If you live in Washington, you’re probably aware of all of the exciting things there are to see and do here in the Northwest. Nevertheless, out of all of our state’s amazing attractions, here are 20 of the most incredible places that should be on everyone’s bucket list:
- Walk across the Umtanum Suspension Bridge over the Yakima River.
C Hanchey / Flickr How to get there: You can cross this bouncy suspension bridge near the beginning of the Umtanum Creek Hiking Trail in Yakima Canyon!
- See the balancing rock in Omak.
Panoramio / Moun10Bike
Where to find it: This balancing rock is located in the Colville Indian Reservation nearly 1,340 feet from Omak Lake. It weighs almost 30-40 tons and is said to be a symbol of nature’s perfection!
- Discover the creepy Old Cascade Tunnel.
David Severance / US Department of Transportation Where it’s located: This peculiar tunnel can be found along the Iron Goat Trail on the Old Stevens Pass Highway, which marks the site of one of the worst railroad disasters in history from an avalanche in the early 1900s. The old railroad grade and its tunnels were abandoned in 1929 and have since been crafted into this trail that you can still venture through!
- Plan a trip to our state’s charming Bavarian village, Leavenworth.
slug214 / Flickr Places to check out: Nutcracker Museum. Icicle Gorge Trail, Waterfront Park, Icicle Brewing Company, Front Street Park, and Munchen Haus for lunch!
- See an epic show at the Gorge.
Reddit / nikdahl While there aren’t any shows going on at the amphitheater in the next few months, you can always check back for updates on their website here!
- Go for an unforgettable hike up to Mailbox Peak.
logicalrealist / Flickr How to get there: Drive up Middle Fork Road to reach the parking lot. Then if you walk up the blue gated gravel road for about a half mile you’ll come across the trailhead to the left, which is well marked. From there your hike up to the old mailbox begins!
- Go wine tasting in Walla Walla.
Oak Barrel Creations Amazing wineries to try: Adamant Cellars, Walla Walla Vintners, El Corazon Winery, Dunham Cellars, Seven Hills, Gramercy Cellars, and Three Rivers Winery.
- Take the stunning Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park.
davemunroe4 / Flickr
93 miles long, this is undeniably one of the most scenic trails in our state, encircling Mount Rainier with lots of elevation gain and loss as well as splendid views of the mountain from nearly every different angle.
- Explore the Ape Caves by Mount Saint Helens.
lisanorwood / Flickr More awesome lava tubes you can travel through: Cheese Caves, Lenore Lake Caves, and the Guler Ice Caves.
- Stop by the Stonehenge Memorial in Maryhill.
badgopher / Flickr Where it’s located: This magical landmark can be found along the Columbia River just off Highway 14 by the Oregon border, nearly 3 miles east of the Maryhill Museum.
- Make a weekend getaway to the San Juan Islands.
Wikipedia Amazing places to see: Moran State Park, Lime Kiln Point, The Whale Museum, Roche Harbor Mausoleum, Sculpture Park and the Pelindaba Lavender Farm.
- Go for a scenic road trip along Spirit Lake Highway near Mount Saint Helens.
Snipview / Google Images How to get there: Also known as State Route 504, this highway extends from I-5 in the city of Castle Rock east towards the Johnston Ridge Observatory!
- Visit the gorgeous Japanese Garden in Seattle.
brianholsclaw / Flickr Where it’s at: This stunning botanical garden is on the southern end of the Washington Park Arboretum, located on Lake Washington Boulevard East in the Madison Park neighborhood.
- Go for a relaxing cruise across Puget Sound.
Schooner Zodiac / All About Beer Schooner Zodiac offers a variety of scenic cruises that explore the anchorages of the San Juan Islands, from a Beer Pairing Dinner Sail to a Spring Lighthouse Tour in early 2016!
- Explore the entire Olympic National Park.
whatcouldgowrong / Flickr Top places to see: The Hoh and Quinault rainforests, Hurricane Ridge, Ruby Beach, Crescent Lake, Sol Duc Falls and Ozette Loop Hike.
- Visit Deception Pass State Park.
mytravelphotos / Flickr What to do: Between all of the camping, hiking, fishing and picnic options, the outdoor opportunities here on Whidbey Island are pretty much endless!
- Spend a weekend by the beach in Ocean Shores.
snowmail / Flickr Places to visit: Damon Point Park, Ocean Shores North Jetty, Buddy & Howie’s Old Fashioned Sweet Shoppe, Ocean Shores Interpretive Center (which is free of charge), the Fusions Art Gallery and Sharky’s gift shop!
