Downtown, Pike Place & Waterfront
This 175ft Ferris wheel was installed in June 2012 with 42 gondolas, each capable of carrying eight people on a 12-minute ($14!) ride. The wheel sticks…
Must-see attractions in Washington
Seattle
It's practically obligatory to climb the 107 steep steps to the top of the 75ft water tower in Volunteer Park. Built in 1907, it provides wonderful vistas…
San Juan Island National Historical Park (English Camp)
San Juan Islands
English Camp, 9 miles northwest of Friday Harbor, contains the remains of British military facilities dating from the 1860s. A path from the parking area…
Olympic Peninsula & Washington Coast
When Olympia was founded, its narrow harbor was a mudflat during low tides, but after years of dredging a workable harbor was established. This park, a…
Washington Coast
For some interesting local history, check out this full-scale replica of one of the ships piloted by Captain Robert Gray when he first sailed into Grays…
Around Seattle
Hwy 203 branches off from 202 at Fall City; follow it north to Carnation, where the Snoqualmie and Tolt Rivers meet at Tolt-MacDonald Park. This is a…
Washington Coast
Half souvenir shop and half sideshow, the 'museum' features Weekly World News stars like Jake the Alligator Boy (a wonder of taxidermy that appears to be…
Seattle
What other US university campus has a perfectly framed view of a glacier-drizzled, 14,410ft stratovolcano? This beautiful green corridor of lawns and…
Carl English Jr Botanical Gardens
Ballard & Discovery Park
On the northern bank of Hiram M Chittenden Locks is this charming arboretum and specimen garden. Trails wind through gardens filled with flowers and…
Yakama Nation Museum & Cultural Center
Central Washington
The history of the Yakama Native Americans is well documented at the Yakama Nation Cultural Center, which exhibits traditional costumes, baskets and beads…
Olympic Peninsula & Washington Coast
Many Olympians cite this as their favorite park, for the lush green forest, the network of nature trails that lead to Budd Inlet on Puget Sound, the many…
Orcas Island Historical Museum
San Juan Islands
Housed in a series of six original homesteader cabins dating from the 1880s, this island museum relates the pioneer and local history of Orcas and the San…
Goldendale Observatory State Park
Central Washington
Goldendale Observatory State Park is a 5-acre educational park with an awesome telescope, located atop a 2100ft-elevation hill. It's undergoing…
Around Seattle
Veer off Vashon's main drag and immerse yourself in the island's history at this small but lovingly tended museum in a historic house. Permanent exhibits…
Spokane
The Upper and Lower Falls of the Spokane River, conveniently located right downtown, are not only visually impressive but also quite refreshing in summer,…
Pioneer Square, International District & SoDo
If you need a tranquil spot to rest while wandering the ID, Hing Hay Park lends a little breathing space to this otherwise austere district. The…
Central Washington
Tucked out of view but surprisingly close, this is Leavenworth's access to the Wenatchee River. Wander down 9th St and follow the leafy path over a…
Seattle
The lovely Quad is home to some of the original campus buildings, many of them built in a Collegiate Gothic style reminiscent of New England. On sunny…
Belltown & Seattle Center
The remnants of the futuristic 1962 World's Fair hosted by Seattle and subtitled Century 21 Exposition are still visible over 50 years later at the…
The CD, Madrona & Madison Park
At the southern edge of Washington Park Arboretum, this 3.5-acre formal garden has koi pools, waterfalls, a teahouse and manicured plantings. Granite for…
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
Southeastern Washington
Washington State University's art museum has a large permanent collection of mostly Northwestern art and stages several temporary exhibits each year of…
Pioneer Square, International District & SoDo
Got kids? Got kid-like tendencies? Love the buzzers and bells of good old-fashioned analog machines? Lay aside your iPad apps and become a pinball wizard…
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention
Bellingham
This museum showcases more than 2000 exhibits relating to the early days of electricity and the golden age of radio. And if you're over 18 and willing to…
San Juan Islands
This scenic area at the island's southeastern extremity holds three trails, the best being the under-a-quarter-mile stroll to Watmough Bay, a stunning arc…
North Cascades
It's hard to differentiate the reconstructed buildings in the museum from the rest of Winthrop, such is the town's eerie authenticity. However, the museum…
Bellingham
The collection in this Western Washington University gallery includes tapestries by Alexander Calder and several paintings by key nature-focused Northwest…
Spokane
The immortal Bing Crosby donated a comprehensive collection of his recordings and paraphernalia to alma mater Gonzaga University, and many of these items…
Around Seattle
The Bellevue Art Museum, across from the mall, features changing exhibits of contemporary Northwest art. Everything from large scale instillation to…
Fort Spokane Museum & Visitor Center
Northeastern Washington
To uncover the history of the Grand Coulee Dam area, visit Fort Spokane Museum & Visitor Center off Hwy 25, 23 miles north of Davenport, where original…
Hiram M Chittenden Locks Visitor Center
Ballard & Discovery Park
In Carl English Jr Botanical Gardens on the north side of Hiram M Chittenden Locks is this visitor center containing a small museum documenting the…
Pioneer Square, International District & SoDo
Sneak a peak at the beaux arts–inspired lobby while on your way to the 35th-floor Observatory of this landmark building. The views aren't as dramatic as…
Downtown, Pike Place & Waterfront
The Main & North Arcades, sandwiched between Pike Pl and Western Ave, contain some of the most quintessential Pike Place Market ephemera: flower stands,…
Cape Disappointment Lighthouse
Washington Coast
From the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, a hiking trail leads half a mile to Cape Disappointment Lighthouse. Built in 1856, it's the oldest such…
Olympic Peninsula
Here you'll find the work of many of the professional artists who live on the peninsula. The gallery is high above the city amid a 5-acre sculpture garden…
Northwestern Washington & the San Juan Islands
The quilt museum displays examples of quilt art from several generations as well as changing exhibits that may include other crafts such as knitting. The…
Around Seattle
Go 10 miles south of Coupeville to find this park-style farm that's open daily for shopping at the food stands on-site, strolling the bucolic fields and…
Seattle
This library was set up in 2009 by Gay City, a community organization, and has already collected 6000 volumes on LGBTIQ+ topics. There are regular…
San Juan Islands
A nice little walk through the forest leads to the shore and rocky reef. Expect to see lots of seals. The trailhead is easy to find: head to the airport…
Olympic Peninsula & Washington Coast
Second only to Seattle's Pike Place in size and character, Olympia's local market is a great place to shop for organic herbs, vegetables, flowers, baked…
Around Seattle
Although much of Woodinville has been taken over by chain restaurants and strip malls, there are still charms to be found in the city's historic downtown…
