About Explore Washington State
Explore Washington State is an independent travel publication that helps Washington residents find places worth the drive. It covers small towns, state parks, coffee shops, trails and the independent businesses that make a town worth the trip. Explore Washington State is based in Wenatchee, Washington, was founded by Scott Cowan, and has published over 700 stories and podcast episodes in more than a decade.
How It Started
It started on one island. In 2010 I launched Explore Anderson Island, a site about one small island in south Puget Sound. Explore Tacoma and Explore Olympia came next, one town at a time.
In 2015 my friend Jonathan Phillips told me I was building it backwards. Build the state, then fill in the towns. I bought explorewashingtonstate.com that year and flipped the whole thing.
The coffee part came later. Years ago I set out to visit 100 coffee shops in 100 days. That project is gone now, but it is the reason the coffee directory exists.
The job has not changed since the island. Get you off the couch to drive 30 miles and check out the thing you keep meaning to get to.
What You’ll Find Here
Town and city guides
Where to eat, what to do and where to get coffee in towns across the state. Each guide links to everything else we have covered there.
State park guides
A guide for every Washington State Park, all 146, sorted by region.
The Washington coffee directory
Independent cafes, stands and roasters, city by city. Every listing shows its Google rating and the date it was last checked.
The weekly newsletter
One email a week with ideas for your weekend. Over 5,700 people subscribe.
The Exploring Washington State Podcast
Conversations about the people, history and places that make Washington what it is.
The Explore Washington State Card
A free to join member card built to support independent Washington businesses.
How We Decide What to Cover
This part matters most, so here it is plainly.
- You can’t buy your way into an article. A place is in a guide because we think it is worth your Saturday.
- You can’t buy a ranking. Paying us does not move a business up a list or onto one.
- Fixing your own hours, phone number or website is always free, whether you pay us or not.
- Our paid programs are for independent, locally owned Washington businesses. We don’t take money from chains.
- Our coverage is neutral. If a writer had a great meal at a chain, it goes in the article the same as anywhere else.
- Directory listings start from public business information, then get checked, written up and dated before they go live. Our guides come from people who went.
Some articles carry affiliate links. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Who’s Behind It
Scott Cowan, Founder and Publisher
Scott’s been all over Washington State, from his college days in Ellensburg (which took six years, but who’s counting?) to working in Olympia, Seattle, and Tacoma. These days he’s settled in Wenatchee, where he’s discovered that life without a daily commute is pretty fantastic.
His thing is finding exceptional coffee, good hard cider, and tacos worth driving for. He’s probably visited more independent coffee roasters than anyone should reasonably visit, but hey, someone has to do the research.
MacKenzie Passegger, The Perspective Keeper
Scott’s daughter MacKenzie grew up in Washington but currently lives in Austria with her family. Being away has given her this interesting outsider/insider perspective she knows what makes Washington special because she misses it every day.
She writes for Explore Washington State from Austria, and when she’s home she covers family friendly spots and the craft beer scene. Plus, having kids means she’s excellent at finding places that work for real families, not just Instagram families.
Lisa Mize, Principal Photographer
Born and raised in Washington State, Lisa Mize is an adventurous photographer, educator, and lifelong explorer with a deep love for the Pacific Northwest (and the World)! Living aboard her boat, M/V Our Dance, on Puget Sound, Lisa is constantly seeking out the places, people, wildlife, and moments that make Washington extraordinary! From kayaking and hiking to exploring remote corners of the Salish Sea, she brings curiosity and a camera wherever she goes.
Through her photography, Lisa hopes to inspire others to slow down, explore more, and see the extraordinary beauty all around them. Lisa also teaches photography workshops and leads outdoor adventures, helping others build the confidence and creative eye to capture their own extraordinary images.
Our contributors
Washington residents who write about the places where they live.
Key Facts
| Name | Explore Washington State |
|---|---|
| What it is | Independent Washington State travel publication |
| Founder | Scott Cowan |
| Publishing since | 2010, as Explore Anderson Island. Statewide as Explore Washington State since 2015. |
| Based in | Wenatchee, Washington |
| Published by | T212 Media LLC |
| Coverage | Washington State only |
| Published | Over 700 stories and podcast episodes |
| Newsletter | Weekly, over 5,700 subscribers |
| Monthly visits | Over 50,000 visits a month |
| Social reach | Over 135,000 across Instagram, Threads, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and LinkedIn |
| Podcast | Exploring Washington State Podcast |
| Contact | info@explorewashingtonstate.com |
| Work with us | Work with us |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Explore Washington State?
Explore Washington State is an independent travel publication based in Wenatchee that helps Washington residents find places worth the drive. It covers towns, state parks, coffee shops and independent businesses across the state.
Is Explore Washington State a tourism board?
No. Explore Washington State is independently owned and is not part of any government or tourism agency.
Can a business pay to be in an article?
No. Explore Washington State does not sell spots in articles or rankings. Businesses can join paid programs like the Explore Washington State Card, and those never change what the writing says.
Who writes Explore Washington State?
Founder Scott Cowan and a group of contributors who live in the towns they write about, with photography by Lisa Mize.
How do I suggest a place?
Email info@explorewashingtonstate.com with the name and town.
How do I get the newsletter?
Sign up here. It goes out once a week and over 5,700 people subscribe.
Read our Terms of Service Policy here.
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