Out & About

Point D Zoo lights Dec. 3: $10. Take a stroll as the Point Defiance Zoo comes aglow with more than a half-million lights, Dec. 3. Animal exhibits include the Rocky Shores, Arctic Tundra, Red Wolves and Asian Forest Sanctuary.

Warm up with hot chocolate, shop for gifts or just enjoy the beautiful decorations. Cost includes transportation and admission. ($10; ages 0 to 3: free) Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

Winter beer fest

Dec. 3: $20. Head to the annual Winter Beer Festival in Seattle. The event features a variety of seasonal beers — dark malty stouts, robust winter warmers, barrel-aged gems, spiced, bubbly and roasty brews — by more than 30 Washington breweries. Vintage beer tasting returns with some of Washington’s favorite winter beers from a few years back ready for tasting. Price includes transportation only; tickets are $25 at the door and includes six free tastes. This trip is for ages 21+.

Snowshoe wonderland

Dec. 4: $40. Head out to a beautiful winter wonderland. This adventurous trek through varied terrain trails leads to views of the surrounding peaks. Difficulty: easy; distance: 4 miles; time: 3.5 hours. Minimum age: 12.

Sea kayak Hope Island

Dec. 4: $40. Travel from Arcadia in the Totten Inlet around Steamboat Island to Hope Island, Dec. 4. Eat lunch in the backyard of an old homestead, orchard and former vineyard on the island.

Deer and other land wildlife can be seen on the island, and seals have been spotted resting in various areas of the channel.

After-work climb

Dec. 7: $15. Head to the Edgeworks Gym for an evening climb on the indoor rock wall. Climbing gear, admission and transportation are included. No experience is necessary.

Seattle land and sea

Dec. 10: $45. Visit the Seattle Aquarium and Pike Place Market. The aquarium is filled with local exhibits and many amazing things to see and touch. You’ll see a visiting harbor seal and the amazing views at left and above.

Plus, Pike Place Market has an assortment of unique food and shops for you to try. Cost includes transportation and aquarium admission. (Youth: $30; child: $5) Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

Ski ‘n’ snowboard

Dec. 10: $40. Tired of the rain? Head for the snow and spend the day at Crystal Mountain. Transportation and gear are provided. Lift tickets may be purchased at JBLMmwr.com. (Have your own gear, pay just $20).

Horseback riding

Dec. 11: 480. Head to Elbe, a town near Mount Rainier National Park, for a two-hour guided afternoon horseback ride Sunday, Dec. 11. No experience is necessary; bring the entire family along for a great day! Minimum age: 7. Family-friendly trip.

Mountain bike forest Dec. 11: $30. Come out for some of the best mountain biking this side of the Cascades. With 196 miles of trails, the possibilities in Capitol Forest are endless. Difficulty: moderate; distance: 10 miles; time: 4 hours. Minimum age: 12.

Grand Prix racing

Dec. 14: $40. Get ready for fast times on the track at the Grand Prix Raceway. Work up an appetite with more than four miles of thrilling wheel-to-wheel racing. Fee includes transportation, lap fee, kart, helmet, head sock and basic driver instruction. Minimum age: 16; minimum height: 5 feet.

Christmas light festival

Dec. 17: $50. Travel to the Bavarian town of Leavenworth for the annual Christmas lighting ceremony. Visit with Santa, Father Christmas or Saint Nicholas and explore shops and boutiques. Gather around the pavilion at the end of the day to watch as thousands of colored lights turn the town into a winter wonderland. Time in town: 5 hours. Trip fee includes transportation only. (Children 4 to12: $25, 3 and under $5) Family-friendly trip.

Bald eagle float trip

Dec. 17: $55. Many people will never get to see the majestic bald eagle in its natural habitat, but you could see up to 200 on this one trip! Float down the docile Skagit River among one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles. Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

Ski ‘n’ snowboard pass

Dec. 18: $40. Spend the day at White Pass. Transportation and gear are provided. Lift tickets aren’t provided but may be bought online at JBLMmwr.com or at the mountain. (Transportation only: $20; transportation, gear, lessons and lift ticket: $95)

Bungee jumping

Dec. 18: $125. Head to the base of Mount St. Helens to bungee jump off the highest bungee bridge in the country. A full 20 stories high, the private bridge is nestled in an emerald-colored forest above a sparkling river. If adrenaline is what you crave, you won’t be disappointed. The trip includes transportation, two jumps and the coveted Dangerous Sports Club T-shirt. Minimum weight: 90 pounds.

Montain bike after work

Dec. 21: $20. Enjoy an evening of mountain biking through trails at JBLM Lewis North.

Fantasy lights tour

Dec. 24: $15. This holiday favorite features nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights — it’s the largest holiday drive-through display in the Northwest. Visitors will be treated to the magical world of animation and imagination. You’ll marvel at the ‘“Land of Dinosaurs” attraction and other new additions. (11 and under: $5) Family-friendly trip; reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with special needs.

Register early for tours

Pre-registration is required for all trips. Schedule, fees and trip details, to include meeting times, are subject to change without notice.

Register through WebTrac at https://webtrac.mwr.army.mil/webtrac/jblmrectrac.html or at the Northwest Adventure Center at Lewis North.

Trip pick up locations are the NAC and McChord Field’s Adventures Unlimited. Group rates/private trips available. For more information, call 967-6263 or visit JBLMmwr.com.