If you are looking for a state where you have easy access to the countryside from any city, then Washington is the state for you. Bordering Canada, this state is on the Pacific Ocean in the Northwest corner of the country. You can camp or hike in the Cascade or Olympic Mountains or spend time on one of the pristine beaches when you choose to visit. It was the site of disputes between the Americans and the British, but the 49th parallel was finally established as the border in 1846.
Washington is home to a little over 6 million people scattered in the heavily populated cities and small rural towns. The breathtaking scenery will fill your sense no matter what part of the state you visit. Seattle, the "Emerald City" is the largest city in the state and is the gateway to the Pacific Northwest. From here you can get panoramic views of the mountains, visit numerous museums and shops and taste the fine food in the restaurants. Take a trip to Tillicum Village, visit the Japanese Garden and the Seattle Zoo.
Take time out to explore Olympic National Park to see its glacier covered mountaintops and a rainforest as well as a multitude of lakes, rivers and streams. Point Defiance Park in Tacoma is one of the best city parks in the area and Mount Rainier national Park will provide you with a view that you won't soon forget.
Of course, you can't come to Washington without visiting Mt. St. Helens, a gigantic active volcano. Take in the Ellensburg rodeo and take a tour of the many wineries in the region. There are two distinct climate zones in this state. The eastern part of the state has warm summers and cool winters, while to the west of the mountains the summer days are cool, while the winter temperatures rarely go below 50°F.
Washington Towns & Cities
Olympia, located on the southern tip of the Puget Sound, is the capital of Washington. It is the regional center for fine arts and culture. There are several theaters in the city. The Olympia Symphony Orchestra holds five regular season concerts in additional to pop concerts. The Washington coffee-house art scene is alive and well at Batdorf & Bronson and Caffe Vita in downtown. The Washington State Legislative Building offers free guided tours seven days a week. Olympia has some of the finest cuisine in the Pacific Northwest. Some local favorites for some of the highest quality seafood food are Olympia Seafood Company and Oyster House. The Red Bike Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant is a fun place to hear live music and comedy.
Lacey is a western Washington suburb of Olympia. The city has 425 acres of wooded parkland, four golf courses, three freshwater lakes and easy access to the shores of Puget Sound. Lacey's eastern boarder is the 3,700-acre Nisqually national Wildlife Refuge. Lacey host several annual events, including an outdoor summer concert series, an old-fashioned county fair, and Lacey Spring Fun Fair. The Capital Food and Wine Festival is the most popular event. Try your luck at the Red Wind Casino or Hawks Prairie Casino.
Bremerton is located on one of Puget Sound's many harbors, and is about an hour ferry ride west of downtown Seattle. Bermerton has been the home of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard since 1891. The Navy destroyer, USS Turner Joy is now a naval memorial museum. The Bremerton Naval museum also features maritime military exhibits. Each May, Bremerton hosts the Armed Forces Festival, the oldest celebration of the kind in the country. The Harborside Fountain Park is beautiful in the evening when several of the fountains are illuminated. Bremerton's arts district, has three museums, two performing art stages, numerous fine arts galleries, unique shops, restaurants, and clubs featuring jazz and other live music.
Seattle is the largest city in Washington and the most popular city to visit. The most famous attractions are the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and Fremont Troll. Seattle host international events including the Cheese Festival and The Seattle International Film Festival. The Blue Angels team performs aviation acrobatics at the annual SeaFair Festival. This is definitely a sports city, with diehard fans of the Seahawks and Mariners. The most popular spot for outdoor activities is the sandy Alki Beach. Green Lake Park is a great place to run a 2.7 mile trail around the lake. Music lovers will enjoy the performances at the Experience Music Project. The restaurant of choice for visitors is the SkyCity Restaurant, at the top of the Space Needle.
Tukwila is about six miles south of Seattle. The Museum of Flight air and space museum is in north Tukwila, near Boeing Field. Visitors can sit in the cockpit of a real SR-17 Blackbird. The Rainier Symphony, which performs several times a year at Tukwila's Foster Performing Arts Center. Foster Golf Links is a top quality links style course. Stanford's Restaurant & Bar is a casual dining experience with good food and a fun happy hour crowd.
Bothell is five miles from Woodinville Wine Country and north of Seattle. There are over 40 wineries producing handcrafter all organic wines of the northwest's finest varietals. Canyons Restaurant & Tap Room is an excellent restaurant with delicious prime rib and great beers on tap. An insider secret is that they sell discount movie tickets to the nearby Regal Mountlake 9 Theater.
