15 Magical Things to Do in Snoqualmie, WA

I’ll take any excuse to explore all the fun things to do in Snoqualmie, WA. This Pacific Northwest escape is a quick trip from Seattle and full of waterfalls, forest trails, and small-town charm. No matter if you like nature experiences or strolling scenic attractions, Snoqualmie makes an idea day trip or weekend getaway.

To help you plan your trip, here’s a round up of fun and exciting things to do in Snoqualmie, WA. Save this for the next time you’re on highway 90 East!

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Things to Do in Snoqualmie, WA

Snoqualmie is a high-reward, low-effort nature destination near Seattle that works equally well for spontaneous day trips and planned outdoor-focused itineraries. Before diving into all the fun things to do, let me share a bit more about Snoqualmie.

Where is Snoqualmie, WA?

Located in King Country, Snoqualmie is a short 30- to 45-minute drive east of Seattle. Since it’s right along highway 90 East, one of the main arterial routes to eastern Washington, it’s a popular stop during a Washington state road trip or Seattle road trip itinerary. While there are buses to and between Snoqualmie, most people visit by car to take advantage of all the nearby outdoor destinations like Snoqualmie Pass and North Bend.

Is Snoqualmie worth visiting?

100% yes! Named after the Snoqualmie Tribe, the town’s name means “People of the Moon”. This is fitting given its prime location for exploring the Cascade Mountains. You’ll find a strong mix of waterfalls, hiking, and biking experiences, but there are also a bunch of cute small-town experiences within a compact area perfect for a leisurely stroll. In fact, Snoqualmie is one of the best small towns in Washington state!

Proof in point, Snoqualmie was a prime filming location for the popular 90s show, Twin Peaks. Many of the iconic filming locations are a popular stop for film buffs looking to experience the magic of the nostalgic show.

Best time to visit Snoqualmie, WA

Snoqualmie is a reliable year-round destination for visitors of all outdoor experience levels and interests. A popular time to visit is the summer through fall to hike, bike, get on the water, and support local farms. It’s also a vibe when all the restaurant patios are people are relaxing while taking in the ambiance.

If you like winter sports, December through March is a great time of year to visit for downhill and cross-country skiing. Snoqualmie Pass is one of the best ski resorts in Washington and the closest to Seattle.

What to do in Snoqualmie, WA

Now that you’re ready to start planning your visit, let me share all the best things to do in Snoqualmie, Washington! Save this to Pinterest for later so you can reference it during your trip.

Gawk at Snoqualmie Falls

website | directions | cost: free | best for: picture opportunities

The most popular attraction in Snoqualmie is hands down Snoqualmie Falls. In fact, it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions around the city, with more than 1.5 million people making the trip to Snoqualmie Falls a year. You’ll see that many tours of Seattle include a stop at the majestic landmark.

This 270-foot waterfall is surprisingly free to visit, includes falls parking, and allows leashed dogs. You can either make a quick pit stop or spend a multi-hour affair at the attraction. That’s because Snoqualmie Falls sits within a 2-acre park with both an upper and lower wheelchair accessible observation deck. You may get some spray from the falls from the viewing area, but the scene is absolutely breathtaking.

Many people who visited Snoqualmie Falls only snapped a few photos at the lookout, stopped at the gift shop, and left. But those with more time should take the approximately 1.4-mile hike down to the base of the falls. You can really appreciate the grandeur from that angle!

History buffs will also want to make a stop at the falls’ Hydroelectrical Museum to learn more about how the water powers electricity.

Pro tip: Curious about that building at the top of the falls? It’s Salish Lodge & Spa, one of the most popular Pacific Northwest resorts.

Explore the cute shops

directions | cost: free | best for: shopping and people watching

I can’t get over when people visit Snoqualmie Falls but skip the historic downtown center. It’s nestled right along the Snoqualmie River and has a few blocks filled with adorable shops, restaurants, and tasting rooms. The scenery is especially picturesque thanks to the mountains and trees looming over the downtown core from a distance.

