When I moved to Seattle over a decade ago, I thought I understood the Pacific Northwest. Then I spent more than 15 years actually exploring it, and I realized I had barely scratched the surface. Washington State is genuinely one of the most diverse destinations in the entire country, and I do not say that lightly.
In a single state you get rugged Pacific coastline, alpine lakes, active volcanoes, temperate rainforests, high desert, rolling wine country, and a couple of very fun cities. It’s almost absurd how much is packed in here. The problem? With so much spread across wildly different landscapes and climates, it can be genuinely overwhelming to know where to even start (But if you ask me, that’s a pretty lucky “problem to have,” right?).
Today, I’m sharing my Washington State bucket list, the one I would hand to a friend who wanted to see this place like a local rather than a tourist. Consider this your official guide to enjoying everything Washington State has to offer.
As a licensed travel agent who has spent 10+ years planning trips and building The Emerald Palate around this exact region, I’ve truly gotten to know which destinations are worth your time. In fact, I’ve eaten, paddled, and road-tripped through every category below.
Don’t forget: if you would rather have me build the whole itinerary for you, my personal travel planning service does exactly that.
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Where is Washington State?
Washington State sits in the far northwest corner of the continental United States, tucked up against the Canadian border. Idaho is to the east, Oregon is to the south across the Columbia River, and the Pacific Ocean forms the western edge. Vancouver, British Columbia is just a couple of hours north of Seattle by car.
For most US travelers, you’ll fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the state’s main hub. From there, Portland, Oregon is about a three-hour drive south, and Spokane sits on the far eastern side of the state, roughly a four- to five-hour drive (or a short flight) from Seattle.
One thing to know when planning a Washington State trip is that the Cascade Mountains split the state into two very different regions. Western Washington is greener, wetter, and more coastal, while eastern Washington is generally drier and sunnier, with a much different landscape. I’ve seen people underestimate just how much time it takes to cross the mountains, so don’t assume one home base will make it easy to explore both sides of the state.
What is Washington State famous for?
Before we get into the bucket list itself, here’s what puts Washington on the map. If you’re new to the region, these are the hallmarks worth knowing:
- Iconic landmarks like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Snoqualmie Falls
- Three stunning national parks: Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades
- A serious coffee culture and one of the country’s biggest tech hubs
- The largest ferry system in the US and a network of jaw-dropping scenic drives
- Dramatic microclimates, from rainforest to desert, sometimes within a two-hour drive
- Active volcanoes and glacial landscapes, including Mount St. Helens
- A deep outdoor recreation culture, where weekend hikes, oysters, and ski days are just how people live
That mix is exactly why a Washington State bucket list matters. There’s no single “Washington experience,” which is what makes this region so highly-visited in the first place.
What to do in Washington State: the ultimate bucket list
There’s a lot to see in Washington, but these are the experiences I’d prioritize if you’re trying to narrow down your itinerary. You’ll find some of the state’s most iconic attractions alongside places that tend to fly under the radar (including plenty I’ve discovered through years of exploring Washington myself).
Explore the three national parks
You can’t talk about Washington without mentioning its three national parks. Each is far enough from the others to offer completely different scenery, so honestly, they could each fill their own trip.
Olympic National Park, home to the Hoh Rainforest, alpine peaks at Hurricane Ridge, and rugged coastlines, has always had a hold on me. Moss looks like it’s dripping from every surface and it truly feels like you’ve stepped onto another planet.
Mount Rainier, the snow-capped volcano you can see from Seattle on a clear day, can be explored time and time again without feeling repetitive. It has some of the most stunning hikes from five different entrances.
And finally, there’s North Cascades, the most underrated of the three (in my opinion). It features turquoise lakes, jagged peaks, and endless remote hiking opportunities.
Pro tip: These parks are far apart, so don’t try to cram all three into one short trip. My guide to the national parks in the Pacific Northwest breaks down what to expect from each.
