Washington is a state in the far North-West of the United States of America. Visitors can find lots of fun things to do in Washington State. Enjoy the vibrant towns and cities, world-class skiing in the winter, as well as enjoy beautiful beaches and scenery along the Pacific coast. It also boasts some of the best whitewater rafting for those who are a little more adventurous.
Blog Contents
Cities & Towns
Things To Do In Seattle, Washington
Make sure to add a visit to Seattle to your list of things to do in Washington. Seattle, known for its art and culture, as well as its stunning natural surroundings, is a great tourist location. If you love art, then why not visit the Seattle Art Museum? They have an extensive art collection as well as host special exhibitions.
Another icon in Seattle is the Space Needle which serves as an observation tower and offers a great view of Seattle, Puget Sound, and Mt. Ranier. Enjoy drinks in The Loupe Lounge while taking in the views, as the floor rotates 360 degrees.
If you’re looking for other things to do, Seattle has lots including the Museum of Pop Culture, the Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Aquarium, and Chihuly Garden and Glass among others. You can literally spend hours here exploring the arts and culture of this wonderful city.
A huge hub for entertainment and events of all kinds is the 74 acre Seattle Center. The Space Needle and many other attractions are located in this area. If you want to make your way to downtown Seattle, why not take the Seattle Monorail which takes regular trips between Seattle Center and the downtown area.
On top of all these museums and attractions, Seattle has a ton of other things to offer. First of all, it has a very vibrant nightlife. This area is known for bars and restaurants that can make your nights full of fun and dancing, even if it’s raining. Of course, the coffee culture in Seattle is legendary, and no trip to this city would be complete without trying some of the best Seattle coffee shops. You can find a Starbucks in every single neighborhood, and even in the heart of the city, Pike Square.
Finally, when you need something simpler, there are lots of parks, trails, and beaches.
Things to Do in Spokane, Washington
Spokane Washington is a lovely place to visit and to live. It is a beautiful city in southwestern Washington state. It is home to the Northwest Museum of Art and Culture, which examines the area’s history through exhibits on native arts, culture, and Native American history. Next door, the Tudor-styled Campbell House is an intriguing artifact from the early century. Riverfront Park, home to the world’s largest sculpture walk, has a fascinating sculpture exhibit.
There are many scenic places to see, and lots of activities to keep you busy. You can drive along the Spokane River and see native scenery or enjoy a walking trail through the park. There are many parks in Spokane that have beautiful scenery, and wonderful amenities, and are perfect for a picnic or a nice walk.
If you intend to see Spokane Falls, you can take the SkyRide and enjoy the 15 minute cable ride over the falls. Don’t worry if it’s raining, you sit in an enclosed cabin that seats up to 6 people. Of course, you can always explore downtown Spokane, enjoy lots of shopping, and eat at some of the many restaurants.
Things to Do in Tacoma, Washington
A popular vacation destination for people in the Pacific Northwest, Tacoma Washington is a place filled with beautiful sights and waterfront living. The city is known for its natural scenery, as well as urbanized areas filled with restaurants, theaters, shopping malls, and parks. Even if you are not a history buff, you will be impressed by all the historical places you will discover here including the Historical Stadium Highschool (Pictured Above).
Aside from the beaches and the water, Tacoma has other attractions, including Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium which is a world-class aquarium, six museums including the Museum of Glass, golf courses, theaters, festivals, and places to dine and shop. As you wander downtown Tacoma, you will experience a fun and artsy vibe.
There are also places to experience nature up close. Only 25 minutes away is Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, where you can observe wildlife in their natural habitat. The refuge is a great place for wildlife enthusiasts to visit, and it is a favorite among bird watchers and nature lovers.
Things to Do in Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham Washington is a small city on the Puget Sound near the Canadian border. It is known for its picturesque views and natural beauty. It is a port for maritime ferries to Alaska. East is Mount Baker, the largest snow-capped volcano with snowy trails. In the city center, the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention exhibits electrical-related science exhibits.
