7 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in Washington
The variety inside Washington is the case for staying in-state for the long weekend. Friday Harbor is reached only by ferry or floatplane and runs on whale-watching and a handful of inn-keeper-run hotels. Walla Walla operates more than 130 wineries and downtown tasting rooms in restored 19th-century brick. Ashford sits at the front door of Mount Rainier National Park. Leavenworth rebranded itself as a Bavarian village in 1962 and became a year-round festival town. The seven below cover that range.
Vashon Island
About 17 miles southwest of Seattle in Puget Sound, Vashon Island feels both close to the city and far away. Point Robinson Park combines an 1885 lighthouse, wooded walking trails, and views back to Seattle, plus Oscar the Bird King (a Thomas Dambo recycled-material troll sculpture). Maury Island Marine Park has bald eagles, blue herons, chinook salmon, and occasional orca sightings, plus a rare grove of Pacific madrones near the shore.
Vashon Island also has a strong food and drink scene. Pop Pop Bottle Shop on Vashon Highway pours local beers and ciders alongside house-made Asian food. For Vashon-made spirits, stop by Nashi Orchards and Dragon's Head Cider for ciders and perries. The Lodges on Vashon offers modern cabin-style rooms downtown.
DuPont
About 15 miles north of Olympia, DuPont looks like a typical Puget Sound suburb on the surface. The wildlife and golf options are what justify the trip. Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge protects an estuary of national importance, with boardwalks and trails for birding and wildlife watching. The Sequalitchew Creek Trail leaves from neighborhoods, runs through forest, and ends at the beach by the old DuPont Wharf.
For golfers, DuPont is a strategic base: The Home Course and Eagle's Pride are in town, and Chambers Bay (host of the 2015 U.S. Open) is just up the road in University Place. Fairfield Inn & Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton handle the I-5 lodging.
Long Beach
About 111 miles southwest of Olympia and 111 miles northwest of Portland, Long Beach sits on a peninsula with a 28-mile continuous beach. The Long Beach Boardwalk is a half-mile elevated walk above the dunes. North Head Lighthouse, an 1898 beacon, helped guide ships through the "Graveyard of the Pacific." The Discovery Trail (8.5 miles paved) runs north to Clark's Tree, a 20-foot bronze monument marking the spot near the Lewis and Clark Expedition's northernmost point on the Pacific Coast, where William Clark carved his name into a tree in 1805.
Cape Disappointment State Park has forest trails and rugged coast where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. Willapa National Wildlife Refuge covers 17,000+ acres of tidelands and rainforest. After a day outside, Breakers of Long Beach is the casual beachfront stay; The Inn at Discovery Coast is the upscale option.
Walla Walla
About 49 miles southeast of Pasco and 153 miles southwest of Spokane, Walla Walla is one of the Pacific Northwest's top wine destinations, with more than 130 wineries in the AVA. Downtown alone has tasting rooms for Maison Bleue, Seven Hills Winery, and Bledsoe Family Winery. South of town, Pepper Bridge Winery, Valdemar Estates, and Kinhaven extend the tour into the surrounding vineyards.
Beyond the tasting rooms, Fort Walla Walla Park combines sports facilities with a 700-acre natural area. Bennington Lake handles fishing and mountain biking. The Marcus Whitman Hotel is the in-town historic stay; Yellowhawk Resort is the wine-country option with its own winery.
Ashford
Ashford is the year-round western gateway to Mount Rainier National Park, about 82 miles southeast of Seattle. The Nisqually Entrance is a few miles up the road, with trails through old-growth forest and views of Washington's tallest peak (14,410 feet). Glacier View Wilderness adjoins the park to the west with additional hiking. For something different, Recycled Spirits of Iron (also called Ex Nihilo) is Dan Klennert's outdoor metal sculpture park.
Copper Creek Inn is the local landmark for blackberry pie and burgers. Paradise Village serves Ukrainian food and runs cabin-style rooms. Wellspring Spa offers cabins with a forest setting and spa services.
Leavenworth
In the Cascade Mountains about 118 miles east of Seattle, Leavenworth rebranded itself in 1962 as a Bavarian village to revive the local economy after the timber and rail industries declined. The transformation worked. The Greater Leavenworth Museum covers the town's history (including the Bavarian rebrand). In winter, Ski Hill, Stevens Pass Nordic Center, and the South Park Nordic Trails handle the cross-country and downhill options. In summer, Lake Wenatchee opens up for swimming and paddling.
Icicle Brewing Company and Doghaus Brewery handle the local craft beer scene; Milbrandt Family Wines and Icicle Ridge Winery handle the wine. Icicle Village Resort is the family-friendly stay; Cashmere Mountain B&B is the quiet option with mountain views.
Friday Harbor
About 104 miles northwest of Seattle, Friday Harbor is the main village on San Juan Island, accessible by Washington State Ferry from Anacortes or by Kenmore Air floatplane from Lake Union. The natural highlights include Cattle Point's rocky shore, the wild stretch of South Beach, and whale watching at Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse. San Juan Vineyard, San Juan Island's best-known winery, sits on the grounds of an 1895 schoolhouse. San Juan Island Brewery pours island-made lagers, pilsners, stouts, and IPAs.
For history and art, the San Juan Historical Museum, the San Juan Islands Museum of Art, and The Whale Museum are all in walking distance downtown. Snug Harbor Resort sits on the water with its own marina; Inn to the Woods is the quieter forest option.
Stretch The Long Weekend
Each of these towns earns a different kind of weekend. Ashford and Mount Rainier for the mountains. Walla Walla and Leavenworth for wine and beer. Long Beach and Friday Harbor for the coast and islands. Pick one, and the next one's waiting.