Island-hop the San Juans and take a Washington ferry
The San Juan Islands are one of the most idyllic spots in Washington. It’s actually made up of a chain of islands, but Orcas, Lopez, and San Juan Island are the most frequently visited.
Orcas Island has Moran State Park, the view from Mount Constitution, and a cute downtown. Lopez is known for being quiet and bike friendly. San Juan Island is where I’d go for whale watching, kayaking, and soak up history (I talk about these experiences in my guide, The Ultimate San Juan Island Day Trip from Seattle).
Getting there is half the fun since you’ll take a Washington State Ferry from Anacortes. Honestly, riding a ferry through the islands is a bucket list experience on its own! I have a whole guide on how to get to the San Juan Islands to walk you through the experience.
Pro tip: Ferry reservations fill up quickly in the summer, so book ahead if you’re bringing a car. I have a whole article on the best islands near Seattle if you want even more ideas.
Whale watching in the Salish Sea
Speaking of the San Juans, whale watching is what the area’s known best for. You can take a tour from Friday Harbor to look for orcas, humpbacks, and other wildlife, or try spotting whales from shore at Lime Kiln Point State Park.
If you have time, I do recommend taking a boat tour since it gives you a better chance of seeing whales. Even if they don’t make an appearance, cruising around the Salish Sea is a pretty dreamy way to spend your afternoon.
Taste your way through Washington wine country
Washington, the second-largest wine producer in the US, doesn’t get nearly enough attention. Walla Walla in the southeast, with its rolling wheat fields and world-class reds, is probably the best known. But there’s also Yakima Valley with the state’s oldest wine region, Lake Chelan with stunning lake views, and the Columbia Gorge with its rich Syrah. Each with its own wineries and scenery.
If wine tasting is a top priority on your bucket list, I’d build a few days around one region rather than trying to hit them all. This is also the type of trip I can help you plan through my personal travel planning service.
Chase golden larches in fall
If you’ve never seen a larch turn, add “larch march” to your Washington fall bucket list immediately. Larches are the rare conifer that goes brilliant gold in fall before dropping their needles, usually a short window around late September through early October.
Some of the best larch hikes are around Leavenworth and the North Cascades, but they require more driving than you may expect. I have a full guide to the best larch hikes with my top tips for planning around peak color.
Go u-pick at a Washington farm
One of my favorite local rituals is u-pick season. Depending on the time of the year, you can fill your own baskets with berries, apples, tulips, and pumpkins at farms across Skagit, Whatcom, and the Snohomish and Snoqualmie valleys. There are a ton of farms near Seattle open every season!
It’s an easy way to experience Washington’s agricultural side, plus you get local-grown snacks out of it. You can find other recommendations by reading my guide, The Ultimate Seattle for Foodies Bucket List.
Wander Leavenworth, the Bavarian village
Leavenworth is a former timber town that reinvented itself as a Bavarian-themed village. And yes, it fully commits to the bit. Come for the mountain scenery, hiking, wineries, and impressively good restaurants, then stay for one of the many festivals throughout the year.
Because Leavenworth has Oktoberfest and the Christmas lighting festival, it gets very busy very quickly. I recommend visiting during the week or shoulder season for a calmer visit. Or, if you do decide to visit during the Christmas season, check out my guide on cozy things to do in Leavenworth, WA in winter for ideas on how to skip the crowds. If you stay for the weekend, check out my guide to cute Leavenworth cabins.
Relax at Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan is a 50-mile-long glacial lake on the sunny side of the Cascades, and it’s a local favorite for relaxing. Summer is perfect for swimming and water sports, but there are also more than 40 wineries and tasting rooms across the area. I’d give yourself a few days here, especially if you want time for wine tastings and day trips to nearby towns.
Planning a trip and don’t know what to do? Read my articles, Best Places to Stay in Lake Chelan and Restaurants in Lake Chelan You Can’t Miss.
