Washington State

Before our Alaska cruise from Seattle last month we decided to spend some time exploring Seattle and frankly I hadn't been there since I was a child and wanted to focus on the "must do" touristy things rather than get a more locals view experience like I normally do when visiting a new city. The fine folks at Seattle tourism and CityPass offered to provide us with an attractions pass that would normally cost $115 and gave us an opportunity to see many of the iconic attractions the city has to offer.

I'm guessing most of you guys love beer, I do too! Luckily, I've been blessed with numerous opportunities to visit some of the best beer cities in the country and in fact I live in San Diego - which is at the top of most lists of places for beer lovers to visit. However, these beercations are more than just hopping in the car and drinking. To make the most of your time and money it's important to plan ahead. This is your opportunity to try new things, expand your boundaries, and bond with your buddies around an awesome shared experience.

Aviation museums house some of the coolest collections of humanity's engineering marvels - flying machines, aka airplanes, and everything that led up to the modern airplane. Aviation actually begins far before the invention of the first functioning powered airplane by the Wright brothers in 1903. It includes theoretical and experimental designs beginning with blueprints and proceeding through gliders and balloons before that. Aviation museums include these homages to the early history of man's first dreams of flight. Today, there are literally hundreds of aviation museums around the world and that means that it is very likely that there are aviation museums near you that are perfect for a father and son getaway or even just a regular guys weekend. 

Water is life. It is where we evolved from and in fact most of the body is in fact water. Humans, in general, have a love for being close to the water, and for centuries it has also been a primary method of transportation and commerce. As a result, some of the greatest cities in the world were all built on the shores of lakes, rivers, and oceans around the world. This is something that transcends cultures so that's one of the reasons I love traveling. It's something that unites all of us!

Just a few years ago, the topic of "Marijuana Tourism" was something of a joke exchanged between college guys dreaming of visiting Amsterdam. Weed, cannabis, marijuana - whatever you want to call it, was something illicit for most Americans despite the fact that a significant percentage of our population either actively consumed it or had in the past. Even those who didn't, wondered what it might be like to do so again in a safe environment free from the risk of arrest. Today, recreational marijuana is legal to different degrees in nine different states and territories including: Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Washington state, and Washington D.C. Because of this rapidly changing landscape and the promise of more states to follow in subsequent election years, the concept of people traveling to partake in some herbal refreshment has become a real trend for the travel industry. This is true for people planning vacations from neighboring states as well as local visitors looking to explore travel options that include cannabis culture the same tourism opportunities cater to people wanting to visit breweries, distilleries and vineyards.

Located directly south of the Canadian border, less than an hour from Vancouver is one of the most beautiful resorts that I've stayed at recently. It has that classic charm and natural beauty that money simply can't replicate and would almost distract from. Sitting at the end of a spit of land overlooking the water on three sides is a 212-room resort with a beautiful stone-lined beach and fantastic restaurants featuring imaginative menus filled with local seafood and northwestern delicacies and just minutes away are two of the top golf courses in Washington State!

Columbia Crest winery has been in operation for just over 30 years and in that time it has helped transform the Columbia River area of Washington State into one of the top wine producers in the world. It's a little strange maybe that when you think of the West Coast and wine, it's typically California and specifically Napa, Sonoma, or even Santa Barbara area. No one told these guys though, but through scientific research winemakers here discovered that the soils and environmental conditions had world class potential.

Hunting isn't the only excuse to pack up your backpack and head off into the woods with a few of your friends for a guys weekend. Sometimes it is great to simply enjoy nature by observing one of the most beautiful birds in the world. The American Bald Eagle is thankfully coming back strong thanks to conservation efforts across the country. Few birds match America's majestic bald eagle for inspiring awe. Winter is prime viewing season for these incredible raptors, which often are more visible against the backdrop of the season's sparse landscape. Head to a national wildlife refuge to try to spot an eagle on your own or, better still, head to one of these refuges for an organized tour!

Having seen these amazing birds in the wild, it is an experience that every man should see since these birds are as beautiful and graceful as they are amazing predators and they make amazing photography subjects too, so read on to see if there is a location near you...

One of the few nice things about traveling for business is being able to rack up some serious reward points that I can figure out how to spend on my own. While the idea of using them to head off on a guys weekend with the boys is appealing, it's important to also take care of the homefront and spend some time with the wife as well. 

Seattle is the perfect Mancation destination. It's also a great place for a quick guys weekend. Whether you want to catch a few games and knock back a few with the guys, or you want to trek through the city to visit the many museums and Pike Place Market, there is something for everyone in the Emerald City. The bevvy of transportation options alone makes it one city that is easy to get around, no matter where you want to go. So, why Seattle?