Best Places to Visit in Washington State

The Evergreen State is a true gem of the Pacific Northwest with dramatic mountains, lush forests, sparkling coastlines, and vibrant cities all rolled into one. After exploring time and again, here are the places in Washington I keep coming back to.

What are the best places to visit in Washington State? I say, land in Seattle, then drive to Snohomish, Kirkland and Mukilteo. Those are just the best and will give you a taste of this beautiful state in just a few days. Further out from Seattle (you will need a weekend for each!), my favorite destinations are Friday Harbor, Spokane, Port Angeles, Walla Walla, Ellensburg, and Vancouver, WA.

1. Snohomish

Distance from Seattle: 40 minutes

I thought that Snohomish has the charm of a small riverside town while still feeling very connected to the Pacific Northwest’s big landscapes. I heard it called the “Antique Capital of the Northwest,” and I could see whey. Snohomish's historic downtown is a delightful stretch of old brick buildings, quirky shops, and family-owned restaurants.

Be ready for how quickly the scenery shifts. One moment you’re exploring boutiques and cafés, the next you’re surrounded by farmland, river trails, and mountain views.

There’s an easygoing energy here, with the Snohomish River flowing along the edge of town and the Cascade foothills rising in the distance. On a sunny day, hot air balloons often drift across the sky. It’s a place that blends nostalgia with natural beauty, a hub of history and heritage paired with open-air adventure.

Whether you’re exploring downtown, hiking nearby, or sipping coffee by the river, it feels like a perfect spot to slow down while staying close to Seattle.

2. Spokane

Distance from Seattle: 4 hours 30 minutes

Spokane’s setting in the Inland Northwest, 4.5 hours from Seattle, makes it a playground for hikers and bikers. I cycled part of the Centennial Trail (40 miles along the Spokane River, free access), then hiked Riverside State Park’s Bowl and Pitcher Trail (2 miles, $10 day pass) with basalt rock formations and river rapids.

I plan to go back in winder. I heard that Mount Spokane State Park

That night, we stayed at Ruby River Hotel ($185), right on the river with a pool and easy trail access.

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to love Spokane as much as I did. But the moment I stood by the roaring Spokane Falls in the middle of downtown, I felt something shift. It was raw, unfiltered beauty, tucked right into an urban heartbeat.

Quieter than Seattle but full of surprises, Spokane gave me space to slow down while still feeling plugged in. I remember thinking, “This place is more alive than people give it credit for.”

3. Port Angeles

Distance from Seattle: 2 hours 45 minutes (plus a short ferry ride if coming from downtown)

From Seattle, I drove about 2 hours 40 minutes northwest (85 miles via WA-104 and US-101, including a Hood Canal Bridge crossing) to Port Angeles, a harbor town of about 20,000 residents.

Once a logging hub, today it’s the gateway to Olympic National Park. I walked the Port Angeles Waterfront Trail (about 8 miles total, free) with views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca toward Canada, then stopped at the small but fascinating Feiro Marine Life Center ($5 admission).

We stayed at the historic Red Lion Hotel on the waterfront ($175), overlooking the ferry terminal.

I found Port Angeles to be welcoming, with a mix of maritime heritage and mountain-town energy. Whether you’re sipping coffee by the harbor, exploring tidepools, or heading up Hurricane Ridge for sweeping views, it feels like a perfect launching point to experience the Olympic Peninsula’s beauty.

4. Seattle

Distance from Portland: 3 hours

Seattle is the kind of city that feels both dynamic and deeply tied to its natural setting. Skyscrapers rise over Elliott Bay, ferries glide across the water, and snowcapped Mount Rainier stands like a backdrop to everyday life. The rhythm here is fast enough to feel exciting, yet softened by constant reminders of nature at the edge of every view.

From Portland, I drove about 3 hours north into Seattle, a city of roughly 750,000 residents (metro area 4.1 million). I started at Pike Place Market (founded 1907, free entry), wandering through flower stalls and fishmongers tossing salmon.

