The best things to do in Washington State include hiking iconic mountain peaks, discovering gorgeous waterfalls, sipping a coffee a the first Starbucks, and exploring pretty lakes.

I have compiled a list of the top places to visit in Washington State, highlighting its amazing wilderness, cities, and culture!

Washington State is home to some of the United States’ most beautiful mountain ranges, coastlines, and protected habitats, making this state a very popular destination!

The state prizes and respects its natural spaces, and you can too when you plan your Washington State bucket list.

Now, let’s look at what to do in Washington State!

30 Best Things To Do In Washington State: Top Attractions And Places

Explore Hoh Rainforest

Did you know Washington State has rainforests?

While many of us are more familiar with tropical rainforests, temperate rainforests are an amazing magical sight unlike any other.

The Hoh Rainforest, located on the Olympic Peninsular on the state’s western coast, is the most popular destination in Olympic National Park. It gets its name, Hoh, from the river that runs through it.

It’s famous, mossy ferns are a sight to see! Take a hike and keep an eye out for beautiful waterfalls.

Book Here: Seattle: Olympic National Park Small-Group Tour

Hike Mount Baker

Located immediately under the Canadian border, Mount Baker is a towering volcano. It is the most glaciated in the Cascade Range and the third tallest peak in Washington State.

Mount Baker is also the second most active of the volcanos in the Cascade Range (after Mount Saint Helens) and one of the snowiest places in the world. It is a fantastic place for skiing in Washington!

The mountain peak is visible from both Vancouver and Seattle. It is by far one of the most beautiful peaks in Washington!

This hike is one of the things to do for couples in Washington State! It is quite an adventure!

Walk the Seattle Underground

Under 31 blocks of today’s historic Seattle downtown, you’ll find an ominous underground “city.”

It is filled with the shells of old buildings, alleyways, and antiquated streetlamps, preserving a fascinating tale of the city’s making.

The Great Seattle Fire of 1889 left most of the central business district, then predominately wood, in complete shambles.

The effort to rebuild the city with strong brick structures accompanied an effort to raise the neighborhood out of the sunken marshy bed that made it susceptible to regular flooding.

The new Seattle street grid was built up to two stories above the preexisting one using concrete retaining walls. Pedestrians continued to walk the underground streets until the early 20th century when the space became illegal to walk and synonymous with the criminal world.

Today, tours are aplenty in the Seattle Underground, covering three blocks of the underground that include shopfronts, a hotel, and a bar. You’ll love an underground tour into Seattle’s past!

Book Here: Seattle: Underground Walking Tour

Visit the UPS Waterfall Garden

Snug between the urban streets of Seattle’s popular Pioneer Square, pedestrians are able to walk into a quaint little garden with a large man-made waterfall and a small collection of tables and chairs.

Although the United Postal Service no longer operates from the location, the garden was built on the footprints of the original UPS building in downtown Seattle where the company was founded.

Next to the waterfall, a plaque dedicates the garden to the company’s employees who elevated it to the national success it is today.

Check out this cute, urban garden on your next stroll through downtown Seattle! It is one of the best hidden gem attractions in Washington State!

Take a Day Trip to the San Juan Islands

The San Juan Islands are a cluster of temperate, rural islands that are great getaways for anyone who loves nature, boating, and wildlife.

The area is renowned as a premier orca habitat and is one of the best places in the world to see them!

Three main islands cater to tourists: Lopez Island, Orca Island, and San Juan Island. All three islands are full of hiking trails and stunning viewpoints.

The islands also have great small, local communities with plenty of lighthouses, wineries, breweries, and local farmer’s markets to keep any visitor cheery.

Love cycling? These islands are great for cyclists of all levels!

If you’re arriving in the fall, don’t miss out on the Savor the San Juans festival held all over the islands featuring local artisans, film, and food!

If you are looking for fun places in Washington State, you have to check out these islands!

Take a Boeing Tour

Twenty-five miles north of Seattle in the town of Mukilteo, the Boeing Everett Factory stands as the largest building in the world by volume.

