's a historical site/scenic site. So pretty!

Good call! Leaving NW Trek to the south this spot is just pass the intersection between 161/Meridian and Eatonville Cutoff Rd (there's a gas station there, Barney's Corner), on the left.

jennlin · August 2011

CDMay2006:
picksthemusic:
ETA: There's also a drive-off-the-road site down the road on the way to Eatonville (just past NWT) where there's an amazing view of a giant field (usually with cows on it) and then Mt. Rainier is HUGE (because it's only about 30 miles away). It's a historical site/scenic site. So pretty!
Good call! Leaving NW Trek to the south this spot is just pass the intersection between 161/Meridian and Eatonville Cutoff Rd (there's a gas station there, Barney's Corner), on the left.

thanks for the tips ladies! i'm directionally challenged--either of you have an address for this place i can plug into trusty ole gps?

CDMay2006 · August 2011

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=46.884468,-122.300298&hl=en&ll=46.886023,-122.300749&spn=0.010148,0.016222&sll=46.888132,-122.300945&sspn=0.045773,0.075775&num=1&t=h&vpsrc=0&z=16

GPS Coordinates: 46.884468,-122.300298

jennlin · August 2011

CDMay2006:
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=46.884468,-122.300298&hl=en&ll=46.886023,-122.300749&spn=0.010148,0.016222&sll=46.888132,-122.300945&sspn=0.045773,0.075775&num=1&t=h&vpsrc=0&z=16
GPS Coordinates: 46.884468,-122.300298

you're a rockstar. i seriously love my nesties.

jennlin · August 2011

okay what food shall i eat when i'm down there?

i *might* have to work on sunday, so i won't be able to leave the house until 9:30am and it's a 1.5 hour drive, so i'd get there at 11. so probably lunch before we go to the park....what's a good lunch place?

if i don't have to work, i plan on leaving at 8am, and getting there around 9:30 when they open...taken the 10am tram and then eat in the park...hang out and do whatever, and then leave the park to eat dinner......what's a good dinner place?

CDMay2006 · August 2011

I generally eat at my parent's, otherwise at my sister's... i'm not sure if they want company this weekend, though
There is a little bakery just as you come into town that makes good donuts. I've also eaten at a pizza/italian place (very casual) that was good but not remarkable. There's somewhere my parents go to dinner (or used to; i'm not sure if it's still open), but i don't know what it is. I think there's also a mexican place my sister goes to...

That was meant to be more helpful than it turned out to be...

jennlin · August 2011

CDMay2006:
I generally eat at my parent's, otherwise at my sister's... i'm not sure if they want company this weekend, though
There is a little bakery just as you come into town that makes good donuts. I've also eaten at a pizza/italian place (very casual) that was good but not remarkable. There's somewhere my parents go to dinner (or used to; i'm not sure if it's still open), but i don't know what it is. I think there's also a mexican place my sister goes to...
That was meant to be more helpful than it turned out to be...

are you sure they don't want company? can you ask?

hahaha. it's fine. picks said there's good restaurant, so maybe she can make a suggestion. otherwise we'll just take a crap shoot.

btw..boss said i don't have to work this weekend! so it'd be a dinner place plz.

picksthemusic · August 2011

The pizza place CD is talking about is good - not fab, but good enough. There's also a family-style restaurant (it used to be called Noah's Ark or something like that) but it's now under new ownership (and supposedly pretty good). It's the giant brown restaurant at the only lighted intersection in town - you can't miss it as you drive right into town. If you go a street up, there are a few pubs/bars/diners (but those are kinda sketchy).

ETA: Pizza place is Jebino's (I liked it the few times I ate there):

http://www.jebinos.com/

The big restaurant in the center of town is Bruno's (super laid back family-style stuff):

http://www.eatbrunos.com/

jennlin · August 2011

thanks so much!!! how long do you think i should expect to stay at nwtrek? since it's sunday, i'd like to get home at a decent time, and if not, i'd like to plan ahead!

picksthemusic · August 2011

jennlin:
thanks so much!!! how long do you think i should expect to stay at nwtrek? since it's sunday, i'd like to get home at a decent time, and if not, i'd like to plan ahead!