Then I toured the historic Pioneer Square district, home to brick buildings from the late 1800s, and ducked into the Underground Tour ($25) to see the city’s hidden tunnels. Later, I rode the elevator up the Space Needle (605 feet tall, $35 admission) for sunset views over Elliott Bay. Dinner was cedar-plank salmon ($32) at a waterfront restaurant.

We stayed at the historic Mayflower Park Hotel ($245), which has been welcoming guests since 1927.

I began at Nossa Familia Coffee's Seattle outpost, ordering a smooth Americano and a warm cheddar-chive biscuit. The coffee was rich and earthy, the biscuit savory and crumbly, and I lingered as long as I could.

Later, I wandered into the Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA), where bold installations filled the quiet rooms. One piece, paint streaked across deconstructed wood, made me stop and whisper, “I didn’t know art could ache like this.” I followed the mood into the afternoon, strolling through Occidental Square and the waterfront.

Dinner at Toulouse Petit brought warmth: a bowl of wild mushroom gnocchi, soft and earthy, with a hint of sage and butter that clung to my lips as the streetlights blinked on.

I also enjoyed: Dinner at Tulio, tucked beneath the vintage Hotel Vintage, where the lights were low and the food felt like a hug. I ordered the wild boar ragù. It arrived earthy and rich, layered over handmade pappardelle that soaked up every bit of the rosemary-laced sauce.

5. Walla Walla

Distance from Seattle: 4 hours 30 minutes

Walla Walla feels like a small town wrapped in vineyards, history, and sunshine. Known for its world-class wine scene, it has the kind of charm that mixes farmland warmth with sophisticated tasting rooms and restaurants. The downtown streets are lined with boutiques, cafés, and historic brick buildings that give it a timeless quality.

The landscape here is wide open with rolling wheat fields, golden hills, and endless skies that glow at sunset. It’s an agricultural valley at heart, but one that has blossomed into a hub for winemakers, food lovers, and travelers seeking a slower pace. There’s a balance between refinement and simplicity that makes it easy to settle in.

I found Walla Walla to be both inviting and quietly elegant, where hospitality is genuine and the scenery is soothing. Whether you’re sipping wine, walking historic Main Street, or taking a scenic drive through the valley, it feels like a destination that blends the best of rural Washington with a touch of cosmopolitan flair.

6. Kirkland

Distance from Seattle: 20 minutes

Kirkland sits along the eastern shore of Lake Washington, offering a mix of waterfront charm and lively neighborhood energy. With walkable streets, parks that spill right to the water’s edge, and a strong local arts scene, it feels like a place where the lake sets the tone for daily life. You’ll find people out on boats, strolling the waterfront, or enjoying a meal at a patio café with views across the water to Seattle’s skyline.

Kirkland is close to the bustle of the city, yet it has a relaxed, small-town feel. Downtown is compact and filled with shops, restaurants, and galleries, while nearby neighborhoods stretch into leafy residential streets. The lakefront parks are the real heart of the city, drawing locals and visitors alike for swimming, picnics, and sunsets.

Whether you’re here for the waterfront, the art, or simply to soak in a slower pace with lake views, it’s a spot that feels vibrant but never overwhelming.

7. Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Distance from Seattle: 3 hours (including ferry ride)

Friday Harbor feels like stepping into a postcard, a harborside town where boats line the marina, orcas swim offshore, and island life moves at a gentle pace. As the hub of San Juan Island, it’s compact and walkable, filled with art galleries, cafés, and waterfront restaurants, all wrapped in stunning views of the Salish Sea.

From Seattle, I drove about 1 hour 45 minutes north (90 miles via I-5) to Anacortes, then boarded the Washington State Ferry (1 hour, $15 walk-on or ~$25 per car + driver) across the Salish Sea to Friday Harbor, the main town on San Juan Island (population ~2,400).