The factory manufactures the largest number of models produced for Boeing’s worldwide base of customers. All of their assembly processes are available for viewing on the Boeing Factory Tour.

The tour even features an interactive “Future of Flight Aviation” exhibit that includes a flight simulator!

The tours last 90 minutes and operate from late May through early September. Don’t forget to book these popular tours in advance!

Hike Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier is the tallest volcano in Washington at 14,410 feet and the most glaciated peak in the United States.

The volcano’s peak is a picture-perfect scene in contrast to the beautiful evergreen forests beneath it.

It’s the second most active volcano in the Northern Cascade Range due to its location in a subduction zone where two colliding plates cause regular seismic and geothermal activity.

The beautiful national park that surrounds Mount Rainier has a multitude of ecosystems.

The mountains feature numerous ice and snow patches as well as 25 major glaciers, making it the largest single-mountain glacial system outside of Alaska!

The park offers 260 miles of trails that cross through thick conifer forests, river valleys, and subalpine meadows.

Don’t forget to reserve your permit to hike the popular Wonderland Trail and camp overnight or hike the backcountry here!

You will have a great time at one of the most fun places in the state of Washington!

Book Here: From Seattle: Mount Rainier Full-Day Tour

Go Skiing in Snoqualmie

Love skiing or snowboarding? Or maybe you’re hoping to give it a try while in mountain country? No matter your background, you’ll fall in love with Snoqualmie!

Located 52 miles east of Seattle, the Summit at Snoqualmie is a gigantic resort owned by Boyne Resorts, encompassing four formerly independent ski resorts that now constitute as separate bases.

These bases are Alpental, Summit West, Summit Central, and Summit East.

Each base possesses its own unique terrain and specializes in different difficulty levels. It’s important to drive to the correct base that will suit your skill levels.

The best-known and busiest base, Summit West, is closest to Seattle and is home to the Summit Learning Center. The school holds classes for all ages, focusing on beginning to intermediate skill levels in skiing and snowboarding.

The terrain at Summit Central contains a variety of terrain. Summit East is known for a mix of intermediate to advanced runs. Alpental has advanced and backcountry runs.

If you don’t prefer skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and winter tubing are great alternatives. These are wonderful Washington State vacation activities for families!

Mount Saint Helens

Mount Saint Helens has always been an imposing and majestic volcano in its own right, but nothing brought the volcano more notoriety than its 1980 eruption.

It was the deadliest eruption in United States history. On May 18, 1980, a 5.1 earthquake caused the already rumbling giant to bulge and burst from its side.

The volcano blew off its top, spewing ash, rock, and hot gases into the air. Ash blanketed the northeast and the sky turned dark for days.

The eruption left the impressive mountain with a great crater at its top and reduced its height by 1314 feet!

Located just 50 miles northeast of Portland and 96 miles south of Seattle, Mount Saint Helens is more popular than ever.

Climbing to the rim of the crater can be done via the Monitor Ridge Route, which is about 5 miles. It doesn’t require technical climbing, but it’s extremely steep, ashy, and rugged.

Additionally, there are countless viewpoints of the volcano, the best of which is the Johnson Ride Observatory.

From here, you’ll be able to view its horse-shoe-shaped crater, learn about its history, and take trails further into the park.

Don’t forget to stop at Mount St. Helens, it’s definitely one of the best things to see in Washington State!

Explore Ape Cave

Located in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, the Ape Cave is the longest continuous lava tube in the continental US.

The 2.5-mile-long trail runs inside a lava tube and is a National Recreation Trail with over 170,000 visitors a year!

Ape Cave is a lava tube that was formed over 2,000 years ago from lava streaming down the southern end of Mount Saint Helens.

As the outer perimeter of the lava stream cooled and hardened, the hotter interiors of the fluid basalt continued moving. These formed tunnels with unique layers of lava flow that make this hiking experience unique.

Ape Cave allows trekkers to choose from two possible routes: a lower and an upper trail. The lower trail is easy and fairly flat and broad. The upper trail is 1.5 miles in one direction and is more rugged.

