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Explore Washington State

Things To Do

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.

Recent Things To Do Articles

Showing 205 to 216 of 251 articles
A Day in Downtown Vancouver, WA
Ashley Reed · September 16, 2019

Vancouver, Washington is just across the bridge from Portland, Oregon and is one of the most underrated towns in the Pacific Northwest. In recent years, it’s grown from a sleepy, smaller town to a destination in its own right. With all the tap rooms, breweries, restaurants and events that have popped up, it’s an amazing...

Riverfront Park Spokane in Washington
Molly Lindquist · September 9, 2019

Have you visited Riverfront Park in Spokane WA? If you haven’t made it to the Riverfront Park yet, this is a must-see tourist destination in Lilac City. Riverfront Park boasts stunning waterfall views, great family recreational activities, and plenty of other adventures to hit within just a few blocks. You can spend hours walking the...

Passing Through SODO
Ines Tucakovic · June 18, 2019

“Where exactly IS SODO?” My friend asked me a few weeks ago as we were walking through Ballard, trying not to think about the sheer number of calories we had just consumed through lunch, lattes and ice cream. I took a second to process the question and the best answer I had was, “you know,...

When It Rains- Kid Edition
Explore Washington State · October 23, 2018

This guest post was written by Mercedes Benedict. A toddler mom and lover of the outdoors, you can find her and her toddlers adventures at: @maxwellandbeatrix Let’s be honest, most kids love it when it rains, it’s the parents who don’t. I’m not a huge fan of rain but I prefer rainy outdoor activities to children jumping...

Grizzlies in Washington
Tiffany Davidson · September 19, 2018

Throughout the years, I’ve noticed when talking about grizzly bears with people in eastern America that there are two primary camps: those who believe there are no grizzly bears left in the lower 48, and those who believe they’re far more widespread than they actually are, inhabiting places like California and Colorado. When bringing up...

Fun ideas for a day in Seattle with kids
Explore Washington State · September 9, 2018

This guest post was written by Terumi Pong from “An Emerald City Life.” Follow her on Instagram. I don’t know about you, but I often find myself retracing my favorite steps in Seattle over and over again. Like every time I visit Pike Place Market at breakfast time, I eat at Lowell’s, I wave a hello to...

Eightmile and Caroline Zone
Explore Washington State · August 22, 2018

Hey guys! Megan here again, you might remember me from my previous article, “Adventure Kitty: Leon.” Back in December one of my friends decided it would be fun to go backpacking in The Enchantments (The alpine wilderness area near Leavenworth).  She sent out a Facebook invitation, and eight of us met multiple times to decide which...

Camille Takes Us to Long Beach
Explore Washington State · August 18, 2018

Hola, my name is Camille. Viewpoints are my ultimate weakness, oddities are my thing, street art/murals give me life and I am firm believer that nature is truly one of the best medicines when it comes to curing a stressed soul. I was raised in the beautiful state of Washington, lucky, I know! Being born on...

Silverdale WA: Tips for Walking Clear Creek Trail
Explore Washington State · July 20, 2018

This post was originally posted here, but with permission from Valerie we are sharing it here.  If you want to escape the burbs, or the busy life around Seattle, head to Silverdale! This lovely town  is centrally located on the Kitsap Peninsula. I’ve explored the area from top to bottom, and side to side, ha!...

A Quiet Life in the Washington Wilderness
Tiffany Davidson · July 12, 2018

On the conveyor belt of city life in eastern America, I used to have to remind myself that wild places exist. That they were alive with me right then. Stopped at a traffic light, with urgency filling the air, I’d breathe deep into my belly and imagine the sounds there now, the smells that might...