30 Best Things to Do in Washington State (2026 Bucket List)

As a local with the Cascades practically in my backyard and the salty Pacific air in my lungs, I’ve realized that Washington State never runs out of surprises. One minute you’re sipping coffee in a hip Seattle café, and the next, you’re winding your way through lush rainforests and spotting orcas from a ferry’s deck, which is why I started my Washington State bucket list of items to check off.

I’ve lived in this evergreen corner of the country for the better part of my life, and year after year, I find myself going off on new adventures that leave me awestruck and grinning from ear to ear. There’s something to do no matter what season it is – you’ll find me skiing at Snoqualmie Pass in the winter in Seattle, going on wildflower hikes during the spring, and enjoying all things outdoors in the summer.

I also love when friends visit and have their own Washington bucket list that I can help them achieve. That’s when I get to show them some of my old favorites as well as go to places that are new to me. It also fires me up to see my friends excited about places I may have taken for granted.

I could probably ramble on about hundreds of things you have to do in Washington, but I realize your time is likely limited. That’s why I made a printable Washington bucket list poster to keep track of your goals that you can sign up for further down this article.

Whether you’re just looking for a fun Seattle day trip or want to go on a weekend trip from Seattle, here are some of the best things to do in Washington State.

1. Have a Drink on Top of Seattle’s Oldest Skyscraper

Built in 1914, the Smith Tower is the oldest skyscraper in the city (a fun fact about Seattle to tell others). You can take a tour of the bottom floor to see historic pictures and learn about the unique history of the building. Make sure to take time to observe the beautiful marble and gold decorations found throughout the building.

When you’re done, head to the top of the tower for one of the best Instagram spots in Seattle, especially if you go at sunset. You can book Smith Tower observatory tickets in advance to skip the line on busy summer evenings.

You’ll be seated at a table, order your drink (I always get a flute of champagne, but they have tons of unique cocktails), and then head out to the observation deck while you wait. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better view of the waterfront, and you can walk all the way around the deck for a 360-degree view of downtown Seattle.

I’ve actually done this tour multiple times (most recently in April of this year) because it’s hands-down one of the most unique Washington adventures to go on. I took one of my friends for the first time for a fun girls’ happy hour at sunset, and most recently, I took my husband for a romantic Seattle date. That definitely won’t be my last time going, as visiting this restaurant and bar in the sky is always a good occasion.

2. Walk Under Deception Pass Bridge

The most famous bridge in Washington is Deception Pass, which connects Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island. You can visit this when you’re visiting Anacortes or taking a Whidbey Island day trip, and it’s great to add to your Washington summer bucket list.

Diehard fans of The Ring may recognize this as a bridge that was featured in the movie, and it’s one of the best drives in Washington.

Not only is the water a beautiful green color, but you’ll notice various whirlpools due to the two different bodies of water meeting. You can drive over the bridge or walk underneath it to get pictures. For a really unique angle, you can even take a boat tour right under the bridge.

Have more time? Make sure to check out all the Whidbey Island activities there are to do.

3. Take a Hike to Colchuck Lake

If you love hiking, you’ll want to visit Leavenworth on the weekend to add the Colchuck Lake hike to your itinerary. This is one of the most unique things to do in Washington State, as this moderate hike will drop you right into a blue-green alpine lake.

At 8 miles round trip and 2,280 feet of elevation gain, this is tough but doable if you’re in shape. While it’s hard, it is completely worth it with how beautiful the lake is. This is also part of The Enchantments, which you need an overnight permit for the rest of, so you get a little peek into one of the most beautiful hikes in Washington.

I highly recommend, from personal experience, bringing bug spray in the summer, as thousands of bugs in the area want to enjoy the water as much as you do. While I loved doing this hike one August many summers ago, I did not love being eaten alive, so I took a very short break here and headed back to the trailhead.

If you’re up for a more remote adventure, the town of Stehekin is one of Washington’s most unique destinations and is accessible only by ferry, floatplane, or hiking.

