In Washington, the natural world outnumbers human existence. The state is filled with islands full of attractions, lush jungles, and dormant volcanoes. Cities of various sizes, brimming with culture, can be found throughout these lovely environs. Continue reading for the Places To Visit In Washington state.
Millions of visitors visit Washington State each year. There are numerous reasons why tourists and potential immigrants visit the state. There is no better time than now for those who have yet to discover the great fascination of the Evergreen State, from world-class experiences to distinctive musical and creative communities.
Even in the more dry eastern section of the state, where cities like Spokane are located, Washington has interesting things to view and activities to do in every direction. A single visit to Washington is never enough, and even years of living there will not show all of its splendor. Our list of the 10 Best Places in Washington State may help you plan your trip.
1. Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park has it all, from seaside beaches to glaciered mountaintops. The park encompasses the majority of the Olympic Peninsula, and roads only circle it, never cutting through its rocky heart. While auto-tours are enjoyable, hiking trails are the best way to experience Olympic.
The park’s craggy western boundary is defined by iconic coastline sites such as Ruby and Rialto Beach. This magnificent stretch of Washington shoreline is only a short drive from the Hoh Rain Forest’s massive trees and lush flora. Other famous sights in the park are Hurricane Ridge’s icy peaks and the soothing waters of Sol Duc Hot Springs.
2. Seattle Center and the Space Needle
The Space Needle, located inside the Seattle Center, is arguably the most recognizable of all the city’s major attractions. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, it now serves as the focal point of the sizable Seattle Center. Some of Seattle’s top museums are among the other recognizable landmarks that surround the rotating observation deck.
The Seattle Center’s 74-acre property, which includes the Space Needle, the Monorail, parks, museums, and dining establishments. The vibrant glass works at Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Museum of Pop Culture, which was created by Frank O. Gehry, are two indoor tourist possibilities.
3. Mount Rainier National Park
An iconic Washington landmark, Mount Rainier can be seen for miles in every direction. With a height of 14,410 feet, it is the tallest peak in the state, is visible from Seattle, and sits in the middle of the national park bearing the same name.
The park’s Sunrise and Paradise regions are two places of especially breathtaking interest. The road to Paradise is accessible year-round, weather permitting, enabling travelers to reach high altitudes for hiking in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter. A pre-dawn drive is definitely worthwhile through the west side of the park’s Sunrise area, which lives up to its name.
Other hiking trails at Mount Rainier National Park tour mountain meadows, enormous waterfalls, and clusters of old-growth forests in addition to the Wonderland Trail that circles the mountain.
4. Places To Visit In Washington state: Seattle Downtown
Seattle is a big, crowded city, but downtown shows a more laid-back side along the water. Piers and parks line the shoreline in this area. Although Pike Place Market is Seattle’s main tourist attraction, other old buildings and venerable institutions add variety to a trip.
Visitors may want to attend a performance at Benaroya Hall or an underground tour near Pioneer Square. Returning to the waterfront, you can travel from the Olympic Sculpture Park in the north to the Seattle Aquarium and ferry terminal in the south by traveling at sea level. Some of the best day trips from Seattle leave from the waterfront, which is another popular departure point.
5. Leavenworth
City leaders in Leavenworth came together and decided to change the town’s image after the bust that followed a logging industry boom. It’s common to see locals in lederhosen or playing an alphorn in the mornings in Leavenworth, which today proudly identifies as a Bavarian Village.
There are several annual festivals in this tourist town in addition to its overarching Bavarian theme. The annual Christmas Lighting Festival, where the streets are transformed into a sort of surreal snow globe scene, is probably the most spirited.
Another major attraction in Leavenworth is outdoor recreation. To the west of the town, the craggy Cascade mountains can be seen.
6. North Cascades National Park
One of the most undeveloped areas of land in the US is the North Cascades. Additionally, the national park that surrounds these mountains offers amenities for hikers, anglers, and nature lovers. The park shares a border with Canada’s British Columbia to the north.
Views from the North Cascades Scenic Byway that pass through the park are spectacular. The Washington Pass Overlook, Ross Lake’s azure waters, and the western-style town of Winthrop in the Methow Valley are just a few of the many highlights of this drive.
One of the deepest lakes in the nation can be found in the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, which borders the southern edge of the national park. The mountain town of Stehekin also benefits from the stunning backdrop it provides.
7. Puget Sound
Puget Sound, a body of water on the state’s western border that divides the Olympic Peninsula from Seattle, is a watery area with intriguing inlets, islands, and worlds to explore. Puget Sound is surrounded on all sides by a number of cities and harbors, providing unending access and destinations. Sea kayaking, whale watching, and touring the thriving towns that characterize the islands are just a few of the activities available in Puget Sound.
Puget Sound has a robust ferry system that provides access to all of the locations, making island hopping and day trips simple. The largest island in the sound, Whidbey Island, is a popular destination. On the north side of the island, it is the location of the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and the neighboring city of Oak Harbor.
8. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted violently, lowering its peak by 1,300 feet and largely leveling the surrounding area. Ash rose 13 miles into the sky in a cloud. A total of 57 people lost their lives, nearly 150 square miles of forest were destroyed, and homes were engulfed in water and mud.
The massive event has left Mount St. Helens’ landscape still recovering. The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument encourages visitors to learn more about the geological processes occurring there right now.
9. Deception Pass State Park
The Deception Pass Bridge, spanning the Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands in Puget Sound, is a well-known landmark of the area and a civic accomplishment from the Civilian Conservation Corps. Deception Pass State Park easily ranks high as one of the best state parks in Washington on both sides of this picturesque bridge (and most visited).
Some of the most well-liked things to do at the park include tide pooling, hiking, and boating. Three campgrounds in the park each have a number of campsites, allowing for several days of adventure. Knowing the tides is essential for anyone interested in passing under the bridge with a boat.
10. Riverfront Park, Spokane
The state’s eastern region differs significantly from its western region. With the exception of Spokane, the second-largest city in the state of Washington, which serves as a major cultural hub, the weather is noticeably sunnier, farms dot much of the landscape, and the population density is lower in much of the region.
The prestigious Riverfront Park is one of Spokane’s top tourist destinations. Just in time for the 1974 World’s Fair, a sizable revitalization of this vast parkland was completed. It is now dotted with neighborhood attractions, including a 1909 hand-carved carousel. Additionally, the Spokane River rushes through the region, with several vantage points offering views of its falls.
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