- Check out the mystifying Cape Flattery.
rick_bergstrom / Flickr Where to see it: This jaw-dropping spot is the northwestern-most point in the contiguous U.S., located on the Olympic Peninsula where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific Ocean.
- Go camping by Lena Lake.
dalangalma / Flickr Or at one of these amazing campgrounds: Colonial Creek, Staircase Campground, Cougar Campground, Fairholme Campground.
- Spend a night at TreeHouse Point.
TreeHouse Point / Facebook Located only 30 minutes from Seattle along Preston-Fall City Road SE, this cozy retreat offers a unique and exotic place to stay for the night in a beautiful forest along the Raging River.
Of course, this could go on forever since there are so many amazing things to see and do around here! What’s on your Washington bucket list??
C Hanchey / Flickr
How to get there: You can cross this bouncy suspension bridge near the beginning of the Umtanum Creek Hiking Trail in Yakima Canyon!
Panoramio / Moun10Bike
Where to find it: This balancing rock is located in the Colville Indian Reservation nearly 1,340 feet from Omak Lake. It weighs almost 30-40 tons and is said to be a symbol of nature’s perfection!
David Severance / US Department of Transportation
Where it’s located: This peculiar tunnel can be found along the Iron Goat Trail on the Old Stevens Pass Highway, which marks the site of one of the worst railroad disasters in history from an avalanche in the early 1900s. The old railroad grade and its tunnels were abandoned in 1929 and have since been crafted into this trail that you can still venture through!
slug214 / Flickr
Places to check out: Nutcracker Museum. Icicle Gorge Trail, Waterfront Park, Icicle Brewing Company, Front Street Park, and Munchen Haus for lunch!
Reddit / nikdahl
While there aren’t any shows going on at the amphitheater in the next few months, you can always check back for updates on their website here!
logicalrealist / Flickr
How to get there: Drive up Middle Fork Road to reach the parking lot. Then if you walk up the blue gated gravel road for about a half mile you’ll come across the trailhead to the left, which is well marked. From there your hike up to the old mailbox begins!
Oak Barrel Creations
Amazing wineries to try: Adamant Cellars, Walla Walla Vintners, El Corazon Winery, Dunham Cellars, Seven Hills, Gramercy Cellars, and Three Rivers Winery.
davemunroe4 / Flickr
93 miles long, this is undeniably one of the most scenic trails in our state, encircling Mount Rainier with lots of elevation gain and loss as well as splendid views of the mountain from nearly every different angle.
lisanorwood / Flickr
More awesome lava tubes you can travel through: Cheese Caves, Lenore Lake Caves, and the Guler Ice Caves.
badgopher / Flickr
Where it’s located: This magical landmark can be found along the Columbia River just off Highway 14 by the Oregon border, nearly 3 miles east of the Maryhill Museum.
Wikipedia
Amazing places to see: Moran State Park, Lime Kiln Point, The Whale Museum, Roche Harbor Mausoleum, Sculpture Park and the Pelindaba Lavender Farm.
Snipview / Google Images
How to get there: Also known as State Route 504, this highway extends from I-5 in the city of Castle Rock east towards the Johnston Ridge Observatory!
brianholsclaw / Flickr
Where it’s at: This stunning botanical garden is on the southern end of the Washington Park Arboretum, located on Lake Washington Boulevard East in the Madison Park neighborhood.
Schooner Zodiac / All About Beer
Schooner Zodiac offers a variety of scenic cruises that explore the anchorages of the San Juan Islands, from a Beer Pairing Dinner Sail to a Spring Lighthouse Tour in early 2016!
whatcouldgowrong / Flickr
Top places to see: The Hoh and Quinault rainforests, Hurricane Ridge, Ruby Beach, Crescent Lake, Sol Duc Falls and Ozette Loop Hike.
mytravelphotos / Flickr
What to do: Between all of the camping, hiking, fishing and picnic options, the outdoor opportunities here on Whidbey Island are pretty much endless!
snowmail / Flickr
Places to visit: Damon Point Park, Ocean Shores North Jetty, Buddy & Howie’s Old Fashioned Sweet Shoppe, Ocean Shores Interpretive Center (which is free of charge), the Fusions Art Gallery and Sharky’s gift shop!
rick_bergstrom / Flickr
Where to see it: This jaw-dropping spot is the northwestern-most point in the contiguous U.S., located on the Olympic Peninsula where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the Pacific Ocean.
dalangalma / Flickr
Or at one of these amazing campgrounds: Colonial Creek, Staircase Campground, Cougar Campground, Fairholme Campground.
TreeHouse Point / Facebook
Located only 30 minutes from Seattle along Preston-Fall City Road SE, this cozy retreat offers a unique and exotic place to stay for the night in a beautiful forest along the Raging River.
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