I have spent a lot of time in Washington State, and I can tell you, it never gets old.
This blog covers 41 of the best things to do in Washington State for visitors, from Seattle’s iconic spots to hidden trails most people miss.
Not sure where to start? I’ve got you.
You’ll find options for every type of traveler, hikers, foodies, road trippers, and city Find rs. I have personally researched and curated this list to make your trip planning easier and stress-free.
Let’s get into it.
Why Visit Washington State
Washington State has something for everyone. You get snow-capped mountains, lush rainforests, coastal beaches, and a vibrant city all in one place.
The food scene is incredible, the wine country is underrated, and the national parks are world-class.
Whether you love the outdoors or prefer museums and coffee shops, this state delivers.
It is one of the most visually rich and varied places in the entire country, and I think every visitor leaves wanting to come back.
41 Best Things to Do in Washington State for Visitors
Here is a complete breakdown of the top experiences across Washington State, organized so you can plan your trip with ease.
1. Have a Drink at the Top of Smith Tower
Smith Tower is one of Seattle’s oldest skyscrapers. Head to the top floor, grab a cocktail, and take in sweeping views of the city and Puget Sound.
It is a relaxed and fun experience with a great bar vibe.
2. Walk Under the Deception Pass Bridge
The Deception Pass Bridge is one of the most photographed spots in Washington. Walking underneath it gives you a real sense of its massive scale.
The surrounding park has trails, beaches, and great photo spots too.
3. Hike to Colchuck Lake
Colchuck Lake sits at the base of the Cascades and has some of the clearest blue water you will ever see.
The hike is moderately challenging but very rewarding. Go early in the morning to avoid crowds and catch the best light.
4. Take the Seattle Underground Tour
This guided tour takes you below the streets of Pioneer Square. You’ll walk through the original underground city that was buried after the Great Seattle Fire.
It is a fascinating and slightly eerie piece of history that most visitors love.
5. See the Views at Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls drops 268 feet and is one of Washington’s most visited natural spots. There is a paved path to the lower viewpoint and a short trail to the top.
Either way, the view is worth every step.
6. Take a Hot Tub Boat Ride on Lake Union
Yes, this is a real thing. You rent a small boat with a built-in hot tub and float around Lake Union in Seattle.
It is quirky, fun, and one of those experiences you will talk about for years. Book ahead because spots fill up fast.
7. Go Wine Tasting in Walla Walla
Walla Walla is one of the best wine regions in the country and most people have no idea. It has over 100 wineries producing incredible reds.
Spend a weekend here, stay at a local inn, and sip your way through the valley.
8. Visit the Northwestern Tip at Cape Flattery
Cape Flattery is the most northwestern point in the contiguous United States. The trail through the forest leads to dramatic sea cliffs with caves, blowholes, and sea stacks below.
It feels completely remote and wild.
9. Stay Overnight in Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is massive and incredibly varied. You have rainforests, alpine meadows, and Pacific coastline all in one park.
Staying overnight lets you experience the quiet, the wildlife, and the full magic of this place.
10. Drive to the Scenic Diablo Lake
Diablo Lake sits inside the North Cascades and has a color that looks almost unreal. The turquoise water comes from glacial minerals.
Drive up to the overlook, take photos, and if you have time, rent a kayak.
11. Find Trails in Cape Disappointment State Park
Despite the name, Cape Disappointment will not disappoint. The park has rugged ocean beaches, two historic lighthouses, and miles of forested trails.
It sits where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, making the views dramatic and wide.
12. Visit the Old Western Town of Winthrop, Washington
Winthrop is a small town that has kept its old western look intact. Wooden boardwalks, saloon-style storefronts, and mountain views in every direction.
In winter, it becomes a hub for cross-country skiing. In summer, it is perfect for hiking and rafting.
13. Photograph the Beautiful Wallace Falls
Wallace Falls is a series of waterfalls tucked into the Cascade foothills. The trail is about five miles round trip and passes through thick forest before opening up to multi-tiered falls.
Early spring is the best time to visit when the water flow is strongest.
14. Ride the Washington State Ferries
The ferry system here is both practical and scenic. You can hop on a ferry from Seattle and cross Puget Sound with views of the Olympic Mountains.
It is an affordable and relaxing way to see the region from the water.
