Central Washington
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a spectacular 614-sq-mile protected area of rough, crenellated mountains, glacier-gouged valleys, and – as the name implies…
Must-see attractions in Central & Eastern Washington
Northeastern Washington
The Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center details the history of the dam and surrounding area with movies, photos and interactive exhibits. Free guided tours of…
Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture
Spokane
In a striking state-of-the-art building in the beautiful Browne's Addition neighborhood, this museum is well worth a visit. It has one of the finest…
Central Washington
This highly educational and entertaining museum is one of the state's best. It tells the story of the region from a geographic and historical viewpoint,…
Southeastern Washington
Fifty-four miles north of Walla Walla and 83 miles west of Pullman, off Hwy 261, this jaw-droppingly magnificent waterfall tumbles 198ft down a craggy,…
Spokane
This park, 6 miles northwest of downtown Spokane, consists of 10,000 acres of protected forest and trails where you can run, walk or cycle to your heart's…
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
Northeastern Washington
Dry, sunny weather prevails here, drawing people to camp and play on Lake Roosevelt's southern white-sand beaches. As the 130-mile lake inches its way…
Spokane
The site of the 1974 World's Fair and Exposition, this downtown park has numerous highlights, including a 17-point Sculpture Walk and the scenic Spokane…
Central Washington
Swimming, boating and fishing entertain summertime visitors to Lake Wenatchee, 23 miles north of the city of Wenatchee (and actually much closer to…
Southeastern Washington
At first glance, the Tri-Cities can seem like nothing but one big traffic snarl. The best solution: go to the park. This 400-acre green space along the…
Southeastern Washington
In a cool modern building overlooking Columbia Park, this hands-on museum focuses on local and regional history and the ecological impacts of human…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
Spokane
The immortal Bing Crosby donated a comprehensive collection of his recordings and paraphernalia to alma mater Gonzaga University, and many of these items…
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…
Spokane
In the university art center at the end of Pearl St is this museum housing a good collection of classical sculpture and painting, as well as an 18ft…
Spokane House Interpretive Center
Spokane
This interpretive center, 9.5 miles northwest of Spokane on Hwy 291, is housed in a fort from the earliest permanent non–Native American settlement…
Central Washington
A pleasant oasis in an otherwise unremarkable city, the Greenway is best accessed via Sarg Hubbard Park at I-82 exit 33. It has 18 miles of paths for…
Central Washington
An interesting historical fort complex is preserved in the 200-acre Fort Simcoe State Park, an oasis of green amid scorched desert hills. It was built in…
Southeastern Washington
Most of Pullman's sights are related directly to expansive WSU, which accommodates more than 22,000 students and one of Washington's leading agricultural…
Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery
Central Washington
Of three thriving fish hatcheries on the Columbia River, this is the largest and possibly the most interesting. Created to provide a spawning ground for…
Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge
Northeastern Washington
Bird-watchers should swing down to this 41,573-acre refuge, where McDowell Lake attracts waterfowl and other birds, especially the white-headed woodpecker…
Southeastern Washington
This museum occupies the fort's old cavalry stables, with a recreated pioneer village outside. The main exhibit hall contains displays on the Lewis and…
Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center
Central Washington
This good municipal museum places its main focus on – surprise, surprise – apples. Exhibits include a recreation of a 1920s apple-packing shed and a farm…
Southeastern Washington
If you're a fan of geodes and thunder eggs, stop in at this museum in the School of the Environment, showcasing the more than 2000 specimens of petrified…
Sacajawea State Park Interpretive Center
Southeastern Washington
Set in a 284-acre park at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers, the Sacajawea Interpretive Center describes the journey of Lewis and Clark…
Central Washington
This urban green space on 46 acres gathers more than 1000 trees native to the Yakima River area, with demonstration gardens (water-conserving xeriscaping…
Northeastern Washington
Colville town's most notable attraction has as its centerpiece Keller House, a large 1910 bungalow with attractive Craftsman details. Dispersed around the…
Northeastern Washington
To get acquainted with local history, call in at the interpretive center at Fort Okanogan State Park, 4 miles northeast of the town of Brewster. It tells…
Southeastern Washington
An erstwhile stop on the Oregon Trail, this is the site of what is widely known as the Whitman massacre: in 1847 white missionary Marcus Whitman and a…
Central Washington
A view of frontier agriculture is on display in the small town of Thorp, 8 miles northwest of Ellensburg, at what was once a de facto meeting place for…
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…
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…
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…
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…
