What Seattle is known for

The aspect of the Whidbey Island Destination for which it gains the most fame is the large metropolitan city of Seattle, 30 miles south of the island. Seattle is known for its musical history, as well as a comprehensive arrangement of attractions. The Space Needle, for example, is one of the most recognizable features of the city's skyline. Visitors to the building are able to see Seattle from virtually every angle, including downward views by means of glass flooring in some parts.[5] As far as outdoor activities go, tourists frequently make their way to the Woodland Park Zoo in the northern part of town. Though there are many parks in the Whidbey Island Destination, Woodland Park is the only one with a fully-developed zoo. Park guests can look at the many species of animals within the zoo, or they can wander around Green Lake.[5] 

Seattle's economy has been heavily driven by technology since the 1980s, mostly due to companies like Microsoft and Amazon making their debuts in the area. The influx of job opportunities caused the population of the city to grow immensely in the late 1900s.[2] The namesake of the destination, however, is Whidbey Island, a few miles north of Seattle. The island has one main road that spans roughly 55 miles from the top to the bottom of the landmass. The selection of activities ranges from ziplining to kayaking to browsing the many restaurants and shops on the island. Fishing, in particular, is quite popular on the island, and it branches out to similar ventures such as clamming and crabbing. Most of the attractions on Whidbey Island are based around the unique natural landscape offered by the area, though there are dozens of local restaurants and souvenir shops as well. Most of the visitors to Whidbey Island are Washington residents, though occasionally there are tourists from further abroad.[6] 

Whidbey Island is the largest island in the state of Washington and the fourth largest in the contiguous United States.[1] The best times to visit the region vary depending on the kinds of activities that the tourists wish to participate in. If the visitors are seeking outdoor recreation, it is recommended that they come to the Whidbey Island Destination sometime between July and September. During that time of year, the weather is relatively dry and sunny, allowing for hiking and boating. For those seeking winery or restaurant experiences, it might be overly crowded during these peak months. Those kinds of tourists will find that April or October are less busy, allowing for more accessible wine tasting or fine dining.[3]

Geography

The general climate of the Whidbey Island Destination is humid, wet, and of moderate temperature. The highs and lows of the area do not dip much lower than the freezing point during the coldest part of the year (December and January). This means that snowfall in the area is somewhat lacking, averaging out at only a few inches annually. Rainfall, on the other hand, averages out at 33 inches per year. Most of this rainfall occurs between the months of October and April. In the summer, the high and low temperatures round out to be 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 57 degrees, respectively. Similar to other areas in the northern hemisphere, Whidbey Island is hottest in the summer, and temperatures drop during autumn.[4] 

The geographic features of the destination vary extensively, ranging from lakes and ocean bays to gardens and forests. Seattle is often referred to as "The Emerald City" due to the prevalent amount of greenery in and around it.[5] Though there are no notable mountains within the Whidbey Island Destination, many extensive mountain ranges are visible from the eastern border of the region. Additionally, within the destination, there are many hills and cliff faces over the water's edge. Specific notable geographic features in the area include Elliott Bay (a prominent part of Seattle), Camano Island, Lake Stevens, and part of the Tiger Mountain State Forest. 

The flora of Whidbey Island varies depending on what side of the island one is referring to. The southern section is similar to Washington's mainland, including species such as Douglas firs, western red cedars, and bigleaf maples. The north, on the other hand, contains tree species like grand firs and Garry oaks. Local animals are primarily aquatic, including clams and oysters. The Whidbey Island Destination is also famous for its whale watching. Gray whales migrate directly between the Whidbey and Camano Islands in March and April, allowing for an easy sighting from boats or even from the shoreline.[1]

History

Similar to other areas of the United States, Whidbey Island was initially inhabited by a handful of Native American tribes, including the Swinomish, Suquamish, and Lower Skagit. Their name for the island was Tscha-kole-chy, and they lived there peaceably for many years. The first European settler to investigate the area was Captain George Vancouver, who landed on the island in 1792. One of his officers (Joseph Whidbey) began to map and explore the island extensively, which lead the island to be named in his honor. Despite this, the men did not sleep on the island, leaving it behind to continue their explorations.[1] The Native Americans continued to live there in peace, and in 1840 Chief Tslalakum invited a Catholic missionary to the island. The missionary's name was Father Francis N. Blanchet. He began to preach to Chief Tslalakum's tribe, and soon other tribes on the island came to listen as well. 

A massive wooden cross was erected in commemoration of the event, and Father Francis remained on the island for a year to continue his preaching and baptizing efforts.[7] The first permanent white settler on the island was Colonel Isaac N. Ebey. Over time, he invited family and friends to join him on the island, building up a small colony.[1] Today, Whidbey Island is home to roughly 70,000 residents. The entirety of the Whidbey Island Destination is home to millions of citizens. Specifically, the combined statistical area surrounding Seattle has nearly 5 million people.[2]