Washington State Travel Bucket List: Must-Visit Destinations for Your Someday List
Washington State has a lot to offer, from the laid back urban vibe of Seattle to the stunning natural beauty of Olympic National Park. Come with me and explore some incredible spots in the Evergreen State.
Note: Due to elevation + weather, not all of these attractions are open at all times during the year. I have linked to official websites so you can check the latest conditions before you go.
Download my editable Bucket List Printable. This Google Doc can be customized for your own personal Washington Bucket List. No email optin required, just click the button and make a copy.
There’s a few “Gotta See at Least Once” things Here
- Visit the Gum Wall near Pike’s Place Market (eww, but fascinating)
- Watch a fish get tossed at Pike’s Place Market (touristy, but you know people are going to ask “did you see…”)
- Have a coffee at the original Starbucks store. Seattle is known for music, tech, and coffee. This one’s for the coffee lovers.
- If you’re not bothered by heights, take a trip up the Space Needle.
- Unique inside and out: explore MoPop museum of music and pop culture. The Frank Gehry designed building is one of a kind.
- Photo Credit: Photo by German Rivera De La Torre on Unsplash
Top Sights
- Take a stroll through the Hoh rainforest (one of the largest rainforests in the U.S.), and maybe even catch a glimpse of some elk (be sure to keep your distance).
- Sol Duc Resort: Whether you hike to the falls, or just try out one of the different hot springs fed pools this is a no frills getaway that will, well, get you away from it all.
- Rialto Beach: Get a taste of Washington’s rugged and largely unspoiled coastline. Walk the beach and gawk at the sea stacks.
- Feel on top of the world at Hurricane Ridge. At over 5000 ft. in elevation the views are incredible.
Admire from Afar, or Explore it Close Up
On a good day, you can see Mt. Rainier for miles around. If you flew into Sea-Tac, you may have flown right past it. As one of five active volcanoes in Washington (and a national park), it is worth exploring closer up.
- Paradise: The Visitor Center area offers impressive views of the mountain, a variety of day hikes, and historic buildings
- Sunrise: With an elevation of 6,400 feet, it’s the highest point accessible by car and offers unforgettable views.
- Photo: NPS Photo, Public Domain
Try to plan this for May or June
This scenic corner of SE Washington state is a photographer’s dream. Rolling hills with fields of green and yellow, or even wildflowers.
Be sure to stop at Palouse Falls. It holds the distinction of being Washington State’s official waterfall.
Photo Credit: Photo by Perry Kibler on Unsplash
Scenic Summer Drive
- The attraction here is the drive itself. The North Cascades Scenic Highway extends from Sedro Woolley in the west, to Twisp in the east, crossing over the Cascade mountains (the same mountain range for which this region, Cascadia, is named after).
- Ross Lake & Diablo Lake. Stop at the overlooks for these glacier fed lakes. The aqua colors are simply gorgeous.
- Winthrop: Take a stroll back to the old west in this themed town. Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but a fun place to stretch your legs and replenish the blood sugar with an ice cream.
- Methow Valley: If you do go in winter (you’ll have to take another route) then consider cross country skiing at one of the country’s largest and best cross country ski areas.
- Photo Credit: Jeff Gunn from Atlanta, USA, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Walk through a Lava Tube
Another fascinating place to explore is the Ape Caves, a unique lava tube system located within Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Be sure to bring two strong light sources per person. The lower cave walk is a relatively easy 3/4 miles, but the lava tube itself is over 2 miles.
Dry Falls Ice Age Wonder
Once the largest waterfall in the world, massive flooding at the end of the last Ice Age left this and other dry canyons. There is a visitor center and overlook from which to take it all in.
Photo Credit: Iwona Erskine-Kellie, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You Might Also Like
Any bucket list is highly subjective. Here are some other things that you might want to include on yours.
Cape Flattery
The most northwestern part of the United States.
TV & Movie Buffs
Visit North Bend and Snoqualmie Falls if you were into Twin Peaks; Fork and La Push for Twilight Fans; and Rosyln if you remember Northern Exposure
Wine Lovers, Take your Pick
As the 2nd largest wine producing state, do some wine tasting in Walla Walla (& vicinity), Yakima, or Chelan. On the Seattle side, Woodinville boasts tasting rooms for many of the state’s wineries.
Take a Ferry to the San Juans
The San Juan islands boast a more relaxed, laid back pastoral way of life. The biggest town here is Friday Harbor on San Juan. You can get here as a walk on passenger. For the other islands you will need to take your car.
Charming & Kitschy Small Towns
I’ll let you decide which is which (after all, that is subjective). Choose from Bavarian themed Leavenworth, Scandinavian Poulsbo, Dutch Lynden, Western Winthrop, and Victorian Port Townsend.