Explore Washington State
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.
Pullman is known as the home of the WSU Cougars, the lentil capital of the world and also, the location of the Junk Castle. Located along Interstate 195, the Junk Castle has been attracting visitors for over 30 years. It’s constructed entirely from recycled, salvaged and scrapped materials, and is worth driving by while you’re...
Since 1885 Point Robinson has provided “fog and lighthouse service” on the east end of Maury Island (although most visitors would think of it as part of the larger Vashon Island). About Point Robinson The lighthouse is a twin of the one at Alki Beach about 13 miles to the north (see photo). Situated on...
We’ve all heard the opinion that western Washington is almost perpetually grey and rainy. While that may be the case in winter months, most of the west side is quite temperate and beautiful for much of the rest of the year. However, when it comes to one special west side region, an honest-to-goodness rain forest...
Open for over 40 years, the Olympic Game Farm in Sequim is the perfect weekend trip for the whole family. Originally designed to be a holding facility for the animal actors in Disney films, this private wildlife organization is still rich with beautiful wildlife. With 84-acres to explore by car (via their driving tour) you...
Looking for a quirky but historically rich day trip with some friends? The Northern State Hospital Farm located in Sedro-Woolley, might be what you’re after! Opened as the third hospital in the state of Washington for the criminally insane, Northern State Hospital was, for its time, very innovative and forward-thinking. In 1912 when they admitted...
Installed in 1974, this goat statue does indeed eat your garbage, making it a useful and quirky attraction. Originally introduced to Spokane as an art installment for the World’s Fair whose theme was “ecology”, this metal goat can be found in Riverside Park. How does it work you ask? Well inside of the statue is...
As high school history class taught us, in the late 1800’s there was a gold rush in western America. While most headed out west to California, Canada and Alaska, Washington was perfectly settled in the middle. This meant while gold seekers were heading up to Canada for their chance at glory, they were bound to...
Dubbed “the city’s crown jewel,” Lake Sacajawea and Japanese Gardens is essentially a one-stop park for outdoor activities. Visitors can run, walk, jog or even bike on the 3.5 miles of trails. The lake is also open for kayaking, fishing and canoeing. If you love the outdoors, there’s something here for everyone. When visiting, bring...
On the border between Canada and Blaine, Washington, there stands a Peace Arch. Every year, over 500,000 tourists come and visit this very special arch and the surrounding park. Unique in the world, the Peace Arch stands in two different countries and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places at a whopping 67-feet...
A visit to Centralia isn’t complete without stopping by the Borst Home Museum where you can learn about the family who once lived there. The museum offers a peek into the region’s past. Centralia’s Borst Park has a number of historic structures including the Borst Home, One Room School House and the Block House. History...
The Cranberry Museum otherwise known as Pacific Coast Cranberry Research Foundation, was established in 1922, almost one hundred years ago, in Long Beach. Their goals, per their website are to fund cranberry research, maintain cranberry farms, produce cranberries on site to fund research & extension activities and provide an educational facility. Growing and Harvesting Autumn...
Washington Lavender located in Port Angeles, Washington is a relaxation haven. The land was originally bought 15 years ago by a Canadian couple, Dan and Jane Abbott. They had a dream of one day having a small farm nearby in their retirement years. And so, it was! Four years later, in 2006, their replica of...
