Places to Visit in Washington State

The Kitsap Peninsula on the Puget Sound is surrounded by 236 miles of coastline, dotted with over twenty coastal towns and villages, making it an ideal area to visit for a beach holiday. Not only will you have a wide selection of beach activities such as sailing, scuba diving, kayaking, and fishing to enjoy, but the entire area is also steeped in history and there are many interesting historic places to visit should you tire of the beach.

The Kitsap Peninsula encompasses no less than nine state parks, and 14 city parks where you can hike, cycle and bird watch. There are several golf courses and a number of wonderful gardens to visit.The towns of Kitsap Peninsula offer unique galleries, shopping and dining.

Hansville, located on the northern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula, is well worth a visit, offering sweeping views of Admiralty Inlet, Whidbey Island, and Puget Sound. Visitors can stay at the Point No Point Lighthouse, explore the walking trails along the Hansville Greenway, picnic on the shores of Buck Lake, and much more.

What to do:
- Explore the walking trails along the Hansville Greenway
- Picnic on the shores of Buck Lake

Where to Stay:
- Book a room at The Eagle Harbor Inn
- Check into The Marshall Suites

Spokane offers a diverse selection of activities for weekend visitors, including many outdoor attractions as well as a small but select number of cultural activities. Riverfront Park lies at the heart of Spokane, covering over 100 acres and encompassing the sensational Spokane Falls. You can enjoy visiting all the park attractions on foot or get a great aerial view from the Spokane Falls Skyride. Nature lovers can make their way to the John A. Finch Arboretum to enjoy a spectacular display of trees and shrubs or visit Manito Park which houses a conservatory filled with tropical plants, in the midst of beautiful landscaped gardens. Hikers can tackle the 40-mile paved Centennial Trail along the scenic Spokane River in Riverside State Park.

Thrill-seekers can enjoy an exciting zip line adventure with Mica Moon Zip Tours, or try their hand at white-water rafting along an impressive 8-mile stretch of the Spokane River with ROW Adventure Center. The Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park becomes a hive of activity during winter. The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) is an impressive museum which includes five underground galleries and an outdoor amphitheater. Finally, round off your weekend by attending a performance of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra at the historic Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.

Plan ahead for these Spokane Events:
- Bloomsday Run - Sunday, May 4th, 2025
- Spokane Lilac Festival - May 10 – 17, 2025
- Spokane Hoopfest - June 28-29, 2025
- Pigout in the Park

Situated in the heart of Washington State's beautiful Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles has something special to offer every visitor. Energetic visitors can enjoy a variety of active holiday pursuits such as ocean and lake kayaking, mountain biking and paddle boarding - lessons and equipment on site. Go cycling along the Olympic Discovery Trail.

Enjoy unlimited hiking, bird watching and fishing in nearby Olympic National Park or at Hurricane Ridge. Or, you can simply relax on a beautiful beach, explore the rock pools and enjoy the wonderful seascapes.

Art lovers are in for a treat at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center & Webster's Woods, where an excellent selection of art by Northwest artists is exhibited, along with over 100 sculptures in the surrounding 5-acre Webster's Woods. You can go on a walking tour of the Downtown area, visit the Fiero Marine Life Center on the waterfront, and go antiquing in the local shops.

Things to do:
- Explore the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center & Webster's Woods
- Visit the Fiero Marine Life Center on the waterfront

Port Townsend manages to effortlessly combine Victorian charm with a modern and trendy vibe, producing an ideal fusion of old and new. Head to Port Townsend to enjoy fresh sea air, beaches and boating, and some of the popular activities include exciting whale watching tours with the Puget Sound Express, and various other maritime wildlife excursions. At the Northwest Maritime Center you can learn how to sail or build a wooden boat, and at the Fort Worden State Park you can explore tidal pools, hiking trails and visit the Marine Science Center and the Port Wilson Lighthouse. Port Townsend's National Historic District dates back to the 1800's and now encompasses the restored downtown Victorian sea port, which is home to vibrant shopping and dining, and the Port Townsend Historic Uptown, which once housed the gentry. You can visit some interesting museums including the Puget Sound Coast Artillery Museum, the Port Townsend Aero Museum and the Jefferson Museum of Art and History. Port Townsend has a the Rose Theatre, where you can watch movies, and there are a variety of clubs and pubs offering live music entertainment to round off your day. Try to be in town for the Gallery Walk on the first Saturday of each month.

Plan ahead for these Port Townsend events:
- Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival July 27-August 3, 2025
- Wooden Boat Festival from September 5- 7, 2025

The picturesque Walla Walla Valley is best known as a premier wine growing region, home to over 150 wineries, but the town of Walla Wall is equally enticing. Before you set off on a wine tour, spend a little time exploring Main Street in Downtown Walla Walla, where you can go on a self-guided tour of the many fascinating public art installations, and then enjoy the Outdoor Sculpture Walk of Whitman College (pdf). The performing arts are well represented in Walla Walla and you can attend a show at several theaters or listen to the Walla Walla Symphony Orchestra. In January and June the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival sees many acclaimed musicians popping up at venues all over town.

