14 Best Things to Do in Washington State

Mount Rainier is about 130 km away from Seattle and is an impressive peak of 4,392 metres that can be seen from many vantage points around the state. If you’re in Seattle, try to find a spot along the shores of Lake Washington for the best views of the mountain, including Madrona Park Beach or the dock at Mount Baker Beach Park.

Head up to Tumwater Hill near downtown Olympia for fabulous views of South Puget Sound and Mount Rainier. For a closer look, hike along the trails in Mount Rainier State Park where wildflower-strewn meadows and old-growth forests offer more beautiful sights to brighten up your Instagram page along with the mountain scenery.

Space Needle is one of the major modern landmarks of the Pacific Northwest. It’s safe to say that when you think of Seattle you probably picture this towering site. Having been recently gussied up, the Needle is now even more architecturally impressive, with visitors able to experience 360-degree views and look 520 feet downwards through glass panels. You can even sit on top of Seattle on a bench and take a picture. 

The gorgeous city vistas are as spectacular at night as they are in the day. Be sure to check for any festivals or free film showings going on below the Needle.

Olympic National Park can be found on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and offers an unprecedented chance to explore multiple ecosystems. The park has mountains, ocean and shorelines, old-growth forests, alpine lakes, and so much more to enjoy.

You could spend weeks just exploring this park, but you probably won’t have quite so much time. Plan on hitting Ozette for the beaches and lake, the Queets and Hoh Rain Forests, and Mora Beach at a minimum. Or, explore Mount Olympus, Sol Duc Valley, or Staircase.

Mount Saint Helens has been quiescent since her 1980s eruption and today offers a range of climbing challenges, as well as hiking opportunities. Note that if you intend to climb, you’ll need a permit, which can be purchased at the visitor centre. An average climb takes between 7 and 12 hours.

The Mt St Helens visitor centre is located about 30 miles from the park and offers educational programmes, displays, and more. It’s also the starting point for bus tours to the volcano itself.

Hurricane Ridge is the destination for you if you want an easy way to access incredible mountain views. It’s located about 18 miles from Port Angeles and is accessible by paved road, so getting here is pretty easy. It’s part of Olympic National Park, too.

Visiting Hurricane Ridge gives you access to some of the most iconic, panoramic views of the park itself. It’s also a prime spot for hiking. During the winter, you’ll find skiing and snowboarding on offer. Note that the closest campground is Heart o’ the Hills, which is about 12 miles north. There is a visitor centre here with maps, snacks, and information.

Ruby Beach is one of the most popular of the stunning beaches you can visit in Olympic National Park, which rank among the most beautiful in the United States. It gets its name from the red crystals found in the sand, which give it a reddish hue.

There’s a lot to enjoy here, although strolling the sandy beach is perhaps the most common activity. It collects a tremendous amount of driftwood, and there are natural tidepools where you can see sea stars and other marine animals. This beach is also famed for the number of towering sea stacks it boasts.

Spanning 100 acres, Riverfront Spokane is a prime destination in downtown Spokane. It offers room for families, couples, and singles to hike, bike, and spend time outdoors. It’s also the best place to experience the Upper Spokane Falls, the second-largest urban waterfall in the country.

The park sees over 3 million visitors per year and is home to music concerts during the more clement months. Visitors like to enjoy the view from the SkyRide, take in the Looff Carrousel, and the Great Northern Railway Clocktower. You’ll also find art installations throughout the park.

North Cascades National Park in northern Washington offers access to some of the most pristine wilderness in the lower 48 states. The best way to enjoy the park for many visitors is to take the North Cascades Highway, which offers access to most of the viewpoints in the park and provides access to many of the hiking trails. Thunder Creek Trail is one of the most popular, but there are numerous others.

Visitors to the park have the chance to see some of North America’s most impressive wildlife, including grizzlies, moose, and grey wolves. Over 200 species of bird can be spotted at various times of the year, too.

The Northwest Trek Wildlife Park offers almost 500 acres of free-range for some of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic wildlife. The park is not far from the city of Tacoma and visitors can take a tram ride through the park and see wolves, bears, moose, bald eagles, and more.

The park is also home to some lesser-known animal species like beavers, otters, and bison. For those who prefer a DIY approach, a self-guided tour takes you through the park in your vehicle. During certain times of the year, there is a zip line in operation, and the kid’s trek section allows little ones to make new furry friends.

Bellevue Botanical Garden was established in 1992 encompassing only 7 acres. Today, it has expanded to cover 53 acres of parkland and gardens. It’s also maintained by multiple organisations in the city of Bellevue and is free of charge to visit.

Some of the most popular areas for visitors to enjoy are the Native Discovery Garden, the Perennial Border, the Yao Garden, and the Urban Meadow. Events are held here throughout the year, with Mother’s Day being the largest. The winter extravaganza, Garden d’Lights, is also well worth experiencing.

The Boeing Future of Flight Museum offers exhibits on everything from current aircraft to drones and spacecraft. There’s also the Sky Deck, the Paper Plane Store, and the Boeing Store. Encompassing almost 100 acres, this is an ideal stop on your trip for anyone with a passion for aircraft.

In addition to the museum itself, you can take a tour of Boeing’s jet assembly plant and watch them assemble aircraft that will be shipped out to customers around the world. The plant tour takes 90 minutes. Note that children must be at least 4 ft tall for the tour.

The Tacoma Art Museum focuses on exhibiting the art of artists from the West and Pacific Northwest. While the museum itself was founded in 1935, it can trace its ancestry back to 1891 with the Tacoma Art League. Today, TAM offers access to over 3,000 individual pieces within a 16,000-sq-ft facility.

Exhibits here rotate regularly. Some of the past exhibits have included Animals: Wild and Captured in Bronze, Places to Call Home: Settlements of the West, Winter in the West, and TAM Local Community Art Installations. Regular events are also held throughout the year, including Neighbourhood Nights, PRIDE events, and even art classes.

Pike Place Market is a bustling public marketplace that has graced Seattle’s scenic Elliott Bay waterfront since 1907. It’s now 9 acres in size, comprising 3 floors filled with a variety of fresh seafood and farmers’ stalls with over a dozen restaurants catering to a range of palates. 

Check out the ‘flying fish’ as you watch the fishmongers’ amusing antics of hurling fresh catches for buyers. Find Rachel the Pig, a huge bronze piggy-bank where you can strike a pose or put in some coins that will go to benefit the local community. 

Unsurprisingly situated in the heart of the city, Seattle Center is a major cultural hub. It’s here that you’ll find most of Seattle’s star attractions, including the Space Needle, Museum of Popular Culture and Chihuly Garden and Glass, as well as wide choice of theatres. This was the site of the 1962 World’s Fair and, while several of the attractions do have an entrance fee, you can explore the beautiful grounds for free. You can also check out the special events here almost every weekend, including the Irish Festival in March and the Polish Festival in July.