4. Go on the Seattle Underground Tour

I recommend the Seattle Underground tour to everyone I talk to, whether they’ve lived here all their lives or are just visiting for a weekend. While you may notice that downtown Seattle is on a steep hill, it was built on top of the original city!

You’ll go with a guide to access the closed-off sections beneath the streets, where parts of the original buildings still stand. When it’s a cold and rainy day in December or January, this Seattle bucket list item becomes one of the best things to do in Seattle in winter.

I’ve now done this tour three times because each tour guide has their own spin on Seattle’s history, so I’m always learning new facts about my city. You can also take a night tour that explores the darker history of Seattle, including ghosts and brothels.

If you want to pair this with another iconic Seattle experience, the Pike Place Market food tour is a great morning activity before doing the Underground in the afternoon.

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5. See the Stunning Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls is only 45 minutes east of Seattle, which makes it one of the easiest things to do in Washington state if you’re short on time. Most people go to the observation deck at the top to get the iconic view from the railing.

The view from the top is beautiful, but you can take the trail down from the top to get to the river. It’s about a mile long and will bring you to a second parking lot complete with a bathroom. From there, go along the boardwalk to walk closer to the falls. If you walk away from the falls, you’ll find a popular spot to play in the river. 

During the warmer months, many people head to this part of the river where you can swim. People sunbathe on the rocks or bring a picnic to enjoy. An ice cream stand sells ice cream cones by the main road, so make sure to grab one before you come down.

While you’re in the area, you can also pick up a fun Seattle souvenir for the trip home.

6. Take a Hot Tub Boat Ride

If you’re looking for one of the more unique things to do in Washington state, going on a hot tub boat in Seattle is a strong contender. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in the state, and I had no idea this existed until a few years ago.

I did this during the winter, and the temperature of the hot tub mixed with the cool air felt great, but summer in Seattle would also be a fun time to rent one. You get two hours on the boat and can have a handful of friends with you as you slowly drive around Lake Union. You can bring snacks as well as your own playlist to listen to your music, which I highly recommend.

7. Wine Taste in Walla Walla

While Washington may not have Napa Valley, we do have the Walla Walla region, where many of our grapes are grown. The area is in the state’s southeast corner, making for a fun road trip from Seattle on the weekend. I’ve been here so many times over the years, including a writer’s conference, on a girls’ trip, and for a family vacation.

The region has dozens of different wineries, which is one of the best things about Washington State. If you’re a local, you’ll likely recognize some of the winery names as the wine you’ve had in restaurants before. I recommend going when the weather is warm outside so you can enjoy outdoor wine tasting while looking over the vineyards.

As far as wineries go, it’d take me ages to name them all, but I love Leonetti Cellar. This family-run winery has made a name for itself by being the first in Walla Walla to receive a 100-point score from a major wine critic. I also enjoy visiting L’Ecole No. 41, a charming winery set in a historic 1915 schoolhouse, which is renowned for consistently producing award-winning, terroir-driven wines with a focus on sustainability.

8. Visit the Furthermost Northwestern Corner of the US

tanding at the very northwestern corner of the contiguous United States is a real bucket list moment, and Cape Flattery on the Olympic Peninsula delivers it with one of the most scenic short hikes in the state. The trail is on the Makah Reservation and takes you to a series of viewing platforms on the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean.

I went on a long road trip for my guidebook research, exhausted by the time I got to Neah Bay, and almost talked myself out of doing the hike. But I wasn’t sure when I’d be back in this corner of the state, so I bought my Makah Recreation Pass and drove out to the trailhead. It was a misty, drizzly day and mine was the only car in the lot, which felt a little eerie walking through the dense coastal forest. Then the trail opens up at the cliffs and the entire Pacific Ocean stretches out in front of you. Absolutely worth the push.

