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
What to do and see in Washington, United States: The Best Hidden Gems Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Washington, United States including Cape Flattery Trail, Ruby Beach, Olympic National Forest, Mount Baker Scenic Byway, Bloedel Reserve, Pacific Bonsai Museum, Point Defiance Park, Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center, Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, Predators of the Heart.
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. 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!
3. Olympic National Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 603 reviews
Pristine forest surrounding the Olympic Mountain range.
Reviewed By PatriciaK815 - Haymarket, United States
This is a beautiful forest that is definitely a place to visit. If you like to hike, this is perfect and has a number of trails through the forest, over creeks, with mushrooms, soft underbrush and ferns, and sun shining through the trees.
4. 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!
5. Bloedel Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 553 reviews
Reviewed By klanglow - Poulsbo, United States
This superb horticultural collection, acknowledged one of the best nationally, features many beautiful, special gardens arrayed along a Puget Sound bluff. Accessible by car (and sometimes local bus) from the Seattle to Bainbridge Island ferry, the site features a Japanese garden, a moss garden, beautiful pathways through typical Northwest forest locations, and beautifully planted special collections. Not to be missed, if you are a garden fan.
6. Pacific Bonsai Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 172 reviews
Pacific Bonsai Museum connects people to nature through the living art of bonsai. We feature world-class bonsai from the Pacific Rim nations of Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the United States. Free and open to the public six days a week, this cultural gem offers contemporary and traditional bonsai exhibits, group tours, education and special events.
Reviewed By christinelA9142FA - Seattle, United States
Fantastic place to see several impressive bonsai trees in a safe outdoor environment and to learn about the important (and often neglected) history of the Japanese Americans from the local area who were forced to leave behind their homes and businesses as they were locked up in internment camps miles away during WWII.
7. 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.
8. Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 132 reviews
Due to the heightened level of caution regarding Coronavirus, the Renewable Energy Center will remain closed for the duration of 2020, however visitors can continue to explore the outdoor exhibits. Recreation at Wild Horse with a current Recreation Access Permit will be allowed starting May 5th. Permits can be filled out online. With the safety of our staff and visitors in mind, we have made the difficult decision to keep the Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center closed for the remainder of 2020. Visitors can still explore the exhibits outside of the visitor center, or fill out a free access permit on our website, if they want to recreate on the property.
Reviewed By annh867 - Shoreline, United States
You've seen the Wild Horse monument and may even have stopped when driving along I-90. You've seen the wind turbines from afar. But this visitor center is a chance to see them up close and learn about our great state taking advantage of wind and solar energy. I went for a conference at the visitor center (free for groups and centrally located for a state meeting!) but was able to take breaks to tour the facility, view the grandiose turbines up close, and view Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens from a distance If you have a spare hour between eastern and western Washington, I highly recommend this free informative visitor center stop.
9. Leavenworth Reindeer Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 403 reviews
Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is a USDA licensed farm located less than 1/2 mile from downtown Leavenworth. We provide farm tours for the whole family by appointment only. Come meet our friendly reindeer, feed them and take photos of a magical experience on the farm.
Reviewed By eshaynes - Portland, United States
Make reservations on their website. We got there about 25 minutes early to check in and there were good photo opportunities. After checking in, you can feed the chickens and turkeys, have a refreshment that is provided (cookies and coca), take pictures in/around the barn. When it is your time to go, everyone meets by the fire pit for a lesson on reindeer. After that, your group goes into the pen area with the reindeer. You are given food and the reindeer come up and eat. After that they help you get a picture with one reindeer. Absolutely fantastic time!
10. Predators of the Heart
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Mqberry
Everything about this place is wonderful. Each staff person is knowledgeable and they truly put the care of the animals first. And we had an amazing experience and interaction with wildlife! I got kisses from two different wolves! One did grab the back of my jacket to play. He easily could have pulled me down. We were warned about this and I was ready even though it still scared me. Completely loved every moment and would do it again!!! And bring family and friends.
