If you go: The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is located where the freshwater of the Nisqually River meets the saltwater of south Puget Sound to create the Nisqually River Delta.

This is a birders’ Mecca, boasting about 275 migratory bird species that winter and breed in the area. There are 100 permanent species of birds and more than 20,000 migratory fowl that congregate in the fall and winter. In other words, bring the bird book, binoculars and telephoto lens.

Bird watchers tend to be a friendly lot. If you have any questions, feel free to ask those with spotting scopes atop tripods.

The refuge also offers excellent habitat for steelhead and several salmon species.

There is a $3 per-family fee to use the refuge. Pick up the blue envelope at the kiosk just outside the catwalk to the main building. While filling out the permit, make sure to pick up a map of the area.Read The Full Story