The Evergreen State. From well-known attractions in Seattle, like the space needle, to hidden islands, bays, and parks, the State of Washington is home to a diverse range of breathtaking things to see. In the state of Washington, the natural world seems to be much bigger than life.
Mount Rainier, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, rises over the horizon, and time seems to have stopped in the lush green vistas of the Hoh Rain Forest on the Olympic Peninsula.
Preparing for a weekend vacation to Spokane or Vancouver, or to Leavenworth or Ellensburg or Walla Walla, or any of the other distinct cities surrounded by vineyards and breathtaking landscape, is a good idea.
Discover the greatest locations to visit in Washington State by reading on. Certain attractions may be closed for a period of time or may need reservations in advance.
There are several eateries that are presently only providing pick-up. It is possible that the hours and availability have changed. Some of the city’s famous golf courses are well worth a visit, as is a tasting tour of some of the many breweries that have sprung up over the last few years.
Bainbridge Island
In addition to being just 35 minutes west of Seattle (by the Washington State Ferry from Pier 52), Bainbridge Island is also an excellent place for a weekend or day getaway away from the city.
Walks and hikes are available in a variety of locations, beginning with the Waterfront Trail, which is located near the ferry port and provides a 1.5-mile circle along the shore or a 2-mile loop through parks and historic sites.
Other beautiful parks and gardens to visit include the Bloedel Reserve, which contains a beautiful Japanese Garden, the Fay Bainbridge Park, which is perfect for camping and boating, the Fort Ward State Park, and Battle Point Park, all of which are accessible by taking the Frog Hopper Jump On – Jump Off bus.
If you want to try your hand at some water activities, go over to Back of Beyond, which is conveniently located near the ferry station and provides canoe, kayak, and paddle-board rentals and training. You can hire a bike from Bike Barn Rentals on Bainbridge Island, which is a terrific place to go riding.
You may spend your time at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, the Bainbridge Island Historical Society’s museum, and the Kids Discovery Museum if the weather isn’t cooperating.
Additionally, you may partake in wine tastings and vineyard tours or just wander around Downtown Winslow, which is brimming with charming gift shop stores as well as several fun things and, restaurants and coffee shops.
Spokane
Weekend visitors to Spokane may choose from a wide range of activities, including various outdoor attractions as well as a small but chosen number of cultural events. Riverfront Park, which encompasses more than 100 acres and includes the spectacular Spokane Falls, is located in the center of Spokane, Washington.
You may enjoy walking about the park and seeing all of the activities, or you can take a trip on the Spokane Falls Skyride for a spectacular aerial perspective. Nature enthusiasts may visit the John A. Finch Arboretum to see a fantastic display of trees and shrubs, or they can go to Manito Park, which has a conservatory filled with tropical plants set in the middle of beautifully designed gardens, for a more relaxing experience.
Hikers may tackle the 40-mile paved Centennial Trail at Riverside State Park, which runs beside the gorgeous Spokane River and through the park. The ROW Trip Center offers white-water rafting on a spectacular 8-mile length of the Spokane River, while Mica Moon Zip Tours offers thrilling zip-line adventures.
Thrill-seekers may also experience a thrilling zip-line adventure with Mica Moon Zip Tours. During the winter months, the Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park become a swarm of activity with people skiing and snowboarding.
The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) is a large museum with five subterranean galleries and an outdoor amphitheater. It is located in Seattle, Washington. Finish your weekend by taking in a concert by the Spokane Symphony Orchestra in the historic Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.
North Cascades National Park
Take a trip to the North Cascades National Park for an outdoor experience that will exceed your expectations. There is so much to do in this magnificent and pristine wilderness that you will not know where to begin, so it is a good idea to stop by a visitor center when you arrive to acquire all the information you need for a great stay.
There are many visitor centers in the area. Hiking some of the 400 miles of excellent trails in North Cascades National Park is the most popular method to take in the splendor of the park’s natural grandeur. Trails range from small scenic hikes appropriate for kids to steep and strenuous climbs.
Camping, picnics, fishing, and even cycling are available along the road, as well as superb bird and animal viewing opportunities. Attend an informative discussion or go on a guided walk with a ranger, which is especially suitable for younger people.
You may also take a program at the North Cascades Institute at the new Environmental Learning Center, which is a fantastic option for families. If you want to take a break from trekking, you may take a sail on the Lady of the Lake Ferry to the historic village of Stehekin, which is located in the heart of the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, where you could stretch your legs.
