It’s your turn! The kids are grown and have lives of their own. Now it’s time to start checking off that bucket list and reconnecting with each other. The Washington Coast is a great adult-only getaway with these fun festivals and events. All that’s left to plan is how soon you can go!
Seabrook Food and Wine Festival
May 16
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Market Street, Seabrook
What’s better than a weekend at the beach? How about a weekend at the beach sampling award-winning wine and tantalizing seafood?
“Savor Seabrook is great for empty nesters to taste a variety of wines and then decide which wineries they’d like to visit soon,” shares Heather Montag, communication specialist at Seabrook.
The Seabrook Food and Wine Festival is an annual single-day event held each May. The 21-and-over event is perfect for empty nesters to enjoy each other’s company while experiencing the quaint coastal vibe of Seabrook! Stroll down Market Street, enjoying live music, coastal flavors and local winemakers and brewers. Highlights include:
- Dozens of winemakers and brewers.
- Themed market with a collection of fine goods, perfect for strolling with your significant other.
- Live music from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“For first-timers to the festival, we recommend attending the VIP Event pre-festival, then relaxing and enjoying wines, eats, music, and the festive vibe,” says Montag.
The Seabrook Food and Wine Festival VIP Admission gets you early admission and guided pairing experiences to elevate the day! Learn which wines pair with trendy charcuterie choices. Or, if chocolate is your pleasure, Bon Chocolats will help you find the perfect dessert wine for your decadent menu.
Finish the day off with a bit of shopping, a walk along the beach, hiking or dining at one of the many wonderful restaurants in the area, suggests Montag.
The 2026 Festival will take place on May 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Market Street in Seabrook. This year’s VIP early admission will take place inside The Stowaway Wine Bar. Purchase tickets on the Seabrook website.
Make it an adult weekend getaway by renting one of the adorable beach cottages Seabrook has to offer!
McCleary Bear Festival
July 10-12Beerbower Park
100 S 3rd Street, McCleary
If trying something adventurous is on your empty nester’s bucket list, how about trying bear stew at the McCleary Bear Festival? This fun tradition is perfect for adults wanting a weekend getaway in Grays Harbor!
Happening annually in July, the McCleary Bear Festival is a tradition six decades in the making. It all started when a couple of people wanted to know who made the best bear stew – the rest is history!
The weekend boosts:
- Grand parade and royal court
- Classic and antique car show
- Softball tournament
- Soap box derby
- Live music
- And more!
Step back into small-town Americana for a weekend that lets you relax and recharge. And of course, be sure to try the bear stew!
McCleary Museum Murder Mystery Teas
Various dates
426 S 3rd Street, McCleary
The McCleary Museum is a great place to spend an afternoon for empty nesters! Learn how logging shaped this quaint Grays Harbor town. (It’s even named after a sawmill owner!)
One of its most popular events is the Murder Mystery Teas, which Rachael Hahn, program chair, says are great for older adults. “Our teas can be great for empty nesters because they can serve as a social platform for those who want to connect with others in a way that is structured,” she says. “It allows them to interact with new people while staying within their comfort zone. It also provides a creative and sometimes dramatic way to step outside their daily routine and practice mental stimulation and collaboration.”
During a mystery tea, guests are given their role and backstory ahead of time. You can dress for your part or come as you are. A host will walk you through the mystery, providing details and helping with flow while allowing for plenty of free interaction between guests. The event lasts roughly three hours.
The teas are held at different times throughout the year. Check the McCleary Museum website’s calendar for upcoming dates.
Want to have your own private tea for your friends? McCleary Museum will host your group! “Private events not only provide the immersive escapism from their everyday life, it allows groups of friends to reconnect and create new memories with a curated memorable experience,” shares Hahn.
Stay at the McCleary Hotel
300 N Summit Road, McCleary
Attending the McCleary Bear Festival or a murder mystery dinner? Stay at the McCleary Hotel for a couples retreat in Grays Harbor. The Hotel is the perfect basecamp for adult visitors exploring the area.
“The McCleary Hotel offers a peaceful, adult-focused retreat with a relaxed, historic atmosphere,” shares owners Lorena and Matthew Maurer. “Empty nesters especially appreciate the chance to slow down and enjoy beautiful gardens, nearby nature trails, and the quiet charm of a small mill town. It’s a place to reconnect, unwind, and experience a more intentional pace of travel.”
Enjoy historic clawfoot tubs, cozy common areas with books and games, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces and a firepit for cuddling and s’more making at the end of a great day.
The owners are happy to help you plan your day as well. Some suggestions:
- Start with coffee in the garden
- Take a scenic drive to the coast
- Explore nearby walking trails
They are within walking distance of the McCleary Museum! And just a short drive to the ocean.
To learn more about bedroom options (both with shared and en suite bathrooms) and to book, visit the McCleary Hotel website.
Enjoy this new chapter. Take time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Even if that is just getting away to reconnect with your significant other or best buds. The Washington Coast is waiting.
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