Washington
The Many Faces of Seattle: Cultural & Natural History
Program No. 25255RJ
Discover Seattle, from its rich multicultural history to its stunning natural surroundings. Explore iconic sites, unique museums and the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Enroll with Confidence
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Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
7 days
6 nights
14 meals
6B 3L 5D
1
Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner, Lecture
Seattle, WA
2
Downtown Walk, Pike Place, Space Needle
Seattle, WA
3
Whidbey Island, Deception Pass Boat Ride
Seattle, WA
5
Mt. Rainier National Park
Seattle, WA
6
Ballard Locks, Nordic Museum, Asian Art Museum
Seattle, WA
7
Program Concludes
Seattle, WA
At a Glance
Seattle pulses with energy — a city alive with creativity, history and natural beauty. Discover the stories of those who’ve shaped the region, from the Duwamish people to Nordic and Asian immigrants, and see their influence in art, architecture and vibrant neighborhoods. Venture beyond the city to explore Mount Rainier’s dramatic landscapes, enjoy a study cruise along the wildlife-rich waters off Whidbey Island and walk with an expert through Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. Dive into Seattle’s innovative spirit with explorations of the Museum of Flight and the National Nordic Museum and enjoy an insider’s look at the Ballard Locks’ fascinating operations. Each moment is a celebration of Seattle’s cultural legacy and its connection to the Pacific Northwest’s breathtaking wilderness.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walking up to 28 blocks a day on city sidewalks; two days walking on paved and unpaved trails up to 2-3 miles. Seattle is a hilly city, and we can expect steep inclines both uphill and downhill through the program.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Hike with a naturalist at Mount Rainier to uncover the fascinating geological history and unique ecology shaped by the mountain’s weather and terrain.
- Explore Seattle’s cultural tapestry on guided explorations of the Seattle Asian Art Museum, National Nordic Museum and Duwamish Longhouse, each highlighting a distinct community’s legacy.
- Savor the beauty of Whidbey Island with an expert-led walk through Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve and a scenic wildlife excursion showcasing the rich biodiversity of Skagit Bay.
Suggested Reading List
(6 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Many Faces of Seattle: Cultural & Natural History
Program Number: 25255
Snow Falling on Cedars
In 1954, on the remote San Piedro Island, just north of Puget Sound, a local fisherman is found dead under suspicious circumstances, and a Japanese American man named Kabuo Miyamoto is charged with his murder. As the trial goes on, it becomes clear that the case is about more than just proving guilt, and that the island is shaped by the lasting memory of how its Japanese residents were treated during World War II, when an entire community was sent into exile while their neighbors watched.
The Good Rain: Across Time & Terrain in the Pacific Northwest
In this mesmerizing book, Egan retraces a journey made in 1853 by Theodore Winthrop, the author of the first national book about the Pacific Northwest. As he travels Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia by unconventional means, Egan reflects on Winthrop's predictions for the northwest, mourns the loss of so much natural beauty, and casts visions of the landscapes that have escaped the march of modern development. Winner of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Jamie Ford's historical novel Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet unfolds in two parallel timelines: one follows 12-year-old Henry Lee during World War II, while the other takes place 44 years later, focusing on Henry as a widowed father with a college-aged son. The story revolves around the forced relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps, exploring the emotional hardship and trauma of separation through the bond between Henry, a Chinese-American boy, and his Japanese-American friend Keiko.
New Land, North of the Columbia
This colorful and fascinating collection documents the story of Washington Territory--when it was the "new land north of the Columbia River--all the way to today's NASA Landsat map of the State of Washington.
A Cold Wind From Idaho
Drawing on his own personal experience, author Lawrence Matsuda shares poems about the experiences and legacy of the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans in American concentration camps. Born into a World War II Concentration Camp in Minidoka, Idaho, along with many of his relatives, Matsuda went on to become a leader in his field, earning a PhD, becoming a public school teacher, principal, professor, writer, and poet.
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Amid the hardships of the Great Depression comes an inspiring story of overcoming the odds and finding hope in the most challenging times. It’s the unlikely and deeply personal account of how nine working-class boys from the American West showed the world at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin what true determination looked like. The journey was unexpected from the start. With a crew made up of the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar team was never meant to compete with the elite teams from the East Coast and Great Britain. Yet, they did the unthinkable, defeating the German team rowing for Adolf Hitler.
