7 Stunning Small Towns In Washington

In Washington, you can do just about anything, hopping from a Norwegian-style harbor to a secluded island before following it up with a weekend of world-class wine tasting. Sequim sets the tone with sprawling lavender farms, U-pick harvest days, and the multi-day Sequim Lavender Festival each July. On the other side of the state, Walla Walla centers the experience around its historic downtown, where more than 30 tasting rooms sit within easy walking distance of one another. Beyond these highlights, whale-watching ports, Scandinavian-style waterfront towns, and Old West main streets all await in the 8 stunning Washington towns ahead.

Sequim

Summer trips to Sequim, the Lavender Capital of North America, are defined by rolling fields and sunny afternoons spent picking your own lavender. At Purple Haze Lavender, a seven-acre lavender farm, visitors can participate in U-pick lavender days during late June and Early July, followed by an ice cream from the farm food stand. Jardin du Soleil is another beloved destination, featuring seasonal activities like a garden maze, lavender picking, and essential oil workshops. Visitors can also enjoy spending time with the farm’s goats and chickens. If you visit Sequim between July 17 and 19 this year, you will be just in time for the Annual Sequim Lavender Festival! This multi-day event features every kind of lavender-themed activity under the sun, ranging from lavender workshops to lavender vendors and plenty of farm tours.

Stehekin

Stehekin is such a remote town that the only way to reach it is by foot, air, or water. However, if you can make the trip out there, you will be rewarded with some of the most incredible adventures. An abundance of hiking trails begin near town, such as the Lakeshore Trail, a famous day backpacking trail that offers fantastic views of Lake Chelan. If you want to appreciate the rugged countryside on horseback, you can sign up for a trail ride with Stehekin Outfitters, which has both half-day and full-day excursions, as well as hour-long lessons for those needing some instruction first. Make sure to add the Buckner Orchard onto your itinerary as well, a historic homestead and operating apple orchard that dates back to the 1880s.

Walla Walla

The Walla Walla Valley is home to over 135 wineries, with 30 tasting rooms located within walking distance of Walla Walla’s downtown district. The Spring Valley Vineyard is the perfect place to begin your wine tasting, offering several experiences like a classic winemaker’s flight tasting, a rare, cellar-aged selection tasting, and a pairing experience. Dama Wines is another lovely winery to visit downtown, a woman-owned and operated business that offers standard and vintage tastings. For some hiking, check out Mill Creek and Bennington Lake Recreation Area, which has a seven-mile trail loop that winds through the park. About two miles of the trail are paved before turning into a more rustic dirt road.

Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor, located on San Juan Island, is widely proclaimed as one of the best towns in Washington for whale watching. Many agencies around town offer sightseeing tours, such as Western Prince Whalewatching & Wildlife Tours, which has been operating in Friday Harbor for over three decades. Killer whales are one of the most common species to spot on the tour, with humpback whales and minke whales also often spotted. You can also do some hiking, picnicking, or wildlife watching at Lime Kiln Point State Park, which is often considered one of the best whale watching spots on earth. After an adventurous day, head over to San Juan Island Brewing Co. for a craft beer, which has been serving beer since 2017, conveniently located just a couple of blocks from the ferry.

Poulsbo

Earning the nickname “Little Norway,” Poulsbo was founded in the 1880s by a Norwegian immigrant. Over a century later, the town continues to preserve this Scandinavian culture. The Viking Fest is one of the town’s largest cultural events, held each May and featuring a parade, carnival, and street fair. The town is also home to shops like Nordiska, a Scandinavian and Nordic-specialty store selling kitchen goods, home decor, gifts, and more. Travelers can also add the SEA Discovery Center to their itinerary, a public aquarium showcasing native wildlife of the Salish Sea. Open on Fridays and Saturdays, the museum operates on a donation basis, with a suggested donation of $2 per person.

Winthrop

Winthrop is a Wild West-era town in the Northern Cascades that feels straight out of the past. The Shafer Historical Museum is just the place to learn about the town’s earlier days, exhibiting history from the Methow Valley, mining and farming collections, and a collection of historic buildings that travelers can visit seasonally. Three-Fingered Jack’s is another immersive historical site, a fully operational saloon that has been running since 1972, complete with swinging saloon doors, jukebox music, and plenty of hearty saloon food. Pop into Glassworks of Winthrop for a memorable souvenir. Housed in a rustic building with a wooden facade, this gallery sells handblown, artisan glassware.

Coupeville

Coupeville, the second-oldest town in Washington, is a majestic and historic island community in the heart of the Puget Sound. Visitors can spend a leisurely afternoon at the Coupeville Wharf, where they can rent kayaks, have a picnic, or grab a souvenir from the gift shop. For some history, plan a few hours at the Fort Casey Historical State Park, where you can explore a 1903 lighthouse, old military batteries, and an interpretive center. Coupeville’s art scene, meanwhile, is present in places like the Price Sculpture Forest Park, an outdoor, interactive museum with century-old trees, sculptures, and a colorful variety of native plants.

A Trip Designed To Your Liking

A trip can truly look like anything you want it to in Washington State. Some travelers might opt for a relaxing weekend of wine tasting in Walla Walla, while others might prefer to venture to the state’s more desolate frontier in places like Stehekin. Or maybe you prefer the wild west history of Winthrop, exploring its museums and saloons. But the adventure is up to you, so get out there and get exploring!