Washington State knocked my socks off; no other way to put it. Standing on Hurricane Ridge, watching clouds dance around snowcapped peaks, or catching my first glimpse of Mount Rainier through a break in the trees – these moments made me realize why people get so obsessed with the Pacific Northwest. The landscapes here just hit different.
I’ve spent weeks exploring the most beautiful places in Washington State, and let me tell you, photos barely scratch the surface. When you’re watching the sun set behind the sea stacks at Ruby Beach or gazing up at the moss-draped trees in Hoh Rainforest, you start to wonder if you’ve stumbled into some kind of natural wonderland. Get ready, because these spots are about to make you fall hard for the Evergreen State.
Best Things to Visit in Washington State
Looking for the coolest things to do in Washington State? Explore the rugged beauty of Cape Flattery, enjoy the scenic waters of Lake Chelan, and experience the Bavarian charm of Leavenworth. Visit the iconic Mount Rainier National Park and witness the dramatic landscapes of the Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument. Whether you’re into nature, adventure, or culture, here are the top attractions to visit in Washington State.
1. Cape Flattery
- 📍 Location: Northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, the northwesternmost point of the contiguous United States
- 🏆 Best For: Nature lovers 🌊, photographers 📸, bird watchers 🦅
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking the Cape Flattery Trail, viewing sea stacks and caves, spotting marine wildlife
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Summer months for clearest weather, though beautiful year-round with proper rain gear ☔
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Hobuck Beach Resort – Rustic coastal retreat offering cabins and campsites with direct beach access and stunning Pacific Ocean views
Standing at the edge of America, Cape Flattery offers the Instagram-worthy coastal views your friends will envy. The manageable 1.5-mile round-trip trail leads through lush forest before revealing stunning panoramas of rugged sea stacks and hidden caves. Part of the Makah Reservation, you’ll need to purchase a recreation pass before visiting.
Four viewing platforms provide perfect spots for spotting whales, sea lions, and seabirds. The vibrant blues against dramatic cliffs create a photographer’s paradise that I still dream about months after visiting. On clear days, you might even glimpse Vancouver Island across the water.
The northwest corner of the continental US delivers nature at its most dramatic and wild. Each viewpoint offers a slightly different perspective of the churning Pacific meeting the Strait of Juan de Fuca, making the journey to this remote corner of Washington absolutely worthwhile.
2. Lake Chelan
- 📍 Location: North-central Washington, about 3.5 hours northeast of Seattle
- 🏆 Best For: Water sports enthusiasts 🚤, wine lovers 🍷, outdoor adventurers 🏔️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Boating on the 50-mile long lake, visiting Stehekin, wine tasting in the valley
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Summer for warm-weather activities (June-September), fall for wine harvest and fewer crowds 🍇
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Campbell’s Resort – Historic lakefront resort with beach access
Need a vacation that combines water sports, wine tasting, and wilderness? Lake Chelan delivers this perfect trifecta. This stunning 50-mile glacier-fed lake cuts through mountains like a fjord, creating both a playground for water enthusiasts and a microclimate perfect for viticulture. The southern end features resort towns with sandy beaches and over 30 wineries.
For a more remote experience, catch the Lady of the Lake ferry to Stehekin, accessible only by boat, seaplane, or hiking trail. This isolated village serves as a gateway to the North Cascades and offers rustic lodging, locally grown food, and world-class hiking without the crowds.
I’ve never seen water so crystal-clear while paddleboarding among mountain reflections. With 300+ days of sunshine annually, this alpine-desert oasis offers reliable good weather when Seattle’s skies turn gray, making it a perfect weekend escape for active travelers.
3. Leavenworth
- 📍 Location: Central Cascades, about 2 hours east of Seattle
- 🏆 Best For: Culture seekers 🥨, outdoor enthusiasts 🏂, festival goers 🎭
- 📸 Top Experiences: Attending seasonal festivals, shopping and dining in the Bavarian village, hiking and skiing nearby trails
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December for Christmas lighting ceremonies ❄️, October for Oktoberfest 🍺, summer for outdoor recreation
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Bavarian Lodge – Authentic alpine-style hotel in the heart of downtown
Skip the international flight to Germany and head to Leavenworth instead. This charming alpine village completely reinvented itself with Bavarian architecture, creating one of Washington’s most distinctive getaways. The downtown area looks plucked from the German Alps, complete with flower boxes and alpine gables.
