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.
Planning a trip to Bellingham? Start with our complete Bellingham Visitor Guide → Fairhaven is perhaps the most charming place in Bellingham. Perched atop a hillside sloping gently toward Bellingham Bay, the historic district packs shops, eateries and bars into several square blocks of 19th-century red brick buildings — all within walking distance of one...
Monroe is home of the Evergreen State Fair, one of the largest county state fairs held annually in the Pacific Northwest. But there is so much more to Monroe than just an annually held event. Monroe is home to many local farms and nurseries that provide a multitude of crops ranging from different varieties of fruits...
Situated between the North Cascades and the Salish Sea, Bellingham is best known for its natural scenery, outdoor recreation and world-class beer scene. And you don’t even have to leave downtown to experience some of the city’s best attractions. From there you can easily explore the unique experiences and flavors of this college town of...
Just a 30-minute drive from Seattle brings you to a small town full of big adventures. And when you visit the cute town of Snoqualmie, you’ll find that it’s just minutes away from beautiful hikes like the Snoqualmie Pass and rivers such as the Snoqualmie river. But as you dig a little deeper, you’ll find...
Looking for your next Washington town to explore? This time of year, there is one place that comes to mind right away – Leavenworth. If you’re anything like me, you love twinkling lights. Nothing makes a night stroll more beautiful than buildings lined with strings of light. There can be little debate that the small Bavarian...
If you’re traveling to Washington, or simply looking for a day trip idea, than Pike Place Market is a must-stop on your trip bucket list. The market is a Pacific Northwest icon, just waiting to be discovered. Join us as Annie Nguyen takes a trip to Pike Place, sharing a guide on where to eat...
Skamokawa Farmstead and Creamery Have you ever wanted to bottle feed a baby goat? Learn how artisan cheese is made? Show your kiddos the connection between the food we eat, and where it comes from? Yes? Road trip! Grab your muck boots and rain gear (because you never know in the PNW), and head out...
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...
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...
“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,...
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...
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...
