Quick Summary:

  • Issaquah is a city in King County, Washington, located in a valley between the Sammamish Plateau and the "Issaquah Alps".
  • Originally developed to service the mining industry that flourished on the two nearby mountains, today’s Issaquah is a modern, thriving city.
  • It is surrounded by parks popular with hikers, with a fascinating historic downtown, the highly respected Village Theatre, and the Cougar Mountain Zoo, which cares for endangered species.
  • The Issaquah Hatchery helped restore the salmon run on Issaquah Creek.
  • Only a short drive from Seattle, Issaquah is a popular weekend destination for hikers, paragliders, history buffs, and foodies.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Village Theatre ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Entertainment
Village Theatre | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© lapandr/stock.adobe.com

2. Lake Sammamish State Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Lake Sammamish State Park | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Bill Perry/stock.adobe.com

3. The Issaquah Hatchery

The Issaquah Hatchery | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Bill Perry/stock.adobe.com

4. Cougar Mountain Zoo

Category: Kids & Family
Cougar Mountain Zoo | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Andrew/stock.adobe.com

5. Tiger Mountain

Category: Activities
Tiger Mountain | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Brayden Sauve/stock.adobe.com

6. Poo Poo Point

Category: Activities
Poo Poo Point | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Friedberg/stock.adobe.com

7. Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park

Category: Activities
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Melastmohican/stock.adobe.com

8. Issaquah Depot Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Issaquah Depot Museum | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Issaquah Depot Museum

9. Squak Mountain State Park

Category: Activities
Squak Mountain State Park | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Scott Bufkin/stock.adobe.com

10. Montalcino Ristorante Italiano

Category: Food & Drink
Montalcino Ristorante Italiano | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Montalcino Ristorante Italiano

11. Fins Bistro, Issaquah, Washington

Category: Food & Drink
Fins Bistro, Issaquah, Washington | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Fins Bistro

12. Issaquah Cafe, Issaquah, Washington

Category: Food & Drink
Issaquah Cafe, Issaquah, Washington | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Issaquah Café

13. Flat Iron Grill Restaurant and Bar

Category: Food & Drink
Flat Iron Grill Restaurant and Bar | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Flat Iron Grill Restaurant and Bar

14. Murals and Public Art

Category: Food & Drink
Murals and Public Art | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Visit Issaquah

15. Fox Hollow Farm

Category: Activities
Fox Hollow Farm | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Fox Hollow Farm

16. Boehms Candies

Boehms Candies | Things to Do in Issaquah, Washington
© Boehms Candies

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