You’ll need a Makah Recreation Pass to visit (available at several spots in Neah Bay for $20), which helps support the tribe. The trail is about 1.5 miles roundtrip, mostly easy with some boardwalk sections, and there are four viewing platforms at the end. Allow about 90 minutes for the hike plus time at the viewpoints.

If you want to make it a long day, you can do this on a day trip to Olympic National Park. I’d recommend heading here first and then slowly making your way back to discover what the rest of the area has to offer, including easy hikes, waterfalls, and more.

If you’re crossing the border for a longer trip, Whistler is one of the best places to add. My Whistler activities guide covers the must-do stops for any season.

9. Stay at Olympic National Park

If you’re making a list of the best things to do in Washington state, Olympic National Park has to be near the top. It’s one of the most diverse national parks in the country, with everything from rainforests to hot springs to the Pacific Ocean inside its borders. I’ve been here in every season, most recently in fall 2025, when I finally made it out to the Hoh Rainforest for the first time. The moss-draped trees and the constant green were even more striking than the pictures suggest, and it instantly became one of my favorite places in the park.

Over the years, I’ve stayed everywhere in the area, from hotels in Port Angeles to VRBO rentals scattered around the peninsula, and each base camp gives you access to a different side of the park. Spending at least one night here is a completely different experience from taking a day trip.

I recommend going on an Olympic Peninsula road trip to truly experience the whole area. While you’re there, check out the best hikes on the Olympic Peninsula. Some of my personal favorites are Sol Duc Falls (1.6 miles RT) and Marymere Falls (1.8 miles RT) for short but scenic trails.

10. Drive to Diablo Lake

Diablo Lake has to be one of the most photographed lakes in Washington, and the color is the reason. The water turns a surreal turquoise-green in summer from glacial silt suspended in the runoff, and the view from the Diablo Lake Overlook on Highway 20 is one of the easiest payoffs you’ll get from a road trip in the state. Just pull off, walk a few feet, and the whole lake opens up below you.

I drive past Diablo Lake almost every year, whether I’m heading out for a Winthrop weekend trip or going deeper into the park for North Cascades hiking. Last time was summer 2025, and the color was at its peak that day, almost too bright to look at without sunglasses. The overlook itself takes ten minutes, but you’ll want to budget more time if you’re going to do the Diablo Lake Trail (7.6 miles RT) or take the Diablo Lake Boat Tour run by the North Cascades Institute (3 hours, includes a stop at the Environmental Learning Center).

The color peaks in late August into early September when glacial melt is at its highest, and Highway 20 closes seasonally for snow, so plan to visit between May and October. Cell service drops out as soon as you enter the park, so download maps in advance.

If this area is on your radar, my full guide on where to stay in North Cascades National Park breaks down all 12 lodging options in the area.

11. Hike Around Cape Disappointment

Cape Disappointment is on the very southwestern corner of the state, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, and on a clear day, you can see across the river to Oregon. I’ve been here many times. Twice with my husband, once with the kids, and a couple of trips on my own to scout for a guidebook, so I know the area well.

The classic hike is the short, easy walk from the parking lot up to the North Head Lighthouse, which sits dramatically on the cliffs. If you want to make a longer day of it, there are several other trails in the state park, plus the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at the top of the cliffs is worth the stop. The exhibits cover the expedition’s arrival at the Pacific in 1805, and the building itself has huge windows looking straight out at the ocean.

What keeps me coming back is the town of Long Beach itself. The vibe is casual, beachy, and unpolished in the best way. There’s a 28-mile stretch of drivable beach (yes, you can drive on the sand), an old-school boardwalk, kite festivals in summer, and enough rainy-day options to make it a year-round destination. I’ve put together a full guide on all the things to do in Long Beach, Washington if you want to plan a full weekend.

12. Visit an Old Western Town

Spending a weekend in Winthrop is one of the most fun things to do in Washington state, since you’ll feel like you stepped right onto a Western movie set. All the storefronts have the same theme, from local boutique shops to coffee shops, and the whole town leans into the Old West vibe in the best way.