Lynnwood is a suburb of Seattle, and a great jumping off point for everything in the North Puget Sound. It is between the Olympic Mountains on the west and the Cascade Range to the east. The Lynnwood Bowl & Skate has been around since the fifties and is still a popular local recreation center. There is a skate park in Lynndale Park. There are many attractions in and around Lynnwood to enjoy: casinos, vineyards, golf courses, fine restaurants, shopping, and museums.
Kirkland is on Lake Washington, northeast of Seattle. It has beautiful waterfront parks, excellent restaurants, and many places to go shopping. Kirkland has unique art galleries that sell Dale Chihuly glass and other work by internationally known artists. The downtown area is located on the waterfront and has several beaches, a 400-seat performing arts center, and a large collection of public art, mostly bronze sculptures. Most of Kirkland's bars and clubs are located along Lake Street. The Cactus Restaurant serves some interesting Tex-Mex dishes and is a popular happy-hour spot. Try the margaritas.
Bellevue is in west-central Washington, on Lake Washington opposite Seattle. Bellevue is connected to Seattle by two floating bridges. Bellevue has a high quality of life and is one of the 25 safest cities in America. The downtown area is growing quickly and CNN Money ranked Bellevue the number one place to live and launch a businesses. There are world class fine arts performances at the Meydenbauer Convention Center, featuring the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cascadian Chorale and the Bellevue Opera. The Bellevue Arts Museum displays contemporary art with regional and national importance. KidsQuest Children's Museum has interactive exhibits on art, science and technology.
Redmond, an affluent residential suburb of Seattle, is located in west central Washington east of Lake Washington. Redmond is the home of Microsoft and Nintendo of America. Marymoor Park is one of the best parks anywhere. It has a Velodrome, climbing wall, model airplane flying fields, sports fields, concert area, large off-leash dog park, and a home for Cirque du Soleil. Richmond's Derby Days Festival, held each July, is a popular multi-day event with a bike race around Lake Sammamish, parade, carnival, and entertainment stages. There are many fine restraints in Redmond, among them: Sages Restaurant, The Coho Café, and The Typhoon Restaurant. Jerzy's Wine Bar is a fun place to sample top local and international wines.
Yakima is in south central Washington, southeast of Seattle. 75 percent of all hops in the US are grown here and the local Yakima brewers really know their beer. The Fresh Hop Ale Festival is held each October in downtown Yakima, and attracts beer enthusiasts from around the world. The conditions also make this an ideal environment for growing apples and grapes for wine. The Yakima Spring Barrel Tasting, in April, is a very popular annual event. The Yakima Folklife Festival, in July, features wonderful American Folk music and crafts. Try microbrews from the Yakima Craft Brewing Company, Grant's Brewery Pub, and Moulin Brew, and pick your favorite.
Renton is a west central Washington suburb of Seattle. Renton is on the south shore of Lake Washington and offers fantastic views of the Olympic mountains, the Cascades, and Mount Rainier. Jimi Hendrix loved Renton, and spent a lot of time relaxing and writing music here. Renton still has a thriving art and music scene. The Renton History Museum and the Carco theater feature art and performances by local artists. In the summer, Renton's annual River Days festival is a popular draw.
SeaTac is between Seattle and Tacoma, and is the location of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Popular attractions are Angle Lake and Highline Botanical Garden. Angle Lake Park is the home of the annual International Festival, featuring live music, family entertainment, and food of cultural groups from around the world. Sharps Roaster & Ale House is a favorite restaurant of locals and visitors alike.
Tacoma is in central Washington, at the foot of Mount Rainier. Point Defiance Park has a zoo, an aquarium, a Japanese garden, a reconstruction of Fort Nisqually, an arboretum, a number of art galleries, and the state historical society museum. The city is famous for the world-class glass artists. There are several festivals through the year. Tall Ships brings in some amazing sailing vessels. The Wintergrass Music Festival features liver performances throughout the city. Visitors should see the Chihuly Bridge of Glass and watch glass blowers practice their craft at the Museum of Glass and Hot Shop Amphitheater. A great gift is to have some glass art custom made.
