Top Things to do in Washington
Top Hotels in Washington
- 1. Hyatt Regency Seattle
- 2. Staypineapple, The Maxwell Hotel, Seattle Center
- 3. Hyatt At Olive 8
- 4. Cedarbrook Lodge
- 5. The Paramount Hotel
- 6. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, WA
- 7. Mayflower Park Hotel
- 8. Lotte Hotel Seattle
- 9. Mediterranean Inn
- 10. Coast Gateway Hotel
Things to do in Washington, United States: The Best Outdoor Activities
Discover the best top things to do in Washington, United States including Cape Flattery Trail, San Juan County Park, Hurricane Ridge, Ruby Beach, Mount Baker Scenic Byway, Point Defiance Park, Skyline Trail, Mount Baker, Mountain Springs Lodge Sleigh Rides, 5 Mile Drive & Trails.
Restaurants in Washington
1. Cape Flattery Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 587 reviews
This trail overlooks the northwestern-most point in the contiguous United States.
Reviewed By MKDtravl
Waves crashing, wide ocean view ahead. A short trail descends to a viewpoint: boardwalk in places, very muddy in others on a slightly wet February day.
2. San Juan County Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
This park offers some of the best whale watching.
3. Hurricane Ridge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,790 reviews
A 17-mile stretch of winding road through dense forests and alpine ice-covered peaks.
Reviewed By Panda_Bear_Will
My wife and I visited Olympic National Park six years ago on a single day excursion from Seattle; we were able to see Lake Crescent and the Hoh Rain Forest briefly on that trip and I knew I needed to return one day to explore the park more fully. The Hurricane Ridge Road was closed on that previous visit, so returning to see it and hike the entire Hoh River Trail to the Blue Glacier on Mt. Olympus became bucket-list items shortly thereafter. I was able to return to Olympic and spend six full days exploring it as fully as possible. This review will really cover the park as a whole rather than Hurricane Ridge, but the 17 mile road which is easily accessible from Port Angeles is definitely a must-see for any visitor. Olympic is really divided into 3 distinct ecosystems: the mountains, surrounding rain forests, and coastal beaches. In order to get the true Olympic experience, a person should make it a point to dedicate at least a full day to each region. The sheer size of the park requires a good deal of driving to hit each individual region; one will mostly traverse the perimeter the park on Highway 101 and several roads leading deeper into the interior will allow access to areas such as Hoh, Quinault, So Duc, etc. Port Angeles to the north of the park provides the most choices when it comes to food and lodging; the western part of the park is serviced by the small town of Forks and to the extreme southwest, Aberdeen. The eastern edge of the park doesn't have much in the way of points of interest within the park besides some lesser-used trails, but it is a pleasant drive with occasional small towns like Hoodsport worth exploring for a bit. Distances between these points of interest are considerable as you're looking at a several hour drive between them. There are enough gas stations and other services that you're never quite "off the grid" for that long, but having a good idea of the layout of the park will save unneeded driving (though the scenery is usually so lush and inviting that the miles kind of melt after awhile). With that said, the following provides the highlights of the park, IMO, while doing so in a logical counter-clockwise fashion for people driving in from Seattle: 1) Hurricane Ridge. On a clear day, the views of the Olympic Mountain range are pretty amazing from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. The key word is "clear". Olympic is famous for its considerable rainfall and chances are you will encounter rain at several points throughout the day even during the summer. I recommend following the weather forecast and allowing for a possible return trip to Hurricane Ridge, if necessary. The first day I visited, clouds and rainfall offered tantalizing glimpses of the mountains beyond but nothing more. I return the next day and was treated to glacier-covered mountains and a lush alpine scene that was delightful to hike just around the parking lot (managed to see a hare, deer, and marmot within 10 minutes of the short hikes adjacent to the parking lot). Unfortunately, the Hurricane Hill trail further beyond the visitor center was closed for restoration. This area is the highlight of Olympic for me. 2) Lake Crescent. Returning to Highway 101 and heading west, the highway will eventually hug the shores of this large lake with mountains surrounding it. A popular short but very steep hike up Mt. Storm King will challenge even the more fit hikers (to reach its true summit, one must use several ropes for assistance). The highest waterfall within the park, Marymere Falls is also a short walk from the lake parking lot. 3) Rialto Beach. With its mountain ranges and lush rain forests, its