8 Fairy-Tale Small Towns In Washington
There is something magical about the small towns in Washington, especially those with architecture that resembles something out of a storybook. People stroll across charming streets for a friendly chat with a neighbor, while flowers beautify alpine balconies down the road. Scenic trails crisscross the town limits, extending to gorgeous woods and rivers.
Each small town in Washington State has its atmosphere and culture. Some boast exceptional art, while others have unmatched natural surroundings. The towns here also have a vibrant history, with some making the most of what they are known for, be it apples, cherries, renewable energy, or coffee. All while maintaining a wholesome fairy-tale look and vibe.
Leavenworth
The small town of Leavenworth pays homage to Bavarian architecture. The pretty-as-a-picture Cascade Mountains surround the beautiful homes and buildings here. During winter, when the twinkling lights go up outside storefronts and the snow dresses up the mountains, it’s easy to see why local leaders proposed to turn the town into a full-on Bavarian experience.
Besides its charm, Leavenworth is also a great place to go rafting on the Wenatchee River or hike and bike on gorgeous trails. Carolers take to the streets during the festive season, and gingerbread house displays go up. There is also a vast Christmas market to enjoy, attracting thousands of visitors yearly.
Visitors also visit the Nutcracker Museum throughout the year to view its collection of 9,000 nutcrackers. Another big draw is München Haus, a beer garden with a massive selection, and the Gingerbread Factory, which offers traditional lebkuchenherz (heart-shaped cookie necklaces).
Poulsbo
Poulsbo is another small town with a distinctly European ambiance. It is nicknamed ‘Little Norway’, and it’s easy to see why, given the Liberty Bay waters resembling fjords. Norwegian flags are throughout downtown, and an intense Viking atmosphere prevails.
The town is located on the Kitsap Peninsula and can be accessed by ferry, boat, seaplane, or car. Those who take these means to reach Poulsbo often stop by Tizley’s Europub for a drink or the Slippery Pig Brewery for a Viking Board before they start exploring.
The Liberty Bay Waterfront Park and Muriel Iverson Williams Pavilion house boats, picnic tables, and a King Olaf statue. Visitors may also spot jellyfish in the water and harbor seals lazing in the sun. During the summer, kayakers spend their days on Liberty Bay’s waters, while paddlers explore the Kitsap Water Trail.
For those who visit the town during the summer, there is also the Viking Fest to look forward to, a three-day festival held in May every year. The festivities continue until late at night, with people dressed in Norwegian costumes and colorful processions taking to the streets.
La Conner
The tiny town of La Conner takes the fairytale theme to heart with a dramatic mermaid statue at its waterfront, overlooking the Swinomish Channel. The city is situated in the Skagit Valley and is perhaps best known for its annual Tulip Festival.
Apart from the festival, the town features a butterfly garden, the landmark Rainbow Bridge, which spans the Swinomish Channel, and stunning forest trails to hike in Pioneer Park. The Museum of Northwest Art is a must-visit for anyone interested in landscape paintings.
Visitors who want to experience some of La Conner’s more recent history can head to O’Neil’s Confectionery and Soda Fountain, which features a traditional soda fountain and sells glacier ice cream and taffy. The Scone Lady Bakery offers excellent scones and other baked goods from its location in the Lime Dock building near the waterfront.
Sequim
Washington is known for its high rainfall pattern, so it may be surprising to learn that Sequim is one of the driest places in the state. This is good news for those who want to explore the outdoors here, which includes hiking the Dungeness Spit Trail or the Olympic Discovery Trail.
The town attracts tourists who want to pick berries on local farms, take walks in old-growth forests, and kayak during the summer. However, the biggest draw is the lavender. After all, Sequim is the Lavender Capital of the U.S. The town is home to several lavender farms and three lavender shops in the downtown area. The best time to visit the lavender farms is spring and summer, when the fields turn a deep purple.