15. Backpack Along the Olympic Coast
The Olympic Coast is one of the few wild, undeveloped stretches of coastline left in the US. Backpackers can hike for days along sea stacks, tide pools, and driftwood-covered beaches.
It requires a permit and some planning, but the payoff is incredible.
16. See the Famous Seattle Gum Wall
The Seattle Gum Wall is exactly what it sounds like. A brick wall in Pike Place Market covered entirely in chewed gum.
It sounds gross but it is oddly colorful and very popular. Go at night when the lighting makes it look even more dramatic.
17. See Wildflowers at Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier in summer is covered in wildflowers. Fields of lupine, paintbrush, and avalanche lilies spread across the meadows below the glacier.
The Paradise area is the best place to walk through the blooms with the volcano rising behind you.
18. Relax at the Seattle Japanese Garden
This garden sits inside Washington Park Arboretum and is one of the most peaceful spots in the city. Stone lanterns, koi ponds, and carefully arranged plantings create a calm and quiet atmosphere.
It is small but extremely well designed.
19. Ski at Snoqualmie Pass
Snoqualmie Pass is only an hour from Seattle, making it one of the most accessible ski areas in the state.
It has runs for all skill levels and is great for a quick day trip from the city. Night skiing is also available on weekends.
20. Bike Along the Beach in Ocean Shores, Washington
Ocean Shores has a long stretch of hard-packed beach where biking is fully allowed. Rent a bike in town and ride along the water with the ocean breeze.
It is low-key, fun, and a great option for families or casual riders.
21. See Golden Larches in North Cascades National Park
Every fall, the larch trees in the North Cascades turn bright gold before losing their needles. The display only lasts a few weeks, usually in late September and early October.
Hiking into the backcountry to see them is one of Washington’s best seasonal experiences.
22. Camp on Orcas Island
Orcas Island is the largest of the San Juan Islands and has some of the best camping in the Pacific Northwest.
Moran State Park offers lakeside and forested campsites with trails leading up to Mount Constitution. The views from the top stretch for miles.
23. Find the Bavarian Village of Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth is a small town that was redesigned to look like a Bavarian village in the 1960s. It works surprisingly well.
There are German restaurants, beer halls, and seasonal festivals throughout the year. Oktoberfest and the Christmas lighting festival are both very popular.
24. Visit the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Every April, the Skagit Valley erupts in color as millions of tulips bloom across the farmlands. It is one of the most photographed events in the Pacific Northwest.
The festival runs for the entire month, and you can walk or cycle through the fields.
25. Walk Through the Hoh Rainforest
The Hoh Rainforest inside Olympic National Park is one of the quietest places in the US. Old growth trees draped in moss create a green, cathedral-like atmosphere.
The Hall of Mosses trail is short but completely magical. You will feel completely off the grid.
26. Hike to the Summit of Mailbox Peak
Mailbox Peak is one of the most brutally steep hikes near Seattle. The old trail gains over 4,000 feet in just a few miles.
At the top, there is actually a mailbox that hikers have been adding things to for years. The views of the Cascades are worth the pain.
27. Spend a Weekend on San Juan Island
San Juan Island is the most popular of the San Juan Islands for good reason. You can watch orcas from the shoreline, visit English Camp and American Camp historic sites, and eat great seafood.
Friday Harbor is the main town and has solid restaurants and shops.
28. Climb the Volcano at Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens blew its top in 1980 and is still an active volcano. You can hike to the crater rim for views down into the active dome below.
It requires a permit and some physical fitness, but the experience is unlike anything else in the state.
29. Admire the Beauty of Palouse Falls
Palouse Falls drops into a dramatic basalt canyon in eastern Washington. It is the official state waterfall and is especially powerful in spring.
The viewpoint is easy to reach and offers a striking look at how geologically dramatic this part of the state is.
30. Stroll Through Point Defiance Park
Point Defiance Park in Tacoma is one of the largest urban parks in the US. It has forest trails, a zoo, gardens, and waterfront views of Puget Sound.
The Five Mile Drive loops through old-growth forest and is great for a casual walk or slow drive.
31. Take a Harbor Cruise in Seattle
A harbor cruise from Seattle gives you skyline views, passes close to working ferries and tugboats, and often includes narration about the city’s maritime history.
It is a relaxed, 90-minute experience that works well for first-time visitors.
32. Visit the Scenic San Juan Islands
Beyond San Juan Island itself, the entire archipelago is worth exploring. Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw islands each have their own personality.
