Last-minute adventures near Seattle

State of play: We asked AAA Washington's Megan West to clue us into a few close-to-home favorites.

• A quick drive over Snoqualmie Pass leads to Cle Elum and Roslyn, where alpine trails, rivers and small-town charm await — plus the bonus of car-ride naps for kids.
• The Gorge closes out concert season with "Labor Dave Weekend," featuring AAA's tongue-in-cheek shipping container lounge: Freeze Your AAA's Off.
• For fried food and Ferris wheels, the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe and the Washington State Fair in Puyallup remain classics.

Zoom in: Some of the state's best summer spots are hiding in plain sight.

• Ski resorts flip to hiking, mountain biking and live music once the snow melts.
• North Bend delivers mountain backdrops, river views and small-town eats just 30 minutes from Seattle.
• For a longer trek, Highway 20 through Winthrop and Mazama offers alpine vistas without national park crowds — but only until the road closes in winter.

What's next: Don't stress if you can't get away this weekend. September and early October often bring some of Washington's best weather before the rain settles in.