A Bellingham vacation is perfect for the whole family with lots to offer. If you enjoy walking, biking, swimming, or golfing, Lake Padden Park is a must. If you like downtown action, there are things to do at Bellingham’s shopping areas and restaurants. One of the most exciting things to do is to visit the Bellingham Art Gallery, which is the only one of its kind in the world.
A visit to Bellingham is not complete without a trip to the Fairhaven Historic District. There are many great places to eat and shop. There is also a great farmer’s market in season.
If you enjoy playing sports, Bellingham offers a variety of high-quality teams, from football to ice hockey. The Washington State Ice Hockey Association has professional teams as well as amateur teams. There is also a national competitive ice hockey league in Bellingham, known as the WUSA. There are many other fun things to do and places to see in Bellingham. So make it a point to visit this lovely town on your next vacation.
Experience a Leavenworth, Washington Christmas
Leavenworth is an old Bavarian-style village in the Columbia Mountains, in eastern Washington State. The town boasts Alpine-style architecture, with restaurants serving traditional German food and beer, lining Main Street. Christmas time is spectacular in Leavenworth, with snow and lighting that makes for a magical experience. The Nutcracker Museum showcases thousands of old nutcrackers, some as old as centuries.
Leavenworth Washington offers many things to do and see beyond Christmas time. Visitors will enjoy walking around town and seeing all of the Bavarian-style buildings. You can also take the train into town as it is one of the few in the region that passes through Leavenworth. The most popular things to do in town are likely to be food, beer, and shopping related. As you can imagine, Oktoberfest in Leavenworth is lots of fun. The old-fashioned charm of this German-styled village is sure to bring back warm summer memories.
Other things to do in Leavenworth include a range of water activities, including kayaking, river rafting, sailing, and water skiing. There is even a historical museum featuring items related to the early days of the state of Washington, such as its incorporation into the United States. On the Wenatchee River, Waterfront Park provides a habitat for rare eagles and Ospreys and is a great place for a walk or even a picnic. If hiking or biking is not your thing, then there is always the option to spend some time at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm. They offer tours and you will get to pet and feed the reindeer.
A trip to Leavenworth is definitely one of the great things to do in Washington.
Nature & Parks
Ski Resorts near Mount Baker, WA
Mount Baker is one of Washington’s premier ski and snowboard resorts. This resort is located about an hour and twenty minutes from Bellingham, Washington. With an average annual snowfall of 53 feet, the area is great for any type of skiing. The result is that winter enthusiasts can come down to the mountain and enjoy some of the best skiing and snowboarding on the planet.
Mount Baker is an inactive, glacier-covered, stratovolcanic dome in the North Cascades. Mount Baker is the second-most active volcano in the entire Cascade Range of Washington state, the first being the famous Mt. St. Helens. No worries though, the last major eruption occurred 6,700 years ago.
In addition to the standard slopes, there are two more popular choices for the avid skier and snowboarder. Many Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails are available to the public. The slopes and trails can be accessed by following the beautiful Mt. Baker highway to the east. If you plan to travel into the heart of the Washington ski country by driving to the resort, be sure to make your reservations well in advance of your visit to the area, always check the weather, and make sure you have emergency supplies on hand. You may even need tire chains as the snow can change at the slightest breeze.
Visit Mount Saint Helens Volcano
Mount St. Helens is a mountain in the state of Washington. It is 96 kilometers (153 miles) from Seattle and 52 miles (95 kilometers) from Portland, Oregon. It is located in the Cascade Range of volcanoes. It is by far the most famous volcano in the United States due to the large eruption in 1980.