Any time of the year is fun to visit, as you can swim in the local lake in the summer or cross-country ski in winter. Make sure to stop at Three Finger Jack’s Saloon, which completes your experience with swinging saloon doors. I also always stop at Old Schoolhouse Brewing for a pint and a view of the river.

I’ve been to Winthrop many times across every season, from cross-country skiing and ice skating in the winter to hiking the Methow Valley in the summer. The town feels different every time I visit, which is part of what keeps me coming back.

13. Photograph Wallace Falls

Wallace Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Washington that’s both scenic and doable for most skill levels. The 5.6-mile roundtrip hike passes a series of waterfalls, with the main viewpoint at the Middle Falls being the most photographed. It’s a great winter hike in Washington since the trail rarely gets enough snow to be impassable.

This is one of the more popular hikes, so I recommend hitting the trail by 8 am on summer weekends to grab a parking spot and beat the crowds.

14. Ride the Ferry

Whether you take a day trip to Bainbridge to find all the fun things to do on Bainbridge Island or visit one of the San Juan Islands, riding the Washington State Ferry is a must on any Washington state bucket list. The ferries are part of daily commuter life here, but they also offer some of the best views in the state, no matter which route you take.

The further north you go, the better your chances of spotting orcas. The San Juan Islands route, in particular, is known for orca sightings in the summer. Bring a coffee, grab a spot by the window or out on the deck, and enjoy the ride.

15. Backpack the Olympic Wilderness Coast

Adventure lovers will want to get out to the Olympic Coast to add a backpacking trip to their Washington state bucket list. There are various routes to choose from, including the Ozette Loop, which drops you right at the Pacific. I went here years ago and had a stunning experience camping right next to the ocean. We even saw bears the next morning, far enough away to be safe but close enough to remember.

There are many campsites along the coast, so pick a weekend and make your reservation in advance. This part of the state is one of the best places in Washington for true peace and quiet.

16. Get Close to the Gum Wall

Love it or hate it, the Gum Wall by Pike Place Market draws thousands of curious visitors each year. It’s a Seattle bucket list staple, and the colorful chaos of the wall makes for a fun (or gross, depending on your tolerance) photo op.

The wall is cleaned periodically, but that doesn’t stop people from sticking new gum up immediately. Even if you want to keep your distance, it’s a great background for pictures. Pair it with a walk through Pike Place Market for one of the most iconic Seattle experiences.

17. See the Wildflowers at Mount Rainier

There’s nothing better, in my opinion, than taking a day trip to Mount Rainier in late July or early August to see the wildflowers blooming. It’s one of the most beautiful things to do in Washington state in summer. You can also see wildlife like marmots exploring the hills and enjoying the warm weather. As soon as the snow starts to melt, I’m up here almost weekly, checking out hikes like Silver Falls and Sourdough Ridge.

There are numerous hikes, with the Skyline Trail in the Paradise region being one of the most popular this time of year. Naches Peak Loop Trail is a shorter but equally popular trail on the opposite side of the mountain in the Sunrise area.

18. Find Peace at the Japanese Gardens

Visiting the Seattle Japanese Garden is a peaceful stop in any season, but it’s especially worth it during fall in Seattle when the leaves turn vivid shades of red and gold and reflect in the koi pond.

There’s a small entrance fee, which helps keep visitor numbers low and the garden quiet. It’s a great place to take a slow stroll by yourself or sit on a bench and just think for a while. Bring your camera. The 3.5-acre garden was designed in 1960 by Japanese landscape designer Juki Iida and is one of the most authentic Japanese strolling gardens in North America.

19. Ski in the Mountains

A big reason I’ll likely never move from Washington is the variety of adventures available year-round, including winter. The state has several great ski mountains, including Mount Baker to the far north and Crystal Mountain further south. If you’ve never been before, putting ski lessons on your Washington bucket list is a great way to spend a winter weekend.

