Explore Washington State
Things To Do in Washington State
Washington State gives you an almost unreasonable number of options for how to spend your time. Whether you are looking for something to do on a rainy afternoon in Seattle, a full week of outdoor adventure on the Peninsula, or a low key weekend in a small town you have never heard of, this state rewards people who are willing to explore beyond the obvious.
This section is where we collect everything that falls under the category of actually doing something in Washington. You will find activity guides, local recommendations, seasonal ideas, things to do with kids, hidden gems worth the detour, and honest assessments of whether something is actually worth your time. Every post is written by someone who has been there.
We cover the full range: outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, and skiing alongside arts, food, history, and local culture. Washington is one of those states where the things worth doing in a small coastal town are just as compelling as what you will find in its major cities. There is genuinely a lot here that most people never get around to.
Browse by scrolling through recent posts below, or use the county and city tags on any post to find activities in a specific area. If you are looking for somewhere to start, the county guides are a good way to get oriented.
Signs of spring are popping up all across Washington. My home in Olympia has been surrounded by birdsong every morning as our avian neighbors get ready for the breeding season! To start my days, I like to sit in front of my living room window with a nice cup of coffee and watch Washington birds...
Every year the Skagit Valley attracts swarms of Washingtonians who celebrate the coming of spring by visiting the annual tulip festival. The city is often abbreviated as Mt. Vernon, WA by locals and visitors alike. Many pass through the town of Mount Vernon, but rarely stop to discover the unique treasures the town offers. Mount...
Crunch, crunch, crunch, swoosh crrr… run, jump, slip and slide down the twisty, turny, steep green slide — hoping not to shoot off the edge. And back around to the balance beam, hop onto the frog, over to the swings and back up the steps shaped like leaves and turtle backs before racing down the...
Yakima is truly an amazing place. Yes, I grew up here, so it should be pretty easy for me to make that comment. Every once in a while, I need to be reminded by what makes this valley so special. This article was originally written more than 14 months ago. It was to celebrate the...
If you’re looking for a quiet weekend getaway with gorgeous waterfront views, rolling farmlands and forested trails, Lopez Island is the place for you. Lopez Island, the third largest of the San Juan Islands is about an hour and a half drive and short ferry ride from Seattle. You won’t find a glamorous nightlife here,...
What started in 1871 — with Missionaries and French fur traders bringing vinifera plants to eastern Washington — turned into the American Wine Growers launching Ste. Michelle wines in 1967 and creating their first Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Semillon and Grenache Rosé. In 1974, the Washington State winery phenomenon, Chateau Ste. Michelle, broke ground in...
Spring has sprung and tulips are once again blossoming in the Skagit Valley, thus drawing in visitors ranging from families enjoying a day out together to Instagrammers hoping for a great photo op. One of the most iconic tulip farms to visit in the area is Tulip Town in Mt. Vernon. When the original owners...
When you imagine a cidery what comes to mind? For me, it’s sweeping orchards and farm animals nestled in a quaint valley, the sound of buzzing bees and baaing lambs abound with a cool breeze wafting through the trees and rustling the leaves. While many cideries do fit this description, a recent surge in urban...
One thing unique to Washington and other ocean neighboring states is the abundance of food that doesn’t come processed or from a factory. Washington, in particular, is special in that it receives food from the Pacific Ocean, through the foothills, flatlands and up into the Cascade Mountain Range and other mountains. Washington offers an abundance...
Any first-time visitor to the Pacific Northwest might be surprised to see just how many islands, inlets and waterways there are in Washington state. In fact, the northwest corner of the Evergreen State features an impressive archipelago of more than 400 islands — known as the San Juan Islands — visited by tourists in search...
As a 90’s kid, Warner Bros’ “Free Willy” was my introduction to Orcas. I imagined myself as Jesse, fist high in the air screaming “Yeah!” as Willy leapt into the Pacific and swam to freedom. As cheesy as the film may seem now, fictional Willy tells a not-so-fictional story. Many of these animals spend their...
For those who read the recent article about escaping COVID screen time and getting outdoors, you saw a list of six or so activities to do in Washington’s great outdoors. You may have done them alone to get some individual, “you” time. You may have gotten those kids of yours off the screen and out...
