Washington State offers a wide variety of fun activities and attractions for all types of interests. Here are some highlights:
1. Explore National Parks
Mount Rainier National Park:
Activities: Hiking, camping, and mountaineering are popular activities. Trails like the Skyline Trail offer stunning views of wildflower meadows and glaciers. For those seeking a challenge, summiting Mount Rainier itself is a bucket-list achievement.
Highlights: Paradise area for its vibrant wildflower displays in summer, Sunrise area for panoramic views, and the Grove of the Patriarchs for towering ancient trees.
Olympic National Park:
Activities: Explore the Hoh Rainforest, one of the few temperate rainforests in the U.S., hike to Hurricane Ridge for mountain views, or relax at the hot springs in Sol Duc.
Highlights: The park’s diversity includes coastline, old-growth forests, and snow-capped mountains. Rialto Beach and the coastal strip offer dramatic sea stacks and tide pools.
-North Cascades National Park:
Activities: This less-crowded park is ideal for backcountry camping, hiking, and wildlife watching. The Cascade Pass Trail offers a moderate hike with stunning alpine views.
Highlights**: Known as the “American Alps,” the park features rugged peaks, over 300 glaciers, and pristine wilderness areas.
2. Visit Seattle
Space Needle:
Activities: Ride to the top for 360-degree views of the city, Mount Rainier, and the Puget Sound. The recently added rotating glass floor adds an extra thrill.
Nearby Attractions: Visit Chihuly Garden and Glass to see stunning glass art, or head to the nearby Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP).
Pike Place Market:
Activities: Watch the famous fish-throwing vendors, sample local delicacies, or shop for unique crafts. Don’t miss the Gum Wall in Post Alley, a quirky and colorful sight.
Nearby Attractions: The Seattle Aquarium and the waterfront are just a short walk away, offering further exploration opportunities.
Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP):
Exhibits: Dive into exhibits on music history (including a large section dedicated to Seattle’s own Jimi Hendrix), science fiction, and horror films. The museum’s architecture, designed by Frank Gehry, is a work of art in itself.
3. Wine Tasting in Walla Walla**
Activities: Walla Walla Valley is one of the premier wine regions in the Pacific Northwest. Spend a day or a weekend touring vineyards, tasting award-winning wines, and enjoying gourmet dining.
Highlights: Many wineries offer picturesque settings with outdoor seating, perfect for a leisurely afternoon. L’Ecole No. 41 and Woodward Canyon are two of the many notable wineries.
4. Whale Watching in the San Juan Islands**
Activities: Take a guided boat tour to spot orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, and other marine wildlife. Kayaking tours are also available for a closer, eco-friendly encounter.
Highlights: The San Juan Islands are a stunning archipelago with opportunities to explore charming towns like Friday Harbor, visit Lime Kiln Point State Park (known as Whale Watch Park), and enjoy the local cuisine.
5. Explore Leavenworth
Activities: This charming Bavarian-themed town in the Cascade Mountains offers a taste of Europe in the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy traditional German food, shop for unique souvenirs, or take part in one of the many annual festivals.
Highlights: The town is particularly festive during the Christmas Lighting Festival, Oktoberfest, and the Maifest celebration in spring. Nearby outdoor activities include hiking, river rafting, and in winter, skiing.
6. Adventure in the Columbia River Gorge
Activities: The Gorge is a hotspot for outdoor enthusiasts, offering hiking trails with stunning views of waterfalls and the Columbia River. Windsurfing and kiteboarding are popular on the river, especially near Hood River, Oregon.
Highlights: Multnomah Falls, just across the border in Oregon, is the tallest waterfall in the state and a must-see. The scenic drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway provides access to several other waterfalls and viewpoints.
7. Take a Ferry Ride**
Activities: Washington’s ferry system is one of the largest in the U.S. and offers a scenic way to travel between the mainland and the various islands in the Puget Sound.
Highlights: Popular destinations include Bainbridge Island, where you can visit the charming town of Winslow, and the San Juan Islands, where you might spot whales during the crossing. The ferry ride itself provides stunning views of the Seattle skyline and surrounding mountains.*
8. Mount St. Helens
Activities: Visit the Johnston Ridge Observatory to learn about the 1980 eruption and its impact. Hiking trails in the area allow you to explore the recovering landscape, including the famous Ape Caves, a long lava tube cave.
Highlights: The area offers a fascinating look at how nature recovers from a massive natural disaster. The Boundary Trail provides close-up views of the crater and the blast zone.
9. Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Activities: Each April, the Skagit Valley is transformed into a colorful spectacle as millions of tulips bloom across the fields. Visitors can walk through the gardens, take photographs, and visit local art exhibits and shops.
Highlights: Roozengaarde and Tulip Town are two of the major farms where you can see the tulips up close. The festival also includes other events like parades, street fairs, and farm tours.
10. Snoqualmie Falls
Activities: This 268-foot waterfall is a popular spot for picnics, photography, and short hikes. There’s an observation deck with great views, and the nearby Salish Lodge offers luxury dining and spa services.
Highlights: The falls are particularly powerful in the spring when snowmelt increases the flow. The area around the falls was also a filming location for the TV series “Twin Peaks,” adding a touch of pop culture intrigue.
11. Attend a Seattle Mariners or Seahawks Game or even Seattle Thunderbirds
Activities: Experience the excitement of a Major League Baseball game at T-Mobile Park or an NFL game at Lumen Field or Junior Hockey at Showare Center all three stadiums offer an electric atmosphere and are located in downtown Seattle and Showare is in Kent, making it easy to enjoy other city attractions before or after the game.
Washington has something for everyone to do!!
