Things to Do in Washington State
Ten stops that skip Seattle on purpose, since it's got its own dedicated page, and head instead toward a rainforest that gets over 140 inches of rain a year and a volcano that changed the state's geography in a single 1980 morning.
Seattle already has its own page on this site, so this list heads elsewhere, a real temperate rainforest, an active volcano that erupted within living memory, and a stretch of rolling wheat fields that photographers travel considerable distances specifically to capture. Ten stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site if you fancy testing what stuck.
Olympic National Park
A properly varied park holding rainforest, mountains, and roughly 70 miles of wild Pacific coastline all within the same boundary, the Hoh Rainforest, receiving well over 140 inches of rain annually, remains one of the best examples of temperate rainforest anywhere in the country, moss draping virtually every surface. Hurricane Ridge offers an entirely different landscape within the same park, alpine meadows and mountain views reachable by a paved road.
This runs as one of the more varied parks on this whole list, allow several days if you want to properly experience the rainforest, the coast, and the mountains rather than picking just one section.
Best time July-August for the driest weather; spring for the greenest rainforest
Address Olympic National Park, WA
North Cascades National Park
One of the least visited national parks in the contiguous United States despite properly dramatic scenery, over 300 jagged peaks and more glaciers than any other park outside Alaska, a proper wilderness that draws considerably fewer crowds than its scenery would suggest. The North Cascades Highway runs a scenic drive through part of the park, Diablo Lake's properly striking turquoise water visible from several roadside overlooks along the route.
This park runs limited services and few paved trails compared to more developed parks elsewhere on this list, plan properly if you're heading into the backcountry specifically.
Best time Late June-September, the highway closes seasonally with snow
Address North Cascades National Park, WA
San Juan Islands
An archipelago of islands in Puget Sound, reachable by ferry, San Juan Island and Orcas Island both run considerably slower-paced than mainland Washington, small farms and art galleries rather than dense development. Orca whale watching runs particularly well here, resident pods pass through these waters regularly enough that several operators guarantee a sighting or offer a return trip.
This works well as a proper multi-day escape, book ferry reservations well ahead during peak summer season given how limited the crossings run.
Best time May-September for whale watching season
Address San Juan Islands, WA
Mount St. Helens
The site of the most significant volcanic eruption in recent US history, the 1980 blast removed roughly 1,300 feet from the mountain's summit and reshaped the surrounding landscape within minutes, ash reaching multiple states downwind. The Johnston Ridge Observatory, when open, offers direct views into the crater and covers the eruption's full geological and human impact, several visitors and researchers lost their lives that day.
Check current access before visiting, road closures related to ongoing infrastructure work have affected parts of this area in recent years, confirm the current route before setting out.
Best time Summer for the fullest access, check current road conditions
Address Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA
Leavenworth's Bavarian Village
A small mountain town that deliberately reinvented itself as a Bavarian-themed village in the 1960s after its original logging economy collapsed, half-timbered buildings and alpine-style architecture throughout downtown, considerably helped by the properly fitting Cascade Mountains backdrop. Oktoberfest runs here each autumn, a proper, well-attended celebration that draws crowds from across the state.
The surrounding mountains offer proper hiking and, come winter, skiing and sledding, a good active counterpoint to the town's more novelty-driven Bavarian theming.
Best time September-October for Oktoberfest; winter for snow activities
Address Leavenworth, WA
Washington's Apple Orchards
Washington produces the majority of the country's apples, orchards stretching across the central part of the state, particularly around Wenatchee and Yakima, roadside fruit stands run throughout the harvest season selling fresh apples directly from the source. Pick-your-own orchards open through autumn, a good, easy family activity if the timing lines up with your visit.
This industry shapes much of the region's landscape and economy directly, a slow drive through the orchard country pays off if you want a proper sense of the scale involved.
Best time September-October for the harvest season
Address Wenatchee and Yakima Valley, WA
The Palouse
A region of rolling hills in southeastern Washington, wheat and lentil fields form properly striking patterns across the landscape, particularly photogenic from elevated viewpoints like Steptoe Butte, which offers sweeping views over the whole rolling terrain. This runs as one of the more unusual, underappreciated landscapes on this whole list, considerably different from the coastal or mountain scenery found elsewhere in the state.
Palouse Falls, a 198-foot waterfall dropping into a canyon within the same region, adds a proper natural landmark stop beyond just the rolling fields themselves.
Best time Late June for the greenest wheat fields; September for the golden harvest colour
Address The Palouse, southeastern WA
Walla Walla Wine Country
Washington produces more wine than any US state except California, and Walla Walla, in the state's southeastern corner, anchors much of the state's most acclaimed wine region, over 120 wineries operating within a fairly compact area around the small town. This region has developed a properly serious reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah specifically, considerably different growing conditions from the Willamette Valley's cooler climate further south in Oregon.
This runs well as a proper touring day, arrange transport ahead given how directly this trip involves alcohol across multiple stops.
Best time September-October for harvest season
Address Walla Walla, WA
Grand Coulee Dam
The largest concrete structure ever built in the United States, holding back the Columbia River to form Lake Roosevelt, a proper engineering achievement that also generates a properly significant share of the region's electricity. A free laser light show projects onto the dam's face each summer evening, time a visit specifically for the current show schedule.
The visitor centre runs tours covering the dam's construction and operation, a good combination with the evening light show if your schedule allows both in a single visit.
Best time Summer evenings for the laser light show
Address Grand Coulee Dam, WA
Spokane's Riverfront Park
A 100-acre park built on the former site of the 1974 World's Fair, the Skyride gondola, dating back to the fair itself, still carries visitors directly over Spokane Falls, a properly striking urban waterfall running right through the middle of downtown. The park runs a proper carousel, a splash pad, and extensive walking paths, a good, easy stop for families spending time in eastern Washington.
This works particularly well for kids, the combination of the falls, the carousel, and open green space holds attention considerably longer than a standard downtown park visit.
Hours Daily, dawn to dusk; Skyride seasonal
Address 507 N Howard St, Spokane, WA
Best time to visit Washington State
June through September covers the most comfortable window for the majority of this list, mild enough for the outdoor stops without winter's heavy rain on the western side of the state.
September and October specifically suit the apple harvest and Walla Walla's wine season together, time a central and eastern Washington trip around then if either is a priority.
Getting around Washington State
A car is essential, the distances between Olympic National Park, the Cascades, and eastern Washington run into several hours each, this is a state best covered with your own transport.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Washington state worth visiting beyond Seattle?
- Yes, easily, Olympic National Park's rainforest, the San Juan Islands, and the Palouse's rolling wheat fields all offer landscapes completely distinct from the city.
- How many days do you need in Washington state beyond Seattle?
- Seven days gives a comfortable pace to cover Olympic National Park, the San Juan Islands, and either the Cascades or eastern Washington's wine country.
- Is Washington state expensive to visit?
- Moderate, national park entry stays affordable, most of the cost on this list shows up in ferry travel to the islands and wine country tastings specifically.
- What's the best Washington state trip for kids?
- Spokane's Riverfront Park and the apple orchards in Wenatchee both rank as the most reliably kid-friendly stops on this list.
That's ten decent slices of a state that runs considerably further than its largest city.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