The town also leans into the storybook theme with the Red Caboose Bed and Breakfast getaway, where guests can sleep in their railroad car. They also dine on gourmet breakfasts in a 1937 Zephyr private dining car.
Roslyn
Roslyn has a familiar look, mainly because it was the main filming location for the TV series Northern Exposure. It is also storybookish because of its location in the shadow of the Cascade Mountains and its pure, small-town charm.
Roslyn is easy to reach from Seattle, which is only 80 miles away, making it the perfect weekend getaway destination. The town is situated in the middle of Upper Kittitas County, which many deem one of the most beautiful regions in Washington. Visitors can enjoy expansive views of the area from the Timber Stilts Treehouse Cabin near Lake Cle Elum. During the summer, there are numerous opportunities for swimming and boating on the lake.
During winter, those who want to explore the woods can hike the Coal Mines Trail or go snowmobiling at the Last Resort. Winter is also a great time for snow tubing at The Summit. Speelyi Beach also often gets covered in snow, which makes for an unusual beach walk.
Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor on San Juan Island is charming, quaint, historic, and tranquil—all the features visitors look for when visiting a small town in Washington. Strolling along the docks and gazing at the boats is an adventure in itself. Friday Harbor is also the home of Popeye, a female harbor seal who has frequented the area since 1995.
There are orcas on display at the Whale Museum and in the waters surrounding the town. The Lime Kiln Lighthouse is a prime whale watching spot, a mere twenty-minute drive from the island.
Friday Harbor is highly walkable (and cyclable), making it easy to explore the waterfront and the water itself. There are several hiking trails across the island to explore, including the Larrabee Trail and Tommy Thompson Parkway.
Regarding culinary adventures, Downriggers offers fresh seafood, while Salty Fox Coffee is renowned for excellent coffee and breakfasts. When the sun sets, many visitors sit at Memorial Park to watch the rays dance across the Friday Harbor Port.
Coupeville
Coupeville is historic, quaint, and beautiful. With fewer than 2,000 permanent inhabitants, it is the second-oldest town in Washington State and was named after Captain Thomas Coupe.
Coupeville’s historic wooden pier and wharf lie along Penn Cove and look like something straight from a romance novel. The red wharf is also one of the most iconic spots to take memorable selfies.
Since the town is located on Whidbey Island, it also offers some of the best views of Puget Sound and the surrounding landscape, especially when hiking Ebey’s Landing Bluff Trail. The Prairie Overlook trailhead promises a longer hike and more views, this time of Mount Baker, the Cascades, and the Olympics.
Those who love historic towns should take a detour to the Sunnyside Cemetery, which also happens to overlook Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve. The cemetery is as historic and quaint as the town and tells the story of those who lived there more than a hundred years ago.
For food options, there is Front Street Grill, which offers coconut green curry mussels and mahi mahi burgers. At the Oystercatcher, fresh oysters and excellent cocktails await.
Gig Harbor
Gig Harbor is a maritime village near Puget Sound, offering incredible views of Mount Rainier. It does not get more fairytale-like than this, especially when the harbor lights up. The views of the water and mountain alone draw thousands of visitors, who take to Harborview Avenue in droves.
Others climb the 100 stairs from street level to Finholm View to get magnificent views of the entire town. The Boque Viewing Platform is also great for scenic purposes. The waterfront park, Skansie Brothers Park, is a tranquil location for boat watching, while Donkey Creek Park offers several hiking trails and rocky shores to explore.
Forests, valleys, and snow-topped mountains await in Kopachuck State Park. The hike down to the beach provides views of the sound and the Olympic Mountains.
The most magical adventure, however, is a gondola ride on the harbor. These gondolas are authentically Venetian and are steered by gondoliers who share the town's history as the gondolas slowly cross the water.
The streets and surroundings of these small towns have their own stories to tell, and the locals are eager to share them. Some towns are smaller than others, but each can surprise and delight visitors from around the U.S. and the world. The real magic of these fairytale towns lies in their character and spirit, which always go deeper than architecture and charm.
