Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Washington State
Seattle is Washington's largest city, but the Evergreen State also has a surprising number of beautiful places to visit. Washington has it all, whether you want to hike right up to waterfalls, look at snow-capped mountains from a distance, or spend a day on islands off the coast.
In the Pacific Northwest, it's simple to fill your vacation with world-class attractions, national parks, and city life. When planning your next trip, use this list of the best places to visit in Washington State.
10 Best Places to Visit in Washington State
- Lake Chelan
- Columbia River Gorge
- Spokane
- Snoqualmie Falls
- North Cascades National Park
- San Juan Islands
- Olympic National Park
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic
- Seattle
- Mount Rainier National Park
10. Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan is a hub in the Pacific Northwest for scenery, outdoor activities, and wine tasting. It is located at the base of the North Cascades Mountain Range in Washington. Vin du Lac Winery, Karma Vineyards, and Mellisoni Vineyards are just a few of the many vineyards in the area that are a major draw for visitors.
Ride a seaplane that takes off and lands in the lake itself for a closer look at the incredible natural terrain, or try water skiing during the summer. There are a lot of places to hike, and you can eat farm-to-table food from a variety of independent restaurants on Historic Main Street.
9. Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is located in the center of the Columbia River Plateau, just south of the Rattlesnake Hills. The chasm slices through the Outpouring Mountains shaping the limit among Washington and Oregon, and you can get tremendous perspectives on the crevasse from a higher place, you can try some best places in California also. At one point, the Multnomah Falls plunge into the gorge, which only enhances the destination's beauty.
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Driving along State Route 14 and stopping at the numerous picturesque vantage points for photographs is one of the best ways to see the Columbia River Gorge from the Washington side.
8. Spokane
Spokane is Washington's second-largest city, after Seattle. It is in the eastern part of the state, close to the Idaho-Washington border. You can take a stroll along the scenic Spokane River's banks and visit the Riverfront Park in Spokane, which was the location of the 1974 World's Fair.
The John A. Finch Arboretum, the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, and Spokane Falls are among the city's most popular tourist destinations. You might also want to visit some of the city's most well-known golf courses or take a tasting tour of one of the numerous breweries that have opened in Spokane in recent years.
7. Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls, one of Washington's most popular tourist attractions, is located halfway between the towns of Snoqualmie and Fall City. The falls are a must-see destination for photographers in the Pacific Northwest due to their raging waters and stunning beauty. The falls may already be familiar to you due to its appearance in the cult television show Twin Peaks.
Around Snoqualmie Falls, there are a few short hiking trails where visitors can take in the waterfall's spray and take in the enormous trees and lush green plants. In addition, there is a substantial gift shop and visitor center where you can purchase snacks or mementos to help you remember your trip.
6. North Cascades National Park
In Washington, North Cascades National Park is home to more than half of all the glaciers in the continental United States. Additionally, the park is home to an incredible amount of wildlife, including grizzly bears, gray wolves, and lynx.
Take a drive or a hike to Mount Baker, a volcano in the North Cascades, for a spectacular view of nearby Mt. Shuksan, possibly the most photographed North American peak. You can climb mountains and camp in the backcountry within the national park. In the summer, you can also go on shorter day hikes and mountain biking trails.
5. San Juan Islands
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The San Juan Islands are located close to British Columbia in the north of Puget Sound. They are part of the United States, specifically Washington State, despite being close to Canada. With a wealth of outdoor activities and stunning scenery, the San Juan Islands are an inviting haven from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
You can kayak in the water, go on tours to see Orcas in their natural environment, eat fresh seafood, or hike through the San Juan Island National Historical Park. Restaurants, shops, and sightseeing hubs Friday Harbor and Rocher Harbor also offer commercial flights, boat arrivals, and museums.
4. Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is a great place to see both a rugged mountain range and a lush rain forest all in one place. The Hoh Rain Forest, where you can either embark on a strenuous hike to the summit of Mt. Olympus or view herds of elk roaming the landscape, is one of the highlights of a visit to Olympic National Park.
Admire Hurricane Ridge's summer wildflowers or stroll Cape Flattery's bluffs and sea caves for a less strenuous adventure. In the park's Lake Crescent, you'll find crystal-clear water and stunning scenery. Along the road known as the Coastal Strip, you'll find some of the most stunning views you can see right from your car.
3. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic
The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is a destination in Southwest Washington that marks the 1980 eruption site. Mount St. Helens has a number of interesting and scenic attractions for visitors, making it ideal for day trips from Seattle as well as extended stays.
Silver Lake's Mount St. Helens Visitor Center is a must-see for those interested in learning more about the area and the eruption of 1980. The Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center offers tours and dining options with a view of the volcano. In addition to a large visitor center, the Johnston Ridge Observatory offers breathtaking views of the north face of Mount St. Helens.
2. Seattle
Seattle is a beautiful city that sits on a narrow isthmus between Lake Washington and Puget Sound. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Washington. Although Starbucks is Seattle's most well-known landmark, the Pacific Northwest's largest city has a lot more to offer. Pike Market in the downtown area has fresh fish and produce caught that morning.
Experience the way of life of the city at the Experience Music Undertaking, an inconceivable historical center dedicated to music, motion pictures and mainstream society. Walk around Green Lake for some fresh air and a glimpse of local life in Seattle, or go to the Space Needle for views of the city and Puget Sound.
1. Mount Rainier National Park
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Mount Rainier National Park Is One of the Best Places to Visit in Washington State Mount Rainier National Park is located less than an hour outside of Seattle and is focused on the towering peak of Mount Rainier, Washington's Highest Mountain. Throughout the year, this amazing park is a popular destination, but access to some areas is restricted by snow. There are excellent hiking trails and fields of vibrant wildflowers in the Paradise section of the park.
You can drive to the highest point in the park in the Sunrise section for truly breathtaking views. In the park, you can go mountaineering and climbing glaciers, but Mount Rainier also has shorter hikes. For instance, the Green Lake Trail takes just over an hour to complete and takes hikers through waterfalls and old growth forest.