There are several museums where you can learn about the history of the town including the Fort Walla Walla Museum, the Whitman Mission and the Kirkman House Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, cycling, bird watching, fishing and hunting at several venues and skate-boarders and BMX fans can have hours of fun showing off at Fort Walla Walla Park. Children can have a fun learning experience at the Children's Museum of Walla Walla, while connoisseurs can enjoy a wine tasting at a few of the 34 tasting rooms in town or go on a winery tour.

Things to do:
- Take the kids to the Children's Museum of Walla Walla
- Visit Fort Walla Walla Park
- Enjoy the Outdoor Sculpture Walk of Whitman College (pdf)

Kirkland's scenic position on the shores of Lake Washington ensures a great selection of activities for the whole family. Marina Park is situated close to downtown Kirkland and offers a beautiful environment for cycling, walking, jogging or fishing. There are several other delightful green spaces you can enjoy in Kirkland, including Juanita Beach Park and Juanita Bay Park, where visitors and locals love to unwind, play some ball games or go walking, jogging or bird-watching. The Doris Cooper Houghton Beach Park has good facilities for children and is open all year round.

For something really different you can head to the 132nd Square Park, take off your shoes and enjoy the soothing benefits of the reflexology trail. You can enjoy wonderful scenery and catch a rare glimpse of some lakeside homes of the rich and famous on a short cruise on Lake Washington with Argosy Cruises. When another brilliant sunset brings the day to an end, you can have a leisurely meal at one of Kirkland's many restaurants, or enjoy a beer or wine tasting at the Chainline Brewing Company or The Grape Choice.

Regardless of whether you are looking for a quite weekend getaway or are seeking history, culture and shopping, Friday Harbor on San Juan Island fits the bill. Whale watching, island hopping, kayaking tours and charter fishing are all very popular activities and there are several tour operators vying for your business.

If you prefer to keep your feet dry, you can explore the island on two wheels by renting a moped or bicycle from Suzie's Mopeds and Bicycles. Spend the night at the scenic Roche Harbor Resort.

Art and shopping enthusiasts can have a great time exploring several arty attractions including the San Juan Islands Museum of Art, Waterworks Gallery and the Arctic Raven Gallery. There is more shopping available at Kings Market and Funk and Junk Antiques. A good way to round off a busy day is to visit one of several Day Spas for a relaxing massage, before you catch a show presented by Island Stage Left theater troupe.

Leavenworth is like a little piece of Bavaria that has been relocated to the center of Washington State, complete with scenic mountains, forests and distinctive Bavarian food.

The unique character and atmosphere of the town is the result of Projekt Bayern (Project Bavaria) which was put in place to turn Leavenworth into a tourist attraction when a failing timber industry threatened the town's future in the 1960's. Leavenworth is a year-round destination with many unique attractions and an emphasis on outdoor activities. In summer you can go white-water rafting or set off on one of several outdoor adventures. You can visit the unusual Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum or the Icicle Creek Center for the Arts and in October the Oktoberfest is a great opportunity to savor German beer, food and entertainment. In the summer, the Leavenworth Summer Theater presents open-air shows against the backdrop of the snow-capped Cascade Mountains. Next read: 25 Best Things to Do in Leavenworth, Washington

Yakima Valley in the heart of Washington State is blessed with great sunny weather, superb scenery and some of the best agricultural land in the state, and produces huge amounts of apples, hops and superb wines.

A weekend visit to the valley will reward you with will almost unlimited attractions to suit everyone in the town of Yakima and beyond. The Yakima River is the lifeblood of the valley and in summer you can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, trout fishing and even white-water rafting (in September, when water is released from the up-stream Roza Dam) amidst spectacular natural beauty in Yakima River Canyon, or you can go rock climbing and trekking in the surrounding mountains. In winter the area becomes a hot-spot for snow sports including skiing and snowboarding.

Wine connoisseurs can enjoy tasting the produce of dozens of wineries in the Yakima Valley, most of which offer tastings and cellar tours. You can also go on the Spirits and Hops Trail, or take the children to pick fruit and berries during harvest time. You can visit the Yakima Valley Museum, or add a cultural element to your visit by attending a performance of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra or a show at the Capitol Theatre, 4th Street Theatre or The Seasons Performance Hall in downtown Yakima.

Bustling and scenic Seattle has such an enormous variety of attractions that weekend visitors will have to do some serious prioritizing to make the most of every minute. Start your visit at the Sky View Observatory or the Space Needle, both of which offer incredible views of the city and the surrounding islands and mountains.

Save some time to visit the Seattle Art Museum and the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibition which is absolutely fascinating.

There are museums to satisfy all interests. The Center for Wooden Boats is probably one of the most unique museums because it offers you the chance to set off in an ancient maritime craft and learn how to row, sail and do repairs. Other museums include the Museum of Pop Culture dedicated to modern culture, the Wing Luke Museum, the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and the Museum of History and Industry. Possibly the most interesting of all is the Museum of Flight which is home to 160 historic aircraft including a genuine Concord and a Space Shuttle Trainer. Foodies are spoiled by the number of choices available with an array of amazing restaurants and food tours to satisfy just about every palate.

Plan ahead for these Seattle events:
- Northwest Chocolate Festival - October 4 - 6, 2024
- New Year’s at the Needle
- Seattle Museum Month in February
- Seattle International Film Festival in April
- Northwest Folklife Festival in May
- Seattle PrideFest in June
- Seafair Summer Fourth on Friday, July 4, 2025
- Boeing Seafair Air Show in the summer