Located about an hour east of Seattle off I-90, Snoqualmie Pass is the closest place to ski. There are four areas at Snoqualmie: Summit West, Summit Central, Summit East, and Alpental. I personally prefer Alpental since it tends to be less crowded.

If you head to Stevens Pass, you can spend the night in Leavenworth after a day on the slopes. The Bavarian town is magical when there’s snow on the ground.

20. Ride Bikes Along the Pacific Ocean

Taking a vacation down to Ocean Shores is a fun summer tradition. It’s a casual beach town along the Pacific Ocean full of ice cream shops, mini-golf courses, and seafood restaurants. There are plenty of things to do in Ocean Shores for families, couples, or anyone looking for a low-key weekend.

When you’re there, rent a bike to add a ride along the ocean to your Washington bucket list. You can bike through town, grab a snack, and explore the long stretches of beach along the way (yes, you can also drive on the beach here).

A favorite stop of mine is Galway Bay Irish Pub for Guinness and authentic Irish food. They also have a small shop next door that sells Irish snacks and souvenirs, which was a pleasant surprise given my love for all things Ireland.

Head 30 minutes north to explore all the things to do in Seabrook, Washington.

21. See the Rare Larches

Larches are elusive trees that turn glowing yellow only a few weeks out of the year, so you’ll want to be ready to go on larch hikes in Washington. The window is usually late September into early October, but check local trip reports on sites like WTA to see what hikers are reporting in real time.

If you need help remembering, follow my Instagram. I watch these reports like a hawk every fall, and the second larches are out, I plan as many trips as time allows. Last October, I spent a glorious few days in the North Cascades exploring larches on Blue Lake, Cutthroat Pass, and Goat Peak Lookout.

Seeing the larches in person is an ultimate Washington state bucket list moment since the window is so short. The best places to find them are throughout North Cascades National Park, so keep an eye on hikes in one of Washington’s best national parks during the fall to know when to go.

22. Camp on Orcas Island

You may have noticed that many items on this list involve being outside, and that’s because spending time in Washington’s outdoors is what makes this state special. You’ll want to go camping at least once during the summer, and Moran State Park on Orcas Island is one of the most scenic places to set up camp. It’s also one of the best things to do on Orcas Island in the summer.

You can pick a campsite right on one of the lakes inside the park, which makes for some of the most peaceful camping in the state. The weather is generally pleasant in the 70s during summer, so you’ll enjoy long evenings around the campfire. You can also head into Eastsound (the main town on Orcas) for groceries, shopping, or a meal out. I come here at least every few years because it’s such a relaxing vacation.

My San Juan Islands accommodations guide covers the best hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals across all three main islands.

23. Explore a Bavarian Village

If you’re looking for things to do in Washington state that feel completely different from anywhere else, book a trip to Leavenworth. This Bavarian-themed town in the Cascade Mountains was reinvented in the 1960s to attract tourism after the timber industry collapsed, and the transformation worked. The whole town leans hard into the Bavarian theme, from German restaurants to Alpine architecture to authentic Oktoberfest festivals at the end of September.

I visit Leavenworth every single year, often more than once, and I’ve done just about everything the town offers across the seasons. Last visit was for Maifest (the spring counterpart to Oktoberfest), and over the years, I’ve stayed at multiple hotels in town, gone sledding with my kids in the winter, run a half-marathon during Oktoberfest, and brought the kids to the tree lighting festival in December. The kids’ tree lighting is hands down one of the most magical events in the state if you’ve got little ones.

There are tons of things to do in Leavenworth in winter, from the tree lighting ceremonies to carolers walking through downtown to cross-country skiing at Icicle River. Year-round, you can stop at German restaurants like Andreas Keller for beer, bratwurst, and spätzle, or München Haus for a quick sausage and Bavarian-style beer garden vibe.

24. Visit the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

One of the best signs that spring in Seattle has arrived is the start of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The festival takes place in Mount Vernon every April and is a must-see for anyone in Washington that time of year.

