35 Best Things To Do In Washington State

Washington State is filled with so many activities that it can be overwhelming. When I first moved here, I had no idea where to start! There is so much to see and do, and it is difficult to distinguish what is worth your time. But now that I have lived here for three years, I have a list of my favorite things to do in Washington State. This list includes hikes, restaurants, national parks, islands, fun, cool towns, and more! Keep reading on if you want to learn what locals do in this one-of-a-kind state.

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Best Things To Do In Washington State

Mount Rainier National Park

One of my favorite places to hike in Washington is Mt. Rainier National Park. This dreamy national park displays the famous Mt. Rainier. But there is so much more to this park! It also has brilliant forests, lakes, waterfalls, fire lookouts, and stunning rivers.

It is one of my favorite places to explore in this state. I have lived in Washington for three years, and there are still activities in this park on my bucket list. There is so much to do here! Some of the popular activities here include:

Check Out Reflection Lakes,
Take pictures at Narada Falls,
Hike to Fremont Lookout,
Hike the Skyline Trail,
Check out The Paradise Area,
Hike The Grove of the Patriarchs.

Olympic National Park

There is so much to do in this epic national park! It is one of the most diverse national parks I have ever been to. It is filled with lakes, beaches, rainforests, mountains, and waterfalls. There are not many national parks globally that have as much diversity as Olympic National Park.

The only problem with the Olympics is how far away everything is from one another. It can take hours to get from the beach up to the mountains. That is why it is best to have a good plan when visiting. Some of my favorite activities include:

Visit the Hoh Rainforest,
See all the beautiful beaches like Ruby, Rialto, and Second Beach,
Check out Hurricane Ridge,
Hike Mount Storm King,
Eat out at Port Angeles
Hike Sol Duc Falls.

North Cascades National Park

The last national park in Washington is North Cascades National Park. Most people that visit Washington do not go to North Cascades National Park, and it is a shame. I feel like it is the best of the three national parks. The views are breathtaking, but the trails are challenging.

This is why it is not as popular as the other parks. Visiting here can be difficult for people that are not hikers. There are only a few trails that are considered easy. Even if you are not a hiker, I think you should visit this fantastic place. Diablo Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the USA, and I will talk more about it below. Some of my favorite activities in the park include:

Diablo Lake Viewpoint,
Blue Lake hike,
Check out the larches during Fall at Maple Pass Loop,
Hike Cascade Pass.

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980, and it still stands here to this day. It is one of the most iconic mountains in the PNW. You can hike up to the peak with a permit, or hike around the area and get fantastic views.

The best time to visit is in the Spring before the snow melts on the top. Personally, I like how the mountain looks with the snow so I prefer not to go in the summer.

Mount Baker

One of my favorite areas in Washington State is the Mt. Baker area! In my opinion, this is the most beautiful place in the whole state. The best part is that it does not get as many crowds like the other parts of Washington because only locals know about it. Some of my favorite things to do include:

Snowshoe Artist Point,
Hike Chain Lakes Loop,
Check out the Fall Foliage at Yellow Aster Butte,
Take pictures at Picture Lake.

Colchuck Lake

Distance: 8.7 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 2,342 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Guide: Link

Colchuck Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen in my life. Most of Washington will agree on this as it is an extremely popular hike. Parking can be a huge pain, so I suggest you get there early! This is also an arduous rocky hike, so make sure you bring good hiking boots.

It is also located right around the town of Leavenworth (listed below), and the town is a great place to stop after your long hike.

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Leavenworth

When people come to visit me, I love taking them to Leavenworth! This cute little fun German-looking town is an excellent touristy spot. It is nestled in the middle of some glorious mountains, and the whole town looks like it came right out of Switzerland or Germany. I love the food, wine, and atmosphere! Some of the best things to do here include:

Eat at the Rhein Haus,
Check out the Danish Bakery,
Drink some wine at the WineGirl Wines,
Take a stroll around Lake Wenatchee,
Hike to Colchuck Lake (listed above).

Palouse Falls State Park

Palouse Falls is one of the least known things on this list, and it is highly underrated, but probably because it is a bit out of the way and not around any other Washington tourist attractions. The state park’s most popular attraction is, of course, the waterfall. You can view the stunning waterfall and all of its glory right where you park, and you do not need to hike to see it.

I will warn you that there have been deaths in the area. You can hike down to experience the waterfall below, but take extra precautions if you do this. I decided not to hike down because it felt very unsafe, steep, and sketch. I felt like the top view was good enough for me.

Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan is one of the best places to visit in the Summer. Many people flock to this gorgeous lake in July and August to take advantage of the sun and chilly lake. This is a perfect couples destination where you can rent a boat and just relax. Some of the best things include:

Go wine tasting,
Hike around the lake,
Rent a boat (the most popular thing to do),
Sunbath.

