Map view
Deception Pass, Deception Pass State Park
- Deception Pass refers to both a strait and a state park, with Deception Pass State Park encompassing approximately 14.6 miles of saltwater shoreline, three lakes, and about 35 miles of hiking trails
- The park is renowned for its rugged ocean cliffs, old-growth forests, and panoramic views
- Visitors can enjoy various outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing
Snow Lake Trail, Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Walk difficulty: moderate
- Snow Lake Trail is a hiking route located near Snoqualmie Pass, within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness
- The trail offers alpine scenery, including the crystal-clear waters of Snow Lake, towering peaks, and lush forests
- The trail begins at the Alpental area and winds through dense forests before reaching the lake
Mount Fremont Lookout Trail via Sourdough Ridge Trail, Mount Rainier National Park
Walk difficulty: moderate
Best time to visit: July-Aug
- The Mount Fremont Lookout Trail via Sourdough Ridge Trail is a scenic hiking route located in Mount Rainier National Park
- The route takes hikers to the Mount Fremont Lookout, which is a historic fire tower, and offers views of the surrounding landscape, including Mount Rainier and the Burroughs
- The trail is best accessed from the Sunrise Visitor Center, and starts at an elevation of 6,400 feet
Rattlesnake Ledge Trail, North Bend
Walk difficulty: moderate
- Rattlesnake Ledge Trail is a popular hiking route located near North Bend, offering views of Rattlesnake Lake, Mount Si, and the surrounding Cedar River watershed
- The ledge provides panoramic vistas of the North Cascades
Diablo Lake Vista Point, North Cascades National Park
- Diablo Lake Vista Point is a scenic overlook located along State Route 20 in the North Cascades region
- It offers views of Diablo Lake, a glacially-fed lake known for its emerald green color caused by glacial silt
- The site is particularly popular during the fall due to the autumn foliage, or summer when the lake's vivid colors are most pronounced
Icicle Gorge Trail, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Walk difficulty: easy
- Icicle Gorge Trail is a scenic loop trail located near Leavenworth, within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
- The trail features views of the Icicle River, lush forests, and various unique bridges
- It is particularly attractive to visitors during wildflower season and in autumn when the foliage changes color
- The trailhead is located near the Chatter Creek Campground, accessible via Icicle Road
Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park
Best time to visit: July-Aug
- The Hoh Rainforest is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the United States
- It is part of Olympic National Park and is renowned for its lush greenery, towering old-growth trees, and diverse ecosystems
- The area receives an average of 140 to 170 inches of rainfall annually, contributing to its dense vegetation and unique ecosystem
- The rainforest is home to a variety of plant and animal species, including moss-covered trees, ferns, and wildlife such as elk and black bears
- Trails in the area include the Hall of Mosses and the Spruce Nature Trail, which offer visitors a chance to explore the forest
Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Best time to visit: July-Aug
- Hurricane Ridge is a mountainous area located within Olympic National Park, approximately 18 miles (29 km) from Port Angeles
- The ridge stands at an elevation of 4,242 feet (1,288 meters), making it one of the highest points in the park
- Visitors can see panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains and surrounding landscapes, especially on clear days
Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park
Best time to visit: July-Aug
- Ruby Beach is a beach located on the western coast of the state, within Olympic National Park
- It is known for its unique reddish sand, which contains minerals called almandite, a type of garnet
- Ruby Beach is famous for its large sea stacks, driftwood, and views of the Pacific Ocean, offering several miles of shore to explore
#34 in Best Beaches in the USA
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park
Best time to visit: July-Aug
- Rialto Beach is a public beach located on the Pacific Ocean, specifically within Olympic National Park
- The beach features a flat sandy area bordered by towering sea stacks and is known for its dramatic coastal scenery, including rocky beaches and large drift logs
- Rialto Beach is particularly popular for activities such as hiking, exploring tide pools, and observing wildlife, including seals and various marine species
Marymere Falls Trail, Olympic National Park
Walk difficulty: easy
Best time to visit: July-Aug
- Marymere Falls Trail is a hiking route located in Olympic National Park, offering views of old-growth forests, including towering trees such as fir, cedar, and hemlock
- The trail also follows the banks of Barnes Creek and features lush moss and ferns
- Marymere Falls is a horsetail waterfall, meaning it maintains contact with the underlying rock as it cascades down
- It is one of the tallest waterfalls in Olympic National Park
#33 in Best Easy Hikes in the USA
Lime Kiln Point State Park, San Juan
- Lime Kiln Point State Park is a scenic park located on the western shore of San Juan Island
- It is renowned for being one of the best whale-watching locations in the world, particularly for spotting orca whales from land, especially in summer
- The park is home to an iconic lighthouse, which has been operational since 1919 and is the last major lighthouse in Washington State
- Visitors can enjoy hiking trails that provide views of the surrounding waters and landscapes
Pike Place Market, Seattle
Best time to visit: Sept-Oct
- Pike Place Market is a historic public market located in Seattle, founded in 1907
- It is one of the oldest and largest continuously operating public markets in the United States
- The market serves as a hub for small, independent businesses, featuring over 220 shops and restaurants, more than 150 craftspeople, and around 70 farmers, emphasizing locally sourced and artisan foods
- It includes famous spots like the original Starbucks store and the fish market known for its flying fish
Washington State Ferries, Seattle
Best time to visit: Sept-Oct
- Washington State Ferries is a public ferry system operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation
- It serves as a crucial transportation link for communities in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, making it the largest fleet of passenger and automobile ferries in the United States and the third largest globally