Most hikers prefer the upper trail because the lava formations are more interesting. Their shapes change frequently, and the trail extends into the forest above the cave.

However, some physical ability is needed to climb over or squeeze around some formations. Plus, ascending into the trail’s forest path requires hikers to exit via a ladder.

This trail is what to see in Washington State!

Take Photos at Panther Creek Falls

Situated in southwestern Washington’s Skamania County near the Columbia River Gorge, the Panther Creek Falls is a gorgeous 130-foot canopy waterfall.

It runs through a vibrant green backdrop of hanging mosses. The waterfall is a hidden gem of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and creates a dramatic crescent water backdrop during the area’s rainiest months.

There’s a wooden viewing deck that shows off the main portion of the waterfall, which is accessible almost immediately from the falls’ parking lot.

Don’t forget to step off of the deck into the creek to see the waterfall in its entirety and capture some amazing photos!

This waterfall is one of the top Washington State must-see attractions!

Tour the Washington State Capitol Building

Located in Olympia, Washington’s state capital complex is actually a large campus!

However, the eye-catching massive domed capitol building is the most striking. It bears a lot of resemblance to the national capital building in Washington D.C.

This building houses the Washington State Legislature and offices for the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and treasurer.

The building’s large dome soars 287 feet and is the largest self-supporting masonry form in the United States!

The other buildings on the campus include the Washington Supreme Court and the governor’s mansion.

Taking a tour through Washington’s state capitol is one of the best free things to do in Washington State!

Don’t forget to check out some of the coolest Airbnbs In Washington!

Explore the North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park features over 500,000 acres of wilderness and offers more flora biodiversity than any other national park in the country.

The park offers the most expansive glacial territory outside of Alaska, the steepest mountains in America (the tallest being Goode Mountain at 9,199 feet), and over 300 glaciers and turquoise-colored lakes.

The rugged backdrop of the Cascade Mountains offers endless spectacular views that can be accessed via countless trails, but also an expansive backcountry.

Check out the Picket Ranges, Mount Triumph, Eldorado Peak, and Mount Shuksan.

Although the park consists of over 400 miles of trail, the most popular in the park are the Cascade Pass and the Pacific Crest Trail.

However, North Cascades National Park is a wilderness park and therefore has no campgrounds. Those wishing to camp must do so from an adjacent park, but the recreational park to the south offers a ferry to visitors who want to hike the south side.

The North Cascades National Park is one of the most underestimated national parks in the country, but hiking this park is undeniably one of the best things to do in Washington State!

Marvel at Palouse Falls

The Palouse Falls, the state waterfall of Washington, is located in southeast Washington on the Palouse River inside Palouse River Falls State Park.

This imposing giant cascades over a towering cliffside at a height of 186 feet from its top to its pool below.

Carved over 13,000 years ago, the waterfall is among the last active waterfalls dating to the path of the Ice Age floods!

The Palouse Park itself consists of over 94 acres with onsite camping, some great picnic locations, and a fantastic canyon just downstream of the falls.

The park offers three views of the waterfall. The first accesses the waterfall’s base via a winding staircase, the second from a paved walking path, and the third offers a panoramic view of the falls and Palouse River Canyon from above.

Palouse Falls is a must-see in Washington State!

Visit the First Starbucks Ever

While in Seattle, you’re going to have to explore the first Starbucks ever if coffee’s your thing!

This iconic coffee shop was established in 1971 in Seattle’s Pike Place Market where it stands in its original form today.

The face of the store even broadcasts the original version of its logo, which was a brown-colored mermaid with far more detail.

Since 1977, the successful franchise has gone beyond its original mission to sell freshly roasted coffee beans. They now sell a mind-blowing array of popular coffee and tea refreshments.

The chain has made an amazing legacy since its beginning. Today there are over 21,500 stores in over 64 countries!

Don’t worry! Despite its retro appearance, the original Starbucks does sell your favorite modern brews. But it can be busy, so plan accordingly!

Book Here: Seattle: 3-Hour City Highlights Tour

Soak in the Olympic Hot Springs

Natural hot springs are popular all over the world and come in a variety of shapes and styles. Unsurprisingly, Washington State is home to a handful of its very own!