During the winter, the whole North Cascades National Park is converted into a snow-covered wonderland, where visitors may enjoy downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling among other winter activities.
Snoqualmie Falls
The town of Snoqualmie, one of southwest Washington’s most prominent tourist sites, is located halfway between the communities of Snoqualmie and Fall City. It goes without saying that the spectacular Snoqualmie Falls is undoubtedly one of the top spots to visit in Washington if you like chasing waterfalls.
This waterfall may be familiar to you. It earned notoriety as a result of its appearance in the television program Twin Peaks, along with the Salish Lodge and Spa in North Bend and Twede’s Cafe in North Bend.
If you’re a fan of the television program, this Washington attraction should definitely be on your schedule. However, even if you’ve never been there, this is one of the most stunning sights in the city of Washington.
Many people consider it to be one of the most enjoyable things to do in Washington state. Aside from that, there are many popular hiking trails in the vicinity, and you won’t regret taking a short walk around the quaint village of North Bend.
Vancouver
Don’t get it mixed up with Vancouver, BC, which is 300 kilometers to the north! Vancouver, Washington, is located on the Columbia River, across the river from Portland, Oregon, and is a popular tourist destination.
Vancouver, Washington, on the other hand, is a city that should not be overlooked. Its position puts it in close proximity to a variety of picturesque outdoor activities. The Columbia River Gorge, Moulton Falls, Beacon Rock, and Dog Mountain are all excellent day trips from Vancouver that you should take into consideration.
This is also a city with a plethora of significant historical significance. The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site serves as the starting point for this educational experience. The Waterfront, located near downtown, is a popular meeting spot where people may eat, drink, play, and relax while overlooking the Columbia River.
From the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, driving along State Route 14 and stopping at the several spectacular vantage spots for photography is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience the scenery. Also, many historic buildings can be seen.
Sequim
While the Olympic Peninsula is home to some of the most beautiful little towns in the world, Sequim is particularly notable for its peculiar dry and sunny environment, which is comparable to that of Los Angeles despite its closeness to surrounding temperate rainforest regions.
The picturesque town of Clallam County is surrounded by lovely Douglas fir, western red cedar, and Garry oak forest regions, and it is well-known across the globe for its commercial lavender production, which is only rivaled by a few locations in France in terms of international output.
In addition to being a haven for nature enthusiasts due to its proximity to Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge, the town’s thriving downtown arts and culinary culture make it a wonderful cultural retreat in the Pacific Northwest.
The Sequim Lavender Weekend, which takes place every year throughout the month of July, is one of the annual unique events.
Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island is located near the northern end of Puget Sound, south of the San Juan Islands, and south of the Olympic Mountains. If you want to see a little bit of everything, this is one of the greatest locations to go to!
This region of the Pacific Northwest is home to a plethora of outdoor activities. Enjoy kayaking in the crystal-clear waters of Deception Pass State Park, taking a walk along the park’s many quiet beaches, and exploring Fort Casey’s ancient bunkers and batteries.
If you wish to go into town, you should head to Langley or Coupeville, respectively. Both have a small-town feel to them and are small enough to visit in a day.
These charming neighborhoods are home to shops, adorable cafés, delicious seafood restaurants, and some of the friendliest and most easygoing people you’ll ever meet.
Leavenworth
Leavenworth is like a little version of Bavaria that has been transplanted to the heart of Washington State, replete with gorgeous mountains, woods, and unique Bavarian cuisine, among other amenities.
The town’s distinct character and mood are the consequence of Projekt Bayern (Project Bavaria), which was established in the 1960s to transform Leavenworth into a tourist destination in the face of a collapsing wood sector that endangered the town’s survival.
Leavenworth is a year-round resort that places a strong focus on outdoor recreation and adventure. This summer, you may go white-water rafting or embark on one of the other outdoor experiences to keep yourself entertained. Adventurers will be enticed by the Leavenworth Ziplines, while youngsters will delight in a journey in a horse-drawn carriage or wagon.
In Leavenworth, you may check out the odd Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum or the Icicle Creek Center for the Arts. The Oktoberfest, which takes place in October, is a terrific way to enjoy German beer, cuisine, and entertainment. The Leavenworth Summer Theater, set against the background of the snow-capped Cascade Mountains, hosts open-air performances throughout the summer.