Peruse the streets and pop into spots of interest, keeping an eye out for some of my favorites:

Whit & Co – Cute spot for plants and home goods
Snoqualmie Trading Co – High quality PNW souvenirs, especially shirts
Books & Bottles – Part wine shop, part book store
Art Gallery of SnoValley – Great selection of local artists selling their work

You’ll also notice Railroad Community Park and Sandy Cove Park, two spots for a nice stroll among nature when you need a break from shopping.

Check out the trains

website | directions | cost: ~$5-10 pp | best for: history and transportation buffs

You’ll notice historic trains parked across the street from the downtown Snoqualmie shops. These are part of the Northwest Railway Museum, which has 25,000-square-feet of historic locomotives, passenger cars, freight cars, and maintenance equipment.

This indoor-outdoor museum also offers interactive experiences, such as volunteering with craftspeople to help restore artifacts or taking a train ride between the Snoqualmie and North Bend depots (a must for people visiting Seattle with kids!).

Snap pics of Twin Peaks filming locations

website | cost: free | best for: fans of this popular 90s show

Snoqualmie was one of the main filming locations for Twin Peaks, a popular crime sitcom that only ran from 1990-1991 but earned a cult following. Fans from the around the world visit Snoqualmie each year to seek out these landmark locations from the fictional town:

Salish Lodge & Spa – Known as the Great Northern Hotel in the series
Reinig Bridge – Known as Ronette’s Bridge
DirtFish Rally School – Known as Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department
Twede’s Café in North Bend – Known as the Double R Diner (get their cherry pie!)
Roadhouse Restaurant & Inn in Falls City – Known as The Bang Bang Bar

The series earned such a following that there is a Real Twin Peaks conference every year with panels, tours, and more.

Enjoy wine & beer

Snoqualmie and nearby North Bend have a surprising amount of breweries and wineries given their small footprint. One of my favorite things to do in Snoqualmie WA is to spend a few hours visiting a few tasting rooms. Whether you only have time for one or five during your trip, here are some to keep an eye out for:

Pearl & Stone Wine Co – Adorable tasting room in a historic county prison
Volition Brewing – Lively brewery with beer garden out back
Sigillo Cellars – Snoqualmie tasting room of one of the best Lake Chelan wineries

Taste through the local restaurants

There are a bunch of mom-and-pop restaurants in Snoqualmie and North Bend. You’ll find all types of cuisines, including fancy Italian, casual food trucks, and surprisingly, a lot of BBQ. Here are some of my favorite places to stop whenever I’m in the area:

Rent’s Due BBQ – Roaming food truck with excellent Texas/Carolina-style BBQ
Buckshot Honey – Another BBQ spot in a historic building right in downtown Snoqualmie
South Fork – North Bend cafe with excellent breakfast and a huge back patio overlooking a park
Saints and Scholars – Irish pub with beautiful vintage decor and excellent food, especially corned beef
Scott’s Dairy Freeze – Old school soft serve ice cream spot that’s super cheap for a cone
Friends & Co – Artisanal ice cream in excellent flavors like banana cream pie
Vista Prime Steaks & Seafood – Fancy steakhouse at Snoqualmie Casino with yummy desserts made table side

Visit the casino

website | directions | cost: free to enter | best for: adult fun

Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel is one of the largest casinos in Washington. Owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe, it has Indigenous art throughout and a truly breathtaking vaulted ceiling looming over the seemingly-endless rows of slot machines and tables. There’s free parking via both the self parking lot and valet, plus two small non-smoking rooms for people like me who prefer to stay away from cigarettes. Note that most of Washington’s casinos no longer have poker or provide free drinks, but even so, the casino is a fun way to spend a few hours.

Snoqualmie Casino also has a beautiful onsite hotel with rooms overlooking the forest and mountains in the distance. I remember being blown away at how luxurious each room, from the spa bathroom to the perks like free shoe shining. The casino also hosts a range of events, so booking a night at the hotel would make for a fun little staycation.

