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Destinations

Washington State Destinations

Washington State packs more geographic variety into one state than almost anywhere else in the country. In a single weekend, you can wake up to ocean fog on the Pacific coast, drive through old growth rainforest, and fall asleep under the stars in the high desert east of the Cascades. That kind of range makes trip planning exciting, though it can occasionally feel overwhelming.

This section is where we have gathered every destination guide, weekend escape, day trip, and local find we have published across the state. Every post is written by someone who actually made the drive, not a sponsored itinerary or filler content. Real trips, real opinions, real Washington.

We cover all corners of the state: the wild beaches and rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula, the ferry accessible islands of Puget Sound, mountain towns like Leavenworth and Winthrop in the Cascades, the wine country and wide open spaces of Eastern Washington, and the day trip destinations within easy reach of Seattle. Whether you are planning a family vacation, a solo road trip, or a quick weekend getaway, you will find something worth bookmarking here.

Browse recent posts below, or use the county and city tags on any post to find more content from a specific area. Washington rewards the curious traveler and there is always another destination worth discovering.

Recent Destinations Articles

Showing 157 to 168 of 228 articles
Spending a Weekend in Downtown Bellingham
Brandon Fralic · December 30, 2019

Situated between the North Cascades and the Salish Sea, Bellingham is best known for its natural scenery, outdoor recreation and world-class beer scene. And you don’t even have to leave downtown to experience some of the city’s best attractions. From there you can easily explore the unique experiences and flavors of this college town of...

Spending a Day in Snoqualmie, Washington
Hilary Walesch · December 20, 2019

Just a 30-minute drive from Seattle brings you to a small town full of big adventures. And when you visit the cute town of Snoqualmie, you’ll find that it’s just minutes away from beautiful hikes like the Snoqualmie Pass and rivers such as the Snoqualmie river.  But as you dig a little deeper, you’ll find...

Spending a Weekend in La Conner
Julie Sojot · December 16, 2019

When you think of Skagit County, you think of spring and the beautiful tulips on display. However, there is more to Skagit County than the Tulip Festival. Tucked away and hidden along the Swinomish Channel is a charming little waterfront town called La Conner. If you are looking for a weekend getaway filled with relaxation,...

Spending a Weekend in Leavenworth
Hilary Walesch · December 11, 2019

Looking for your next Washington town to explore? This time of year, there is one place that comes to mind right away – Leavenworth. If you’re anything like me, you love twinkling lights. Nothing makes a night stroll more beautiful than buildings lined with strings of light. There can be little debate that the small Bavarian...

Spending a Weekend on Orcas Island
Brandon Fralic · November 18, 2019

The San Juan Islands are an iconic Washington State destination. Rising from the Salish Sea north of Puget Sound, this emerald archipelago is comprised of 172 named islands — only three of which offer visitor lodging and attractions. Travelers flock to the islands during summertime for an abundant dose of natural scenery, outdoor activities and...

Visiting Tacoma’s Proctor District
Chris Boone · November 15, 2019

As the 20th century approached in the city of Tacoma, Washington, industry, and more importantly, money, began flowing into the city. With much of the downtown land being dominated by the railroad companies, newcomers were forced outwards, into the forests that encircled “New Tacoma.” Planning a trip to Tacoma? Start with our complete Tacoma Visitor...

Visiting Western Washington University
Stefanie Donahue · October 16, 2019

Newcomers who step foot onto Western Washington University’s (WWU) brick-lined campus for the first time often agree that it’s unlike any other university in the state. Located in Bellingham, Washington, WWU is within walking distance of 180 acres of forest and more than 500 downtown businesses. The university’s mid-sized campus is positioned between Vancouver, British...

Exploring Deception Pass
Adrian Stouffer · October 11, 2019

Adrian Stouffer, a Pennsylvania native, recently took a family trip to Washington on a whim, and this is one of the many spots she explored along the way. After visiting Pike Place Market for the first time, Adrian and her family continued their journey in Washington. Join us as we explore the area of Deception...

Spending a Day in Port Angeles
Zac Blaylock · October 7, 2019

Looking for a day trip filled with arts and culture? Join Zac Blaylock as he takes us on a trip to Port Angeles, WA. Planning a trip to Port Angeles? Start with our complete Port Angeles Visitor Guide → I grew up on the Olympic Peninsula near the Ediz Hook and the Olympic Mountains after...

Spending a Day in Cheney Washington
Molly Lindquist · October 4, 2019

Following the Cheney Spokane Road from southwest Spokane will take you through a scenic corridor filled with Ponderosa pine, lakes, farms and railroad tracks. You’ll see turn offs for Fish Lake, the Columbia Plateau Trail and eventually, a ‘Welcome to Cheney’ sign made of dark brown logs. Stores begin to show through the farm fields...