Kayaking between islands, watching marine wildlife, and staying at small inns make this one of Washington’s best multi-day experiences.
33. Find the Waterfront in Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma’s waterfront has changed a lot in recent years. The Museum of Glass with its famous hot shop, the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, and a growing restaurant scene make it a great stop.
It is often overlooked in favor of Seattle but holds its own easily.
34. Go Whale Watching Near Anacortes, Washington
Anacortes is the main departure point for whale watching tours in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.
Orca sightings are most common from spring through fall. You may also spot humpbacks, gray whales, Dall’s porpoises, and harbor seals on the same trip.
35. Take a Road Trip Through the Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge forms the border between Washington and Oregon. The Washington side has fewer crowds and great viewpoints looking south across the river.
The drive along Highway 14 passes wineries, small towns, and access to several hiking trails.
36. Relax at the Beaches of Long Beach, Washington
Long Beach has one of the longest driveable beach stretches in the US. It is a low-key coastal town with kite shops, fish and chips restaurants, and wide open sand.
The off-season is quiet and peaceful. Summer weekends fill up with families and road trippers.
37. Find the Trails Around Mount Baker
Mount Baker is a glacier-covered volcano in the North Cascades near the Canadian border. The trails around it pass through wildflower meadows and offer views of multiple glaciers.
The Artist Point area is especially popular and accessible late in summer when the road finally opens.
38. Visit Vineyards in Woodinville Wine Country
Woodinville is only 30 minutes from Seattle and has over 100 wineries and tasting rooms. Most of the grapes come from eastern Washington, but the tasting rooms here are where city visitors come to sample them.
It is an easy half-day trip from downtown Seattle.
39. Enjoy Scenic Views Around Puget Sound
Puget Sound is the large inland sea that runs through the heart of western Washington. You can enjoy views from waterfront parks, ferry decks, and hilltop overlooks.
On clear days, the Olympic Mountains to the west and Mount Rainier to the south are both visible at once.
40. Find Museums and Culture in Seattle
Seattle has a strong museum scene. The Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle Art Museum, Burke Museum, and the Chihuly Garden and Glass are all worth visiting.
There is also the Seattle Center campus which surrounds the Space Needle and hosts events throughout the year.
41. Take a Scenic Drive Through North Cascades Highway
Highway 20 through the North Cascades is one of the most dramatic roads in the country. It is only open from late spring to early winter due to snow.
The drive passes jagged peaks, deep gorges, and alpine lakes. Stop at Diablo Lake overlook for one of the best views on the entire route.
Tips for Visiting Washington State
Here are a few quick tips to help your trip go smoothly:
- Pack layers. Weather in Washington changes fast, especially near the mountains or coast. A light rain jacket is always a good idea.
- Book ferries and parks early. Ferry reservations and national park timed entry passes fill up weeks in advance during summer.
- Drive east for sunshine. If western Washington is cloudy, the eastern side of the Cascades is often sunny and dry.
- Visit in shoulder season. Late spring and early fall offer fewer crowds, lower prices, and still great weather for most activities.
- Download offline maps. Cell service disappears quickly once you head into the mountains or rural areas.
Conclusion
I have covered a lot here, and I hope this makes your Washington State trip easier to plan.This state has genuinely surprised me every time I have visited.
I did not expect the wine country to be that good. I did not expect the rainforest to feel that quiet. And I definitely did not expect a hot tub boat to be one of my favorite Seattle memories.
Now it is your turn.Pick a few spots from this list, put them on a map, and go. If you have already visited Washington State, drop your favorite spot in the comments.
I would love to hear what made it special for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Washington State best known for?
Washington State is known for its mountains, rainforests, and Seattle. It is also famous for its coffee culture and some of the best wine in the country.
When is the best time to visit Washington State?
Late spring through early fall is the best time for most outdoor activities. April is ideal if you want to catch the tulip festival.
Is Washington State expensive to visit?
It can be, especially in Seattle. But many top experiences like hiking and scenic drives are completely free. Traveling in the off-season helps too.
How many days do you need to see Washington State?
At least five to seven days gives you time for Seattle, a national park, and a quick island or wine country stop.
Do you need a car to find Washington State?
Seattle is manageable without one. But for most spots on this list, like Olympic National Park or Leavenworth, a car is necessary.