I'd allow at least two hours for the park itself. It takes me (usually) about 1.5 hrs to drive there from my area, and considering you're about a half hour away from me, give yourself 2 hours to get there (it'll seem like FOREVER that you're driving). Do you know which way you're taking? If you're thinking of driving through Puyallup (from South 167 to 161 East) on Meridian, be prepared for traffic and a light at every block. It's a straight shot, though, so it's "easiest". But then consider 2 hours to drive home... it's going to be a long day.

jennlin · August 2011

picksthemusic:

I'd allow at least two hours for the park itself. It takes me (usually) about 1.5 hrs to drive there from my area, and considering you're about a half hour away from me, give yourself 2 hours to get there (it'll seem like FOREVER that you're driving). Do you know which way you're taking? If you're thinking of driving through Puyallup (from South 167 to 161 East) on Meridian, be prepared for traffic and a light at every block. It's a straight shot, though, so it's "easiest". But then consider 2 hours to drive home... it's going to be a long day.

really? that's it? 2 hours at the park? i thought it would be an all day thing-----is this worth the drive??

i googled directions and it says 1.5 hours for me...405-S, 167S, 515 toward 161.....etc...looks like the same one you listed. is there traffic on a sunday morning (and evening) too?

CDMay2006 · August 2011

jennlin:
picksthemusic:
I'd allow at least two hours for the park itself. It takes me (usually) about 1.5 hrs to drive there from my area, and considering you're about a half hour away from me, give yourself 2 hours to get there (it'll seem like FOREVER that you're driving). Do you know which way you're taking? If you're thinking of driving through Puyallup (from South 167 to 161 East) on Meridian, be prepared for traffic and a light at every block. It's a straight shot, though, so it's "easiest". But then consider 2 hours to drive home... it's going to be a long day.
really? that's it? 2 hours at the park? i thought it would be an all day thing-----is this worth the drive??
i googled directions and it says 1.5 hours for me...405-S, 167S, 515 toward 161.....etc...looks like the same one you listed. is there traffic on a sunday morning (and evening) too?

There is always traffic in South Hill (maybe not Sun eve), but there's not really a good way around it from where you are at. Rush hour and Saturday are the worst, though. It's a lot of driving, but it's really cool to be so close to these huge animals that you normally wouldn't see. I love it (but i am an environmental educator, so i might be biased).

How much time would you spend at a zoo? That's how much time you'll probably need at the park, plus the hour-long tram ride.

jennlin · August 2011

CDMay2006:
jennlin:
picksthemusic:
I'd allow at least two hours for the park itself. It takes me (usually) about 1.5 hrs to drive there from my area, and considering you're about a half hour away from me, give yourself 2 hours to get there (it'll seem like FOREVER that you're driving). Do you know which way you're taking? If you're thinking of driving through Puyallup (from South 167 to 161 East) on Meridian, be prepared for traffic and a light at every block. It's a straight shot, though, so it's "easiest". But then consider 2 hours to drive home... it's going to be a long day.
really? that's it? 2 hours at the park? i thought it would be an all day thing-----is this worth the drive??
i googled directions and it says 1.5 hours for me...405-S, 167S, 515 toward 161.....etc...looks like the same one you listed. is there traffic on a sunday morning (and evening) too?
There is always traffic in South Hill (maybe not Sun eve), but there's not really a good way around it from where you are at. Rush hour and Saturday are the worst, though. It's a lot of driving, but it's really cool to be so close to these huge animals that you normally wouldn't see. I love it (but i am an environmental educator, so i might be biased).
How much time would you spend at a zoo? That's how much time you'll probably need at the park, plus the hour-long tram ride.

i would say i spend a good 2-3 hours at woodland..but that's only a 30 min drive, so not too heartbreaking. i think i'm just gonna go for it. these are animals that h's cousin would *never* be able to see in indonesia...so we just have to do it!

what about northwest trek?

Re: what about northwest trek?

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