12 Best Places to Visit in Washington
Whether you have time for just a day trip, a weekend or a week-long vacation, here are the most amazing places we found on our four week road trip near Seattle and all across the Evergreen State.
- #1. Seattle
- -- Best WA Places to Visit Under 1 Hour from Seattle:
- #2. Snohomish
- #3. Kirkland
- #4. Tacoma
- #5. Mukilteo
- -- Best Places to Visit in WA in 1 - 2 Hours from Seattle:
- #6. Bellingham
- #7. Sequim
- #8. Ellensburg
- -- Best Places to Visit in WA in 2+ Hours from Seattle
- #9. Vancouver, WA - #10. The REACH Museum in Richland - #11. Walla Walla - #12. Spokane
Things to Do in Seattle
No list of the best places to visit in Washington State would be complete without its largest city! We absolutely love Seattle, and have been many times. Chances are that if you are flying in, you'll land at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
I love seeing the skyscrapers that rise over Elliott Bay, ferries going back and forth across the water, and Mount Rainier in the distance. In addition, the choice of cultural attractions, restaurants and tours is truly enviable in Seattle!
Stop for a smooth Americano and a warm biscuit at Nossa Familia Coffee. Head to the Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA) next, where I loved seeing the bold installations that filled the quiet rooms.
When you get hungry, sample local foods at Pike Place Market. You can also visit the Seattle Art Museum and the Museum of Pop Culture for culture and creativity. Walking along the Seattle Waterfront was also a highlight. Taking a ride to the top of the Space Needle was incredible, as was going on a ferry ride across Puget Sound.
For dinner, try wild mushroom gnocchi at Toulouse Petit.Or head to Tulio for wild boar ragù.
What I loved best:
My favorite highlight during this trip was watching a colorful sunset at Kerry Park, one of the city’s most iconic viewpoints!
We stayed at Lotte Hotel Seattle before we moved here for three fun days, a hotel that won the AAA Four Diamond award so you can trust that it's a quality hotel!
Best WA Places to Visit Under 1 Hour from Seattle by Car
When I don't have a lot of time, these are my favorite places to visit on a quick day trip from Seattle. They are each unique in their own way and I think they offer the perfect re-set from a stressful week in the city!
Snohomish - 40 minutes from Seattle
Ready for a classic Pacific Northwest stop on your day trip from Seattle? Snohomish is one of my favorite places in Washington State. I recommend visiting in May when you can enjoy sunshine and fields of tulips (like in my photo!).
To start the day, go for pancakes at Maltby Cafe, then walk along First Street. Afterwards, do some hiking along the Centennial Trail and Lord Hill Regional Park. if you have kids, don't miss The Reptile Zoo.
What I Loved Best:
Visiting the Historic Downtown Spring Market was my favorite highlight because flower baskets were abundant on the storefronts.
Kirkland - just 20 minutes from Seattle
I love visiting this town that makes such an easy day trip from Seattle, one of my favorites!
You'll find Kirkland on the eastern shore of Lake Washington so it's also incredibly scenic. Every time we go, I love discovering a new café with views across the water to see Seattle’s skyline.
In fact, for foodies, there are so many excellent choices. Start your morning at Kirkland Bakery, and have lunch at Ba Sa Restaurant for Vietnamese cuisine or grab a delicious (and affordable!) sandwich at Nick's Grill
What I loved best:
Dinner at Rimini Restaurant serving yummy Italian food was a standout, and my husband and I celebrated our anniversary here!
Tacoma - 40 minutes from Seattle
This is my favorite places in WA for foodies (besides Seattle itself of course)! I recommend starting at Curran Coffee near the waterfront.
Then there is the city’s creative pulse: the Museum of Glass and Tacoma Art Museum , and also the fascinating Washington State History Museum (my son loved the model trains!).
What I loved best:
Chowder Samplers for dinner at Duke’s Seafood right over the water was a standout!
Mukilteo - 35 minutes from Seattle
Also very close to Seattle, this coastal getaway instantly won me over. I loved our visit to the historic Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, watching the Whidbey Island ferry come and go, and enjoying fresh seafood at Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing.
My favorite thing to do is relaxing with coffee from Red Cup Cafe along the waterfront, soaking up the harbor atmosphere.
Best Places to Visit in WA in 1 to 2 Hours from Seattle
For me, these Washington State destination around one-to-two hours from Seattle are ideal for a quick weekend getaway when I'm up for some driving.
Things to Do in Bellingham, WA - 1 hour 30 minutes from Seattle
A perfect coastal weekend getaway from Seattle, this city charmed us with its Victorian brick storefronts and waterfront bakeries. In addition, the annual Bellingham SeaFeast Winter Edition (Free admission) brought coastal food and craft brews to town. I especially enjoyed warming up with a latte at Camber Coffee Flagship cafe Downtown.
Staying at the 4-star Chrysalis Inn & Spa, overlooking Bellingham Bay was my personal highlight. I loved soaking in the outdoor hot tub while watching the sunset over the San Juan Islands.