The town celebrates its adopted heritage through monthly festivals. Oktoberfest brings authentic German beer and food each fall, while the Christmas Lighting Festival transforms the village with over half a million lights. Winter brings opportunities for skiing at nearby Stevens Pass, while summer offers perfect weather for hiking.
After exploring nearby trails, I found nothing better than settling into a beer garden with a local craft brew. It’s kitsch done right, with enough outdoor adventures to balance the themed experience while providing a perfect base camp for exploring the central Cascades.
- Read next: Beautiful Places in the Pacific Northwest
- You may also like: Things to Do in Leavenworth, Washington
4. Mount Rainier National Park
- 📍 Location: Central Washington, about 2 hours southeast of Seattle
- 🏆 Best For: Hikers 🥾, wildlife watchers 🦌, photographers 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking wildflower meadows at Paradise, driving the scenic roads, viewing waterfalls along Stevens Canyon
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: July-September for wildflowers and best weather ⛰️, winter for snowshoeing and fewer crowds ❄️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Paradise Inn – Historic lodge at the park’s most popular area (summer only)
That mountain you keep seeing on Seattle postcards? It’s time to experience Mount Rainier up close. This massive 14,411-foot volcano creates its own weather systems and ecological zones. The park’s crown jewel is Paradise, where subalpine meadows explode with wildflowers in summer.
The Skyline Trail takes hikers through colorful fields with the glacier-covered mountain as a backdrop. For a less-crowded experience, Sunrise offers sweeping views and excellent wildlife watching. The network of scenic roads provides easy access to dramatic waterfalls and old-growth forests.
Never have I felt so small as when standing beneath this sleeping giant. For the best experience, arrive early to avoid crowds, especially during summer weekends when the park’s proximity to Seattle brings thousands of visitors seeking mountain air and alpine vistas.
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- Read next: Scenic Mountains in the US
5. Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument
- 📍 Location: Southwest Washington, about 2.5 hours south of Seattle
- 🏆 Best For: Geology enthusiasts 🌋, hikers 🥾, science learners 🔬
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting Johnston Ridge Observatory, hiking through the blast zone, exploring Ape Cave
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-October for best access to all areas, May 18 for special anniversary events 🌋
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Eco Park Resort – Unique lodging with volcano views near the park’s western entrance
Want to walk on terrain younger than you are? Mount St. Helens offers a rare opportunity to witness nature’s destructive power and remarkable regeneration following the catastrophic 1980 eruption. The Johnston Ridge Observatory provides dramatic views of the blast zone, with exhibits explaining the eruption’s impact.
From this vantage point, visitors see the massive crater and the path of the devastating landslide. The Hummocks Trail takes hikers through bizarre mounds created by the landslide, now dotted with new ponds and recovering vegetation. The landscape feels otherworldly, somewhere between Mars and Earth.
For a completely different experience, the south side features Ape Cave, the longest continuous lava tube in the continental US. I found myself speechless watching scientists document ecological recovery as plants and animals gradually reclaim this once-decimated landscape, providing valuable insights into how ecosystems respond to massive disturbance.
6. North Cascades National Park
- 📍 Location: Northern Washington, about 3 hours northeast of Seattle
- 🏆 Best For: Wilderness adventurers 🏔️, backpackers 🎒, paddlers 🛶
- 📸 Top Experiences: Driving the North Cascades Highway, hiking to alpine lakes, paddling on Diablo Lake
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: July-September for highest accessibility and best weather conditions 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: North Cascades Environmental Learning Center – Educational accommodations on Diablo Lake
Craving jaw-dropping mountain views without the crowds? North Cascades National Park delivers solitude among spectacular alpine scenery. Often called the “American Alps,” this rugged wilderness boasts over 300 glaciers, creating a jagged skyline of snow-capped peaks. The North Cascades Highway provides the main access with stunning viewpoints.