I wandered the compact, walkable downtown filled with galleries, shops, and cafés, then visited the San Juan Historical Museum ($10 admission) to learn about the island’s pioneer past. We stayed at the historic Friday Harbor House ($295), perched above the marina with sunset views of the ferries gliding in.

The ferry ride in felt like part of the story, mist on the water, gulls overhead, and distant islands coming into view one by one. When we docked in Friday Harbor, I stepped off into a town that felt both cozy and quietly refined. The streets were walkable, the harbor just steps from everything, and there was salt in the air that made me instantly slow down.

8. Mukilteo

Distance from Seattle: 35 minutes

Mukilteo sits quietly on the edge of Puget Sound, where ferries glide back and forth to Whidbey Island and sunsets paint the water in gold and orange. It’s a small waterfront city with a rich history, most visible in the striking white Mukilteo Lighthouse that has guided ships since the 1900s. The atmosphere here is calm and coastal, with parks, beaches, and trails all within a short walk of downtown.

What makes Mukilteo special is its blend of maritime heritage and everyday Northwest beauty. Locals gather on the beach to watch ferries depart, families picnic on grassy hillsides, and visitors wander the waterfront with an ice cream in hand. Beyond the shoreline, you’ll find wooded trails, golf courses, and easy access to the rest of Snohomish County.

I found Mukilteo to be both laid-back and scenic — a place where the pace slows as soon as you reach the waterfront. Whether you’re here for history, a ferry ride, or simply to watch the sun slip behind the Olympic Mountains, it feels like a classic Puget Sound escape.

9. Ellensburg, WA

Distance from Seattle: 2 hours

Ellensburg is a true Central Washington gem, a college town with historic roots and open skies. Set in the Kittitas Valley, it has a mix of frontier history, farmland charm, and youthful energy from Central Washington University. Downtown is filled with 19th-century brick buildings, galleries, cafés, and shops that give it both character and warmth.

We stayed at the Hotel Windrow ($185), a boutique hotel blending modern amenities with rustic style.

The valley landscape stretches wide, with rolling hills, farmland, and mountains in the distance. Summers bring sunshine and festivals, while fall glows with golden fields. There’s a sense of space here — whether you’re wandering downtown, driving country roads, or exploring the Yakima River Canyon just south of town.

Whether you’re here for a rodeo, a quiet weekend of exploring, or just to enjoy the slower rhythm of a small Washington town, it has a way of feeling both authentic and refreshing.

10. Vancouver, Washington

Distance from Portland: 15 minutes

Vancouver, Washington feels like Portland’s quieter neighbor across the Columbia River, but it carries its own deep history and Northwest character. When I lived here as a local, I enjoyed this easy-to-visit city a lot.

A few times we stayed at Hotel Indigo Vancouver ($210), a modern boutique right on the waterfront. The views were relaxing and we didn't have to drive if we didn't feel like it to enjoy the area.

Conclusion

From coastal towns and island harbors to mountain gateways and river valleys, Washington offers a remarkable range of experiences packed into one state. Each place has its own rhythm. Together, they paint a picture of a region where nature and community are always intertwined.

In the end, Washington isn’t just one landscape or one story, it’s many. And whether you come for a weekend getaway or a longer exploration, each destination leaves you with a piece of the Pacific Northwest’s beauty and spirit to carry home.

Hi, I'm Ema. I'm the face behind Vacation Idea. My husband, son, and I spent years on the road, basing ourselves in each place for one or two months at a time. This has allowed me to experience each destination as a local, and I'm eager to help you with travel itineraries, weekend inspiration, and local tips. I love to chase unique experiences and revisit old favorites, anything from great sunsets to the best places to stay. I have 30 years of experience, over 400,000 social media followers, and my work as a travel expert has been mentioned on ABC6 Morning Show, Best of the Web, and USA Today. When I'm not traveling around the USA, I live in Austin, TX. Click for more.

 

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