Lakewood is a west central Washington suburb of Tacoma. The Museum Antiques & Aviation Museum is an aviation museum with war relics and pieces from US Civil War, Indian War, WWI & WWII, Korea & Viet Nam eras. It also has Babylonian, Roman, Greek & Egyptian antiquities on display. The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is the only combined Zoo & Aquarium in the Northwest. It has seahorses, sharks, peacocks, penguins, wolves, and walrus. The Grand Prix Raceway is one of the fastest indoor tracks in the country, where drivers can reach top speeds of up to 35 mph on the 1/4 mile indoor course.
Auburn is in western Washington, northeast of Tacoma. Auburn has an extensive system of parks, open space and urban trails comprising 28 developed parks, 2 skate parks, and over 23 miles of trails. Visitors to Auburn will enjoy the beautiful views of Mt. Rainier. Shoppers are sure to find something at the SuperMall of the Great Northwest. If you're feeling lucky, head to Muckleshoot Casino & Bingo or Emerald Downs Racetrack. The White River Amphitheater has performances throughout the year, and great VIP packages available.
Federal Way is boarded by Kent and Auburn, to the north, and Tacoma and Fife, to the south. Federal Way's western boarder is an 8-mile coast on the Puget Sound. Wild Waves Theme Park is the largest amusement park in the region. Feel like a giant at Federal Way's Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection. Verrazano's Italian Restaurant has delicious food and romantic views overlooking the Puget Sound. Ivar's Seafood Bar has the best fish and chips around.
Port Angeles is on Washington's northwest coast, on the Juan de Fuca Strait opposite Victoria, British Columbia. There is a lot to do here in the heart of the Olympic Peninsula including: kayaking, biking, wine tasting, antiquing, dining, or just spending time lounging on the beautiful sand beaches. Francis Street Park has beautiful views of the water and is a great place to take a leisurely stroll. The Fine Arts Center has works from over 500 northwestern artists. Port Angeles is close to Washington's top natural spaces, Olympic National Park and Hurricane Ridge.
Kent is in west central Washington south of Seattle. In the summer, Square Plaza is transformed into an open air farmers market, with fresh produce, flowers, and local arts & crafts for sale. The Kent Valley Ice Centre is the largest family ice entertainment facility in the Pacific Northwest, with a one-of-a-kind miniature golf course. Saya Restaurant serves Japanese and Thai cuisine. The chicken teriyaki and oyster beef are both fantastic.
Fife is a small city south of Federal Way and east of Tacoma. You can race go-karts at Grand Prix Raceway. Gamblers should check out the Emerald Queen Casino. Fife's Pick Quick Drive In is a fun classic style drive-in restaurant with great burgers, fries, and old fashioned malts. Fife City Bar and Grill does not look impressive from the outside, but it is a comfortable place to enjoy good food and watch the game.
Mount Vernon, in northwestern Washington, is a historic riverfront town with many quaint shops and restaurants. It is known for its annual Tulip Festival in April. Other popular festivals are the Highland Games in July and the Autumn Harvest. The Lincoln Theater was built in 1926 and hosts many local performances and movies. It has an original Wurlitzer theater organ which is still played prior to each show. The Skagit River Brewing Company is a great rustic restaurant to go to for a lunch and a few beers.
Burlington is in western Washington near Mount Vernon. The city offers easy access to area ski resorts and golf courses. Gages Lake is a popular fishing location. Shoppers will enjoy the stores at Burlington's Cascade Mall. Shari's Restaurant is a nice casual dining experience with an outdoor beer garden. Bob's Burgers & Brew and Bellows Tavern are both laid back local bars.
Monroe is in northwestern Washington. Throughout the year, many events are held at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Evergreen Speedway, and Equestrian Park Monroe throws an annual Fair Days Parade on the first Saturday of the Evergreen State Fair. People from all over come to demonstrate or enjoy a wide variety of entertainment including marching bands, antique autos, and show horses. Nana Carmela's is a delicious Italian restaurant with large portions, great service, and a fun inviting atmosphere.
Marysville, in northwest Washington, was known as "The Strawberry City because the city was surrounded with strawberry farms. Since 1932, Marysville has held an annual Strawberry Festival in the third week of June, which is highlighted by a grand parade. Gamblers may want to test their luck at Tulalip Casino and Bingo. Marysville's Battle CreekGolf Course and Cedarcrest Golf Course are both scenic well maintained public courses.
Longview is located in southwestern Washington, where the Cowlitz and Columbia rivers converge. Longview shares a border with Kelso on the east. The city of Longview is unique is that it is a completely planned city, in that it was designed down to the last sidewalk and street name before any construction began. The Rutherglen Mansion has a fine restaurant in the historical colonial English style estate. The Longview Country Club is a beautiful and challenging golf course. Green Day wrote a song about the city, "Longview.