When you choose to explore Mount St. Helens, whether it is by foot, by car, or on a bicycle, you will encounter several unique geological features, as well as numerous other natural scenes and attractions. One of these is the Mount St. Helens Science and Learning Center. The center is located about midway between the parking area and the trailhead for the Gorilla Forest Campground. The main science classroom and playground area offer opportunities for young children to examine the nature around them, learn about geology, and view an array of free scientific articles.
The drive along Highway 504 is spectacular with many great viewing areas. At the end of the highway is the Johnston Ridge Observatory. Here you can learn various things about Mt. St. Helens as well as get an incredible view of the volcano and the crater. View from a webcam that updates every 5 minutes. Make sure to fill up your gas tank in Toledo, WA because there isn’t a gas station beyond that. For more information check out the Mount St. Helens Institute.
Manito Park – Spokane, Washington
Manito Japanese Gardens photo by Tracy Hunter under CC Licence https://www.flickr.com/photos/tracyhunter/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Manito Park is considered one of the original greenbelts in Spokane. The purpose of the park was to create a nature preserve to protect local botanicals. Today it is considered a premium outdoor space that hosts sports, music, festivals, events, and family gatherings. A trip to Manito Park is the ideal antidote to the hectic lifestyle of Spokane residents, allowing people to take a short stroll and relax by the water or listen to live music.
There are many attractions within the park, including the Gaiser Conservatory, Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden, the Joel E. Ferris Perennial Garden, and more garden areas. In addition to the gardens, there are picnic tables, walking paths, a fountain, a duck pond, and a gazebo. Tourists can even grab a bit to eat at the Park Bench Café, or at one of the many restaurants located near the park.
The park encompasses 90 acres and was created in 1904. If you are there with kids and they need a little more than a walk amongst the flowers, there are a couple of playgrounds as well. The best thing of all is that the park is completely free.
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
The Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge lies within a beautiful wooded area, designated as a National Wild Land Reserve. It is an unspoiled wilderness area with abundant wildlife. The refuge was named after the late American outdoorsman, Billy Frank Jr., who was instrumental in establishing it. The wildlife refuge is located at the headwaters of the Nisqually River and is approximately 25 minutes south of Tacoma.
The refuge was established in cooperation with the National Park Service, U.S. Fish, and Wildlife Service, and Washington State Department of Wildlife. This unique natural wildlife sanctuary is home to a multitude of rare species such as diamondbacks, gray wolves, caribou, mink, fishers, mountain goats, spotted deer, elk, and many more.
If you love bird watching or wildlife in their natural habitat, this wildlife refuge should not be missed. Fishing is permitted with restrictions. Because this is meant for the protection of wildlife, pets, biking, jogging, audio devices, drones, etc. are not allowed. (It’s not a park)
Attractions
The Museum of Flight
Seattle’s Museum of Flight photo by David Herrera under CC Licence https://www.flickr.com/photos/dph1110/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
The Museum of Flight is an innovative, private air and space museum in the Seattle area. It’s located at the southern tip of King County International Airport (King Field) just south of Seattle, right next to the Boeing Field. It was designed and built by Air Force Colonel Paul G. Degnan.
The Museum of Flight houses a wide selection of aircraft, including all types of military aircraft and commercial aircraft. In addition to the aircraft, the museum also includes air history artifacts, such as an assortment of uniforms, insignia, and patches, as well as a collection of metal aircraft cast from the original parts. Some of these include the cockpit of a MIG aircraft and a scale model of an SR-71 Blackbird.
The Museum of Flight also features an online exhibit directory, which allows visitors to search for related aircraft or simply browse through the directory for general information on aviation exhibits and displays. The museum has received many awards for its work in education and entertainment, including nine NASA Scientific Research Center Outstanding Contributions, a Gold Award from the National Air and Space Museum, the Presidential Young Scholarships, and more. It began in 1965 and has been expanding ever since. The museum will celebrate its centennial year in November, so mark your calendar to visit the new space exhibit and learn more about aviation.
