San Juan Islands
Set in the Rosario Resort & Spa, these rooms around the hotel's lobby tell the life and times of former Seattle mayor, shipbuilder and groundbreaking…
Must-see attractions in Washington
World Kite Museum & Hall of Fame
Washington Coast
If you think a museum devoted to the history and artistry of kites might be a bore, think again. Kites have been used for scientific research, aerial…
Clark County Historical Museum
Washington Coast
This small, vibrant museum mounts various exhibitions on Vancouver life, culture and history. It's also home to the Brautigan Library, a collection of 400…
Seattle
This gallery has secured its reputation by taking risks: the work on view skates along the edge of urban pop-culture. Since opening in 1998, the gallery,…
Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum
Washington Coast
Investigating ancient Chinook culture, along with the journeys and trade of successive Spanish, Russian, British and American explorers, is this fine…
Seattle
Go north on Broadway (as the dandyish boutiques turn to well-maintained houses with manicured lawns) until it turns into 10th Ave E and you’re within a…
Seattle
Just north of the U District is Ravenna, a residential neighborhood that’s home to a lot of professors and university staff. At its heart is Ravenna Park,…
Ballard & Discovery Park
Once the offices of the early local broadsheet, Ballard News, this is still one of the most impressive historic buildings in Ballard and one of the oldest…
Ballard & Discovery Park
The GS Sanborn Building is Ballard’s only example of Romanesque architecture, a style that was popular on the East Coast in the 1880s. It has a sandstone…
East Benton County Historical Museum
Southeastern Washington
This museum tracks local history and has some exhibits on 'Kennewick Man,' the 9300-year-old skeleton of a Caucasian male found on the banks of the…
Seattle
This public park in a quiet residential part of Georgetown contains a community pea patch and is home to the giant, carefully restored, bright orange and…
Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center
Seattle
This Duwamish tribal cultural center takes the form of a traditional longhouse built out of cedar wood and located beside the Duwamish River. It's used…
Ballard & Discovery Park
Now lacking its decorative 3rd-floor corner turret, the narrow Junction Building (dating from 1890) has had all number of reincarnations in its 125-year…
Belltown & Seattle Center
This terracotta and granite structure, guarded by eagles perched on the roof, was designed by the Paris-trained architect Carl Gould (who also designed…
Seattle
Head south along Lake Washington Blvd E through the very upscale Madrona Park neighborhood and you’ll end up at Colman Park. The entire lakefront stretch…
Northwestern Washington & the San Juan Islands
The maritime museum contains the restored hulk of the WT Preston snagboat, the last sternwheeler that operated on Puget Sound between 1929 and 1981,…
Seattle
You'll see Alaska Junction referenced often around West Seattle, as it functions as the de facto commercial center for the mostly suburban neighborhoods…
Jefferson Art & History Museum
Olympic Peninsula
The local historical society runs this well-maintained exhibition space in an impressive brick building that includes mock-ups of an 1892 jail, maritime…
Washington Coast
Built in 1924 by one of the timber barons of Hoquiam, this 26-room riverside mansion is filled with period furniture, clothing, regional artifacts, a doll…
Mt St Helens Forest Learning Center
Washington Cascades
Situated at Mile 33 on Hwy 504, the learning center is basically a showcase for the lumber industry (it was built by timber company Weyerhaeuser), though…
Kittitas County Historical Museum
Central Washington
Housed in the 1889 Cadwell Building, this museum is known mostly for its petrified-wood and gemstone collections but also boasts several rooms full of…
Skagit County Historical Museum
Northwestern Washington & the San Juan Islands
Perched atop a hill high above Skagit Bay and the surrounding farmlands, this fortress-like museum presents indigenous crafts, dolls, vintage kitchen…
Central Washington
As much a gift shop as a place to peruse, the Nutcracker Museum specializes, as you'd guess, in an exceptional variety (around 5000 at last count) of…
Spokane
Like a relic from an old-fashioned fairground, this 1909 hand-carved carousel is a kids' classic and, along with the larger-than-life Radio Flyer Wagon…
San Juan Islands
The restored 1917 schoolhouse is run by the local historical society and offers a good photo op. To get to the schoolhouse from Lopez Village, take the…
Spokane
The kitschy Pavilion is a small amusement park in summer and an ice rink in winter. At the time of research it was part of the section of Riverfront that…
Olympic Peninsula
A well-preserved example of life in uptown Port Townsend from a century ago, this museum was originally the home of a local businessman. Its atmospheric…
Washington Coast
OO Howard House, built in 1879, was a non-commissioned officer's club during WWII and was restored to its former elegance in 1998. It now houses a small…
Spokane
Founded in 1887 by the Jesuit order, Gonzaga University is famous for its college basketball team and one particularly celebrated former student: the…
Olmstead Place State Park Heritage Area
Central Washington
Just 4.5 miles southeast of Ellensburg off I-90 is this open-air museum, with historical log cabins, pioneer barns and other farm buildings dating from…
Seattle
The conservatory is a classic Victorian greenhouse built in 1912. Filled with palms, cacti and tropical plants, it features five galleries representing…
Downtown, Pike Place & Waterfront
Look up at the beaux-arts style Cobb Building (1910) and see remnants of an older Seattle. Peering out from the 11-story edifice you'll see several stern…
Olympic Peninsula
The Timber Museum commemorates the early settlers and loggers of the region. Included in the museum's collection is a steam donkey (used to transport logs…
Central Washington
The nuns and novices of this Greek Orthodox women's monastery open their doors to the world via their fantastic bakery and deli, selling delicious…
Seattle
Drumheller Fountain sits inside what was originally known as Geyser Basin (now ‘Frosh Pond’), one of the few remaining pieces left over from the 1909 expo…
Central Washington
This local art museum features a permanent collection of the work of Ellensburg-born Western artist John Clymer, as well as changing exhibits of pieces by…
Washington Coast
This museum is devoted to the colorful history of Northwest aviation. A number of historic planes are on display in the main hangar, surrounded by…
Washington Coast
This grand Queen Anne–style mansion in Vancouver Barracks was home to General George Marshall in the 1930s. It's open for tours and events; ask at the…
Central Washington
Three miles north of town on Alt US 97, the Ohme showcases the mighty Columbia River at its best, with 9 acres of terraced alpine gardens emerging like an…
Around Seattle
Duvall, about 25 miles north of North Bend along Hwys 202 and 203, has a rural small-town atmosphere despite its growth spurt. Wander Main St and check…
