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.
A few miles past Enumclaw, along the winding path carved by Route 410, Federation Forest State Park sits nestled by the mighty White River. Though perhaps not as showy or intimidating as other parks around Mt. Rainier, Federation Forest State Park offers a quiet refuge where families and hikers of all levels can enjoy the...
San Juan Island sits in the northwest corner of Washington state, just across the water from Canada. Located three hours north of Seattle by car and ferry, San Juan Island hosts visitors from around the world. It is one of four islands in the San Juan Island archipelago served by the Washington State Ferry system. ...
Kites are a common sight on the beaches of Southwestern Washington. I remember staying at Ocean Shores with family many years ago and being fascinated by the stunt kites being flown in the mornings and later afternoons almost every day. Get Inspired To Go Fly a Kite! Most of us remember flying a single string...
“The lake between two rivers,” Lake Quinault is a glacially-carved lake situated at the edge of pristine temperate rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula. Lake Quinault is the ideal jumping-off point for Olympic National Park adventures. Olympic National Park is the perfect spot for exploring the pristine wilderness. It features snow-covered mountains, roaring rivers, and dense...
Washington state is wonderful in a lot of ways, but one of the many things that make the PNW the perfect place to call home is the impressive abundance of majestic wilderness, secluded nature, and awe-inspiring scenery on display within its state lines. My wife and I recently had the opportunity to visit a section...
Have you ever had a day where you wanted to do something but just didn’t know what to do? Or have you ever just wanted to get in the car to drive without knowing where to go, but just knew you wanted to go somewhere? We have, which has led to us wondering where we...
La Conner is an artsy waterfront community located on the Swinomish Channel in the Skagit Valley. Home to boutique shops, eateries, winery tasting rooms and a brewpub, it’s an ideal day trip destination from the Seattle area or Vancouver, BC. Spend a day walking the length of 1st Street and beyond to explore all that...
If you head south from Spokane’s downtown, you’ll come across the vibrant South Perry neighborhood. Here you’ll find a wellness bar, a brewery, thrift shops, a bakery, a coffee shop, a pizza place, art galleries and a greenhouse. One of the best farmer’s markets in Spokane occurs here on Thursday evening in summer and the...
From the winding Yakima River Canyon to hilltop hop fields, vineyards and hiking trails, the Yakima Valley is a sweet escape for Washington sun-seekers. My family enjoyed a weekend in Yakima exploring the shrub-steppe trails and eating (and drinking) up the valley’s abundant agricultural goods. With outdoor dining in full swing, we spent nearly the...
Seabrook is a vibrant beach town located on the Washington coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It has been thoughtfully designed — founded on new urbanism and woven seamlessly into nature — over the last 19 years as a sustainable haven for full-time residents, short-term vacation rentals, and day-trippers. The town features 475 homes of all...
II am ashamed to say that in the 18 years I’ve lived in Washington state, this is my first year exploring the magnificent Olympic Peninsula. The mountain views, ocean smell, outdoor activities, and charming marine towns are enchanting, and one particular marine town hooked my heart forever — Poulsbo in Kitsap county, Washington. A new...
Washington State not only offers amazing cascade ranges to discover, but it also offers abundant coastal communities to explore and Willapa Bay is one of them. Situated along the Pacific Coast and separated by the Long Beach Peninsula, Willapa Bay provides great access to recreation, sightseeing and amazing seafood. Where to Stay If you love...
