Quick Summary:

  • Washington State is home to some of the loveliest natural areas in the Pacific Northwest, including the iconic Cascade Mountain range and the picturesque waters of the Puget Sound.
  • Area visitors have a plethora of day trip destinations to choose from, ranging from major cultural centers like Seattle and Bellingham to island destinations like Bainbridge and Vashon Islands.
  • Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument offers some of the area's best hiking experiences, while the Mount Baker Ski Area is renowned throughout the world for its prime skiing conditions.
  • Nearby in Oregon, Hood River is known as one of the Pacific Northwest's top outdoor recreation destinations, offering excellent opportunities for windsurfing and kitesurfing on the Columbia River Gorge.


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

1. Leavenworth ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Leavenworth | Day Trips in Washington State
© Kirk Fisher/stock.adobe.com

2. The San Juan Islands ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Romantic Islands
The San Juan Islands | Day Trips in Washington State
© Jo Ann Snover/stock.adobe.com

3. Bainbridge Island

Romantic Islands
Bainbridge Island | Day Trips in Washington State
© Bill Perry/stock.adobe.com

4. Bellingham

Bellingham | Day Trips in Washington State
© Cliff/stock.adobe.com

5. Carnation

Carnation | Day Trips in Washington State
© valentyne/stock.adobe.com

6. Carson

Carson | Day Trips in Washington State
© Michel Hersen and Danita Delimont/stock.adobe.com

7. Castle Rock

Romantic Castles
Castle Rock | Day Trips in Washington State
© CrackerClips/stock.adobe.com

8. Chehalis

Chehalis | Day Trips in Washington State
© Gudellaphoto/stock.adobe.com

9. Davenport

Davenport | Day Trips in Washington State
© Simun Ascic/stock.adobe.com

10. Gig Harbor

Category: Activities
Gig Harbor | Day Trips in Washington State
© Bill Perry/stock.adobe.com

11. Green Lake Trail

Category: Activities
Green Lake Trail | Day Trips in Washington State
© Marina Krasnovid/stock.adobe.com

12. Hood River

Category: Activities
Hood River | Day Trips in Washington State
© tusharkoley/stock.adobe.com

13. La Conner

La Conner | Day Trips in Washington State
© paulfell/stock.adobe.com

14. Metaline Falls

Category: Activities
Metaline Falls | Day Trips in Washington State
© JOAN/stock.adobe.com

15. Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument

Category: Activities
Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument | Day Trips in Washington State
© khomlyak/stock.adobe.com

16. Mount Baker

Category: Activities
Mount Baker | Day Trips in Washington State
© inboundhorizons/stock.adobe.com

17. Olympia

Olympia | Day Trips in Washington State
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

18. Olympic National Park

Category: Activities
Olympic National Park | Day Trips in Washington State
© Jenifoto/stock.adobe.com

19. Prosser

Prosser | Day Trips in Washington State
© Elizabeth Kraus/stock.adobe.com

20. Seattle

Seattle | Day Trips in Washington State
© khomlyak/stock.adobe.com

21. Snoqualmie

Snoqualmie | Day Trips in Washington State
© Jeremy Janus/stock.adobe.com

22. Twisp

Twisp | Day Trips in Washington State
© Jamie & Judy Wild and Danita Delimont/stock.adobe.com

23. Vashon Island

Romantic Islands
Vashon Island | Day Trips in Washington State
© Crin/stock.adobe.com

24. Waitsburg

Waitsburg | Day Trips in Washington State
© sergnester/stock.adobe.com

25. Woodinville

Woodinville | Day Trips in Washington State
© Africa Studio/stock.adobe.com

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