Relax at a spa

website | directions | cost: ~$140-280 per service | best for: relaxation

Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel also has one of the best spas around Seattle called MoonRise Spa. It has floor-to-ceiling windows where you can relax on comfy chaises while look at pretty pine trees. The best part is that every service comes with two hours to enjoy the hotel’s pool and fitness facilities. The pool area is breathtaking, with both an indoor pool and hot tub, plus an outdoor hot tub overlooking the mountain scenery. You can even enjoy the views from the workout center because the machines look out huge windows!

Go on a hike

Visiting Snoqualmie means you’ll be in the heart of Washington’s Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. There are a ton of amazing hikes for all skill levels and durations where you can take in the area’s beautiful scenery. Here are some of my favorites and the most popular:

Mt Si Trail – Challenging ~6.5-mile hike with panoramic views
Rattlesnake Ledge – ~5.6-mile hike to a viewpoint of Rattlesnake Lake
Twin Falls – ~2.6-mile moderate trail to a waterfall
Dirty Harry’s Balcony – ~4.6-mile moderate hike overlooking the forest
Franklin Falls – Easy, ~2-mile hike to a waterfall

Enjoy biking

Biking is one of the most popular things to do in Snoqualmie WA once the weather gets nicer. While there are a bunch of trails, some paved, the majority of options revolve around mountain biking. There are a bunch of biking trails and you can rent bikes from spots like The Line. The Summit at Snoqualmie also has a bike park and offers scenic bike adventure tours if you’d prefer a guide.

A bucket list biking adventure is the Palouse to Cascades Trail through the Snoqualmie Tunnel, an eerie ~2.3-mile tunnel through the mountain that requires a headlamp. However, keep track of conditions before heading out because sometimes rains flood the trail.

Seek our grazing elk

website | directions | cost: free | best for: elk herd sightings

Meadowbrook Farm is a popular place to stretch your legs in Snoqualmie. It’s 460 acres of public land that locals like to use for walks and runs. What makes it special is the fact that it draws large herds of elk at dusk and dawn. You’d think you were visiting Banff National Park instead of just outside Seattle!

Play adventure sports at Snoqualmie Pass

website | directions | cost: ~$25-150 per activity | best for: outdoor recreation like skiing, biking, hiking

Summit at Snoqualmie ski area — *Image courtesy of the Summit at Snoqualmie*

The Summit at Snoqualmie is a year-round playground for adventure sport enthusiasts. In summer visitors flock here for mountain biking, a scenic chairlift, and disc golf. Come winter it transforms into one of the best ski resorts in Washington, particularly for night skiing and the terrain park.

Check out nearby North Bend

directions | cost: free to visit | best for: shopping and people watching

Downtown North Bend is an adorable little town with quaint shops, breweries, and cafes. Spend a few hours strolling the streets, taking in the views of the mountains in the distance. As you do, keep an eye out for these shops:

Arête Coffee – A small coffee bar tucked in an outdoor gear store
Erika Laureano Jewelry – One of the best local jewelry makers
Birches Habitat – Cute gift shop and curiosities store

Support local farms

Given how much land there is around Snoqualmie, there are a bunch of area farms that welcome visitors. Whether you’re interested in animal encounters or u-pick, there are plenty of farms near Seattle nestled right in Snoqualmie Valley.

Here are some to look out for:

Bybee Farms – U-pick blueberries come around July
Fall City Wallaby Farms – Yes, you get to see these Australian cuties up close
Katsiki Goat Farm – Goat cuddles and encounters
Remlinger Farm – Popular berry farm and brewery in Carnation with tons of kids activities
Harvold Family Farm – Another berry farm in Carnation, this one smaller
Carnation Farm – Organic farm stand and farm dinners

Float the river

The Snoqualmie River is a popular place to go tubing during the summer. Fall City Floating is probably the most popular outfitter for renting tubes and getting a ride back after your 4-mile float. If you’re after a few more thrills, try white water rafting instead with Triad River Tours.