Ultimate Washington State Bucket List!
Welcome to the Evergreen state! This upper left corner of the United States is filled with iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Known for its vast stretches of coniferous forests and beautiful Cascade Range, Washington is the perfect state to visit if you love the outdoors.
If you haven’t been to the state before, there are a number of top attractions you must tick off your bucket list. For those of you who have been before and looking for more adventurous activities, there are a lot of places that are waiting for you to explore.
We have listed some of the most amazing places that we think you should make the effort to tick off your Washington state bucket list. We’ll start with a few of the top places in Seattle that you can’t miss, followed by gorgeous spots on the Washington coast and Olympic Peninsula, then list the best destinations in Central and Eastern Washington. Let’s get to it.
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Washington State Bucket List
Space Needle
Yes, we had to put the Space Needle at the top of this Washington bucket list because it is not only iconic to Seattle but also the most recognizable symbol of the state.
This famous landmark draws visitors from around the world and has recently been updated to include an all-glass revolving floor. The very first of its kind in the world! It is Seattle’s top attraction and a must see.
You can purchase a Seattle City Pass which will give you admission to the Space Needle and other top attractions such as the Seattle aquarium and Chihuly Garden too.
Pike Place Market
No visit to the Emerald City is complete without a visit to the colorful Pike Place Market. These markets offer fresh produce and specialty food from local independent businesses with most offering free samples. Wander around tasting organic honey and jams, sip on fresh apple cider, and take in the scent of fresh cut flowers.
The most popular tourist attraction at the Pike Place Market would have to be the fish throw which seems to always delight visitors. The fish throwing spectacle happens every couple of minutes or whenever the crowd gets large enough.
If you’ve never tried Alaskan King Crab before, this would be the place to try it! Seattle is home to some of the best seafood in the country so after watching the fish spectacle be sure to take advantage of the fresh ocean bounty.
Seattle Central Library
The Seattle Central Library is an architectural masterpiece and attracts visitors from around the world. This incredible 11-story structure made of glass and steel can be found in the heart of downtown Seattle.
One of the coolest things about this library is the ‘books spiral’ which displays all of the non-fiction books on a continuous series of shelves that spirals up through four stories.
The building was designed by Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus, and received an American Institute of Architects Honor Award in 2005.
Make sure you take the elevator up to the building’s 10th floor while you are there to see sweeping views of Elliot Bay.
Gum Wall
Love it or hate it, you can’t come to Seattle without getting a gum wall selfie! This place is on every traveler’s Washington state bucket list so put it on yours so that you can say ‘you’ve been there done that’.
The gum wall came about when patrons waiting in line for an improv show down Post Alley stuck their used gum on the wall and it just kept going from there.
You can find this quirky and kinda gross attraction in Post Alley which is right by the Pike Place market entrance.
Olympic Mountains
The Olympic Mountains are a mountain range on the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington. The mountain range is bounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Puget Sound to the east, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the north. The highest peak is Mount Olympus at 7,980 feet.
While this mountain range isn’t particularly high, they are still incredibly spectacular, especially in winter when the peaks are covered in snow.
The good news for travelers with a limited amount of time is that you don’t have to travel out to the Olympic Peninsula to see this mountain range. You can easily jump on a ferry in Seattle and see their striking rise up from sea level.
Hoh Rainforest
The Hoh Rainforest is a temperate rainforest located on the Olympic Peninsula. This is an enchanting place where you will find tall Sitka spruce and Western hemlock trees dripping in mosses and lush ferns that blanket the forest floor.
The incredible visuals is owed to the regions high rainfall of 140 inches (3.55 meters) on average each year.
There are plenty of fun things to do here that outdoor enthusiasts will love such as hiking, swimming in crystal clear rivers, and camping. Believe it or not, summers are surprisingly hot and dry in Washington state so pack your swimwear!
Cape Flattery
Cape Flattery is the most northern point along the United State’s pacific coastline. Although it is quite the trek to get to, it is well worth it as you can see in the above photograph.
Dramatic views of rugged rocks, seabirds, and jade colored water is offered at various viewpoints along the trail. The hike is easily accessible even for non-hikers and it is only 0.75 miles from the trailhead to the overlook. The trail starts down a wide graveled path that heads downhill into open forest before coming to a boardwalk section where you will reach several viewpoints.
The area is managed by the Makah Tribe and you will need to obtain permits to park at the trail parking lot or to access other points in Neah Bay.