Located in Olympic National Park in western Washington, these pools are located between two and three miles into the Boulder Creek Trail in Elwha Valley.

They are fairly shallow, reaching about waist deep when seated. The pools are completely natural, untreated, and unmaintained.

They are only accessible by foot. The walk there is simple and easy for all ages, though it does require crossing a suspension bridge two miles in.

After a quarter mile, you’ll reach Boulder Creek where the springs will be scattered across the area. Some are on the trail and some are more secluded.

Just don’t forget to test the water before getting in! They’re constantly piping hot!

Watch the Sunset at Second Beach

Beaches are amazing locations to view sunsets, and Second Beach is exactly where you’re going to want to be! Add this spot to your Washington State summer guide!

Beach 2, often referred to as “Second Beach,” is a scenic hidden gem located on Washington’s Pacific coastline next to the Quileute Reservation and the town of La Push.

The beach is larger and flatter than nearby “Beach 1” and “Beach 3,” and is full of dramatic coastline islands and bluffs.

From the beach’s parking lot, the inauspicious trailhead heading to Beach 2 begins in the Quileute Reservation. The path runs about a mile on the boardwalk and dirt trail.

Arriving at the beach, you’ll immediately be drawn to the beach’s breathtaking sea stacks rising out of the shallow shore and an arch to the north that howls when the wind passes through it.

The archipelago and cluster of islands with sea stacks are part of a wildlife preserve called the Quileute Needles National Refuge. It protects the local birds and sea creatures that habituate the needles.

This beautiful backdrop is relatively unknown, and the perfect place to spend your evening!

Stay at TreeHouse Point

TreeHouse Point is an unrivaled “glamping” experience in the middle of the lush Washington wilderness. It’s just 30 minutes from Seattle near the Raging River.

The compound has a total of seven classic rental treehouses, a communal multi-purpose space, and two bathhouses.

The deluxe Trillium treehouse offers a two-storied view of the wilderness. Its large, open windows to show every inch of it off.

Other treehouses connect to the campus via rope bridges and have small connecting private decks.

For a mindful experience, the compound offers yoga classes, Tai Chi, and massages! You can also get married here in nature.

This small treehouse city offers unforgettable experiences and is going to make your inner child melt!

Book Here: TreeHouse Point

Stick Gum on the Gum Wall

A gum wall? Gross…or impressive?

Somewhere between a colorful art wonderland and a sticky mess, the famed Seattle Gum Wall is a surprisingly well-frequented destination.

The famous wall is in the center of Seattle’s downtown in the Pike Place Market. It began in the 1900s with patrons waiting outside for the start of an improv show at Alley’s Market Theater.

Today, the Gum Wall covers an enormous surface area comprising of the original brick surface of the theater and its surrounding alleyway.

In 2015, the wall was finally pressure washed and scraped for the first time in 20 years. Although visitors and locals alike immediately began building the wall up with gum again.

All visitors are encouraged to contribute when visiting! The sticky wall says a lot about Seattle’s quirky character. The colors, texture, and overall image of the wall are unlike anything you’ve ever seen!

This is one of the best things to do with kids in Washington State!

Visit Lake Diablo

Diablo Lake is a reservoir in the North Cascade Mountains in Washington State.

It is known for its intense turquoise color from finely ground silt created through the process of glaciation. It is also a popular kayaking and canoeing destination.

Located between Ross Lake and Gorge Lake on the Skagit River, the lake was created by the Diablo Dam, which is part of the Skagit River Hydraulic Project.

Diablo Lake Trail was designated a National Recreation Trail in 1981 and runs for 3.8 miles along the lake’s shore. It also climbs Sourdough Mountain where you’ll find waterfalls and some more amazing destinations.

The reservoir is stunning! You can spend all day looking for new perspectives to observe it. Diablo Lake also has an easy-to-reach overlook from Highway 20: Diablo Lake Vista Point.

There’s no doubt Lake Diablo is one of the most stunning in Washington State, so don’t forget to stop by the lake on your next trip!

