Close to What Counts This Holiday Season!

Posted November 27, 2019

Anyone else feel like this holiday season snuck up on us fast?! We sure do, so if you’re like us, don’t worry we have you covered for the perfect holiday activity. So, if you are celebrating close to home this holiday and are looking for something to do, check out our favorite experiences near McCormick!

Festive Lights on the Water

Although its in a week or so, the Bremerton Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade is one of the staple holiday activities near McCormick. Our beautiful Puget Sound lights up with cheer as boats are lit and decorated in festive spirit. For the schedule, visit and view boats from the Marina on the route! Directions to the Marina can be found on their website. McCormick to the Bremerton Marina is 20 minutes.

Bloedel Holiday Village

Discover the season’s magic by visiting the Holiday Village at Bloedel. Bloedel Reserve is a gem in Kitsap County. Bloedel is a gorgeous property with curated gardens, distinctive landscapes, and preserved forests. This holiday season at Bloedel you’ll experience an imaginative tiny town, model trains, and festive decorations on the property. The village is open from December 14-January 6, and free with the cost of admission to Bloedel. McCormick to the Bloedel Reserve is 45 minutes.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas!

Our historic community theater, the Admiral, will have a special showing of the How the Grinch Stole Christmas at 7pm on Saturday December 21st. This movie will always be a classic Christmas film that makes us laugh. This special evening may be your “First Gift” this season! Buy your tickets in advance at the Admiral website. McCormick to the Admiral Theater is 15 minutes.

Seattle Shines this Holiday

Hop our magical ferries and experience beautiful Downtown Seattle, all decked out for the holidays! We love the Gingerbread Village at the Seattle Sheraton. This is not your average Gingerbread Village, it is a beloved tradition for over 25 years. New this year is Enchant at T-Mobile Park (formerly Safeco). This is a light maze large enough to fill the baseball stadium, accompanied by a European style gift market, and an ice skating trail (rent your skates on site). Get your tickets at the website in advance!

If theater interests you, don’t miss Mrs. Doubtfire performed at the legendary 5th Avenue Theater. Tickets are available at the 5th Avenue theater website. After the theater, be sure to check out the lobby of the historic Fairmont Olympic Hotel across the street (411 University Street). We also recommend their Holiday Tea at the Georgian Room which is an incredible experience! Be sure to reserve your table in advance. If you’re just up for a quick visit, you can window shop all the designer stores along 5th avenue. McCormick to Seattle via the Bremerton WSDOT ferry is 60 minutes, or the Kitsap fast ferry a mere 30 minutes.

Zoolights at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

This extravagant light show, at the Zoo just across the bridge in Tacoma on Pearl Street, is not to be missed! The zoo is transformed into a colorful wonderland with 700,000 LED lights (energy efficient!). It’s fun for all ages and runs from November 29rd to January 5th every evening. You can get tickets at the Zoo website. Parking is free at the Zoo, an extra special treat! McCormick to Port Defiance Zoo is 40 minutes.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

We are getting a blanket of white in our gorgeous Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges! If the slopes are calling your name, be sure to visit fantastic ski resorts within a short drive of McCormick. Our favorite resort in all of Washington, just two hours from McCormick, is Crystal Mountain Resort. At the base of Mount Rainier, you’ll enjoy 2,600 acres of powder and 50 runs many of which give gorgeous views of Mt. Rainier on a sunny day. Crystal, as known by locals, offers what we believe is the best terrain in Washington.

If you’re not quite up for the slopes but just want to take in the views, Crystal launched a high-speed Mt. Rainier Gondola that you can take to eat at the top of the mountain in a gorgeous lodge at the Summit House Restaurant. The Summit House is Washington’s highest elevation dining at 6,872 feet above sea level! Not only will you enjoy a fantastic meal and beverage, the views are out of this world. Crystal gets 486 inches of a snow a year and serves customers on 10 lifts.

Also 2 hours from McCormick you’ll find a local hill at Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge offers winter vistas unmatched anywhere in the Northwest. It’s a small, family-oriented hill, without the lines and crowds of a large resort, but with lots of fresh powder. You’ll enjoy a bunny slope, intermediate runs, and black diamonds if you seek a thrill! For beginners or to improve your skills, check out the ski school. If skiing or boarding isn’t your thing, try sledding and tubing, or throw on a pair of snowshoes and make some tracks. After all, you live in the Northwest and in winter we love to enjoy our snow-covered mountains. McCormick to either Crystal Mountain or Hurricane Ridge is 2 hours.

Sounds of the Season

The holiday season brings out the best in music, contemporary and classical. Looking for a classical performance to enjoy by local artists? Check out our favorite, the Bremerton Symphony. or the big city symphony and chorale experience, hop the ferry and enjoy a multitude of performances by the Seattle Symphony in exquisite Benaroya Hall. The Admiral Theater in Bremerton also hosts a talent competition, the “Sounds of the Season Talent Showcase” on Thursday, December 19th. It showcases the region’s best young talent and new artists as they compete to win a prize! Tickets can be purchased here. McCormick to Bremerton is 15 minutes. McCormick to Seattle is 60 minutes by Bremerton WSDOT ferry, or 30 minutes by Kitsap fast ferry.

The World Awaits

If the holidays take you on adventures far away from the Northwest, Seattle Tacoma International Airport is a 45-minute drive from McCormick, or accessible via ferry using the Southworth/Fauntleroy route. If driving to the airport isn’t your thing, try the Bremerton-Kitsap Airporter service, which picks up just down the street from McCormick and drops you off at the airport terminal! McCormick to SeaTac is 50 minutes, McCormick to the closest Kitsap Airporter pick-up is 5 minutes.

From all of us at McCormick to you and yours, we wish you a happy, safe, and relaxing holiday season. May your holidays be filled with joy and be Close to What Counts in your life.

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