8 Best Washington Towns For A Winter Getaway

Winter can feel like a special time of year as the temperatures outdoors drop and snow spreads its white robe over the landscape. For many people, winter is a perfect time for a vacation, including those who like winter activities and those with children on a holiday break. If that's you, consider making one of Washington's small towns the destination for your cold-weather getaway, with snow on the mountains, lights in the town centers, and hot drinks to warm body and soul. Here are some Washington communities where travelers can find something that fits their style.

Leavenworth

Tucked into the Cascade Mountains is Leavenworth, Washington, a mountain town that feels like a small slice of Bavaria. One of the main attractions is just the German architecture itself, endlessly photogenic and reminiscent of an Old Country Christmas. And if Christmas is what you're after, it's obligatory to visit the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. It's home to thousands of nutcrackers from many centuries and styles, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest collection of its kind. Among the many shopping options, two that stand out are the Wood Shop, known for puzzles, toys, and woodcrafts, and Kris Kringl, a year-round Christmas shop with festive decorations and gifts that will remind you of your magical trip to Leavenworth every holiday season.

Poulsbo

You can explore Poulsbo, Washington, known as "Little Norway," on the shores of Liberty Bay. Established in the 1880s, Poulsbo’s bakeries, museums, and events showcase its Scandinavian heritage. One you don't want to miss is Sluys' Poulsbo Bakery, a long-running downtown shop that bakes breads and pastries from scratch each day.

Step out of the chilly weather with a visit to the Poulsbo Maritime Museum, where exhibits highlight the town's maritime history, including life on Liberty Bay and local boat-building traditions. One of the biggest wintertime attractions in Poulsbo is Julefest, centered around the Sons of Norway lodge and nearby waterfront park. Visitors enjoy Norwegian street food, Scandinavian vendors, and a Lucia Bride ushered to shore in a Viking boat. As dusk falls, the Vikings light a large bonfire and read the Viking King’s Winter Solstice Proclamation, creating a memorable finale to the celebration. And even if it's cold, bundle up and walk by the lake at night. The town's lights reflected in the water look like a glowing Impressionist painting. Gorgeous!

Stanwood

Previously known as Centerville, Stanwood originated as a small trading post and later shifted to its present waterfront location to improve access to river traffic and trade. Today, the town is well known for The Lights of Christmas, a large holiday light show at Warm Beach Camp & Conference Center. Families drive through elaborate displays of more than a million lights with themed scenes, music, and activity stops. A shopping experience you won't find anywhere else is Uff Da Shoppe in downtown Stanwood, a Scandinavian-themed store selling Nordic gifts, cookware, and ornaments. The D.O. Pearson House, a preserved 1890 Victorian home, adds a historic note to any winter visit and reflects Stanwood’s early architecture.

If you've never had the experience of cutting your own tree, you can give your family that memory at Holiday Forest Christmas Tree Farm, a family-owned u-cut farm near town. Visitors can choose among several varieties of fir and spruce, warm up with free hot chocolate or apple cider by the fire pit, browse a small gift shop, and pose for photos by a decorative sleigh before heading home with their tree.

Snohomish

Snohomish, Washington, is a lively town with a friendly atmosphere. Located on the Snohomish River, it offers a range of outdoor activities and seasonal fun. Each year, downtown Snohomish hosts Winterfest, a holiday weekend filled with events for all ages. Activities have included an ice sculpting contest and a Holiday Wine Walk featuring local Washington wineries. Beyond Winterfest, the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association also organizes a Winter Solstice Walk along the River Front Trail. Hundreds of lanterns light the path for an evening stroll on the shortest day of the year. It's a beautiful event that you and your loved ones will talk about for years to come.

Those looking to stretch their legs can head to Lord Hill Regional Park. Covering more than 1,400 acres of forest and wetlands, the park provides miles of winter walking and hiking trails. For a holiday outing, visit Christmas at the Farm at Dairyland, where visitors can browse seasonal vendors, admire festive decorations, and take photos with Santa on selected dates.

Cle Elum

Cle Elum, in the Cascades, is the place to be for winter recreation. Suncadia Resort, just outside town, has an amazing tubing hill that makes a fun outing for families where kids of all ages can work off some of their energy. The resort also has an outdoor Glice skating rink with a synthetic ice-like surface that isn't dependent on freezing temperatures. Snowshoers can explore Jack Creek Road, a mostly flat 14.7-mile forest road often used in winter for snowshoeing and cross-country travel. Its gentle grade makes it a good choice for beginners and families. After a day in the snow, warm up in town at Mule and Elk Brewing Co., a nano-brewery known for its rotating lineup of craft beers and seasonal releases, including winter ales.

Chewelah

You might find the snowy winter you want in Chewelah, Washington. Situated in the Colville River valley, Chewelah is home to 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort, where skiers and riders enjoy multiple chairlifts, long runs, and access to glades and bowls on the slopes of Chewelah Peak. Nordic skiing and snowshoeing routes are also available through the resort’s Nordic center.

In town, the holiday season brings events such as Santa’s Sugarplum Market, which highlights local artisans and crafters. After Christmas, Chewelah Center for the Arts transforms recycled holiday trees into the Christmas Tree Labyrinth, inviting visitors to walk a winding path lined with evergreens and lights in the days following the holiday. Chewelah’s Winterfest adds another dose of winter fun downtown, with vendors, family activities, and an art show at Trails End Gallery and snow-sport demonstrations or competitions that vary year by year.

Port Angeles

Lose yourself in the winter scenery around Port Angeles, Washington, a small coastal city that serves as a primary gateway to Olympic National Park. The park covers nearly a million acres and includes a rugged coastline, temperate rainforest, and high mountain ridges, all accessible from trailheads within a short drive of town.

Along the park’s Pacific shoreline, at Second Beach you'll find a wide stretch of sand dotted with tall sea stacks that stand out against winter clouds and surf. When access roads and conditions allow, visitors can ski and snowboard at the small Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area or go tubing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing on marked winter routes. Ranger-led snowshoe walks are offered on many winter weekends, introducing visitors to the park’s winter ecology.

Snoqualmie

Snoqualmie, Washington, is a welcoming winter destination for individuals and families. The town sits in the upper Snoqualmie Valley, at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Start a cold morning with a drink from Dark Horse Brew, a local coffee shop that serves espresso drinks and cocoa in the historic downtown. From there, drive up to The Summit at Snoqualmie, a ski area made up of several base areas that collectively offer downhill runs, night skiing, tubing, and Nordic skiing. For more low-key holiday fun, board one of the Northwest Railway Museum’s seasonal excursions. The Santa Limited train typically runs on selected dates, offering a roughly two-hour ride with cocoa, cookies, crafts, and time for photos with Santa.

Washington Winter Memories

No matter how you spend your time, a winter vacation in Washington is memorable. One of the really nice things about it is how many different activities its small towns offer with something to enjoy for different ages and energy levels. While many states offer snow sports, Washington stands out for having so many mountain towns and resorts you can enjoy in a single trip. Night walks to see the lights, shopping in holiday-themed stores, and visiting museums are just a few of the ways you can enjoy the season in ways you might be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Whatever you add to your Washington winter itinerary, it's sure to turn this into a very memorable cold-weather getaway.