Top 15 Beautiful Places to Visit in Washington

Mount Rainier is the highest point in the Cascade Range, the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A. An icon of the Washington landscape, the icy volcanic mountain is surrounded by subalpine meadows, beautiful valleys, and ancient forests on the lower slopes.

Located in southeast Pierce County, Mount Rainier National Park was established in 1899. Mount Rainier is a premier peak of the country for mountain climbing and hiking, covered by some of the largest glaciers and snowfields.

Hike the Wonderland Trail or camp out on the lush greens, and you’ll be rewarded with endless adventures and spectacular views.

Popularly known as the Emerald City, gorgeous Seattle is a thriving metropolis with vintage charm. Pioneer Square is home to the city’s oldest neighborhood, boasting incredible architecture and art galleries.

Watch the Seattle skyline from the iconic Space Needle for panoramic views of downtown and surrounding mountains.

Soak up Seattle history and curated exhibits in the Seattle Art Museum and Museum of Pop Culture. Explore the stunning indoor glass installation gardens in the Chihuly Garden and Glass showcases.

Shop your heart at the Pike Place Market or seek a quaint retreat in Bainbridge Island; this city has something for everyone.

Manito Park, a nationally recognized garden for its horticultural displays, features formal gardens with beautiful flowerbeds and a conservatory.

Located just 2 miles from Spokane, the scenic gardens and manicured lawns make up for a pretty public park. One of the park’s most famous gardens, the Rose Hill, features numerous roses in this enchanted land.

Admire the park’s greens while you walk, cycle, or picnic.

Watch the ducks and geese in the Mirror Pond, sled down in the snow-covered hills, or skate on the frozen pond; the park offers a range of outdoor activities to enjoy a day in the artistic gardens.

Renowned for its diverse wilderness, Olympic National Park is located northwest of Washington state. A dedicated World Heritage Site, the park combines forests and coastal and mountain ecosystems. Nestled above 5,000 feet, Hurricane Ridge is the most visited site in the national park.

A premier hiking destination and a snowy winter playground, the Ridge offers some of the best hiking, skiing, and snowboarding experiences.

The crown jewel of the Olympic coast, Ruby Beach is famous for its reddish sands, driftwood, and sea stacks. With tranquil lakeshores and temperate rainforests untouched by humans, Olympic Park offers endless adventure, exploration, and recreation opportunities.

An archipelago on the Pacific coastline, the San Juan Islands form the core of San Juan County. Washington State Ferries can access a short drive from Seattle, San Juan Island.

The second-largest island by size, San Juan Island offers some of the best weather in Western Washington.

San Juan Island offers a memorable outdoor experience with numerous islands, reefs, and water sports activities.

A charming seaport in San Juan Island, Friday Harbor offers a refreshing escape with waterways all around. Walk the historic town, explore the marine exhibits at the Whale Museum, or set out for a whale-watching tour; Friday Harbor is a tiny town with the best tropical spirit.

Preserving pristine glaciers, majestic mountains, snowfields, and cascading waterfalls, North Cascades National Park offers a large wilderness area with unbeatable views.

Less than three hours from Seattle, the National Park is home to a diverse ecosystem. Often called the ‘American Alps,’ the park offers a mix of recreation and true wilderness.

Winding through the wilderness area and small mountain towns, the North Cascades Scenic Highway offers a stunningly beautiful drive with plenty of viewpoints and hiking trails.

Mount Shuksan is the second-highest peak in the park and is a favorite hiking and skiing destination. Watch the dynamic clouds moving in the mountains and enjoy their ethereal beauty in this alluring park.

America’s hidden Bavarian-style village, Leavenworth, is a popular spot for Seattleites to visit on weekends. Part of Chelan County, Leavenworth is a perfect destination for hiking, backcountry alpine skiing, and floating on the gentle creeks.

Carved by the Wenatchee River, the charming town is always buzzing with outdoor explorers and tourists.

Explore the Nutcracker Museum or hike the nearby Icicle Ridge for a beautiful lookout at the town. With endless sunshine in summer, float down the calm waters of Icicle Creek or stroll the Waterfront Park; this tiny village is a gateway to excellent ski areas and wineries.

