Explore Washington State
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.
*Note: there are some images that might not be suitable for children in this article, please use discretion. If you’re in the Walla Walla area, chances are you’ve heard of Gerald Matthew’s Museum of Un-Natural History. And if you haven’t, well, you’re in for a treat. Who is Gerald “Gerry” Matthews you ask? He is...
In the Yakima Valley dinophiles can find an outdoor paradise filled with various dinosaur statues. Built back in the early ’90s, this dino-park went from a single sculpture to around thirty, thanks to the residents of Granger. Originally built as a way to “revitalize” the Main Street and downtown area, the Hisey Dinosaur Park has...
Where were you when the mountain blew? If you’ve lived in Washington state very long, you have no doubt been asked this question. For those of us who lived here on that day 38 years ago (yes, it’s really been that long) we can answer that one easily. A major volcanic eruption tends to be the...
We recently discovered the PNW based clothing brand, “Wish You Were Northwest” and with that, we discovered their blog. Here is an article originally published here, that Tory has kindly given us permission to share. In no particular order, here are 10 of my favorite places in my home state of Washington! La Push, WA I can’t...
OK, before we get deep into exploring this rhody garden (and let me just say that it’s definitely worth exploring), I’ve got to address something. When I say, “Federal Way, WA” what comes to mind? It isn’t known for being a must-see Washington destination… unless you’re a competitive swimmer and are going to the aquatic...
Many of us have family members who have served in the Armed Forces. Perhaps you have served, yourself. There is something for everyone at the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis. With the mission statement “They shall not be forgotten” the museum does a fantastic job of telling the stories of veterans from the local area....
If you have traveled into or out of Tacoma, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the Thea Foss Waterway that runs under the 509 bridge just East of downtown. This waterfront has had a central role in the history of Tacoma, with businesses cropping up along its banks for more than 100 years. Foss Waterway...
Our 10 things to do if you are a broke college student in Seattle or Tacoma. Going to school in Washington is an honor. Not only do we have the most beautiful scenery surrounding us, but we have some awesome historic fixtures too. But those of us who have the privilege to attend such institutions...
The Ape Cave, that is. Concealed within the beautiful Gifford Pinchot National Forest on the southern slopes of Mount Saint Helens is a remarkable opportunity. Discovered in 1951, the Ape Cave is a natural lava tube lying just beneath the forest floor by logger Lawrence Johnson. He brought back Harry Reese and family to discover...
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). Planning a trip to Vashon Island? Start with our complete Vashon Island Visitor Guide → About Point Robinson The lighthouse is a twin of...
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...
