Shops and sidewalk cafes line the quaint Bavarian themed main street of Leavenworth, Washington. Image credit Kirk Fisher via Shutterstock

10 Charming Washington Towns For The Perfect Getaway

The northwestern state of Washington has a plethora of awesome attractions, like the Space Needle in downtown Seattle. Yet the Evergreen State has a wealth of excellent small towns that are great for escaping the hustle of everyday living as well. From the tiny town of Leavenworth and Tumwater Mountain Bed & Breakfast to the Bond Ranch Retreat in picturesque Sequim, there are fabulous lodging choices situated all over the state. Ranging from the coast of the Pacific to the western border of Idaho, find ten of the most charming Washington towns that might be ideal for that perfect getaway.

Anacortes

Situated along the northern tip of Fidalgo Island, picturesque Anacortes has an abundance of natural attractions, including Rosario Beach and Washington Park. Washington Park offers excellent amenities, like boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. Rosario Beach is a part of Deception Pass State Park, with two different sections of beach and great trails to explore in the area.

Downtown Anacortes, Washington. Image credit Angela Dukich via Shutterstock

Another excellent reason to visit the town of Anacortes, especially during the summer, is that the Anacortes Farmers Market is open every Saturday until autumn. And it is only a short distance down the road from the Mariners Rest Lodging, who offer great service, comfy rooms, and free breakfast the next morning. Tasha Lee’s Table is also a short five-minute walk from the Mariners Rest.

Ellensburg

Close to the banks of the Yakima River, the town of Ellensburg is home to several natural attractions, like the Irene Rhinehart Riverfront Park and Umtanum Creek Trail. The trail offers guests fantastic photographic opportunities of Umtanum Creek Canyon, while the riverfront park offers walking, picnicking, and enjoying spectacular views along the river.

The quaint town of Ellensburg is also known for being home to the Kittitas County Historical Museum. Housed in the 1889 Caldwell Building, this museum honors those who first built Ellensburg, as well as the county around it. Canyon River Ranch also calls Ellensburg home. With awesome amenities, like spacious suites, excellent service, and delicious food, Canyon River Ranch is the place to stay.

Coupeville

Situated along the banks of Penn Cove, the tiny town of Coupeville is the perfect getaway. Hidden just south of Oak Harbor, Coupeville escapes a good deal of the tourism affecting larger towns. Coupeville is home to several great amenities that make it ideal, including Sandy Von’s Waterfront Inn and Anchorage Inn B&B. Both establishments are situated in the heart of the historic district of Coupeville.

Downtown Coupeville, Washington. Image credit Ben Wehrman via Shutterstock

Coupeville is also home to Fort Casey State Park and Ebey's Landing. Ebey's Landing is a historic nature reserve catering to the animals of central Whidbey Island. Fort Casey State Park, with tours of the different batteries and the lighthouse, as well as ample opportunity for photographs of Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountain Range, also has a phenomenal campground, with over 30 different sites.

Leavenworth

Situated along the banks of the Wenatchee River, the tiny town of Leavenworth is great for escaping hectic everyday living for a short time. Home to some awesome parks, including Waterfront Park and Wenatchee State Park, nature can be seen in many ways. Wenatchee State Park has a boat launch, picnic areas, and around 200 campsites.

Leavenworth, Washington, celebrates Christmas in their town square.

Known for having a heavy influence from Bavarian villages in Germany, Leavenworth is also home to an awesome reindeer farm. From January through October, guests can enjoy the Reindeer Farm Experience. There are superb lodging choices in town as well. Abendblume and Haus Hanika provide notable service while following the German Bavarian theme throughout the town.

Port Townsend

The coastal town of Port Townsend is situated along the same inlets and islands as both Anacortes and Sequim. This does not prevent it from being the ideal getaway spot, though. Home to several great parks, like Fort Worden State Park and Fort Townsend State Park, this small town has an abundance of natural attributes, including hiking the Fort Worden Historical Loop and camping at Fort Townsend.

Water Street in Historic Port Townsend, Washington. Image credit Gareth Janzen via Shutterstock

Port Townsend is also home to several other historic attractions. The Rothschild House, built in 1868, honors the lifestyle of a middle-class family during the 19th century. The Starrett House Inn, built in 1889, maintains its former ambiance while also being established as one of the best bed and breakfast inns in the entire town.

