Day Trips from Tacoma, WA

Gig Harbor labels itself Washington’s Maritime City. Located on Puget Sound, the harbor is rich in maritime history as commercial fishing and boat building played a large role in the area’s growth. Visit the Harbor History Museum for 7,000 square feet of exhibits on the Gig Harbor Peninsula. Additional historic attractions include the Eddon Boat Building and the Historic Gig Harbor Netsheds. Gig Harbor’s downtown waterfront offers restaurants, galleries and shops. Events take place nearly every month of the year including the annual Gig Harbor Beer Fest in May, Summer Arts Festival in July and December tree lighting and boat parade.

Washington’s Bainbridge Island features fine food and unique local boutiques surrounded by the scenic vistas of the Pacific Northwest and opportunity for outdoor adventure on land and sea. Attractions include the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, the Baindbridge Performing Arts community theater, and the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum. Lovers of the outdoors will enjoy the 150-acre Bloedel Reserve public garden and Islandwood, a 225-acre environmental education center.

Shop the commercial districts along High School Road, Madison Avenue and Winslow Way for one of a kind finds and restaurants. Bainbridge Island is also home to several award-winning wineries, some with tasting rooms easily accessible from the Winslow ferry.

Bellingham is located between the ocean and 100,00 acres of farmland. Top things to do in town include strolling the downtown arts district, enjoying the local craft beer scene, or taking off into the hills for mountain biking or outdoor adventure. Rent a bicycle for a ride along the South Bay Trail to Fairhaven from Bellingham, or cycle throughout the surrounding scenic roads and trails. Along the shoreline, enjoy bird watching from any of the Audubon Society’s six Bellingham area choice locations. Fish the Nooksack River or Bellingham Bay, or rent a kayak to explore the Salish Sea.

Plan ahead for these Bellingham Events:
- Ski to Sea - May 25, 2025
- Bellingham SeaFeast - Saturday & Sunday October 5 & 6, 2024
- Fairhaven Winterfest - from late November to late December
- Whatcom Cultural Arts Festival

Castle Rock is located at the western base of Mount St. Helens and is best known for its proximity to the famous 1980 eruption. Find antiques, collectibles and Mount St. Helens souvenirs in the quaint historic district alongside the Cowlitz River. An exhibit hall displays the history of the area through photographs. An inscribed stone at the Harry R. Truman Memorial Park memorializes the owner of the Mount St. Helens Lodge who refused to leave his land when evacuation orders were announced. Truman, not to be confused with the U.S. President, was a local hero who perished under the volcanic flow but is remembered for his love of the area.

King County, Washington’s Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park protects over 3,000 acres of wilderness and is connected to the nearby Squak Mountain State Park by way of the Cougar-Squak Corridor. Together, the parks span over 5,000 acres at an elevation of nearly 1,600 feet. Claypit Peak, at 1,560 is the highest peak within the park. Enjoy 35 miles of trails through wetlands, streams and old-growth forests. Hike to views of Lake Sammamish, Bellevue and the Cascade Mountains. Some trails allow horseback riding; mountain biking is not allowed. Park facilities include parking and picnic areas.

18201 SE Cougar Mountain Dr, Renton, WA 98059, Phone: 425-643-5306

Desolation Peak Trail is located in North Cascades National Park (video). The Desolation Peak Trail is popular with boaters staying near Ross Lake or anyone looking for a challenging day hike. The trail is accessed by boat from Ross Lake, or via the park’s East Bank Trail. One-way distance to Lightning Creek is just over 3 miles for an easy hike. From Lightning Creek, the 7,7 mile distance is rated strenuous, with an elevation gain of close to 5,000 feet. Summer hikers should remember there are no consistent water sources along the trail, so it’s imperative to bring plenty of water in the hot dry months.

810 State Route 20, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284, Phone: 360-854-7200

Mount Rainier National Park's Green Lake Trail is a 10 mile round trip journey through old growth forests to a breathtaking waterfall. The kid friendly trail is accessible by foot or bicycle. The hike begins in the Carbon River Valley before climbing just over 1,300 feet to a small lake at the base of Tolmie Peak. A thick canopy of forest keeps the trail mostly shaded on hot days. On the way to Ranger Falls, ranked the most beautiful in the Carbon River Valley, you’ll pass trees over 800 years old. The triple tiered falls drop for 170 feet and the view from the trail is unobstructed. Green Lake itself is located at an elevation of 3,100 feet at the top of the trail.

Carbon River Area, Mount Rainier National Park, Phone: 360-569-2211

Hood River is located where the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River Gorge intersect and is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. The windsurfing capital of the world, Hood River is now a favorite of kite surfers, offers miles of hiking and biking trails, wineries, craft breweries, and farm-to-table dining. Visit the Hood River downtown historic district for shopping, art galleries, outdoor recreation outfitters and over 30 restaurants. The 35-mile Hood River Fruit Loop is a scenic drive past several orchards, farms and agricultural communities. Get out on the water with Hood River Water Play, the area’s top outfitter for kayak, SUP, or sailing rentals.

La Conner, Washington is among the state’s most romantic getaway destinations. The beautiful agricultural area is located on the shores of the Salish Sea and is home to a charming marina and miles of scenic farmland. Museums in the area include MoNA, the Museum of Northwest Art and the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum. Take a walking tour of the town’s outdoor sculpture, or historic landmarks. Founded in the 1860’s, La Conner is the area’s oldest non-native community. Shop Morris and First Streets for unique locally crafted gifts. The area offers several galleries, interspersed with restaurants and bars. Enjoy fresh seafood along the waterfront at the La Conner Seafood & Prime Rib House. Visit the Pioneer Market for casual dining, homemade goods, even hardware supplies.

Leavenworth began as a 19th century lumber town. When the logging business was depleted and the railroad was rerouted from town, area leaders gathered with a plan. In the 1960’s the town was completely renovated to resemble a Bavarian village of the Black Forest. A series of festivals were created to further draw visitors to town, including the Autumn Leaf Festival, Maifest and the Christmas Lighting Festival. Now a top tourist destination, millions walk the streets each year enjoying the local food and beer, wine tasting, spas, and outdoor recreation in an area that closely resembles the Bavarian Alps.