Washington Travel Guide
The Evergreen Emerald of the Pacific Northwest…
Washington, known as the Evergreen State and home to the Emerald City of Seattle is one of the most naturally beautiful states in the country. You’ll find lush landscapes from its rainforests to the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, the Pacific coastline, to gorgeous islands in Puget Sound and San Juan Islands.
Washington is truly a haven for outdoor adventures, being home to three national parks and more than 140 state parks.
Seattle is truly a unique city, famous for its iconic Space Needle, one of the oldest continuously operated public markets in the United States, the home of 90s grunge music, tech headquarters, and the first Starbucks coffee.
The San Juan Islands and Puget Sound offer scenic ferry rides, prime whale watching including the chance to see an orca in the wild. The wine regions of Yakima Valley and Walla Walla offer exceptional tastings, and Yakima Valley is the number one hop capital of the world offering a prime craft beer scene .
Quick Tips for Visiting Washington
When is the best time to visit Washington?
The best time to visit Washington is during the late spring (May to June) and early fall (September to October).
In spring, the state comes alive with blooming flowers, particularly in the Skagit Valley’s tulip fields, and the weather is mild, ideal for exploring national parks and hiking trails.
Fall offers vibrant foliage, particularly in regions like the North Cascades and around Mount Rainier, along with comfortable temperatures perfect for outdoor activities like visiting wineries or hiking.
This is also when you can visit festivals like the Fresh Hop Festival in Yakima Valley.
Summer (July to August) is warm and sunny, making it the prime time for coastal adventures, ferry rides, and exploring Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, though it can be busier this time of year.
Winter (December to February) brings a mix of rain in the west and snow in the mountains, offering excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding in places like Stevens Pass and Mount Baker.
How Much Time Do I need in Washington?
The amount of time you need to visit Washington depends on what you plan on seeing.
For a focused trip to a city destination like Seattle, a long weekend of 3-4 days allows enough time to explore the city and destinations like Spokane can be enjoyed in a weekend.
To experience more of what Washington has to offer, especially its beautiful outdoor attractions, you will want a minimum of 7-10 days to fit in spots like the Olympic Peninsula’s rainforests and coastline, the San Juan Islands, Mount Rainier National Park, and a visit to Seattle giving you a few days at each destination.
What’s the best way to get around Washington?
The best way to get around Washington is generally by car, but varies by which area of the state you’re in.
In Seattle, there are public transportation options like the light rail, streetcars, and buses that make getting around the city easy without a car and not having to worry about parking.
Washington State Ferries offers scenic routes connecting Seattle to islands in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands.
Renting a car is recommended for exploring rural areas and national parks like Olympic and Mount Rainier, as well as the rest of the state where public transit options are limited.
What is Washington most famous for?
Washington State is famous for its natural beauty including the majestic Cascade Range, lush rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula, and the pristine waters of the Puget Sound.
Seattle is known for being the birthplace of grunge music in the 1990s, with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam emerging from Seattle.
Seattle itself is celebrated for its innovation and technology, home to major companies like Microsoft and Amazon.
Visitors are mostly attracted to the outdoor recreational opportunities from hiking the Cascade Mountains to whale watching in the San Juan Islands.
Must Try Food in Washington
As a traveler in Washington, there are a few things that are not only special to the state, but to the Pacific Northwest.
One standout is the seafood, featuring fresh salmon, Dungeness crab, and oysters harvested from coastal waters. Don’t miss your chance to ntry local seafood chowders and dishes like cedar-planked salmon.
During the apple season (September to November), try Washington’s famous apples, known for their crispness and variety. From sweet Honeycrisp to tart Granny Smith, these apples are used in pies, ciders, and enjoyed fresh from orchards across the state.
For coffee lovers like us, Seattle’s coffee culture is legendary. Don’t miss the chance to try locally roasted coffee beans brewed into espresso at iconic cafes like the original Starbucks location at Pike Place Market or check out the many great independent coffee shops and drive thru bikini baristas you’ll spot throughout the state.
Washington is also famous for its Rainier cherries, celebrated for their sweet flavor and firm texture. These cherries are easy to come by in the summer months.
And if you love wine, be sure to try the wines from the local wine regions. Beer lovers are in for a treat as the local craft beer scene is incredible. With Yakima Valley being one of the global leaders in hop production, you can find great craft brews in the area along with a seasonal specialty late summer to early fall known as fresh hop beer where the beer is made from fresh hops straight off the bine.
Explore our guides
Seattle
Seattle is truly one of our favorite cities on the West Coast and we’ve been several times and counting. Whether you have one day in Seattle or a weekend in Seattle, there are so many iconic attractions to hit up, great food to eat, cool neighborhoods to explore and so much more.
For unique things to do in Seattle try taking in the views from a seaplane ride, rent a hot tub boat on Lake Union, or hang out with a troll under the bridge in Fremont!
Or if you are a huge Nora Ephron fan, you can live out your wildest Sleepless in Seattle fantasies by staying in a houseboat rental!
Yakima Valley
Yakima Valley is an insanely underrated destination in the United States! Home to vineyards and wineries, the hop capital of the world, Mount Rainier National Park, fruit farms, lavender farms, scenic drives on the Chinook Pass and White Pass, and a great foodie scene – there’s so much to love about this region!
One special event worth having on your radar, especially if you’re a beer lover is the Fresh Hop Ale Fest the first weekend in October. This is the only time of year brewers can make fresh hop ale, which is unique only to places that grow hops!
Whidbey Island
We are lucky to have one of my best friends from college who lives on Whidbey Island to visit whenever we want. This island is truly incredible with charming towns, stunning views, and incredible seafood.
Oh, and this is an incredibly easy destination to visit from Seattle!
More Washington State
Washington has so many incredible getaways and places to visit, so many that even on our multiple visits we haven’t even scratched the surface!
Not to mention there are great cabin getaways and other unique stays including cottage stays, tiny houses, treehouse stays, and glamping all throughout the state to give you a memorable way to enjoy the great outdoors in the Evergeen State!
