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.
Outside the city of Sequim, where the dense green foliage of the Olympic Mountains meets the bright blue sea, a wave of purple is surging through town. It’s lavender season in Sequim and the surrounding area. Every summer the cool fresh air flows in off the Strait of Juan de Fuca and mixes with the...
As the weather begins to change and you feel more inclined to get some fresh air, there are many places to visit. From campsites, to hiking trails to local history — there is so much to explore. But, how do you decide where to go when there are so many options? Look no further because...
There are few activities available outside of the home for a 93-year-old matriarch who has been self-quarantining since the beginning of January. My grandmother’s pandemic routine includes waking, dressing, breakfasting, and then alternating between books and television throughout the day and occasionally arranging a new bouquet of flowers my mother brings her once a week...
Anchored by classic northwest brewpubs like Boundary Bay and Chuckanut Brewery, “Brewingham” has long been a favorite Washington beer destination. Bellingham’s modern brewery boom began around 2012 with the opening of Kulshan Brewing — followed by Aslan, Wander, Structures and many more. If you haven’t been to town in a while, you might have missed...
This episode is a conversation with Tana Granack the Operations Director for The Spark Museum of Electrical Invention in Bellingham, Washington. You will hear about Tesla Coils, Theremins, priceless light bulbs and much more during our chat about the museum. The Spark Museum focusing on bringing electricity to life and makes learning fun for everyone...
Many Pacific Northwesterners are unaware of the fascinating history of the state of Washington, particularly on the far-less-populated eastern side of the state. From the production of plutonium during World War II in the Tri-Cities to the agricultural boom of the Palouse region and the Whitman Mission massacre in Walla Walla, a lot has happened...
I moved to the greater Seattle area in early September and immediately went out and started exploring everything this state has to offer. I quickly realized just how incredible the State Park system is here. The abundance of public land combined with its tendency to be very pet-friendly (it’s not an adventure without my sidekick...
Skamania and Klickitat counties are known for their gorge-ous (pun intended) Columbia River Gorge views and a variety of outdoor recreation options. But did you know it’s also a fantastic area for locally made craft beer, cider and spirits? Read on for some of my favorites, including where to find great sour beers and family-friendly...
As a rule, university campuses are very nice. Even those tucked into the middle of big cities, like the University of Washington in Seattle, offer students and visitors beautiful walking and biking trails and great vistas. But until we moved to Vancouver from eastern Washington three years ago, I had never gotten lost in what...
It was late Friday evening when my wife Johanna and I decided to drive to Whidbey Island the next morning. A little bit of research on Instagram made our decisions easy. The island looked gorgeous! As Canadians living near the border, we have been to Washington many times. We usually tend to explore Bellingham to...
Looking for a short and manageable hike with stunning 360-degree views that reward you? Look no further than Washington’s High Rock Trail located in the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest in Lewis County, near Mount Rainier. The trail is 3.2 miles roundtrip with a moderately steep elevation gain of 1,365 feet. Yes, it is steep, but it...
Want a gem of a hike that’s family-friendly and won’t take an all-day drive? This is your go-to hike with a great reward: Teneriffe Falls, North Bend, WA. After our rainy January, I was delighted to see the sun out and raced for the mountains. Weekends are busy on popular hikes such as this, but...