Ski or play at Mount Baker
Mount Baker is one of my favorite places to get outside year-round. Known for holding the world record for most snowfall in one season, it also brings some of Washington’s best skiing and snowboarding. Summer, on the other hand, opens up hiking trails and viewpoints around Artist Point.
If you’re visiting in the summer, the drive along Mount Baker Highway is half the experience. Give yourself plenty of time for stops along the way. Then spend the night in Bellingham to check out all the cool breweries, water views, and shops.
See Palouse Falls
Palouse Falls drops nearly 200 feet into a dramatic canyon in eastern Washington, and the surrounding landscape looks completely different from the lush western side of the state. It’s also pretty remote, so you may find it most enjoyable when you add it to an eastern Washington road trip through places like Spokane or Walla Walla.
Visit an oyster farm on Hood Canal
This is about as PNW as it gets. Washington grows incredible oysters, and there are working shellfish farms where you can eat them practically overlooking the water they came from. If you’re someone who avoids oysters because they’re larger, chewier, and saltier, pacific oysters are different. Trust me. Pacific Northwest ones are often smaller and sweeter.
Here are some of my favorite spots for oysters in Washingtons:
- Hama Hama Oysters (Lilliwaup)
- Samish Gold Seafoods (Bow)
- Drayton Harbor Oyster Co. (Blaine)
- Shuck Shack (La Conner)
- Taylor Shellfish Farms (Bow)
If you can’t make it to one of these farms, I have a whole guide on the best oyster restaurants in Seattle (many of which have happy hours!).
Forage for your own dinner
Washington is a forager’s dream. With the right licenses and a little know-how, you can dig your own clams, forage oysters, crab, hunt the elusive geoduck, and pick wild mushrooms in the fall. Make sure to always check current harvest regulations and beach closures before heading out. Trust me, this is the one activity where you don’t want to wing it.
If you’re worried about doing it yourself, check out Forage Seattle or Human Nature Hunting for foraging classes.
Do the Seattle icons: Pike Place Market and the Space Needle
Yes, they’re touristy. They’re also worth doing at least once. Pike Place Market is a living, working market that even locals like to visit. Skip the fish-throwing crowd and go early for the produce, flowers, and tiny food stalls. Or, skip the guesswork and tour Pike Place Market with the help of a local.
Then there’s the Space Needle. Go up for those classic city, mountain, and Puget Sound views (and test your fear of heights on the glass floor). Find out similar experiences by reading my article, Instagrammable Places in Seattle to Capture the City’s Beauty, or focus your bucket-list adventures on The Emerald City with my Seattle Bucket List.
Marvel at Deception Pass and Snoqualmie Falls
Deception Pass State Park is the most visited state park in Washington, and one look at that bridge spanning the swirling blue-green water between Whidbey and Fidalgo islands tells you why. It’s also the perfect excuse to drive across the bridge and spend the day on Whidbey Island.
Snoqualmie Falls is an easier add-on from Seattle. The 268-foot waterfall is about 30 miles east of the city, making it an easy stop if you’re short on time.
Time your trip for a festival
Washington’s festival calendar is a bucket list in itself. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival carpets the fields in color every April, and the Sequim Lavender Festival paints the Olympic Peninsula purple every July. Both are gorgeous, both get busy, so arrive early in the day for the best light and smallest crowds.
Learn about even more events by checking out my guide to Festivals in Washington State: Iconic Events Throughout the Year.
Explore Mount St. Helens and the Ape Caves
Mount St. Helens is one of the most fascinating landscapes in Washington. You can explore trails around the blast zones for views of the crater left by the 1980 eruption, or tackle more challenging hikes if you have the time.
Nearby Ape Cave takes you underground into a lava tube created by past eruptions. Bring a headlamp and layers though. Unsurprisingly, wandering around underground gets dark and chilly.