Diablo Lake’s turquoise waters, colored by glacial flour, create one of Washington’s most photographed scenes. For the full experience, rent a kayak to paddle the lake’s pristine waters surrounded by towering peaks. My heart raced when turning each bend of the highway revealed another postcard-worthy vista.
Serious hikers will find paradise with trails ranging from easy walks to challenging multi-day treks. Unlike more developed parks, North Cascades maintains a true wilderness feel, perfect for those seeking authentic connection with untamed nature without battling crowds for the perfect photo.
7. Olympic National Park
- 📍 Location: Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, about 2.5 hours west of Seattle
- 🏆 Best For: Wilderness explorers 🌲, beach lovers 🏖️, rainforest enthusiasts 🌧️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking Hurricane Ridge, exploring Hoh Rainforest, tidepooling at Ruby Beach
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: July-September for clear skies and alpine meadows, year-round for rainforest and coastal areas 🌈
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Lake Crescent Lodge – Historic accommodations on the shores of a glacial lake
Want the ultimate adventure trifecta without booking three separate vacations? Olympic National Park has rainforests, mountains, and beaches all in one epic destination. This UNESCO site packs serious diversity into its million acres of wilderness.
The Hoh Rainforest feels straight out of a fantasy novel with its mossy trees and wandering elk. Drive up to Hurricane Ridge for jaw-dropping mountain views that I still dream about years after my visit. Along the coast, Ruby Beach and Rialto Beach offer dramatic sea stacks and fascinating tide pools teeming with colorful marine life.
Each ecosystem here tells a different story. Pack layers regardless of season. The mountains might be snowy while the rainforest stays green just miles away. Three days gives you a taste, but a week lets you truly experience this natural wonderland.
8. Palouse Falls State Park
- 📍 Location: Eastern Washington, about 2 hours southwest of Spokane
- 🏆 Best For: Waterfall chasers 💦, photographers 📸, geology enthusiasts 🪨
- 📸 Top Experiences: Viewing the 198-foot waterfall, hiking the rim trail, sunset photography
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Spring (March-June) for peak water flow from snowmelt 🌊
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Boyer Park & Marina – Camping and cabins on the Snake River, 30 minutes away
Instagram-worthy doesn’t begin to describe Palouse Falls, where a 198-foot cascade plunges into a circular bowl carved by ancient Ice Age floods. This official state waterfall offers the perfect backdrop for your next profile pic.
The park packs maximum impact into its compact size. Follow the short rim trail for different perspectives of the falls and canyon. Photographers should linger until sunset when golden light transforms the basalt cliffs. You might spot falcons nesting in the canyon walls.
This remote gem feels worlds away from daily stress. The contrast between the lush river corridor and surrounding golden wheat fields creates an unforgettable scene. I’ve never seen stars quite like those above Palouse Falls on a clear night. Pack a picnic and plenty of water since facilities are limited.
- Read next: Waterfalls in Washington State
9. San Juan Islands
- 📍 Location: Northwestern Washington, accessible by ferry from Anacortes (1.5 hours north of Seattle)
- 🏆 Best For: Wildlife watchers 🐋, kayakers 🚣, island hoppers 🏝️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Whale watching tours, kayaking sheltered bays, cycling scenic island roads
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-September for warmest weather and best wildlife viewing opportunities 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Friday Harbor House – Boutique hotel with water views on San Juan Island
Need a reset button for your busy life? The San Juan Islands offer nature’s perfect antidote to burnout with their peaceful pace and stunning beauty. This archipelago works magic on stressed-out professionals.
San Juan Island balances small-town charm with wilderness adventures at Lime Kiln Point State Park, famous for its resident orca pods. On Orcas Island, climb Mount Constitution for breathtaking views across the Salish Sea. Lopez Island beckons cyclists with gentle terrain and friendly locals who always wave.