- The travel times can range from about 15 minutes to several hours, depending on the route
- The ferries are designed to carry both vehicles and passengers, facilitating travel for residents, tourists, and commercial goods
Alki Beach Park, Seattle
Best time to visit: Sept-Oct
- Alki Beach is a beach located in the West Seattle neighborhood of Seattle, stretching along Elliott Bay, known for its scenic views, recreational activities, and historical significance
- The beach offers a variety of activities, including volleyball courts, tidepooling opportunities, as well as walking and biking paths
- Alki Beach provides views of the Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound
#67 in Best Beaches in the USA
Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle
Best time to visit: Sept-Oct
- Chihuly Garden and Glass is a museum located in the Seattle Center, adjacent to the Space Needle
- It is dedicated to showcasing the glass art of Dale Chihuly, a renowned American artist known for his innovative and colorful blown glass sculptures
- The museum features eight indoor galleries that display a wide range of Chihuly's work, including large installations and intricate glass piecesk, allowing visitors to experience the interplay of light and color
- The outdoor garden is landscaped and serves as a backdrop for various glass sculptures
#27 in Best Attractions in the USA
#5 in Best Museums in the USA
Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle
Best time to visit: Sept-Oct
- The Museum of Pop Culture is a nonprofit museum located in Seattle, dedicated to contemporary popular culture
- It was originally established as the Experience Music Project in 2000, and has since evolved to encompass a broader range of pop culture elements, including music, film, and gaming
- The museum offers participative experiences that allow visitors to engage with various aspects of pop culture through discovery and play
- The museum's architecture includes a notable two-story tornado sculpture made from over 500 pieces of metal
#20 in Best Museums in the USA
Museum of Flight, Seattle
Best time to visit: Sept-Oct
- The Museum of Flight is the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world, located in Tukwila
- It boasts an extensive collection that includes over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, tens of thousands of artifacts, and millions of rare photographs
- The museum offers a variety of exhibits that showcase the evolution of flight, from early aviation pioneers like the Wright Brothers to modern space exploration
#39 in Best Museums in the USA
Kerry Park, Seattle
Best time to visit: Sept-Oct
- Kerry Park is a small public park located on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle
- It is renowned for its panoramic views of the Seattle skyline, including such landmarks such as the Space Needle and Elliott Bay
Space Needle, Seattle
Best time to visit: Sept-Oct
- The Space Needle is a prominent observation tower located in Seattle
- It has a unique design that resembles a flying saucer
- It officially opened in 1962, coinciding with the Seattle World's Fair
- It offers 360-degree views of the city, the Cascade and Olympic mountains, and Puget Sound
#62 in Best Attractions in the USA
Sky View Observatory, Seattle
Best time to visit: Sept-Oct
- The Sky View Observatory is located on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle
- It is the tallest public observatory in the Pacific Northwest, and offers 360-degree panoramic views of the Seattle skyline, Space Needle, Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and the Olympic Mountains
- It is recognized as the highest public viewpoint west of the Mississippi River
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Seattle
Best time to visit: Sept-Oct
- Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park is a significant site commemorating the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s
- It has units in both Washington and Alaska, with the Seattle unit being a key location that highlights the city's role as a gateway for gold seekers heading to the Yukon Territory in Canada
- The park preserves the stories, trails, and boomtowns associated with the Klondike Gold Rush, which saw around 70,000 individuals travel to seek their fortunes in gold
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
- The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is an annual celebration held in April, with the specific dates varying each year, in the Skagit Valley
- The festival showcases tulips in bloom, featuring millions of flowers across multiple gardens and fields
- It began in 1984 as a small two-day event and has since grown into the largest tulip festival in the United States
- The festival includes various events and activities, such as guided tours, art displays, and local food offerings
Snoqualmie Falls
- Snoqualmie Falls is a waterfall located on the Snoqualmie River, surrounded by a park that features an observation deck, a gift shop, and the Salish Lodge, which offers views of the waterfall
- In addition to its scenic views, Snoqualmie Falls is significant for its hydroelectric power plant, which contributes to local energy needs
Manito Park, Spokane
- Manito Park is a public park located in Spokane, established in 1904
- The park includes multiple themed gardens, showcasing a diverse array of plants and flowers
- It also features a conservatory for tropical plants and seasonal displays, duck pond, and arboretum offering views of a collection of trees and shrubs
Museum of Glass, Tacoma
- The Museum of Glass is a contemporary art museum located in Tacoma, dedicated to the medium of glass and glassmaking, established in 2002
- Visitors can watch skilled artisans create glass art in real-time during live glassblowing demonstrations
- Guests have the opportunity to create their own glass art through various workshops and programs
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is a significant historical area located on the Columbia River, primarily in Vancouver
- The site includes a reconstruction of the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Vancouver, which was established in the early 19th century as a fur trading post
- This fort was crucial for trade and interaction between European settlers and Indigenous peoples
- The site offers various activities for visitors, including exploring historic buildings, walking trails, and exhibits that tell the stories of the region's past
Wallace Falls via Woody Trail, Wallace Falls State Park
Walk difficulty: moderate
- Wallace Falls via Woody Trail is a hiking route located in Wallace Falls State Park
- The trail offers views of the Wallace River and several waterfalls, particularly the main Wallace Falls, which cascades in multiple tiers