Visit the Maryhill Museum and Stonehenge

Who knew you could visit Stonehedge without crossing the pond?

Maryhill Stonehenge in Maryhill, Washington, boasts a replica of the famous site in England, reimagined as it might have looked like in its heyday.

However, this Stonehenge wasn’t built as an accurate representation of its predecessor.

The concrete structure, made in 1918, was the first memorial to the dead in the ongoing World War (specifically those from Klickitat County, Washington).

At this time, the primary interpretation of Stonehenge was that it served as a place of sacrifice, and this memorial echoes sacrifice metaphorically in the context of a soldier’s sacrifice.

Today the structure is part of the Maryhill Museum of Art and includes monuments to local soldiers who died in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan.

Explore the Columbia River Gorge

This 90-mile canyon cuts through the Cascade Mountains, offering some of the most stunning landscapes in the country and carving the line that divides the states of Oregon and Washington.

Located only 100 miles east of Portland, the Columbia River Gorge is the largest scenic area in the United States. It consists of basalt cliffs, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, rainforests, deserts, riverscapes, and snowscapes.

The gorge is enormous with over 293,000 acres of land. There are multiple parks that can be driven, walked, or biked.

It’s completely free to enter, though a Discover Pass is needed to enter state parks like Beakon Rick, Creek Hatchery, or Doug’s Beach.

This region is also home to some great local food and wineries!

Hike to Colchuck Lake

Colchuck Lake is one of the Cascade region’s most picturesque lakes. The area is renowned for its swimming, water sports, and the beautiful hike leading to the lake itself.

The lake features a deep blue-turquoise color, a beautiful characteristic of the lakes in the region. The magnificent Dragontail and Colchuck “twin peaks” tower above the lake.

Luckily for campers, if you wish to camp next to the lake you absolutely can! Overnight stays only require a permit during high season from mid-May to the end of October.

To reach the Stuart Trailhead that begins the trek to Colchuck Lake, take US Highway 2 West. The upward hike is difficult, but the views are fantastic.

The hike delves into a boulder field featuring mountain views and a waterfall. At 4.5 miles, you’ll be met with the greatest overlook of the lake, but the greatest views are of course right upon the turquoise lake itself!

Spend a Night at Shi Shi Beach

Located in Olympic National Park near Neah Bay, Shi Shi Beach is surrounded by coastal forest. The beach is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Washington and is most famous for camping!

Camps sprawl along the beach and into the forest. You can even make fires on the beach as long as you only burn driftwood in the park’s provided fire ring.

The beach is very long and flat, making it ideal for many Washington State activities. It is famous for its shallow outcrop of sea stacks called the “Point of Arches.”

You won’t even need to swim to reach these arches! This area can be approached via a path of sand that places you directly in the middle of the outcrop, which is otherwise surrounded by water in every direction.

To camp here, you’ll simply need an Olympic Wilderness Permit and a Makah Recreation Pass from Neah Bay to access the trailhead which begins in the Makah Reservation! Happy camping!

Attend a Concert at the Gorge Amphitheater

This outdoor venue is considered one of the most scenic concert locations in the world!

It is located near the Columbia River near George, Washington.

The venue offers concertgoers a glorious view of the Colombia River embellished by the Cascade Mountains on either bank and sweeping views of the Columbia Gorge Canyon.

Opening in 1986 under the name “Champs de Brionne Music Theatre” alongside a winery, the venue was designed to accommodate up to 3000 concertgoers.

The venue has since been enlarged and is now owned by Live Nation and accommodates campground spaces for weekend festivals.

The venue has brought in many popular acts over the years, including Phish, the Dave Matthews Band, and famous festivals like Lollapalooza, the Vans Warped Tour, the Sasquatch! Music Festival, and Rock the Bells.

If you ever get a chance, don’t miss an opportunity to experience music from this next-level music venue!

You will agree this is one of the best things to do for adults in Washington State!

Explore Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan is a 50.5-mile-long lake in North-Central Washington State nestled between the North Cascade Mountains in one of the deepest gorges in North America.

