Travel & Stay
We encourage you to come stay for the weekend and enjoy the beautiful Nisqually Valley.
Need to rent a car?
The Bride’s mother, Mary, has a discount code with Avis for rental cars and is generously sharing it for those needing to rent.
Please email her for the code: marylfnpjd@gmail.com
Lodging Recommendations:
Due to the popular recreational activities in the area, we recommend booking your lodging early.
There will be a shuttle service before and after the ceremony with stops at the Nisqually Lodge and Gateway Inn.
Nisqually Lodge:
A classic hotel style lodge with 24 available rooms including 1 large family room. Dogs are welcome on the bottom floor.
The entire hotel is reserved as a block and serves as the 1st of 2 shuttle stops.
Rooms will be blocked until 1 month prior.
Gateway Inn:
Providing both classic rooms and rustic cabins, the Inn serves as our 2nd shuttle stop. Dogs are allowed in Cabins.
We have a blocked 8 of their Cabins and 5 of their rooms until 1 month prior.
Please call or email Stewart.
Paradise Village Lodge:
Providing several cabins options along with individual rooms, Paradise Village lodge is conveniently located next to Nisqually Lodge for easy shuttle access.
Rainier Lodge:
A quick walk to our shuttle pick up/drop off at Gateway Inn, this site offers several cabins with some perfect for larger families wishing to stay together.
If you are planning to utilize the shuttle service, please stay at or near Nisqually Lodge or Gateway Inn.
There are several Airbnb’s located in the community across the street from the Nisqually Lodge shuttle site.
Copper Creek Inn:
A 3 minute drive from Wellspring, Copper Creek offers cabins capable of sleeping 2-6, dog friendly. There is a historic restaurant on site known for their baked goods. The inn is unfortunately not near a shuttle site.
Other Accommodations:
There are many other lodging options on Airbnb and visitrainier.com/lodging/, apply the Ashford/Elbe filter.
Feeling Hungry?
Have a meal on board Mt. Rainier Railroad Dining CO’s original train car in Elbe.
11am-6pm
Copper Creek Restaurant is the oldest continually operating restaurant in Washington State. First opening their doors in 1946, they have become legendary for their Blackberry Pie.
8am-8pm
Paradise Village Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus consisting of traditional Ukrainian dishes.
8am-8pm
Hang out outside at Rainier BaseCamp Bar & Grill’s huge beer garden. Kids & dogs welcome.
12pm-8pm
Wild Berry Restaurant offers “a taste of two worlds” with a traditional American mountain menu alongside dishes from Nepal.
12pm-8pm
Looking to watch college football or for something open a little later than 8pm… The Elbe Bar & Grill is your move.
11am-11pm
Have a kitchen in your Airbnb?
We recommend stopping at a grocery store before coming out but Ashford Valley Grocery and Ashford General Store are nearby.
“Life is a great adventure… accept it in such a spirit”
Theodore Roosevelt
There are endless ways to spend time enjoying our public lands.
Alli suggests the short, dog friendly hike up to the Little Mashel Falls in the Pack Forest, the photo above was taken there.
Hang out on the beach or go for a swim in Alder Lake at Sunny Beach Point City Park.
Climb aboard the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad’s classic steam engine for a tour of the Nisqually Valley.
Go for a drive into Mount Rainier National Park on the Longmire-to-Paradise Rd to check out incredible views and access to easy, moderate, or strenuous hiking. Dogs aren’t welcome on the trails but can stay in the car while you stop at a view. The drive from the Nisqually Entrance to the Stevens Canyon Entrance takes about 1.5 hours each way.
Within the Park, The Alta Vista Trail Head and Paradise Picnic Area provide a great stop off and access to easy-moderate adventures.
The Reflection Lakes Trail Heads hosts a short stroll by the 2 alpine lakes. For a more moderate experience, take the Mazama Ridge Trail to a scenic overlook of Louise Lake.
Visit the WTA’s website for more hiking options or sign-up for a 7-day free trial to OnX Maps for detailed access to hiking trails in the area. Depending on where you are going you may need a Discover Pass, NW Forest Pass, or a National Parks Pass.
Alli’s Seattle Recommendations
Best Skyline View
Kerry Park! Enjoy the best views of Seattle’s skyline and snap a picture with your loved ones.
Alli’s Favorite Downtown Attractions
Pike Place Market, with a newly renovated waterfront! Stop in at Old Stove Brewing (great waterfront views), Reubens Brewing (Alli’s favorite Seattle Brewery), or Pike Brewing (one of the oldest breweries in Seattle, founded in 1989).
Alli’s Favorite Neighborhoods
Fremont Neighborhood has an eccentric, artsy feel with music, good shops, and restaurants. Alli’s favorite Thai food, SabbVerr is here. You can also recreate Alli and Alex’s first date by heading to Fremont Brewing, then Red Star Taco, and can even walk along 35th Ave and see the infamous bush with faces. Also lovated in Fremont is our famous troll that lives under the bridge!
Ballard Neighborhood is a historic meets hip neighborhood with great shops, restaurants, and bars. Ballard is home to Alli’s favorite breweries. Head to 14th and 50th for a large number of small breweries all in walking distance. Go for great ice cream at Salt & Straw! Ballard also has some great outdoor spots!
Alli’s Favorite Seattle Outdoor Spots
Discovery Park has lots of beautiful trails that lead down to the water, which make you feel like you aren’t even in a city!
Gasworks Park has a beautiful view of the Seattle skyline that looks over Lake Union. The park is located at the former Gas Light Company gasification plant, so enjoy some unique aesthetics! You can easily hop over to Fremont to one of Alli’s favorite neighborhoods and where Alex and Alli first met!
Golden Gardens is a beautiful beach park located in Ballard, Seattle (another favorite neighborhood). You can walk along the beach or if you’re lucky chill by a fire pit!