Long Beach is located on Washington's southwestern coast where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. It is an ideal place for kayaking, clam digging, horseback riding, and bird watching. There are two lighthouses to see and photograph, Cape Disappointment and North Head, both of which are operational and open year round. Long Beach hosts several annual events, the Washington State International Kite Festival and the SandSations annual sand sculpture competition. The Discovery Trail is an eight mile stretch from Ilwaco to North Long Beach which commemorates the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Kennewick is southern Washington on the Columbia River. Visitors can go sailing, boating, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, and windsurfing on the Snake, Yakima and Columbia Rivers. Kennewick is located in the heart of Washington Wine Country. You can take a tasting tour of the many wineries in and around the city of Kennewick. The Columbia River Cowboy Gathering at the Benton County Fairgrounds is an annual celebration with a fair, rodeo, and excessive amount of succulent barbeque.
Richland is in southeast Washington, on the Columbia River. Richland is one of Washington's top golf destinations with three 18-hole courses and one 9-nine hole course, suited for any skill level. The weather and terrain are ideal for golf and there are around ten courses in greater Richland area. The Columbia and Yakima Rivers are great for boating, water skiing, fishing, kayaking, and waterfowl hunting. There are several area wineries offering tours and tasting. Monterosso's Italian Restaurant is a unique dining experience, because the building is a train car in downtown Richland.
Castle Rock is in southwest Washington and is the location of Mount St. Helens. There are many shops in Castle Rock's historic downtown area that sell Mount St. Helens and Pacific Northwest gifts, as well as antiques and other collectibles. The Harry Truman Memorial Park has and exhibits on the legendary Spirit Lake resort owner who refused to abandon his home to Mount St. Helens. There is a new graphic portrait of the history and culture of Castle Rock at the Exhibit Hall.
Woodland is in southwest Washington, on the recreational side of Mount St. Helens. The Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens are a popular visitor attraction, and the Hulda Klager house is a National Historic Landmark. Another National Historic Landmark is Woodland's Cedar Creek Grist Mill. The Lewis River Golf Course is one of the top courses in the state, and the North Fork Bar & Grill has great food and views of the Lewis River. Rosie's Restaurant is a favorite low-key local spot.
Wenatchee is in central Washington at the foothills of the Cascades on the Columbia River. Wenatchee is home to one of Washington's oldest major festivals, the Applie Blossom Festival. It is held at the end of April into the first weekend of May and showcases Wenatchee's beautiful Apple Blossoms. The event is accompanied by a variety of food, music, and entertainment. The Wenatchee National Forest is a great place of hiking and camping and covers three million acres. The Columbia River has conditions well suited for whitewater rafting.
Leavenworth is near Wenatchee in central Washington. The architectural design makes the town look like a Bavarian village, particularly around the Main Street area. Leavenworth's annual Oktoberfest celebration is claimed to be one of the most attended in the world outside Munich, Germany. If you plan to attend, reserve your hotel in advance. In April, Leavenworth throws a similar party, the Leavenworth Ale-Fest. This is a year-round vacation destination, with premier skiing in the winter months. King Ludwig's Restaurant is a great place for authentic German food and beer.
Bellingham is a picturesque city at Bellingham Bay, near the Cascade Mountains. It is the last major city before Washington's coast reaches the Canadian boarder. The Whatcom Creek Gorge and four sets of spectacular waterfalls are located in Whatcom Falls Park. There are excellent places to swim, fish, and hike. In the winter, Mount Baker is a top skiing and snowboarding destination. Bellingham's waterfront offers is ideal for whale watching expeditions, boating, and enjoying a ferry ride to the San Juan Islands. The Mindport Arts and Sciences Museum is a great place to bring your kids.
Kelso is in southwest Washington between the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, near Castle Rock. It is a scenic family community, with a museum, visitor center, and historical walking tour. The Kelso Volcano and Visitor Center has information on Mount St. Helens. Golfers will enjoy the Three Rivers Golf Course, known as the "Driest Course in the Pacific Northwest", because it is played on the dredge spoils from the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The course is reasonably priced and challenging. The Kelso Theater Pub is a fun place for drinks and a show. The annual Highlander Festival features bag pipes, dancing, a golf tournament, parade, and traditional Scottish food.