Ruby Beach
Ruby Beach is stunning and rugged like no other beach you’ve seen before. The energy here is wild and you will feel completely recharged after your visit.
The beach is accessed via a 0.25 mile trail from the parking lot. At the end of the trail you will be greeted by large driftwood logs along the high tide line.
Towards the north end of the beach there are several sea stacks which are fun to explore at low tide. Be sure not to miss this northern end of the beach as it is hauntingly beautiful.
If you are interested in staying nearby, Forks is the closest town to Ruby Beach and where you’ll find a wide range of lodging options.
Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge is one of the most visited places inside Olympic National Park. At an elevation of 5,242 feet, the area offers incredible panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and forests.
There are a number of hiking trails that begin here which will lead you through lush forests and to beautiful alpine lakes. In the winter, visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Hurricane Ridge Ski & Snowboard Area, a small family ski resort.
To get to Hurricane Ridge, take Hurricane Ridge Road which is a seventeen mile drive from the Olympic National Park Visitor Center in Port Angeles. At the end of the road you will find a visitor center where you can pick up maps and snacks.
Walk Across Deception Pass Bridge
Deception Pass Bridge is one of the most photographed bridges in the state of Washington. The bridge which is about 180 feet high connects Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island along Highway 20.
Visitors can walk across this this arched steel structure which is a National Scenic Monument and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There is a three-foot wide sidewalk on each side of the bridge offering heart pounding views of the turbulent waters below.
See it on this Northwest Washington road trip.
Diablo Lake
Diablo Lake’s stunning turquoise waters surrounded by the peaks of the North Cascades is an unbelievable sight. The amazing color of the lake can be attributed to glacier ground up rock silt which reflects the light in a way that gives it the blue-green hue that you see.
This lake is not really a lake, but rather a reservoir built by the Diablo hydroelectric dam. Even though the lake is man-made, it does not look artificial at all.
Diablo Lake is located in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area along highway 20. This highway makes a great road trip that will connect you from the western half of Washington state to the east through the North Cascades National Park.
Wallace Falls
There are a lot of beautiful waterfalls in Washington state but Wallace Falls might have to be the most impressive. To see this stunning waterfall does require some effort as it involves a somewhat strenuous 5.6 mile roundtrip hike.
The first portion of the hike is fairly flat and easy but it soon starts to quickly climb in elevation. Take comfort in knowing that one of the best views of the waterfall can be seen from halfway up at the Middle Falls Overlook. The trail from here eventually leads to the top of Wallace Falls where you can see expansive views of the Skykomish River Valley.
Read: Hiking Wallace Falls
Leavenworth
Leavenworth is a charming Bavarian-themed mountain town located on the eastern side of the Cascade Range. It is a popular tourist destination and particularly so in winter for its winter activities and Christmas celebrations however, any time of the year is a good time to visit. Summer is great for outdoor activities and in the fall, the area is ablaze in wonderful autumn colors.
The store fronts here have been replicated to resemble that of the many German villages of Old Europe complete with cozy fireplaces inside. Be sure to bring your appetite for the cute bakeries and German fare you’ll find here.
Mt Rainier
Mt Rainier is an icon in the Washington landscape and towers over the southwest section of the state. With a summit elevation of 14,411 feet, this mountain is so big that on a clear day you can see it all the way from the eastern part of the state too.
You can get a closer look at Mt Rainier’s giant stature and glaciated peak from inside Mt Rainier National Park. This national park is incredibly beautiful in the spring when subalpine wildflowers bloom in the meadows that surround the mountains lower slopes.
It is possible to visit Mt Rainier National Park as a day trip from Seattle but if possible stay overnight in the area to enjoy some of the hiking opportunities and to drive out to the eastern section of the park.
Mt St Helens
Mt St Helens is best known as the volcano that erupted not too long ago back in 1980 and is still considered active as evidenced by the steam rising from the ever-growing caldera. This volcano is located in the Cascade Range and part of the infamous Pacific Ring of Fire.
There is an impressive Visitor Center where you can learn all about volcanoes and local geology along with a small cinema that screens a short documentary about the devastating eruption. There are also hiking trails that begin at the visitor center that allow you to see the destruction caused by the eruption and how quickly the vegetation has recovered.
You can easily visit Mt St Helens from Portland (52 miles away) or from Seattle (98 miles away).
Explore The Ape Caves
Photo by Iwona Kellie / Flickr
The Ape Cave is the third longest lava tube in North America. If you are the adventurous type, you can hike the 2.5 mile long tube which starts by descending two staircases to the cave floor. From there you can choose to explore the Upper or Lower cave.
