Washington Travel Stories

Apr 4, 2024 • 7 min read

From open-air art galleries to natural wonders, there's no shortage of ways to experience the best of Washington state for free.

Apr 3, 2024 • 8 min read

Washington’s nickname, the Evergreen State, fits it well – here are the best times to visit for camping, forest hikes, coastal drives and avoiding the rain.

Apr 2, 2024 • 8 min read

Step on the gas and explore the mountains, forests and scablands of Washington State.

Apr 1, 2024 • 8 min read

From authentic German towns and remote villages to stunning rugged landscapes, Washington State has it all and more. Start with our 10 favorite places.

Oct 17, 2023 • 5 min read

A quick trip to enjoy nature, a luxuriously converted hotel and a floatplane ride in surprisingly sunny Washington State.

Oct 14, 2021 • 8 min read

Whether you're looking for a wheelchair-accessible nature stroll or a strenuous backpacking trip, these are the best hiking trails in Olympic National Park.

Oct 26, 2020 • 6 min read

Between the iconic California shoreline and the old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest, America’s left coast is home to an array of diverse ecosystems,…

Sep 30, 2020 • 4 min read

From mountains to desert, forest to streams, the country's abundance of showstopping views could make even the most jaded traveler weak at the knees. Here are…

Sep 25, 2020 • 5 min read

The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair and became an icon in the US. Here's what you need to know about this futuristic structure.

Nov 21, 2019 • 6 min read

With a thriving arts scene, outdoor activities, fantastic restaurants and wineries, Kirkland, Washington is ideal for a Pacific Northwest getaway off the…

Jul 9, 2019 • 5 min read

Considering its rather young age, the city of Seattle has had many identities since it was incorporated as a frontier logging town in 1869. It’s been a…

Aug 20, 2018 • 6 min read

Seattle is an ever-evolving city. While the paint’s still drying on one idea, someone somewhere is beginning another project.

Jun 1, 2018 • 4 min read

Within the confines of a museum’s walls, children can explore our planet’s rich history, dive deep to the bottom of the ocean, and discover what other…

Apr 24, 2017 • 5 min read

This may be the Golden Age of Television, but such gilded eras must start somewhere – and that somewhere might be Twin Peaks. Co-created by David Lynch,…

Dec 6, 2016 • 6 min read

Every year our Lonely Planet experts scour the states to bring you America’s unmissables. From sweeping mountain ranges, tropical coastline, desertscapes…

Nov 21, 2016 • 6 min read

Three decades after helping to orchestrate North America’s craft beer revolution, Seattle is in the throes of a new drinking renaissance. Travelers…

Oct 16, 2015 • 5 min read

It’s no mystery why savvy food and drink lovers have been streaming into the Pacific Northwest for decades. Edged to the east by phenomenally fertile…

Mar 30, 2015 • 5 min read

Though it’s built on seven hills like Rome, Seattle is a city that’s famous for its modernity. What it lacks in Romantic ruins, it makes up for in cutting…

Mar 5, 2015 • 2 min read

As a Seattleite, let me tell you – it rains in Seattle nearly as much as they tell you. But who cares? You're in the most beautiful, caffeinated and…

Mar 3, 2015 • 6 min read

Cheers! Prost! Cin cin! Beer lovers have plenty of reasons to toast Seattle. With its long-standing flair for technological innovation and foresighted…

Feb 20, 2015 • 5 min read

Seattle is a big city with the food philosophy of a small farm. For proof, dip your finger into the culinary extravaganza of Pike Place Market, a…

Dec 19, 2014 • 5 min read

To spend time living like a local in Seattle, it helps to first don a little camouflage and subtly assume the mannerisms of a typical Seattleite. Try…