easy to overlook the third aspect of Olympic NP which is actually very unique within the National Park system: the extended coastline of undeveloped wilderness. There are actually three areas of such coast line which are part of the park: the far northwestern reaches of Washington state which will include Lake Ozette, Rialto Beach which is west of the town of Forks, and the beaches running along Highway 101 in the southwestern portion of the park. I visited Rialto Beach and was treated to a leisurely hike along a beach trail leading to a rock arch (called "Hole in the Wall"), various other rock formations, and tide pools. This is some of the last extended undeveloped wild coast line within the US and is definitely worth a visit for anybody with several days to visit the park. 4) Hoh River Rain Forest: Upon my visit several years ago, I was most bummed to only spend about 30 minutes in this legendary forest which is often described as "enchanted" and "fairy-tale like". The Hoh River Trail extends for 17 miles (actually closer to 20 per several apps and devices I used to judge the distance) to the Blue Glacier on Mt. Olympus. For years, I dreamed of not only returning to the forest, but backpacking the trail all the way to the end. I was able to do so and while it was a very rewarding experience, I can say that the rain forest scenery and vibe does become a bit redundant after several miles. Most visitors will likely go no more than to 5 Mile Island for a day hike (the trail is very flat, so covering such distance is not much of a chore) and I believe that's sufficient. For those looking to backpack beyond, the trail remains flat to the 12.4 mile marker before climbing in elevation to Elk Lake. Beyond that, Glacier Meadows campsite beckons, but not before climbing down an unnerving ladder required to navigate a rock slide which wiped out the old trail. The climb to the Glacier itself is considerable and the distance (especially with a full backpack) makes this quite the workout. However, it was a lifetime experience that I'll cherish forever. For non-backpackers, the Hoh Forest is one of the more easily accessible rain forests within the park, but the scenery is pretty similar for most of them: lots of lush vegetation. 5) Lake Quinault. A scenic lake with some of the few actual lodgings within the park boundaries. This area also provides access to several more trails, both short and long distance, that seemed very enticing. In conclusion, Olympic may not get the headlines of more noted parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon, but its lush surroundings and highly varied landscapes makes this one of the best parks in America.
4. Ruby Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,233 reviews
Dramatic Pacific coast beach with a rugged shoreline.
Reviewed By Brian0ntheGo - Bradenton, United States
If you are visiting the Olympic Peninsula, make sure you include a stop at Ruby Beach. After visiting the rainforests and the mountains of the region, you'll appreciate the seaside beauty of this picturesque spot. It is just a short walk down to the beach area from the parking lot, and once on the beach, you'll be busy taking pictures of the amazing rocks that stand out of the ocean, the piles of driftwood, the tidal pools, and the crashing waves. While we were there in the afternoon, sunsets must be amazing on clear days. If you want to picnic, make sure you bring your supplies with you as there are no stores anywhere close by. You'll be glad you visited Ruby Beach!
5. Mount Baker Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 35 reviews
This scenic drive through Washington's Cascades takes you through spectacular scenery that includes many viewpoints, waterfalls and opportunities for short and long hikes along the way.
Reviewed By kalyan_peri - Bridgewater, United States
This summer we spent a week in Washington state covering North Cascades and Mt Rainier National Parks. We stayed for 3 nights in Glacier, Washington and drove through the Mt Baker Scenic Byway for 2 consecutive days. This drive took us through Washington’s Cascade Range had so much to offer with stunning scenery! The drive gets difficult in certain places and you need to very careful negotiating the steep curves, twists and turns - please be very focused and careful. That said, there are multiple spots to stop and enjoy the nature along the way as you get closer towards Artist Point - particularly the Picture Lake location is a sight to watch and enjoy. With Mount Shuksan in the background and the wildflowers in the foreground, Picture lake is, well, as pretty as, a post card picture! Expect the road to be a little busy in summer and the Artist Point parking lot to be a lot more crowded. There are a couple of beautiful hikes at the Artist Point – that offer stunning panoramic views of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan - - take your time, be patient, respect nature and enjoy! Must do if you are visiting Washington state in summer! Absolutely great for hiking and photography!
