14 Best Things to Do in Washington State
What is Washington State Most Famous For?
Washington State is synonymous with iconic architecture and landmarks like the Space Needle in Seattle, Mount Rainier’s snowclad slopes, and of course the Mariners baseball team. If you’re planning a trip to Washington, you’ll find something for just about any interest or inclination.
From stunning natural destinations like Olympic National Park to the Tacoma Art Museum, the beautiful riverfront in Spokane town, to Ruby Beach, there’s so much to explore here. In our guide, we’ll walk you through the top things to see, do, and experience in The Evergreen State.
1. Mount Rainier
The highest mountain of the Cascade Range
Good for: Photo, Budget, Adventure
Found about 80 miles away from Seattle, Mount Rainier is an impressive peak of 14,411 feet that can be seen from many vantage points around the state. If you’re in Seattle, try to find a spot along the shores of Lake Washington for the best views of the mountain, including Madrona Park Beach or the dock at Mount Baker Beach Park.
Head up to Tumwater Hill near downtown Olympia for fabulous views of South Puget Sound and Mount Rainier. For a closer look, hike along the trails in Mount Rainier State Park where stunning mountain scenery, wildflower-strewn meadows, and old growth forests offer beautiful sights to brighten your day.
Location: Mount Rainier, Washington 98304, USA
Mount Rainier
2. Space Needle
The landmark of the Pacific Northwest
Good for: Families, Photo, Unusual
I think it’s safe to say that, when you think of Seattle, you probably picture the Space Needle. Having been recently refurbished, the Needle is now even more architecturally impressive, with visitors able to experience 360-degree views and look 520 feet downwards through glass panels.
You can even sit on top of Seattle on a bench and take a picture. The gorgeous city vistas are as spectacular at night as they are in the day. Be sure to check for any festivals or free film showings going on below the Needle. Read more
Location: 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
Open: Monday from 10 am to 8.30 pm, Tuesday–Wednesday 10 am to 7.30 pm, Thursday 10 am to 8 pm, Friday 9.30 am to 9.30 pm, Saturday 9 am to 9.30 pm, Sunday 9.30 am to 8.30 pm
Phone: +1 206-905-2100
Space Needle
3. Olympic National Park
Natural beauty spanning multiple ecosystems
Good for: Photo, Budget, Adventure
Olympic National Park can be found on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and offers an unprecedented chance to explore the beauty of multiple ecosystems. The park has mountains, ocean and shorelines, old-growth forests, alpine lakes, and so much more to enjoy.
You could spend weeks just exploring this park, but you probably won’t have quite so much time. Plan on hitting Ozette for the beaches and lake, the Queets and Hoh Rain Forests, and Mora Beach at a minimum. Or, explore Mount Olympus, Sol Duc Valley, or Staircase.
Location: 3002 Mt Angeles Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362, USA
Phone: +1 360-565-3130
Olympic National Park
4. Mount St Helens
The most active volcano in the Cascades
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Photo
Mount Saint Helens has been dormant since her 1980s eruption and today offers a range of climbing challenges, as well as hiking opportunities. Note that if you intend to climb, you’ll need a permit, which can be purchased at the visitor center. An average climb takes between 7 and 12 hours.
The Mt St Helens visitor center is located about 30 miles from the park and offers educational programs, displays, and more. It’s also the starting point for bus tours to the volcano itself.
Location: 3029 Spirit Lake Highway, Castle Rock, WA 98611, USA
Phone: +1 360-274-0962
Mount St Helens
5. Hurricane Ridge
Easy access to stunning mountain views
Good for: Photo, Budget, Adventure
Hurricane Ridge is the destination for you if you want an easy way to access incredible mountain views. It’s located about 18 miles from Port Angeles and is accessible by paved road, so getting here is pretty easy. It’s part of Olympic National Park, too.
Visiting Hurricane Ridge gives you access to some of the most iconic, panoramic views of the park itself. It’s also a prime spot for hiking. During the winter, you’ll find skiing and snowboarding on offer. Note that the closest campground is Heart o’ the Hills, which is about 12 miles north. There is a visitors center here with maps, snacks, and information.
Location: Washington 98362, USA
Phone: +1 360-565-3130
Hurricane Ridge
6. Ruby Beach
A rugged coastline for adventure
Good for: Budget, Couples, Photo
Ruby Beach is one of the most popular of the stunning beaches you can visit in Olympic National Park, which rank among the most beautiful in the United States. It gets its name from the red crystals found in the sand, which give it a reddish hue.
There’s a lot to enjoy here, although strolling the sandy beach is perhaps the most common activity. It collects a tremendous amount of driftwood, and there are natural tidepools where you can see starfish and other marine animals. This beach is also famed for the number of towering sea stacks it boasts.
Location: Ruby Beach Rd, Forks, WA 98331, USA
Phone: +1 360-565-3130
Ruby Beach
7. Riverfront Park, Spokane
Attractions and rides in a riverfront setting
Good for: Adventure, Families, Photo
Spanning 100 acres, Riverfront Park is a prime destination in downtown Spokane. It offers room for families, couples, and singles to hike, bike, and spend time outdoors. It’s also the best place to experience the Upper Spokane Falls, the second-largest urban waterfall in the country.