You’ll be greeted with thousands of colorful tulips as you drive through the area, with plenty of pull-offs to take pictures. Local vendors sell beautiful souvenirs like paintings and photographs of the area. I go here almost every year during spring in Washington because the sight of these bright tulips never gets old.

Don’t feel like driving up here? Join a tour from Seattle instead!

25. Walk Through a Rainforest

Washington is home to one of the only temperate rainforests in the United States, and the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park is the most accessible (and most photogenic) place to experience it. I finally made it here for the first time in fall 2025 and couldn’t believe I’d put it off as long as I had. The moss-draped Sitka spruce and western hemlock trees, the constant green, and the quiet are all even more striking in person than in pictures.

The two main trails from the visitor center are the Hall of Mosses (0.8 miles, easy, the photographer’s trail) and the Spruce Nature Trail (1.2 miles, easy, more forested). Both can be done in under an hour each and are family-friendly – perfect for your Washington state bucket list.

The drive in from Highway 101 is 17 miles down a dead-end road, so this is a destination stop. Plan to combine it with at least one other Olympic Peninsula stop on the same day. After the rainforest, head into Port Angeles for coffee or a walk along the waterfront before driving home.

Want to go with a group? You’ll love this all-day tour that leaves from Seattle.

26. Tour Grand Coulee Dam

I’d put off visiting Grand Coulee Dam for years because it’s a five-hour drive from Seattle, but in 2025, I finally went as part of a partnership with Washington State Tourism that sent me to places I hadn’t been. It turned out to be one of the most unique things to do in Washington state I’d done in years.

The dam is the largest concrete structure in North America and one of the most ambitious engineering feats of the 20th century. The visitor center is free, and my kids spent over two hours exploring the exhibits on Columbia River history, dam construction, and the Indigenous tribes whose land was flooded when the dam was built. There’s a film, a kids’ interactive area, and overlooks where you can take in the full scale of the dam.

From Memorial Day weekend through September 30, there’s a free 30-minute laser light show projected onto the face of the dam every night. I didn’t make it to the show, but it’s at the top of my list for next time.

For food, we grabbed burgers at Teepee Drive-In, a classic small-town drive-up that’s been in Grand Coulee for decades (the Grand Tee Pee Burger is their namesake), and the next morning we went to Voltage Coffee House in the old Carpenter Hall building for espresso and pastries.

27. Book a Weekend on San Juan Island

When you need a relaxing weekend getaway from Seattle, book a trip to San Juan Island. The ferry ride from Anacortes to Friday Harbor is part of the experience, and once you arrive you’ll have walking access to most of downtown.

From there, you can wander the downtown area where most restaurants are or rent a car to explore the rest of the island. There are plenty of things to do during a weekend on San Juan Island, including visiting Lime Kiln Point State Park (one of the best spots in the country to see orcas from shore), walking through Pelindaba Lavender Farm, and stopping at local wineries. There are also plenty of trails on San Juan Island to check out if you want to hike.

28. Climb Mount St. Helens

Have you ever wanted to climb an active volcano? You can when you go on the hike to summit Mount St. Helens. Read my full guide first since you’ll need a permit and the proper equipment to complete it safely. This was one of my favorite hiking experiences of all time when I did it in summer 2018, and I love encouraging others to prepare for the trip.

The fact that you can climb to the top of an active volcano while most people just view it from the visitor’s center is one of the most underrated things to do in Washington state. You can carefully approach the rim of the crater and peek inside to see steam rising from the volcano floor.

29. Visit Maryhill Stonehenge

Maryhill Stonehenge is one of the strangest sights in Washington, and that’s exactly why it earns a spot on any bucket list of best things to do in Washington state. I’ve been twice. First in 2024 on a research trip for Moon Washington State, and again the next year on an anniversary trip with my husband, who somehow had never seen it despite being a lifelong Washington resident.

