7 Best Attractions To Visit In Washington
Washington is one of those states that draws you in completely. You can get the best of both worlds here, as you inhale the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee in a city neighborhood, while the next minute, you are gazing out at forests, mountains, and lakes. If you want big and unforgettable scenery, you will find it here, and the only difficult thing is deciding where to start exploring. There are iconic landmarks you have probably heard a lot about, and various quiet spots that will leave an indelible impression on your soul. To make the most of your next trip to Washington, consider adding the following attractions to your itinerary. Each offers an experience well worth your time and shows a different side of Washington State.
Seattle Great Wheel
If you are not afraid of heights, the Seattle Great Wheel is a great place to kick off your Washington tour. This lit-up Ferris wheel is 53 meters high and located at Pier 57 on Elliot Bay. You can take your spot in one of the 42 climate-controlled gondolas and enjoy spectacular views of Puget Sound. The wheel is covered with more than 500,000 LED lights, so take some time to watch one of the custom light shows over the weekend.
When you get off the wheel, you can make your way to the Space Needle, which is just two miles away. Here, you can immerse yourself in the views with the floor-to-forever glass on the Needle’s Skyriser glass benches. The structure also features the world’s only revolving glass floor, the Loupe, so that you can see the city down below. During the holidays, Santa Claus visits to share the Christmas Spirit, and you can have a multi-course brunch 500 feet above the city.
Deception Pass Bridge
If you do not want to be confined by a gondola or glass benches while enjoying the views, a walk across the Deception Pass Bridge might be right up your alley. The bridge actually consists of two two-lane bridges on Washington State Route 20. They connect Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island, and the combined bridge is one of Washington's most photographed landmarks. There are sidewalks on both sides of the bridge where you can walk or stand. There are also trails below the bridge if you want to be closer to the water.
The bridge also spans part of Deception Pass State Park, with the park effectively surrounding it. There are several viewpoints on the islands as well as beach access points, alongside the trails that lead around the cliffs. You can walk along North Beach while keeping the bridge in sight. Alternatively, you can hike to the top of Goose Rock, which offers more views of the surrounding landscape, including islands and mountains. At Rosario Beach, you will find tide pools filled with sea stars, and you may even see a seal or porpoise enjoying the shallow waves.
Olympic National Park
If you plan to stay a while during your Washington trip, visiting Olympic National Park is a must. You can choose a camping spot here and then explore the glaciers, the wilderness coast, and more than 600 miles of hiking trails. There is nothing you cannot do here. You can go mountain biking, fishing, walking, hiking, and so much more. If you visit on certain days, including Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, or Independence Day Weekend, you can access the park for free. At all other times, you need a park pass, which provides access to multiple national parks, refuges, forests, and more.
Olympic National Park spans nearly 1 million acres and is almost entirely wilderness. There is a gorgeous temperate rainforest, lakeshores, and a vast, unspoiled coastline. The best views are found at Hurricane Ridge or Mount Storm King. The Storm King Trail is challenging, so be prepared for switchbacks and a climb of approximately 2,000 feet in elevation. If you want to hike, the Living Forest Loop and Peabody Creek Trail are short enough to fit into a day trip. You might also spot Roosevelt elk and Olympic marmots as you make your way through the park.
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
You can even fit in some history lessons as you explore what Washington has to offer. The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site sits on the north bank of the Columbia River and was established in 1825. Here, you can explore a 19th-century fur trading post and wander around a reconstructed village and historic buildings. History interpreters demonstrate how blacksmiths forged tools in the 1800s, and you can watch costumed performances, including Tales of the Engagé. It is a highly informative outing that offers activities for families and a self-guided tour option.
The site also includes the Pearson Field and Air Museum, which forms part of the U.S’s oldest working airport. Here, you will find a life-size replica of a WWI French Voisin III bomber among other historic airplanes. If you have an aspiring pilot in the family, be sure to take them to the Open Cockpit Day to experience the vertical wind tunnel and flight simulators.
Mount St. Helens
For a walk on the wild side, you can visit Mount St. Helens in the Cascade Range in the southwestern part of Washington. Mount St. Helens is an active volcano that draws visitors from far and wide. The volcano erupted dramatically in 1980, causing the collapse of the mountain's north face. This disaster resulted in the creation of the Mount St. Helens National Monument and the Visitor Center. The center shows a film about the eruption for visitors, and you can visit the Johnston Ridge Observatory, the nearest point to the mountain, which is located in the blast zone.
When you leave the center, you can take the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway to see what the eruption left behind. There is even a house still partially buried in Kid Valley. Before the gate that closes the highway in winter lies Hummocks Trail. The hummocks here were formed from volcanic debris during the eruption, and the elevation offers excellent mountain views.
Columbia River Gorge
Washington is home to magnificent landscapes, and the Columbia River Gorge is a prime example. The Columbia River cuts through the Cascade Mountains, creating the border between Washington and Oregon. On the Washington side of the gorge, Beacon Rock is a basalt monolith that rises 848 feet. If you are up for a challenging hike, Dog Mountain offers a good one and features wildflowers in the spring.
You will also find the Bride of the Gods, a $1 toll bridge that takes you across the river to Cascade Locks. You can learn more about the history of the area at the Columbia Interpretive Center, or just relax for the day at the Bonneville Hot Springs. There are petroglyphs and relics of old wagon trains to explore at Columbia Hills State Park. And you can welcome dusk along the river while fishing for salmon.
The Enchantments
While you are in the Cascade Mountains, you absolutely need to see and hike The Enchantments. This area sits above the town of Leavenworth and is simply one of the most breathtaking places in the state. The Enchantments are part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and feature peaks and alpine lakes. There are five zones. Before you use any of the trails, download the Outdoors NW app, which works offline to stay on track. If you want to camp, you need to enter a ‘lottery’ system. The early-season lottery awards 75% of permits, with the remainder allocated through a walk-up lottery. If you obtain a permit, be aware that you must camp away from wildlife and should not approach mountain goats or black bears.
The Enchantments are a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but you must be a seasoned hiker to take on the challenge. You need to be prepared and have the right gear. The elevation is very steep, and only the strongest hikers can tackle an entire trailhead in one day. But if you are up for it, you will be rewarded in the best ways. The Upper Enchantments feature the Dragontail Peak above the pass. The trail you take will pass the Tranquil and Isolation Lakes, past Little Annapurna, before you get to an alpine meadow. Further down, there is an azure pool in a basin before you reach the Middle Enchantments. There is much more to see before you get to the Lower Enchantments, where McClellan Peak and Prusik Peak await.
Planning the Ultimate Washington Adventure
Washington is the kind of place that stays with you long after your trip ends. When you finally leave, you will most likely start planning your next trip while still in the car. Every stop in this great state adds something different to the overall experience. Together, they offer you a full journey that never becomes overwhelming. The best way to enjoy Washington is at your own pace. Leave lots of room and time for detours and unplanned stops. You do not need to see everything at once; spread out the attractions so you can appreciate them. When you return, you can catch whatever you missed the first time around.