The protected waters create ideal kayaking conditions where harbor seals and porpoises often join your journey. Farm-to-table restaurants showcase local bounty from land and sea. My advice? Allow three days minimum to properly experience island time. The ferry ride itself sets the perfect tone for slowing down.
10. Snoqualmie
- 📍 Location: Western Washington, about 30 minutes east of Seattle
- 🏆 Best For: Waterfall enthusiasts 💦, hikers 🥾, “Twin Peaks” fans 🍒
- 📸 Top Experiences: Viewing Snoqualmie Falls, hiking nearby trails, exploring the historic railway
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Year-round, with special beauty during spring runoff and autumn colors 🍁
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Salish Lodge & Spa – Iconic hotel perched at the top of Snoqualmie Falls
Escape the Seattle grind without the long drive at Snoqualmie, where the magnificent 268-foot Snoqualmie Falls thunders just 30 minutes from city skyscrapers. This power spot recharges creative energy while providing endless photo opportunities.
TV buffs will recognize the area from the cult series “Twin Peaks,” with Salish Lodge starring as the exterior of the fictional Great Northern Hotel. After viewing the falls from both observation decks, hop aboard a vintage train at the Northwest Railway Museum for scenic valley views.
Hikers can tackle the challenging Mount Si trail for spectacular vistas. The charming downtown features boutique shops in historic buildings. I’ve visited dozens of waterfalls, but few match Snoqualmie’s perfect combination of accessibility and raw power. Its proximity to Seattle makes it perfect for anything from quick day trips to weekend getaways.
- Read next: Beautiful Places in Seattle
11. Spokane
- 📍 Location: Eastern Washington, 20 minutes from the Idaho border and 4 hours east of Seattle
- 🏆 Best For: Urban adventurers 🏙️, river enthusiasts 🚣, food and beer lovers 🍺
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring Riverfront Park, walking the Centennial Trail, visiting Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-October for outdoor activities and festivals 🎭
- 🏨 Where to Stay: The Historic Davenport Hotel – Elegant landmark hotel in the heart of downtown
Looking for a city escape where nature and nightlife coexist in perfect harmony? Spokane strikes that rare balance with a river running through its vibrant downtown and outdoor adventures minutes away.
The Spokane River creates a stunning centerpiece at Riverfront Park, site of the 1974 World’s Fair. View the roaring Spokane Falls from the suspended Cable Bridge for an adrenaline rush. The 40-mile Centennial Trail connects urban and wild landscapes for easy exploration.
A thriving craft beer scene features over 30 breweries in walkable neighborhoods. History buffs should explore the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture and art deco Fox Theater. Visit during Bloomsday in May to join one of America’s largest road races. After a day of activities, nothing beats unwinding with a local IPA while watching the sunset paint the city golden.
- Read next: Cheap Flights from Spokane
12. Tacoma
- 📍 Location: Western Washington, 30 minutes south of Seattle on Puget Sound
- 🏆 Best For: Art enthusiasts 🎨, marine lovers 🌊, architecture fans 🏛️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Exploring Museum of Glass, walking across Chihuly Bridge of Glass, strolling Point Defiance Park
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Year-round, with summer offering the best weather for outdoor activities 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Silver Cloud Inn Tacoma – Waterfront hotel with views of Commencement Bay
Forget what you’ve heard about Tacoma’s industrial past. The revitalized Tacoma now stands as the Pacific Northwest’s coolest arts hub, with a glass art scene that would make even Seattle jealous.
The iconic Museum of Glass features live demonstrations in its 90-foot cone. The connected Chihuly Bridge of Glass displays thousands of colorful pieces overhead. Car enthusiasts can explore LeMay – America’s Car Museum, while nature lovers find refuge in Point Defiance Park‘s 760 acres of forests and beaches.
The walkable 6th Avenue District buzzes with independent shops and music venues. Don’t miss panoramic views from Five Mile Drive or the waterfront promenade at Ruston Way. I’ve watched Mount Rainier glow pink at sunset from Tacoma’s shore, turning an ordinary evening into something magical. The city’s transformation makes it perfect for weekend cultural getaways.
