• What does Washington State offer to visitors?
    • Washington State offers both a bustling, hip urban scene and scenic islands, bays, mountains, and parks.
  • Does Washington have a strong arts scene?
    • The state also has a vibrant arts scene, with numerous galleries and museums throughout.
  • What is the largest city in Washington?
    • Seattle is the largest city, and this trendy destination is known for its eclectic style, the Space Needle, and the world-famous Pike Place Market.
  • What outdoor activities are available in Washington State?
    • For those who love the outdoors, the state's national and state parks offer plenty of opportunities to explore nature.

Admire glass art at Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle

Admire glass art at Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle

© Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass is an exhibit in the Seattle Center that displays the studio glass of Dale Chihuly. Chihuly has played an important role in the in-ternational glass art scene and the museum presents a representative collec-tion of the renowned artist's work (video).

The centerpiece of the site is the Glass-house, a 40-foot-tall building that features a 100-foot-long glass sculpture in a red, orange, and yellow color palette. Additionally, there are eight galleries and three Drawing Walls that demonstrate a variety of Chihuly's works and art styles. There is a garden onsite (video) with four impressive glass sculptures as well as a theater that shows a short film about the artist's life and work.

Find it at this Address: Chihuly Garden and Glass, 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109, Phone: 206-753-4940

Admire various aircraft at The Museum of Flight, Seattle

Admire various aircraft at The Museum of Flight, Seattle

© The Museum of Flight

The Museum of Flight is an air and space museum located at the King County International Airport in Tukwila. The museum is the largest privately owned air and space museum in the world and is home to more than 150 aircraft.

Some of the aircraft on display include a Lockheed Model 10-E Electra, which is a replica of the plane flown by Amelia Earhart. Additionally, the exhibits in-clude a Concord 214, the Caproni Ca.20, and the first presidential jet, a Boe-ing VC-137B. The museum is dedicated to several educational programs as well, including K-12 learning experiences, the Challenger and Aviation learn-ing centers, and a yearly summer camp.

Find it at this Address: 9404 E. Marginal Way S, Seattle, WA 98108, Phone: 206-764-5720

The Washington State Historical Society Museums & Exhibits, Tacoma


The Washington State Historical Society Museums & Exhibits, Tacoma

© CreatifyStudio/stock.adobe.com

Headquartered in Tacoma, the Washington State Historical Society exists to educate the community and visitors about the fascinating history of Washington State. The society operates a network of museums in the Tacoma Museum District, where you will find the Washington State History Museum, the Tacoma Art Museum, LeMay – America’s Car Museum, the Museum of Glass, the Foss Waterway Seaport Maritime Museum and the Green Tricycle Children’s Museum.

To get a taste of what lies in store for history enthusiasts you can download the Washington State History Museum App ahead of your visit, to get an overview of the current exhibitions.

Find it at this Address: 1911 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, 888 238 4373

Stroll through the Pike Place Market, Seattle

Stroll through the Pike Place Market, Seattle

© Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market is a public shopping market on the Elliot Bay water-front in Seattle.

The market has been operating continuously since 1907 and is one of the oldest of its kind in the United States. The market (video) features goods from local farmers, merchants, and crafters and is the most popular tourist attraction in the city.

The market features several levels of unique shops, including antique stores, comic book stores, and small restaurants. The upper level features world-famous fishmongers, fresh produce, and more. The market (video) has a unique policy, whereby most of the products and goods must be grown or produced by the person selling them, allowing visi-tors to meet the producers of the items.

Find it at this Address: Pike Place Market, 85 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101, Phone: 206-682-7453

Visit The Wing Luke Museum


Visit The Wing Luke Museum

© The Wing

The Wing or the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience was opened in 1967 in Seattle’s Chinatown. This history museum of Asian Pacific American history, culture, and art celebrates Asian trailblazers and pioneers, using a range of exhibits to show how they helped shape Seattle of today.

Exhibits tell real life stories, including the story of Bruce Lee. The exhibit called Day in the Life of Bruce Lee shows his personal life and habits and his Seattle connection. The museum offers a tour of the Chinatown-International District neighborhood, providing an insider point of view of its history, foods, and the most significant sights.

