These 9 Towns In Washington Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2025
One look at these darling Washington towns proves why they’re among America’s favorites in 2025. Each community weaves a unique story, from the storybook town of Leavenworth to the rustic fishing village vibes of Friday Harbor. These towns are places unfazed by tourism, where there’s always a locally owned coffee shop or bakery with hometown-famous treats, or a quiet park where the skyline takes your breath away. There’s no doubt that Washington is one of the most beautiful states in the US, but these towns take it to a whole new level.
La Conner
Nestled along the scenic banks of the Swinomish Channel is the sleepy fishing village of La Conner. It may look like a fishing village at first glance, but La Conner has a unique artsy vibe that makes it truly special. It’s where you’ll find the Museum of Northwest Art, which has over 2,400 works of art spanning the 1900s to modern day. Even their coffee shops, like Raven's Cup Coffee and Art Gallery, boast a funky artistic flair! And since La Conner isn’t too far from the Pacific Ocean, the seafood is worth the drive alone. There are small, locally-owned restaurants, like La Conner Waterfront Café, offering freshly caught seafood with a view of the water from their patio.
While eating at one of their waterfront restaurants, you may notice the tall hat-like structures on the other side of the Swinomish Channel. Those structures are the Swinomish Cedar Hats, a public art installation celebrating the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. The hats are located within a beautiful waterside park in La Conner, where you can admire the cedar hats up close and go for a meditative walk along the water’s edge.
Chelan
Chelan may be small, with a population just under 5,000, but it’s arguably one of the most beautiful small communities in the entire state. Settled along the crystal clear waters of Lake Chelan, it is a hidden hamlet that blends beautiful sights with friendly small-town vibes. Local parks like Don Morse Memorial Park highlight Chelan's natural beauty, where visitors can launch a canoe onto the water or take a relaxing walk on its paved trails. One of the best ways to explore Chelan on foot is via the Chelan Riverwalk Trailhead, which winds through town along Chelan Lake.
Lake Chelan has over 40 wineries, so if you’re tired of all that walking, there’s always a scenic winery close at hand. The Vin Du Lac Winery is one of the best in the area, offering stunning views of the countryside on its open lakeside patio. Just imagine sipping an award-winning wine, ordering a few appetizers, and listening to live music on the banks of Lake Chelan. If you prefer something closer to central Chelan, the Rocky Pond Winery Tasting Room has a fantastic selection of wines, and it’s not too far from the Chelan Riverwalk Trailhead.
Leavenworth
One look at the storybook village of Leavenworth, and you’ll understand why it is one of the most beloved towns in the Pacific Northwest. After the timber and railroad industry declined in the 1960s, Leavenworth needed to change its image to attract tourists. Since the nearby Cascade Mountains looked similar to the European Alps, it remodeled its image to look like a Bavarian town, and it was very successful! Downtown, you’ll find delightful Baravian-themed stops like Andreas Keller Restaurant, a restaurant with an old-world flair serving up German dishes. And no trip to Leavenworth is complete without a stop at the Bavarian Bakery for an authentic German strudel!
Outside of its lovely German downtown district are unique attractions you will only see in Leavenworth, like the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, where you can pet and feed reindeer. It transforms into a winter wonderland at Christmas, but even outside of the holiday season, it still captures the Christmas spirit. If you’re looking for a fun adventure in the Cascade Mountains, the Leavenworth Adventure Park is always a hit. It has the Tumwater Twister, Washington’s first alpine coaster that weaves through the mountains, offering some of the best views in the area.
Friday Harbor
Located on San Juan Island, Friday Harbor is a small fishing village in northern Washington. Its slow pace, beautiful scenery, and vibrant downtown make it one of Washington’s best seaside retreats. The community cherishes its marine life and has local attractions like the Whale Museum celebrating its whales. There are whale skeletons, interactive exhibits, and an emphasis on the Southern Resident orcas, an endangered species that lives near San Juan Island. Friday Harbor has some of the best whale-watching opportunities in the state, at places like the beautiful and isolated Lime Kiln Point State Park.
Friday Harbor is a calming place where you can take a relaxing stroll along the bank of the port at the Fairweather Park, and then head to a restaurant for a delicious seafood meal. Downriggers is a favorite spot among the locals (and within walking distance from Fairweather Park), where you can enjoy fresh seafood and great cocktails on its idyllic outdoor patio.
Port Angeles
In northern Washington is the beloved town of Port Angeles, known as the gateway to Olympic National Park. Imagine breathtaking views of snowcapped peaks, mossy forests, and rugged shorelines. The entrance to the park is found in Port Angeles, and Hurricane Ridge is where you can earn views of Mount Olympus, the highest peak in Olympic National Park. On a clear day, you can even see the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Canada!