The park sees over 3 million visitors per year and is home to music concerts during the warmer months. Visitors like to enjoy the view from the SkyRide, take in the Looff Carrousel, and the Great Northern Railroad Clocktower. You’ll also find art installations throughout the park.
Location: 507 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to midnight
Phone: +1 509-625-6600
Riverfront Park, Spokane
8. North Cascades National Park
Glaciers, pristine lakes, and ancient conifer forests
Good for: Photo, Budget, Adventure
North Cascades National Park in northern Washington offers access to some of the most pristine wilderness in the lower 48 states. The best way to enjoy the park for many visitors is to take the North Cascades Highway, which offers access to most of the viewpoints in the park and many of the hiking trails. Thunder Creek Trail is one of the most popular routes, but there are numerous others.
Visitors to the park have the chance to see some of North America’s most impressive wildlife, including grizzly bears, moose, and gray wolves. Over 200 species of birds can be spotted at various times of the year, too.
Location: 7280 Ranger Station Rd, Marblemount, WA 98267, USA
Phone: +1 360-854-7200
North Cascades National Park
9. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
A streetcar to ride through wolf country
Good for: Families, Photo, Adventure
The Northwest Trek Wildlife Park offers almost 500 acres of free-range for some of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic wildlife. The park is not far from the city of Tacoma and visitors can take a streetcar ride through the park and see wolves, bears, moose, bald eagles, and more.
The park is also home to some lesser-known animal species like beavers, otters, and bison. For those who prefer a DIY approach, a self-guided tour takes you through the park in your vehicle. During certain times of the year, there is even a zip line in operation.
Location: 11610 Trek Dr E, Eatonville, WA 98328, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 360-832-6117
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park
10. Bellevue Botanical Garden
53 acres of gardens to immerse yourself in
Good for: Couples, Photo, Budget
Bellevue Botanical Garden was established in 1992 encompassing only 7 acres. Today, it has expanded to cover 53 acres of parkland and gardens. It’s also maintained by multiple organizations in the city of Bellevue and is free of charge to visit.
Some of the most popular neighborhoods for visitors to enjoy are the Native Discovery Garden, the Perennial Border, the Yao Garden, and the Urban Meadow. Events are held here throughout the year, with Mother’s Day being the largest. The winter extravaganza, Garden d’Lights, is also well worth experiencing.
Location: 12001 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005, USA
Open: Daily from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm
Phone: +1 425-452-2750
Bellevue Botanical Garden
11. Boeing Future of Flight Museum
An active jet assembly plant and museum
Good for: Families, Photo, Unusual
The Boeing Future of Flight Museum offers exhibits on everything from current aircraft to drones and spacecraft. There’s also the Sky Deck, the Paper Plane Store, and the Boeing Store. Encompassing almost 100 acres, this is an ideal stop on your trip for anyone with a passion for aircraft.
In addition to the museum itself, you can take a tour of Boeing’s jet assembly plant and watch them assemble aircraft that will be shipped out to customers around the world. The plant tour takes 90 minutes. Note that children must be at least 4 ft tall for the tour.
Location: 8415 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo, WA 98275, USA
Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm
Phone: +1 800-464-1476
Boeing Future of Flight Museum
12. Tacoma Art Museum
A host of artists from the West and Pacific Northwest
Good for: Families, History
The Tacoma Art Museum focuses on exhibiting the work of artists from the West and Pacific Northwest. While the museum itself was founded in 1935, it can trace its ancestry back to 1891 with the Tacoma Art League. Today, TAM offers access to over 3,000 individual pieces within a 16,000-sq-ft facility.
Exhibits here rotate regularly. Some of the past exhibits have included Animals: Wild and Captured in Bronze, Places to Call Home: Settlements of the West, Winter in the West, and TAM Local Community Art Installations. Regular events are also held throughout the year, including Neighborhood Nights, PRIDE events, and even art classes.
Location: 1701 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA
Open: Wednesday–Sunday 10 am to 5 pm, (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Phone: +1 253-272-4258
Tacoma Art Museum
13. Pike Place Market
A Seattle institution with much to see and taste
Good for: Budget, Food, History, Shoppers
Pike Place Market is a bustling public marketplace that has graced Seattle’s scenic Elliott Bay waterfront since 1907. It’s now 9 acres in size, comprising 3 floors filled with a variety of fresh seafood and farmers’ stalls with over a dozen restaurants catering to a range of palates.
Check out the “flying fish” as you watch the fishmongers’ amusing antics of hurling fresh catches for buyers. Find Rachel the Pig, a huge bronze piggy-bank where you can strike a pose or put in some coins that will go to benefit the local community. Read more
Location: 85 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm, Sundays from 8 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 206-682-7453
Pike Place Market
14. Seattle Center
The cultural heart of the city
Good for: History, Photo, Budget
Unsurprisingly situated in the heart of the city, the Seattle Center is a major cultural hub. It’s here that you’ll find most of Seattle’s star attractions, including the Space Needle, Museum of Popular Culture, and Chihuly Garden and Glass, as well as a wide choice of theaters.
This was the site of the 1962 World’s Fair and, while several of the attractions do have an entrance fee, you can explore the beautiful grounds for free. You can also check out the special events here almost every weekend, including the Irish Festival in March and the Polish Festival in July.
Location: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
Phone: +1 206-684-7200
Seattle Center
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.