San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands are comprised of 172 islands, and there are three ferries served Islands, San Juan Island, Orcas Island, and Lopez Island. San Juan Island is the most popular and most accessible island to visit, and you only need a weekend to experience most of the activities. Here are some of my favorite things to do:

Alpaca Ranch,
Lavandar Farm,
San Juan Vineyards,
Roche Harbor,
Eat and drink at Friday Harbor,
Whale Watching Tours.

I highly recommend the Whale Watching tour. I am not one of those people who like doing tours, but I enjoyed seeing the Orca Whales from afar. I also learned so much about these amazing creatures during the tour.

Eastern Washington

Distance: 4.6 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 288 ft.
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Guide: Link

When most people think of Washington State, most people think of rainforests and lush trees, but did you know that Eastern Washington resembles places like New Mexico and Utah? Yes, it is a desert! I like to hang around here during the early Spring when the snow has not melted in the popular areas. One of my favorite hikes is the Ancient Lakes. The trail is relatively flat, and you can hike as little or as much as you want.

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Columbia River Gorge

I am obsessed with visiting the Columbia River Gorge. It is a little far from where I live, so I rent an Airbnb every year. The best time to explore this area is in the Spring when the flowers are coming out, and the waterfalls are raging. I especially love visiting here during the Spring because most other popular areas like Mount Rainier and North Cascades are under snow. Here are some of my favorite activities:

Hike Fall Creek Falls
Check Out Panter Creek Falls
Hike Sleeping Beauty For Sunset
Check out the Spring Flowers on Dog Mountain

Seattle

I lived in Seattle for years, and it is still one of my favorite cities in the United States! The food is so good, and I love walking around and exploring the historical buildings. The mountains in the distance with the Puget Sound next to it makes Seattle one of the most breathtaking cities I have seen. Some of the most popular things to do are:

Pike Place Market,
The Space Needle,
The Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum,
Olympic Sculpture Park,
Discovery Park,
Golden Gardens Beach,
The Seattle Troll,
Gas Works Park,
or the Seattle Great Wheel.

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

It is so fun to experience the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival every year. The festival runs from April 1st through April 30th and is located on beautiful farms with thousands of tulips, and there are so many different colors! It is run by two different farms called RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town.

Check Out A Fire Lookout

Did you know that Washington State has around 93 fire lookouts still around? Washington State is the best state to explore fire lookouts, and the best part is you can even sleep in them! Some require reservations and some are first come first serve. You don’t need to spend the night to enjoy them, and you can hike to as many as you would like. I list some of my favorite ones below.

Go Skiing or Snowboarding

What I love about living in Washington is having the opportunity to go skiing with my family and friends whenever I want! I did not get to do this when I lived in Texas. I am not big on skiing, but I still like to experience it at least 2-3 times a year. Some of the best resorts in Washington include:

Go Snowshoeing

The winter months can be long and dreary, but I like to make the most of them! I have noticed that my mood drastically changes when I go snowshoeing in the crappy winter months, so I have snowshoed all around Washington. Before you set out snowshoeing, I recommend researching because it can be dangerous due to avalanche danger.

Pick Berries

I am obsessed with berries, so when I moved to Washington, I was happy to find out that I could go to local farms and pick my own berries. It is even cheaper than buying them at the store! One of my favorite farms to go to is the Cascadia Farm which is on the way to North Cascades National Park.

Bellingham

Bellingham is located near the Canadian border and is a great place to hang out for a day or two. The best things include Whatcom Falls Park, Fairhaven Historic District, Boulevard Park, Galbraith Mountain Bike Park, and Larrabee State Park.

Washington Pass Overlook

If you are exploring North Cascades National Park, you need to check out this overlook! It is so easy to see, and the views are incredible. Also, not many people know about it :-).

Pacific Crest Trail

Kendall Katwalk is one of the best Washington State attractions

Did you know that you can hike some of the sections of the Pacific Crest Trail? I have even seen many backpackers trekking the PCT. You don’t even have to hike an infinite amount of miles to say you were on a PCT trail. Some are pretty easy to get to. Some of my favorite trails include Kendall Katwalk, Lake Valhalla, and Naches Loop Trail. You can read more on hiking the sections here.

Visit A Winery At Woodinville

Woodinville is the hangout spot on a beautiful sunny weekend day. There are so many wineries and fabulous restaurants. Here are some of my favorite places:

Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery,
Columbia Winery,
JM Cellars,
Castillo de Feliciana Vineyard & Winery Woodinville Tasting Room.

Bainbridge Island

One of the best places to go in Washington State is Bainbridge Island. Bainbridge Island has a cute small town to visit on a beautiful summer day. The town is lovely and quaint and has so many restaurants and wineries. Bainbridge Island is located on the other side of the Puget Sound, so you must take a ferry to get there from Seattle. I have been a few times during the weekend to explore, and some of my fav activities are:

Hike Grand Park,
Drink Wine at Bainbridge Vineyards,
Eat icecream at Mora Iced Creamery,
Drink beer at Bainbridge Brewing Alehouse.