The views in Olympic National Park are great, but one of the best views in Port Angeles is found right in town at Harborview Park. It’s a natural sand spit that juts out into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, where the land stretches out for miles ahead of you. It’s a great place to beachcomb, take pictures of the stunning sunsets, or whale watch. After a day of exploring the natural beauty of Port Angeles, there’s always a friendly diner or coffee shop to recharge your batteries, like Priscilla's Cruise In Cafe.
Coupeville
As a hidden gem tucked away on Whidbey Island, Coupeville is a delightful town settled on the water’s edge of Penn Cove in northern Washington. It’s one of the oldest towns in the state of Washington, and not much has changed since its founding in the 1850s. There are historic storefronts, minimal traffic, and cozy shops waiting to be explored. Local diners, like the Oystercatcher, offer up amazing seafood with peaceful views of the lake on its rustic outdoor patio. To learn more about the town, be sure to swing by the Island County Historical Society Coupeville Museum to see Native American artifacts and walk through its beautiful gardens.
One of the most beautiful and peaceful spots in Coupeville is the Coupeville Town Park. It offers amazing views of Penn Cove, where visitors can walk along the water and admire the views of the town. The park is never crowded, and it’s a great place to go for a walk. For even better views of the water, the Coupeville Wharf has been the crown jewel of Coupeville for over 100 years. Walking the pier offers stunning views of the town, and at the very end, you’ll find a lovely gift shop serving up food and coffee.
Snohomish
North of Seattle is the vibrant riverfront community of Snohomish (pronounced snow·how·muhsh), known as the antique capital of the Northwest. In Historic Downtown Snohomish, you’ll find so much more than Victorian-era buildings and manicured sidewalks! It’s the ideal spot in Washington to go antique-hunting at popular spots like the delightful Antique Station in Victoria Village. And no trip to Snohomish is complete without swinging by the Snohomish Pie Co. for their famous Apple Berry Crumb.
Snohomish may be known for its antiques and sweet treats, but the views along the Snohomish are undeniably beautiful. The Riverview Wildlife Refuge is on the edge of town, offering shaded hiking trails, secluded lake views, and wide open prairies that bloom with wildflowers in the summer. The trails are relatively flat and accessible, making it a great spot to bring the whole family. Just outside of Snohomish is the Flower Farmer Girls, a beloved farmers market with fields of blooming flowers that transitions to a fall-theme farmers market in autumn.
Sequim
Things can get pretty rainy in Washington, but not in the northern town of Sequim! It is located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, which means it gets much less rain than the rest of the state. Bad news for backyard gardeners, but good news for lavender! Sequim's cooler nights and minimal rainfall create the exact right conditions for growing lavender, making it the Lavender Capital of North America! You can roam the fragrant lavender fields at the Purple Haze Lavender Farm in central Sequim. The farm offers pick-your-own flowers, a picnic area, and an ice cream stand. Roaming lavender fields and topping off the day with ice cream is like something out of a very pleasant dream. And if you visit during the summer, you can even catch the Sequim Lavender Festival, where the town comes alive with vendor booths and food trucks, and lavender-flavored treats.
Sequim isn’t too far from the trails at Olympic National Park, but some of the best trails are right in town. The Olympic Discovery Trail is a paved path that cuts through central Sequim, where hikers and bikers can take in the sights of the town, wooded paths, and water views. If you prefer to walk along rocky shorelines, the Panorama Vista County Park has rustic beaches and views of the mountains that stretch as far as Victoria, British Columbia.
Poulsbo
On the banks of Liberty Bay west of Seattle is the town of Poulsbo, known for its strong Scandinavian heritage. It’s often called Little Norway because of its colorful Scandinavian architecture and half-timbered buildings lining the city streets. Inside these inviting buildings are darling little shops, like Sluys Poulsbo Bakery, known for its Poulsbo bread, or the Brass Kraken Pub, a rustic tavern with a view of the marina.
As a waterside village, there are quite a few parks where you can take a relaxing stroll along the water. The Liberty Bay Waterfront Park has a boardwalk that traces the marina, where you can watch ships dock, as well as a charming gazebo. Not too far from the waterfront park is the SEA Discovery Center, a popular spot to learn more about the local marine life. It is a small, cozy aquarium with a touch pool, educational exhibits, and various displays of local marine life.
Explore Washington’s Top 9 Towns in 2025
From the colorful Scandinavian heritage of Poulsbo to the fragrant lavender fields of Sequim, these small Washington towns will leave a big impression. They are places that feel untouched by time, where local coffee shops and quaint museums blend seamlessly into the stunning scenery. With backdrops of Mount Olympus in Port Angeles to the rocky shoreline of Sequim, there’s a reason they’re so beloved. Whether you’re looking for a weekend retreat or a new place to call home, it's easy to see why they are consistently ranked as some of the best towns in the United States.