Morton is a mountain community in southwest Washington, between the state's two most famous volcanoes, Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. Throughout the year, there are live performances at the charming 1930s historic Roxy Theater, captivating audiences through song, dance and dialogue. The recently renovated Morton Depot, built in 1910, provides a historical look at the community. Each August, Morton holds the Loggers' Jubilee, a festival with displays, competitions, food, drinks, music, and a parade.
Shelton is in western Washington. It has a beautiful downtown area with a number of fine restaurants and shops. The historic red caboose on Railroad Avenue in downtown Shelton provides visitor information. There are several interesting museums in Shelton, the Mason County Historical Society Museum and the Squaxing Island Tribe Museum, showcasing regional history and artifacts. Vern's Restaurant is a great choice for home style cuisine. The Golden Pheasant Tavern is a good place to get a drink or catch the game.
Aberdeen is the port of entry on Grays Harbor and the home port of Washington's tall ship Ambassador Lady Washington. It is birthplace of Grunge music and hometown of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. Downtown has a unique display of public art: bird cages containing metal sculptures of mythical endangered creatures. Rick's Simpson Avenue Saloon is the quintessential grunge dive bar, and a great time.
Moses Lake is in central Washington and true to its name it is located on Moses Lake. Major attractions include the Sand Dunes ORV Park, the Mud Flats in the summer, the Surf'N Slide, and the Ice skating rink in the winter. During the summer, there are free outdoor concerts and a Saturday farmer's market. Moses Lake has a premier family aquatic center. The Lakefront Bar & Grill is a fun place with a nice selection and great view. If you want to include a little gambling action with your meal, check out Papa's Casino Restaurant and Lounge.
Spokane, Washington's second largest city is the state's eastern boarder with Idaho. Riverfront Park is a 100 acre outdoor recreation center that includes views of the beautiful Spokane Falls, historic Looff Carrousel, an IMAX theater and mini-golf. Spokane's other top attractions are the pristine Manito Park, the Botanical Gardens, and the Centennial Trail that runs along the Spokane River. In May Spokane hosts the annual Spokane Winery Association's Spring Release Weekend, where local vineyards showcase their best varietals with barrel tastings and presentations on the art of wine. A top restaurant is the historical Steam Plant Grill, located downtown.
Ocean Shores is on Point Brown peninsula on Washington's coast. Ocean Shores has a beautiful six mile public beach perfect for flying kites, building sand castles, or digging for razor clams. Each June there is a stunt kite challenge with free kite flying lessons. People are permitted to cruise the beach on moped or horseback. The nearby Olympic National Park is home to one of the few temperate rainforests in North America. The Lake Quinault rainforest is forty miles from Ocean Shores. The Galway Bay Irish Restaurant is a classic Irish pub with great food, friendly staff, and live musical performances on the weekends.
Everett is the second-largest marina on the US west coast and home of the largest building by volume in the world, Boeing's jumbo jet assembly plant. The Everett Events Center has world class international performances throughout the year. Kids will enjoy the Imagine Children's Museum, and everyone will be impressed at the popular Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour. Everett has over forty parks spanning hundreds of acres, with golfing, skating, swimming, fishing, hockey, horseshoes, walking trails, boat launches, and softball fields. You can take a free ferry to nearby Jetty Island, a man-made island with large sandy beaches and relatively warm water in the summer. In the summer, the marina hosts the Everett Farmer's Market and the Waterfront Concert Series.
Arlington is in northeast Washington and has excellent views of Whitehorse and Three Fingers Mountains. A popular attraction is the Stillaguamish Valley Pioneer Museum. Arlington's Angel of the Winds Casino is small and treats their patrons very respectfully.
Eagle Crest is a good family restaurant with home style cooking and delicious Bumbleberry Pie. Bistro San Martin is a small fine dining establishment serving regional and continental cuisine made with fresh locally-sourced ingredients. As such, the menu changed often.
Washington is a beautiful year-round destination to enjoy the best of the great American Pacific Northwest. In the summer, Washington's beautiful beaches and plethora of outdoor activities attract repeat visitors from all over the world. In the winter, skiing is the name of the game at some of America's top resorts. The expansive forests, pristine lakes, and wondrous volcanoes and mountains make Washington a nature lovers dream. Washington's cities have been known for their bohemian culture that has long inspired many artists and musicians. Seattle is a great city for business, entertainment, food, and sports. There is much more to do than you could imagine in Washington, and you are sure to find something new and unexpected every time you visit.
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