Friday Harbor

Amid many other islands along the coast of Washington, San Juan Island is home to the tiny town of Friday Harbor. Situated on the eastern side of the island, Friday Harbor has its own share of awesome attributes. Lime Kiln Point State Park, located ten miles to the west, offers hiking the Lime Kiln Point State Park Loop and touring the Lime Kiln Lighthouse.

Downtown area of Friday Harbor, Washington. Image credit The Image Party via Shutterstock

A couple of other great historic venues around Friday Harbor, Amaro Farm and The Farm at Krystal Acres, both offer guests an experience not easily attainable at home. The Farm at Krystal Acres is the largest alpaca farm in the San Juan Islands. Amaro Farm, situated to the southeast of Krystal Acres, is a sheep farm that is home to “the world’s cutest sheep,” the Valais Blacknose.

Gig Harbor

Across Commencement Bay from Tacoma, the town of Gig Harbor is home to awesome attractions that encourage visitors to return every year. From Grandview Forest Park to Crescent Creek Park, there is something for everyone in and around Gig Harbor. Guests can check out the Grandview Forest Park Trail or enjoy the viewing platforms in Crescent Creek.

Late afternoon sunlight at the Harbor in Gig Harbor, Washington. — Harbor in Gig Harbor, Washington.

Gig Harbor is also home to the Harbor History Museum, which honors Gig Harbor. You may also want to check out Donkey Creek Park and Cutts Island State Park. While Cutts Island is only accessible via boat, as it is located on Cutts Island in the Henderson Bay, Donkey Creek Park is situated downtown, right off Gig Harbor itself.

Sequim

About 70 miles northeast of the city of Seattle, though it is across the surface of Puget Sound, the small town of Sequim is close to the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), which has well over 250 different species of animals, including birds, mammals, and fish. Dungeness NWR offers hiking out to the New Dungeness Lighthouse, watching a variety of wildlife, boating and fishing, and even tours of the lighthouse by professionals.

Young couple picks lavender flowers in fields on a clear sunny summer day, Sequim, Washington. — Lavender flowers in fields on a clear sunny summer day, Sequim, Washington. Image credit Francisco Blanco via Shutterstock.

Sequim has several phenomenal lavender farms, like Lavender Connection, Graysmarsh Berry, and Purple Haze. The Olympic Game Farm allows guests to experience kodiak bears, American bison, Roosevelt elk, which were named in honor of Theodore Roosevelt, zebras, and even rhinos.

Centralia

Named Centralia due to it being situated halfway between Portland and Seattle, this picturesque small town has its own attractions that make it worth visiting as well. From Fort Borst Park, which lies along the banks of the Chehalis River and offers superb kayaking, fishing, and boating, to the Historic Borst Home Museum, honoring a significant family from the past, Centralia has something for everyone.

Centralia even offers several fantastic lodging choices, including the Great Wolf Lodge. This phenomenal lodge offers themed suites, access to the waterpark, and dining at the Lodge Wood Fired Grill. The Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound is only six miles away from downtown Centralia and offers everything from swimming pools and waterslides to story time and video games.

Poulsbo

Concealed at the tip of Liberty Bay, the small town of Poulsbo is near Kitsap Memorial State Park. This amazing state park is situated to the north of town and has hiking, boating, picnicking, and even camping opportunities for its guests. There are also several great options for those who wish to sleep indoors, like the Kiana Lodge, south of downtown, and the Manor Farm Inn, to the north of town.

Front Street in Poulsbo, Washington, with local businesses. Image credit Ian Dewar Photography via Shutterstock

Poulsbo also hosts Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park and Island Lake Park for those who wish to experience nature at its best. Both Waterfront Park and Island Lake Park offer hiking, walking, and biking. Island Lake also provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, hiking, and boating, and is one of the best wedding venues in the area.

Friendliest Little Towns In WashingtonIf you are looking for a warm and rejuvenating getaway, these 10 towns are sure to leave you in good spirits.

The rugged, northwestern state of Washington, situated between Oregon, Idaho, Canada, and the coast of the Pacific Ocean, has a multitude of small towns that possess a tranquil sense of charm, making them ideal for that perfect getaway. From the small town of Leavenworth and the Reindeer Farm to Centralia and Great Wolf Lodge, these towns have some awesome attributes. From Poulsbo and the Manor Farm Inn to Anacortes and Ana’s Bed & Breakfast, these fabulous inns and B&Bs are also charming, to say the least.

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