San Juan Islands
The archipelago of the San Juan Islands is located at the northern end of yakima valley and of Puget Sound. San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez are the three most populous and visited islands in the United States. Lime Kiln State Park in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, is one of the greatest spots in Washington to go whale watching or specifically orca whales watching, and it is also one of the most scenic.
San Juan is the most populated island and offers a large number of beaches to choose from. Orcas Island, on the other hand, is a rough, wooded wonderland. It’s ideal for those who want to experience the tranquility and seclusion that the island has to offer. Lopez Island is a paradise for cyclists. Lopez’s vast open fields and undulating slopes make riding on the island a delightful experience.
Olympic National Park
The Olympic or Olympia National Park, located on the western border of the largest city of state of Washington, is a local favorite. This massive 1,442 square mile National Park on the Olympic Peninsula is a breathtaking blend of rainforests, snow-capped mountains, and magnificent coastal beaches.
Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate Olympic National Park’s hiking paths, as well as the many camping and trekking possibilities available across the park’s terrain. It is impossible not to be impressed by the beaches, which provide breathtaking sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.
The Sol Duc hot springs are located at the northern end of the Park and are a must-see of the many popular attractions, for anybody who has made the long trip out here and wants to reward themselves with a peaceful bath in the springs.
Even better, you may schedule a stay at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort to take use of the hot springs for as long as you want to relax. The best ways to enjoy the city life is to previously rest up your soul and mind at this perfect place for nature lovers.
Orcas Island
Orcas Island is a wonderful mix of tiny settlements, gorgeous rural terrain, picture-perfect seascapes, beaches, water sports, and a liberal helping of the arts, making it a popular destination for travelers.
Moran State Park is an excellent site to begin your tour since it provides excellent hiking, cycling, and horseback riding opportunities through beautiful landscape that includes multiple lakes and the island’s tallest peak.
Those interested in sampling the finest of Orcas Island food may join an Orcas Island Food & Farms Tour. The tour includes stops at a number of farms, restaurants, wineries, breweries, and the Buck Bay Shellfish Farm, among other stops.
Bellevue
One of the more popular places in this beautiful city. Bellevue, located just over Lake Washington from Seattle, is a great weekend getaway location that offers a variety of family-friendly attractions.
In Bellevue, there is a strong focus on green areas and outdoor activities, and there are many beautiful beaches, parks, and gardens to enjoy while here.
On Saturdays, nature enthusiasts may take advantage of free guided tours of the Mercer Slough Nature Park, which includes wetlands, woodlands and animal habitats as well as a variety of paths.
In addition to Meydenbauer Beach Park, Chism Beach Park and Newcastle Beach Park, there are a number of other beach parks where you may bask in the sun while picnicking or swimming.
The serene Bellevue Botanical Garden and Downtown Park are two more excellent outdoor destinations in the area.
Tacoma
Tacoma is a picturesque city nestled around the shores of Puget Sound, providing a breathtakingly gorgeous background to a contemporary metropolis that places a strong focus on the arts.
Beginning with the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, which will take you back in time to live in a British outpost in the 1850s, there are a variety of excellent museums to visit in Tacoma.
Motor aficionados may see one of the greatest collections of antique automobiles in the world at Lemay – America’s Car Museum and the Lemay Family Collection at Marymount University, which is located on the banks of the Foss Waterway Seaport in the Wenatchee valley.
Tacoma is known for its glass art, and at the Museum of Glass, you can learn all there is to know about the craft of glass blowing while also seeing the incredible Chihuly Bridge of Glass, which was built by local glass artist Dale Chihuly.
Bellingham
As a result of its location on Puget Sound, Bellingham has earned a strong reputation as a Mecca for paddlers, while simultaneously providing a diverse range of cultural and artistic opportunities to its residents. Whatcom Falls Park, where you may swim, fish, and picnic near the Whatcome Creek Gorge and many stunning waterfalls, is a great spot to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
Whatcom Falls Park is located near the Whatcome Creek Gorge and numerous lovely waterfalls. Hiking along the rocky shoreline of Larrabee Park allows you to experience nature and history at the same time, while Mount Baker provides skiing and snowboarding in the winter and cycling and camping in the summer.
For nature enthusiasts, the Sehome Hill Arboretum is a must-see for a chance to connect with nature, while art aficionados can visit the Western Washington University Campus to view the Outdoor Sculpture Collection at the Western Gallery.
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