It’s a full-scale concrete replica of England’s Stonehenge, built by businessman Sam Hill between 1918 and 1929 as the first World War I memorial in the United States. Hill was a Quaker and a pacifist, and he built it to honor Klickitat County soldiers who died in the war. The site sits on a bluff above the Columbia River, just off Highway 14, about three miles east of the Maryhill Museum of Art, and the view of the river from the stones is incredible.

You’ll find plaques on the stones with the names of fallen WWI soldiers, a Klickitat County Veterans Memorial added in 1995 for soldiers from later wars, and Sam Hill’s crypt, a short walk southwest of the stones. There are vineyards and wind turbines on the nearby ridges, which make the whole scene feel even more surreal. It’s one of the more fun things to do in Washington state if you’re road-tripping through the Columbia Gorge with kids or a group looking for something different.

It’s open daily from 7 am to dusk, and admission is free. Plan for about 30 to 45 minutes here, plus more time if you want to add the Maryhill Museum of Art (three miles west) or Maryhill Winery to your stop.

30. Stroll Through Point Defiance Park

One of the best things to do in Tacoma is visit Point Defiance Park, and the fact that it’s free makes it even better. The park covers 760 acres of forest, gardens, and shoreline, which makes it one of the largest urban parks in the country. You can even drive the five-mile Five Mile Drive loop through the park if you don’t feel like getting out (though it’s worth getting out).

The rose garden, dahlia garden, and Japanese garden are all spectacular when the flowers are in bloom. The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is on the property as well, which is a fun stop with kids and one of the best zoos in the state. There’s also a ferry terminal at the edge of the park if you want to add an easy ferry ride over to Vashon Island and back.

After 30+ years of living in Washington and 11 years of writing about the Pacific Northwest, I’ve come to the conclusion that you could spend a lifetime here and still not see everything. That’s part of the reason I keep adding to this list of the best things to do in Washington state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Washington State

Here are some common questions about Washington.

What is the best time of year to visit Washington state?

Summer (July through September) is the most popular time to visit Washington state thanks to warm weather, wildflower season at Mount Rainier, peak ferry season for the San Juan Islands, and access to high-elevation trails. That said, every season has its own appeal: spring brings the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, fall delivers the larches in the North Cascades, and winter is magical in Leavenworth and at the state’s ski resorts.

How many days do you need to see Washington state?

You can hit the highlights in a 5 to 7 day trip if you focus on one or two regions, like Seattle plus Olympic National Park or the North Cascades and Methow Valley. To really experience the diversity of the state, including the dry eastern side and the wine country in Walla Walla, plan for at least 10 days or split it across multiple trips by season.

What is the most popular tourist attraction in Washington state?

Mount Rainier National Park is the most visited attraction in Washington state, drawing over 2 million visitors each year. The Pike Place Market in Seattle is the most visited urban attraction, while Olympic National Park is also a top draw thanks to its rainforests, hot springs, and Pacific coastline all in one park.

What are the best things to do in Washington state in summer?

Summer is when Washington state really shines. The best summer activities include seeing the wildflowers at Mount Rainier, taking a ferry to the San Juan Islands to spot orcas, wine tasting in Walla Walla or Lake Chelan, camping at Twenty-Five Mile Creek or Moran State Park on Orcas Island, riding bikes along the Pacific Ocean in Ocean Shores, and exploring the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park.

What is the most beautiful place in Washington state?

This is impossible to answer objectively since Washington state has so many different landscapes, but my top picks for sheer beauty are the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park, Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park (especially in late summer when the turquoise color peaks), Mount Rainier during wildflower season, and the San Juan Islands on a clear summer day.

Is Washington state worth visiting?

Absolutely. Washington state offers more variety in one place than almost anywhere else in the country, with three national parks, the Cascade Mountains, the Pacific Ocean, temperate rainforests, alpine lakes, wine country, and major cities like Seattle and Tacoma all within driving distance. Whether you’re into outdoor adventure, food and wine, or city travel, you’ll find something to do here.

Let me know in the comments which experiences are at the top of your list, or if there’s a Washington spot I should add to my own list for next year.