Things to Do in Washington
Washington doesn't specialize — it overwhelms. The same state that holds North America's third-tallest volcano also grows more wine grapes than any state outside California.
Outdoor Adventure
From 14,000-foot volcanic summits to sea-level tide pools, Washington's outdoor pursuits span every elevation and every season.
Hiking & Climbing
Mount Rainier alone holds over 260 miles of trails. The Enchantments are so coveted the Forest Service runs a permit lottery each spring. The Maple Pass Loop in the North Cascades delivers 360-degree views of glaciated peaks across seven miles.
Explore trails →Paddling & Water Sports
Sea kayaking in the San Juan Islands puts you at eye level with harbor seals and orca dorsal fins. The Wenatchee River provides class III whitewater, and Lake Chelan stretches 55 miles into the North Cascades backcountry.
Find water sports →Skiing & Snowboarding
Crystal Mountain sits on Rainier's flank with views into the volcano's glaciers. Mount Baker holds the world record for seasonal snowfall — 1,140 inches in 1998-99. Stevens Pass offers steep chutes and night skiing.
Hit the slopes →
Eat What the Land Provides
Walla Walla Wine Country
Over 1,000 wineries across the state. The Walla Walla Valley produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah that score alongside Napa's best at a fraction of the pretension.
Seattle's Food Scene
Pike Place Market is the anchor. The International District serves the best pho and dim sum outside Asia. Ballard leans into Scandinavian roots with smoked fish and aquavit.
Coastal Seafood
Washington produces more farmed oysters than any other state. Dungeness crab — named for the spit on the Olympic Peninsula — is best eaten cracked open on a picnic table.
Culture & Arts
Museums & Landmarks
MoPOP holds Hendrix's guitars and Nirvana's handwritten lyrics. The Olympic Sculpture Park frames views of Puget Sound. Tacoma's Museum of Glass features live glass-blowing in a 90-foot steel cone.
Music & Nightlife
The Crocodile in Belltown still books emerging acts nightly. The Gorge Amphitheatre, perched on a cliff above the Columbia River, is consistently ranked among the most spectacular concert venues on Earth.
Festivals
Bumbershoot fills Seattle Center each Labor Day. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival draws visitors to millions of blooms each April. The Ellensburg Rodeo has run every Labor Day since 1923.
Scenic Drives
North Cascades Highway (SR 20)
Open only from late spring through fall, SR 20 crosses the North Cascades past the turquoise waters of Diablo Lake and crests at Washington Pass before descending into the Methow Valley.
Columbia River Gorge
SR 14 delivers dramatic views of basalt cliffs, waterfalls, and the wide, wind-whipped river. Stop at Beacon Rock — an 848-foot volcanic plug with a trail to its summit.
Coastal Exploration
Olympic Coast
One of America's last truly wild coastlines. Sea stacks rise from the surf, tide pools teem with life, and driftwood logs the size of school buses pile along the shore.
Long Beach Peninsula
One of the longest continuous beaches in the world at 28 miles. The annual Washington State International Kite Festival and Leadbetter Point's migratory shorebirds draw visitors year-round.