LeMay – America’s Car Museum
America’s Car Museum photo credit – americascarmuseum.org
LeMay – America’s Car Museum is a fascinating museum in the scenic city of Tacoma, Washington. The museum complex is right next to the Tacoma Dome and opened in June 2012. Many of the vehicles on display were donated by the estate of Harold LeMay, a renowned car dealer in Los Angeles who was born and raised in Tacoma. Mr. LeMay had many collections of vintage cars. Many of his prized automobiles have been restored to their original condition and are on display at the museum.
LeMay’s personal collection of classic and antique vehicles includes thousands of cars and trucks, making it the largest privately-owned car collection in the western United States. Visitors to the museum may marvel at the impressive line of cars and trucks, which are on display in both restored and new state-of-the-art facilities.
Besides viewing all of the automobiles, you may also want to try driving their racing simulator. There is a Family Zone, which has some fun activities, and before you leave, make sure you get a free souvenir photo taken in a 1923 Buick touring car.
LeMay – America’s Car Museum is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Its goal is to bring to light some of our nation’s most significant historic places while helping Americans rediscover their love of cars. This museum also has extensive educational programs for kids, adults, families, and schools.
LeMay – America’s car museum will definitely have something that will please you.
River Rafting in Washington State
Great whitewater rafting in Washington State can be enjoyed between April and October, with many rivers and creeks. If you live in or near Seattle, you won’t have a problem finding a river within a couple of hours that offers you a great adventure. Of course, you will need to consider your skill level before choosing a river. If you’re just learning, start out by researching the ins and outs of whitewater rafting. Here is a great article on 9 different rivers to get you started.
With a large number of rivers and creeks in Washington State, the more popular rivers among kayakers include the Skagway and Taku, but there are also other amazing rivers like the Nez Perce, the Wenatchee, the Methow, and the Columbia. Many of the rafting excursions are not just fun, they are also beautiful. Some of the rapids in Washington State are considered to be “difficult”. However, if you want to experience rafting at its best, look no further than Washington State!
Get out into the fresh waters on one of these fantastic rivers to experience an adventure you’ll never forget!
The Gorge Amphitheatre
Gorge Amphitheatre – Sasquatch photo by David Lee under CC Licence https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidjlee/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
The Gorge Amphitheatre is a music venue based in Grant County, Washington. It is located nine miles west of George, Washington, and has a great view of the Columbia River. It is operated by Live Nation. The venue is the site of several music events annually, including several festivals.
The Amphitheatre is best known for its summer concerts, as well as for enjoying the spectacular views that the Columbia Gorge canyon has to offer. The Gorge Amphitheatre hosts popular artists such as Nirvana, Green Day, Dave Matthews Band, Mercury, Deerhunter, Kings of Leon, Evie, and many others.
The venue is only about a three-hour drive from Seattle. If you are looking for a beautiful place to take your family or take your friends on a weekend getaway, the Gorge should be added to your list of places to visit. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Washington Road Trips
Road Trips in Washington State
I guess it’s obvious when traveling on the west coast, that a spectacular trip is to drive the coast. State highway 101 runs along most of the Washington coast and allows for many opportunities to explore beaches and towns.
When heading north on Highway 101, at the northeast corner of the Olympic National Park peninsula, The North Cascades Highway (State Route 20) is one of the best ways to travel east in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. You can also find it off of Interstate 5 at Burlington. It meanders through rainforests, pine forests, dry desert areas, mountain ranges, and beautiful lakes on its 436 mile journey to Newport at the Idaho border. Traveling this route is like taking a journey through time with a vehicle, and the change of scenery just adds to the adventure. This route is perfect for day trips, weekend getaways, or longer vacations.
In Summary
Washington State has the best of everything. Experience that great feeling that comes from being by the ocean, catch the artsy vibe of Seattle, ski to your heart’s content, or enjoy the scenery as you drive some amazing roads. It doesn’t really matter what you love to do, because you can probably find it in Washington.