Tackle an iconic Washington hike
The outdoor culture here runs deep, and the hikes are the heart of it. Colchuck Lake delivers that impossibly turquoise water beneath Dragontail Peak, while Rattlesnake Ledge is the accessible crowd-pleaser with a big payoff for the effort.
Pro tip: Popular trailheads fill by sunrise on summer weekends, so start early or go midweek. I have plenty of guides for planning, including Olympic Park National Hikes for All Skill Levels and the Best Seattle Hikes.
Catch a game or a concert
Seattle is a big sports town, and it shows in all that there is to do. You can catch the Mariners at T-Mobile Park (a great food stadium), the Seahawks, Sounders, and Reign at Lumen Field, or the Kraken and Storm at Climate Pledge Arena.
For live music, few venues beat a summer show at the Gorge Amphitheater. The stage sits above the Columbia River, so the scenery is practically as memorable as whoever you plan to see.
Bike an iconic trail
Prefer to explore on two wheels? Washington’s rail-trails are spectacular. The Burke-Gilman Trail runs right through Seattle, while the Olympic Discovery Trail winds through forests and along the waterfront on the Olympic Peninsula. For something more ambitious, there’s the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, which stretches across much of Washington.
Soak in a natural hot spring
After all that hiking, you earn a soak. Washington has natural hot sprints tucked throughout the Cascades and Olympics, including rustic options that require hiking to reach. There are many to add to your Washington bucket list, with Scenic Hot Springs being one of the most famous. Just do your research before going since access, road conditions, permits, and rules vary by location.
Discover eastern Washington in Spokane
Spokane, the state’s second-largest city, anchors the eastern side and is a good jumping-off point for exploring the eastern side of the state. Start at Riverfront Park, where you can see Spokane Falls right downtown, then use the city as a base for exploring nearby wine country and the Palouse.
Step back in time in Winthrop and pioneer towns
Winthrop looks like someone dropped an Old West town in the middle of the Methow Valley, complete with wooden boardwalks and Western-style storefronts. In winter, the surrounding valley also becomes one of Washington’s best destinations for cross-country skiing.
If abandoned places are more your speed, I have a whole guide to Washington’s ghost towns.
Hit the Washington coast and its beaches
The Washington coast is moody, wild, and unlike any beach you’re picturing. Think driftwood, sea stacks, and dramatic fog rather than sunbathing. As I mention in my post on Washington Coast attractions, Ruby Beach is one of my favorite attractions, especially at low tide when you may find fish tide pools around sea stacks.
Explore the Triangle of Fire historic forts
Whidbey Island and Port Townsend hold the “Triangle of Fire,” a trio of early-1900s coastal defense forts (Casey, Worden, and Flagler) built to guard Puget Sound. Today, the three forts are state parks where you can wander through old bunkers, wander along the water, and take in some seriously pretty views. Many peoples say the forts are haunted, so it’s one of the must-do Washington bucket list activities for fans of spookiness.
Sample the craft beer and hop farms
Washington is serious about its beer, and a lot of that starts in the Yakima Valley, where most of the country’s hops are grown. If you visit during the late-summer hop harvest, you’ll find breweries pouring fresh-hop beers made with hops picked shortly before brewing.
You’ll also find excellent craft breweries all over the state, particularly around Seattle, Bellingham, and Tacoma. If you’re a beer person, leave room in your itinerary to try a few local pours. I have a whole guide on taking a Seattle brewery tour around Ballard, my favorite area with a bunch of breweries within walking distance.
Planning Your Washington Adventures Like a Local
The beauty of Washington State is that you genuinely cannot do it all in one trip, which just means you get to keep coming back to cross items off your Washington bucket list. My advice? Pick a region, go deep, and save the rest for next time.
Not sure how to fit everything you want to do in one realistic itinerary? That’s what I’m here for. As a licensed travel agent, I create custom Pacific Northwest itineraries through my personal travel planning service. Come explore this place like a local. It’s worth it.
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