A gorgeous reservoir nestled in the snow-capped Cascade Mountains, Diablo Lake is a part of the North Cascades National Park. The remote location and stunning natural surroundings with nearby glaciers make for a jaw-dropping backdrop.

Brimming with turquoise-colored waters, this artificial lake offers excellent hiking and camping opportunities.

Hike along the Diablo Lake Trail on the northern shore, paddle along the sparkling waters, or watch the beautiful surroundings in the Diablo Lake Overlook; there are so many different things to see here.

A magical waterfall in the northwest United States, the Snoqualmie Falls cascades at 268 feet over granite cliffs. One of Washington’s most popular scenic attractions is the falls near Snoqualmie.

Considered to be a place of humanity’s origin by the Snoqualmie Tribe, the falls offer breathtaking vistas with scenic nature trails meandering through old-growth trees.

Claimed to be twice as high as Niagara Falls, Snoqualmie Falls is surrounded by a two-acre park, an observation deck, a gift shop, and the historic Salish Lodge.

One of the most photographed places in Washington, Deception Pass Bridge, is a magnificent arched structure between Fidalgo and Whidbey Islands. Constructed in 1935, the twenty-eight-foot-wide Deception Pass Bridge provides grand views of the Pacific coastline.

A dedicated National Historic Place, the Deception Pass Bridge provides picturesque vistas of murmuring waters & tidal flows from the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Watch the shoreline below or atop the bridge’s sidewalks to enjoy captivating vistas of nearby surroundings. Each year, the iconic bridge draws visitors from all around the world for its elegant architecture.

A charismatic northwest icon, the glacier-fed Lake Wenatchee is 16 miles from Leavenworth. Encompassing an area of 489 acres with miles of waterfront, the Lake Wenatchee State Park offers year-round recreation opportunities.

Bisected by the Wenatchee River, the state park is divided into North and South Park. A popular destination for boaters and windsurfers, the calm waters of Lake Wenatchee offer ample adventures for beginners and experts.

Climb a mountain, paddle your boat, or soak up your feet in the alpine lake; the state park has a variety of outdoor activities for visitors from all walks of life.

 America’s second-longest trail, Pacific Crest Trai,l, covers theplanet’s most variable terrainr. Spanning from Mexico to Canada, the trail travels through California, Oregon, and Washington.

From the scorching Mojave Desert to the snowy Cascade Mountains, the Pacific Crest Trail covers a total distance of 2,650 miles

. Covering 512 miles in Washington with spectacular scenery, the trail offers something for every adventure seeker. Whether you hike through or enjoy the beauty, a lifetime of wilderness adventure awaits at this iconic symbol of the Western U.S.

An official waterfall of Washington state, Palouse Falls is the magnificent remnant of glacial floods. Standing 198 feet, the majestic waterfall is surrounded by striking basalt cliffs, plateaus, and buttes.

Part of the Palouse Falls State Park, the falls are among the last active waterfalls on the Ice Age flood paths.

An artist’s dream and a paradise for campers, the Palouse Falls State Park offers an ideal spot for picnicking, birding, hiking, and photography with panoramic vistas of the falls and Palouse River Canyon.

An inlet of the Pacific Ocean and part of the Salish Sea, Puget Sound is a cluster of islands, waterways, and myriad attractions with many fun things to do. Located along the northwest coast of Washington state, Puget Sound borders the significant cities of Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellingham.

Slip into the scenic destinations of Puget Sound, with abundant wildlife, native culture, and numerous hidden gems of the state.

Explore the antique art galleries on Vashon Island, watch the whales on the Whidbey Islands, or relish the traditional feasts on Blake Island; Puget Sound is a must-visit island getaway in Washington. 

Washington’s most visited state park, the Deception Pass State Park, is 10 miles from downtown Anacortes. A 4,142-acre marine and camping park, Deception Pass offers freshwater shorelines with scenic vista hikes and recreational activities.

Nestled on the islands of Fidalgo and Whidbey, the mysterious coves, rugged cliffs, and captivating sunsets make it a go-to park for locals and visitors.

Watch the tidal pools at Rosario Beach, boat at Cornet Bay, or stroll the North & West beaches; the scenic park is a gateway to exploring the alluring beauty of the state.