6 Best Washington Towns For A Weekend Trip
Most people would agree that they don't get away nearly as often as they should. After all, it is rarely easy to find a break in the work week. But in 2026, give yourself permission to escape, even if only for the weekend. Washington is filled with destinations that are more than worthy of a short getaway. Across the state, you can wander through rolling lavender fields, join a whale watching excursion, or discover wine and music festivals, all within a few hours of home. So get your weekend bag ready and come along to discover some of the state’s most breathtaking towns!
Prosser
Is there anything more relaxing than a weekend at a vineyard? It is easy to make this dream a reality in Prosser, a small town located in the sunny Yakima Valley. There are countless vineyards near town, such as Desert Wind Winery, a scenic vineyard on a bluff that overlooks the Yakima River. In addition to enjoying a wine tasting on the estate’s outdoor riverview patio, you can also opt to spend the night here, at Desert Wind’s Inn. Each guest suite in the inn is made of adobe walls and has a balcony that overlooks the river as well.
Visitors in June might be able to experience the annual Prosser Wine Music Festival, a weekend-long celebration featuring live music and local cuisine hosted across the area’s wineries. For a relaxing walk, don’t miss out on the chance to visit the Crawford River Front Park, which sits right on the Yakima River, popular for walking and picnicking.
Anacortes
If whale watching has been on your bucket list for a while, you will love spending the weekend in Anacortes. Various agencies provide whale watching tours, like Outer Island Excursions, which guarantees whale sightings on their tours. Other wildlife you might spot as well include sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters, and porpoises. The adventure continues on the water with Anacortes Kayak Tours. This company offers all kinds of kayaking trips, ranging from one and a half hour trips to multi-day excursions through the San Juan Islands. You won’t have a hard time finding a cozy inn to spend the night, either. Nantucket Inn is particularly unique, a colonial-style bed and breakfast that was built in 1925. The views from the inn are incredible, overlooking Fidalgo Bay and Mount Baker.
Vashon
Located on an island in the Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma, Vashon is the perfect place to escape to on a weekend away. The island is filled with parks and preserves, starting with Shinglemill Creek Natural Area. Encompassing 168 acres, this area is excellent for hiking, featuring the Shinglemill Creek Trail that offers views across the canyon and creek. Paddlers and swimmers, meanwhile, can head to Jensen Point Park, which has a boat launch and a cobblestone beach with access to waters that are relatively warm for the region. Although lodging is relatively limited on the island, The Lodges on Vashon provide everything you will need for a comfortable stay. Cozy fireplaces, soaking tubs, and game nooks are a few of the amenities that some of the rooms have.
Sequim
Known for its lavender farms, you’ll likely want to plan your weekend away in Sequim for the summer. Many farms offer U-pick lavender experiences each June and July, including Purple Haze Lavender Farm, a seven-acre farm in the heart of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley. This farm also has a seasonal beverage and ice cream stand in the summer, which features several flavors of lavender ice cream. Outside of lavender season, you can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities around Sequim, visiting places like the Dungeness Recreation Area, a parkland with 216 acres of forest, meadows, grassland, woodland, upland, ponds, and wetland. Camping, hiking, and birding are some of the most popular recreational activities here. Consider making the Olympic Railway Inn your base for the weekend, a charming inn that is just three minutes away from the downtown attractions. Each room is located inside an old railway caboose!
Cashmere
Located on the Wenatchee River and surrounded by rolling orchards, Cashmere is a beautiful town to visit if you are craving a laid-back weekend. You can enjoy a stroll at one of several community parks, such as Riverside Park, which sits along the river with a picnic area, hiking trail, sand volleyball court, and more. The town is also known for its history, largely preserved in the Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village, a seasonal attraction home to furnished, authentic local cabins and a museum with over 13,000 square feet of Native American artifacts. The Cashmere Inn is a wonderful place to spend the night, with modern rooms right in the heart of town.
Gig Harbor
You can spend a few days in Gig Harbor to enjoy the salt-air breeze and indulge in the region’s freshest seafood. Kick off your weekend by checking into the Waterfront Inn, which, as the name suggests, is right on the water. In fact, most of the property’s rooms have direct views of the harbor! To get out on the water, you can also look into an excursion with Riviera Cruises, which hosts public three-hour sunset cruises along the South Sound islands and bays.
It’s hard to pick just one restaurant to highlight, but Tides Tavern is a great option if you are seeking good food with a view. This joint has been operating since 1973 and is housed in a building that dates back to 1910, originally the town’s general store. Situated right on the waterfront, dishes you can order on the menu include steamed clams, calamari, clam chowder, halibut & chips, lobster rolls, fish tacos, and more.
There are so many spectacular places across Washington state to visit, making it easy to turn a weekend away into a reality. While some places, like Sequim, are best to visit in the summer, others, like Anacortes and Prosser, offer activities throughout the entire year. Each town has a wonderful selection of boutique hotels and inns, as well, perfectly rounding out the trip. Your next adventure is right around the corner!