6. Point Defiance Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,228 reviews
Scenic park offering more than 700 acres of woodland trails, gardens and waterfront views, along with a zoo and aquarium.
Reviewed By Ldcvsi - Tacoma, United States
I live within a mile of Pt. Defiance Park and it is one of the best urban parks you will find in the United States. Central Park in New York City is amazing for the surrounding museums, but you will never see more beautiful views of the water front, islands, and mountains than you will see from Pt. Defiance Park on a clear day. And did I mention I the world class zoo, the amazing fuchsia gardens, the miles of hiking trails through the forest, beaches to hang out on, sea lions and harbor seals hanging out in the kelp beds? And, if so inclined, you can take a ferry boat ride over to Vashon Island and back, right from the edge of Pt. Defiance Park. And the new addition to the park, the Dunes, is a beautiful walk along the waterfront that is ADA accessible, and has to die for views. There is something for everyone in this park. Drive the five mile drive if you don’t have much time (but please drive slowly as there is lots to see, and there are bikers and pedestrians); but make sure to stop at all the view points for a view of Vashon Island and the Cascade Mountain Range at one view point, the Olympic Mountain Range at another view point, and a great view of the Narrows Bridges at the other.
7. Skyline Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 308 reviews
With an elevation gain of 1,400 fee, this five-mile hiking trail starts from Paradise to Panorama Point, Stevens-Van Trump Memorial with a final descent into Paradise Valley and Myrtle Falls.
Reviewed By shesekmatok - Los Angeles, United States
Hello fellow travelers ???? Come Early! It's nuts up there ???? **there's cell reception** ???????? The trails start at the visitor center. Huge parking space, loads of visitors and the park is trying to accommodate all the cars arriving. Started my day at 8am and it was hectic. Paradise trails starts with a steep and paved path. I was aiming for the skyline loop trail, but you will see on the way, that one trail meets another and u can combine them and choose ur own path. Started with the skyline loop, then met the lakes trail, added reflection lake, went on the lakes high trail, Narada falls and finished at Paradise. All in all it was about 10 miles long amazing hike. U get the essence of the park in one day ???? see pics enclosed. The skyline trail is covered with snow in some parts. U can find a way around sometimes, but there are some patches u have to cross. I've done one by sliding on my ass. Was fun ???? Wild flower meadows, water streams and breathtaking views all the way. Seen alpine marmots which are so cute. The part of the lakes is an easier hike and still gorgeous. If u have questions, feel free to ask ???? Have fun and be safe ????????♀️????????♀️????????♀️????????♀️
8. Mount Baker
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 88 reviews
Glaciers, crevasses and snowy pinnacles make this area a challenge for skiers.
Reviewed By urbanliberty - San Diego, United States
DEFINITELY incorporate this destination into your travels! The drive alone is an experience. Plenty of lookout points & hike along the route if you really want to take your time. I cant count how many times I said "OH MY GOD!"
9. Mountain Springs Lodge Sleigh Rides
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 253 reviews
Just like the good old days only better. A two horse sleigh, clean crisp winter air, the crunch of fresh snow, open meadows, snow covered trees, and the babbling waters of Beaver Creek, sleigh bells and the carol of your choice. Enjoy a hot spiced cider by the open fire. End your horse drawn sleigh ride with a sizzling steak dinner at Beaver Creek Lodge in front of the rock fireplace.
Reviewed By britneyives
My husband and I had so much fun on our wagon ride learning about the history of the land from our tour guide. We ended the ride with the best apple cider by a cozy fire. We will definitely be visiting again!
10. 5 Mile Drive & Trails
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 246 reviews
Reviewed By OlyGirlJan - Tacoma, United States
Great place to visit and have a full days adventure, must sees are Owens Beach, Point Defiance Zoo, also must do the 5 Mile drive and make it a day and have lunch at Anthony's on the waterfront with great food and spectacular views of Puget Sound and don't forget to go down the slides across from Anthony's its a great place for the kids to release some energy.
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