Just 160 miles east of Seattle, the lake is both settled and unsettled, with three towns that become populated with visitors over the summer months.

The lake is surrounded by subalpine fir trees and plenty of trails to explore the perimeter, namely within the Lake Chalan National Recreational Center near the town of Stehekin.

From here, it’s easy to camp before taking to the Pacific Crest Trail, which spans the entire length of the U.S. from Mexico. Take time to view the 312-foot Rainbow Falls.

Additionally, Wenatchee National Forest spans the eastern and western lengths of the lake. There are two state parks on the southern end of the lake near the town of Chelan.

This is one of the best activities in Washington State for outdoor lovers!

Spend Christmastime at Leavenworth

This Bavarian-themed town in Washington is magical. You won’t have to leave the States to enjoy traditional Bavarian architecture, cuisine, and beer!

The town is the center of German festivals like Oktoberfest, Maifest, the Accordion Celebration, and of course their annual Christkindlmarkt!

Celebrated during the Christmas season every Thanksgiving weekend on Front Street, festivalgoers will be able to find traditional handmade Bavarian crafts, Bavarian foods, and entertainment.

On Friday and Saturday, the start of the festival is commenced with the Lantern Festival, filled with children playing Christkindl (Golden Angels).

Carrying paper lanterns, these children walk alongside Mr. and Mrs. Claus to the center of the festival grounds, welcoming and greeting guests, and commencing the festival.

Don’t forget to stop by Leavenworth and pick up some Christmas gifts if you’re traveling to Washington during Thanksgiving weekend!

Ride the Washington State Ferries

Don’t miss out on whale watching while in Washington State!

The Puget Sound is one of the most abundant marine ecosystems in the country. To see marine life unfold before your own eyes, take the Washington State Ferries.

This government agency single-handedly operates the largest fleet of automobile and passenger ferries in the United States across the Puget Sound and in between the San Juan Islands.

Common wildlife sightings from any ferry include seals, sea lions, porpoises, and river otters.

However, spotting a whale is far more likely with some extra planning. During the summer, board a San Juan Island ferry to view orcas, which can otherwise be seen from October to February in the center of the sound.

Finally, grey whales will feed near Whidbey Island from March to May and can be seen via the Mulkiteo or Clinton ferries.

Visit the Washington State Ferry’s site for more planning resources!

Visit Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Washington State, and very likely the most popular.

Early on, the falls inspired many myths and legends in native lore, attracted daredevils, and quickly became one of the top tourist destinations in the area.

Seeing over 1.5 million visitors every year, the large 270-foot waterfall has a 2-acre park at its base with boardwalks and a viewing platform above the falls near its parking lot.

As of November 2019, the falls are now owned by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe. They purchased the land in a great funding campaign from a tribe that’d planned to develop the area despite the significance of the land and its proximity to burial grounds.

An additional 45 acres are now protected! You won’t want to miss this natural wonder on your next trip to Washington!

Spend the Night at a Fire Lookout

With the majority built around the turn of the last century after a series of terrible wildfires, fire lookouts began dotting the peaks of the Washington wilderness.

Although most have gone into disuse today, many have been renovated by volunteer groups to allow visitors to experience their extraordinary viewpoints.

There’s nothing more amazing than waking up to a high-altitude view!

If not available for rental, most fire lookouts are available on a first-come-first-served basis. However, this rule means something different to everyone else, so always prepare for the worst.

Come with a tent, as there are normally tent camps just next to these shelters.

Camping in a fire lookout hits the very top of our list of the most fun things to do in Washington State!

There are so many amazing tourist attractions in Washington State! I hope these places have been of some inspiration to you.

Whether at Panther Creek Falls, the Olympic Hot Springs, whale watching, or on top of a secluded fire lookout, Washington State is beautiful all around! Happy adventuring and don’t forget to slow down to enjoy the view!

For more amazing West Coast adventure ideas, check out our Washington State Road Trip Itinerary and our West Coast USA road trip itinerary!

Have a great time crossing things off your Washington State bucket list!