Cascade Pass And Sahale Arm

Distance: 12.1 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 5,029 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Hard
Trail Guide: Link

The most challenging hike on this list is the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm trail located in North Cascades National Park. This is a brutal hike! But the trail is so worth it and it has some of the best views in the entire state of Washington. This is on everyone’s bucket list for backpacking (including mine). It is a thigh burner, though and the switchbacks seem to go on forever, but this is high up there when it comes to Washington hiking.

Cape Disappointment State Park

Cape Disappointment is located on the Southwest side of Washington State, and it is anything but a disappointment. It has hiking trails, lighthouses, and beaches. It is a fun place to explore in the Spring and Summer. Winter is also a great time to visit because of the large waves crashing onto the shore. Some of the best things to do include:

See The North Head Lighthouse,
Walk out to Cape Disappointment Lighthouse,
Explore the Dead Man’s Cove,
Spend a beach day at Waikiki Beach,
Walk out to Beards Hollow.

Go Backpacking

Washington State has some of the best backpacking trails in the USA. You can backpack at the national parks or national forests. The national parks require permits while the national forests do not. Some of my favorite backpacking spots include Snow Lake, Skyline Divide, Chain Lakes Loop, Second Beach, and Goat Lake.

Mountain Loop Highway

Mountain Loop Highway was one of the first places I hiked. I hiked three trails here within a few months of moving to Washington. I feel like these trails are most Washingtonians’ go-to hikes. There are many amazing trails with lakes, fire lookouts, and glorious mountains. And they are located relatively close to Seattle. Some of my favorite trails include:

Lake 22,
Heather Lake,
Mount Pilchuck,
Gothic Basin
And Goat Lake.

Chase The Larches

Early October is known to be the time of the Larch March. Many Washingtonians seek the bright yellow larches that resemble pine trees. If you look at my photo above, you can see what these trees look like, and yes, they really are that yellow!

They are only shown on specific trails, though, so they can be hard to find if you don’t know where to look. Also, the trails can be challenging, but trust me, experiencing these trees are worth it! Below are some of my favorite hikes that have larches.

Stay In A Cute Cabin

You probably already know that Washington has a ton of cozy cabins. Many of the cabins, are A-Frames, have hot tubs, and saunas. I am obsessed with visiting them in the winter season. It is one of those fun experiences I love to do with friends and my family.

Read More: 25 Cozy Cabins In Washington State

Camp At A Beach

Did you know you could camp on a beach in Washington? Yup, you can, and I love it! It is such a fun and wonderful experience, and I highly recommend it. I have camped at Rialto Beach and Second Beach, and both are pretty easy trails and easy to plan. This is a great experience for beginner backpackers.

Check Out Diablo Lake

Diable Lake — One of the best attractions in Washington State is Diablo Lake

Diablo Lake Viewpoint is one of my favorite lookouts in Washington State. The water of the lake is a bright green turquoise color. It is hard to believe a lake can be this colorful! Many people love to kayak and paddleboard here, and some even camp on the small islands in the Summer.

Check Out Snoqualmie Falls

I take everyone that visits me to see this wonderful waterfall. It is so beautiful, and the best part is that you do not need to hike to see it. There is a lodge right next to the waterfall where you can eat brunch, and the food is so good! There is also a trail that can take you to the lower level of the waterfall, and it is a pretty easy hike.

Rattlesnake Ledge

Distance: 5.3 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,459 ft.
Route Type: Out and Back
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Guide: Link

One of the best attractions of Washington State Rattlesnake Lake

I didn’t want to list out every Washington State hike because I have a blog post dedicated to that (seen below), but I still wanted to list out Rattlesnake Lake. It is the most popular hike in Washington State. Everyone, and I mean everyone that lives here, has hiked Rattlesnake Lake. You don’t become a Washingtonian until you have hiked this trail.

Go Kayaking Or Paddleboarding

I love Kayaking in Washington! It is a fun relaxing time, and there are so many places to do it at. Lake Union in Seattle is pretty popular, Diablo Lake in North Cascades, and Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. Lake Sammamish is another popular spot on hot summer days.

Go Mushroom Hunting

A group of Mushrooms in the Olympic National Park, WA

Washington State is known to have some of the best mushrooms in the United States. The moody, lush forests are home to many wild mushrooms species, so people take advantage and hunt them for dinner. You can read all about the rules here. Be careful when picking mushrooms, as some species should not be consumed.

Final Thoughts On Things To Do In The State Of Washington

Thanks for reading all about the best places to visit in Washington State. Make sure to check out some of my other posts on Washington:

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