Sequim, WA - 2 hours northwest from Seattle
Where can you see Lavender fields in Washington? You'll want to head to Sequim in the summer. You'll also find eagles circling overhead, and quiet West Coast beaches that are blissfully uncrowded.
I also lived the Dungeness Spit, where I could walk along one of the longest natural sand spits in the world!
Downtown Sequim is a must-visit because local shops and cafés have such a welcoming atmosphere.
What I loved best:
I never leave without savoring fresh Dungeness crab, my personal highlight.
Ellensburg, WA - 2 hours from Seattle
The home of Central Washington University, Ellensburg has a truly lovely downtown. First things first, you'll want to pop into Gallery One Visual Arts Center, one of my favorite places for artists. You can check out exhibitions, classes, and year-round events.
Next, explore downtown Ellensburg, and visit the Ellensburg Farmers Market (open during the warmer season). I have to warn you, though, that parking can be a challenge on weekends!
If you have more time, enjoy visiting the Clymer Museum of Art, visiting the Kittitas County Historical Museum, touring the Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center, and enjoying the outdoors at Olmstead Place State Park. If you want to do some fishing with your kids, Coleman Creek fishing is open for the season from June 1 to October 31.
What I loved best:
Casual dinner (burgers and fries) at The Pearl Bar & Grill with my son and husband.
Best Places to Visit in WA in 2 - 3 Hours from Seattle
I like to visit these Washington State destination around two-to-three hours from Seattle on a 3-day weekend or longer which leads to a perfect combination of scenic driving and having time to relax once we arrive.
Vancouver, WA - 2 hours 35 minutes from Seattle
Do you have time for a weekend getaway and a craving to explore? Head to Vancouver, WA, a real standout. In the morning, enjoy strolling in the parks and along river pathways, but in the afternoon visit Fort Vancouver National Historic Site for a touch of history on vacation. I especially love Fort Vancouver gardens in the spring and summer. Keep in mind that pets are only allowed on certain outdoor trails but not in reconstructed Fort Vancouver.
We had access to some of the best food in Downtown Vancouver. There is a lot of choose from (and I mean A LOT!). Over our four-day stay in a local Airbnb, I really enjoyed Botanist in the Fairmont for a romantic dinner with a view, Nightingale if you want to try some truly spectacular Canadian food, and Chambar for Belgian cuisine.
What I loved best:
To work off the calories, I enjoyed strolling in Esther Short Park, where we admired the oldest public square in Washington (my personal highlight!)
A downside? I have to warn you that weather here can quickly swing from sun to steady drizzle. I was glad I packed layers and waterproof shoes!
The REACH Museum in Richland, WA - 3 hours 15 minutes from Seattle
I thought this was a fascinating stop and one of the best things to do in Washington. Why? First off, it sits along the Columbia River so it's incredibly scenic. Secondly, it’s one of those places where nature, science, history, and local culture all intersect in meaningful ways.
Instead of driving back right away, we turned this into a weekend trip and checked into 3-star Holiday Inn Richland on the River overnight (around $111). In the morning, we started with yummy strawberry pancakes at Yellow Cafe. Afterwards, we explored Howard Amon Park and Badger Mountain Centennial Preserve before driving home to Seattle.
Walla Walla - 4 hours from Seattle
Ready for a relaxing trip surrounded by vineyards? I thought this was one of the best places to visit in Washington with its historic downtown, and beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings.
You can visit boutique shops on Main Street, sample local wine at Seven Hills Winery, and walk through the Whitman College campus.
Dinner at Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen was a standout for us.
A downside? Prices are slighly higher in Walla Walla than other small towns in Washington.
We stayed two nights at the elegant 3-star Marcus Whitman Hotel ($195). If you enjoy classic novels, this 1928 landmark hotel is for you. You will find a grand lobby and old-world atmosphere, plus the location is right downtown close to everything!
Things to Do in Spokane - 4 hours 15 minutes from Seattle
While it's the furthest from Seattle of all the places on my list, Spokane is one of my absolute favorite destinations in the U.S. I love how you have access to culture alongside nature here. Spokane is easily one of the loveliest cities.
A good starting poing it walking across the Monroe Street Bridge, pausing to watch the waterfalls thunder below. In the afternoons, I browsed indie shops and galleries in the West End District in "The Lilac City". Lunch was outdoors on the patio at Wild Sage Bistro, where I ordered yummy salmon.
I planned our trip for the Lilac Festival & Armed Forces Torchlight Parade this month so that we could enjoy the blooms along with mysuc. We also caught Lilac Bloomsday Run. This annual community run (a tradition since the 1970s!) brings everyone outdoors to celebrate the season.
What I Loved Best:
For me, Spokane is one of the best places to visit in Washington.
I loved our lunch at Clinkerdagger was my favorite highlight, where we dined overlooking the Spokane River, with skyline views & deck.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