Find it at this Address: In Seattle's Chinatown-International District, 719 South King Street, Seattle, WA , Phone: 206-623-5124

See the view from the top of the Space Needle


See the view from the top of the Space Needle

© Courtesy of RG - Fotolia.com

The Space Needle is an iconic Seattle landmark and observation tower that was built in the Seattle Center on the occasion of the 1962 World's Fair. The observation deck is at 520 feet and the rotating SkyCity restaurant is located below it, at 500 feet.

The tower offers an impressive 360-degree view of the downtown Seattle skyline, the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and Elliot Bay. Guests to the Space Needle can reach the top by fast-moving elevators that make the trip in only 41 seconds in good weather. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance.

Find it at this Address: 400 Broad Street, Seattle, WA 98109, Phone: 206-905-2100

See an impressive collection of cars at LeMay - America's Car Museum, Tacoma

See an impressive collection of cars at LeMay - America's Car Museum, Tacoma

© LeMay - America's Car Museum

The LeMay-America's Car Museum is an automotive museum located next to the Tacoma Dome in the city of Tacoma. The museum features the car collection of successful businessman Harold LeMay and contains 350 cars that are impressive for their speed, design, and technology or for playing a significant role in American car history.

The museum features gift shops, car restoration shops, and a cafe. Additionally, the museum has educational facilities that include lecture halls and more. The museum has an outdoor area that is perfect for car shows, auctions, and car club events.

Several of the museum's levels offer stunning views of downtown Tacoma, the Olympic Mountains, and surrounding waterways.

Find it at this Address: 2702 E D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421, Phone: 253-779-8490

Watch a performance at Benaroya Hall

Watch a performance at Benaroya Hall

© Benaroya Hall

Benaroya Hall is the home of the Seattle Symphony and consists of two halls: The S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, the larger of the two, and the smaller Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall. The performance complex occu-pies an entire city block in downtown Seattle. The hall offers a variety of musical performances throughout the year.

Individuals and groups may tour the Benaroya Hall or observe a demonstration recital by organist Joseph Adam free of charge.

The hall is home to several cafes, bars, and coffee shops and can be booked for private event use, including weddings, receptions, private parties, and more.

Find it at this Address: Benaroya Hall, 200 University Street, Seattle, WA 98101, Phone: 206-215-4800

Take the kids to the Hands On Children's Museum, Olympia

Take the kids to the Hands On Children's Museum, Olympia

© Hands On Children's Museum

The Hands On Children's Museum is an interactive museum designed for children to learn through participating in exhibits and programs. The museum's displays include science, art, and other types of exhibits and is specially de-signed for children from birth through ten years.

The galleries include more than 150 exhibits, both indoor and outdoor. They range from interactive art exhibits to a climbing and play structure called the Tides to Trees Climber.

In addition to scores of interactive exhibits, the museum also offers educational classes and programs for both children and adults. The Hands On Children's Museum also has a gift shop and the Play Day café, which serves a selection of small entrees, sandwiches, and snacks.

Find it at this Address: Hands On Children's Museum, 414 Jefferson Street NE, Olympia, WA 98501, Phone: 360-956-0818

Learn about volcanoes at the Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center, Castle Rock


Learn about volcanoes at the Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center, Castle Rock

© Courtesy of Julien - Fotolia.com

The Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center was established a few short years after the eruption of the nearby volcano. The center features educational exhibits and programs related to the historical significance of the area, the impact of the eruption on the ecosystem, and more.

The mountain is visible both from the center and along the walking trail. Exhibits in the visitor center include a large, interactive model of the volcano, a working seismograph with live-feed from Mount Saint Helens, and a theater program which shows a film twice an hour.

The 0.6-mile walking trail features boardwalks along Silver Lake, where visitors can enjoy the natural surroundings and wildlife.

Find it at this Address: Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center, 3029 Spirit Lake Highway, Castle Rock, WA 98611, Phone: 360-274-0962

Plan ahead for these cool events:
- Northwest Chocolate Festival - October
- The Daffodil Festival in the Spring.
- New Year’s at the Needle
- Seattle Museum Month in February
- Seattle International Film Festival in April
- Northwest Folklife Festival in May
- Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival July 27-August 3, 2025
- Seafair Summer Fourth on Friday, July 4, 2025
- Bloomsday Run - Sunday, May 4th, 2025
- Spokane Lilac Festival - May 10 – 17, 2025
- Spokane Hoopfest - June 28-29, 2025

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