The Upper Cave is 1.5 miles long one way and requires a lot of agility to maneuver over the many obstacles found along the way. The Lower Cave is an easier walk along a sandy trail.
Be sure to bring headlamps or flashlights with you as you won’t be able to see without them. Also bring warm clothing as the cave stays at a temperature of 42 degrees year round.
Palouse Falls
Palouse Falls is located in Palouse Falls State Park in eastern Washington. Its very remote location means that not many people actually visit this park but know that those who do make the effort are greatly rewarded.
This roaring waterfall plunges 200 feet into a churning bowl before making its way out to the Snake River though a winding gorge of impressive columnar basalt walls.
The area has an interesting history which was carved out 13,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. There are interpretive signs around the park that explain some of its geologic history.
Walla Walla
Walla Walla is best known for being Washington’s wine region. How did the town get this reputation? Well, the area has some of the most fertile agricultural soil in the nation with a perfect growing climate for grapes.
There are now over 120 wineries in Walla Walla so it’s not hard to imagine why wine lovers flock to this small town way over on the eastern side of Washington state again and again.
But this charming town filled with handsome historic buildings has so much more than just vineyards and wine bars. Walla Walla is also home to an incredible culinary scene with many local restaurants offering farm to table menus and delicious seasonal beers on tap at the breweries scattered across town.
In fact, the foodie scene is so impressive here that it is alone worth visiting Walla Walla!
And in between the award winning restaurants and world class wineries you’ll find an eclectic mix of boutique stores, book shops, art galleries, and cafes with cute outdoor patios that spill out onto the sidewalk.
It sounds like an ideal place for a relaxing weekend getaway doesn’t it?
Read: 20 Things To Do In Walla Walla That Aren’t Wine Tasting
Lake Lenore Caves
The Lake Lenore Caves are a set of seven ancient caves hiding in the high desert plains of Eastern Washington. These caves were created by the great Missoula Floods when water pulled chunks of basalt from the walls of the coulee. After the waters retreated and the caves had been created, early native people used these areas as shelters.
There is a short hiking trail that will take you up to the caves and allow you to step inside and explore them. The caves are quite large and shallow so a flashlight is not necessary.
Besides the caves, the other cool thing about visiting this place is the incredible viewpoint of Lake Lenore and the impressive Coulee Gorge.
Steamboat Rock State Park
Steamboat Rock State Park is one of the most impressive places in Washington. It is unexpected, interesting, unique, and seriously stunning! This destination is unlike any other in the evergreen state and you will fall in love with this place the minute you set your eyes on it.
This state park is over 5,000 acres with 50,000 feet of lake shoreline. The incredibly beautiful Banks Lake is the main attraction here offering lots of on-water recreation activities. Banks Lake is unbelievably blue and gigantic. Its perfect for getting lost on your boat, fishing, or canoeing in the calm bay areas.
At the center of the park is the wonderfully weird rock formation that the park is named after; Steamboat Rock. This gigantic rock which is more like a mesa has a surface area of six hundred acres which you are more than welcome to walk atop if you have the motivation to hike up.
Sun Lakes Dry Falls State Park
Sun Lakes Dry Falls State Park can be found in the middle of the fifty mile long Coulee Corridor, one of the most spectacular chasms carved out by Ice Age floods.
In the heart of the Coulee lies a 3.5 mile wide chasm of basalt which was once the largest waterfall in America, three times the size of Niagara Falls!
These floods originated from sudden outbursts of ice-dammed Glacial Lake Missoula as recently as 15,000 years ago. The height of the Ice Age floodwaters shooting over Dry Falls was nearly the height of Seattle’s Columbia Center building.
This is definitely one of the most extraordinary landscapes in Washington and a must see! You’ll find a campground, cabins, a general store, and a boat marina here.
Soap Lake
Soap Lake supposedly has miraculous healing properties. Local Native American tribes like the Colville reportedly sent their sick and injured to soak in these healing waters. Washington State in the 1920s even dubbed the lake the ‘world’s greatest mineral sea’ and ‘Washington’s health resort’ in tourist guides. Folks from all over the state would flock to heal themselves here in the legendary mineral waters.
You can test out the lake’s healing properties yourself if you are willing to brave the cold waters. There is a beautiful resort located on the lake’s southern shore and a really cool RV campground on the north end complete with lakeside teepees.
Winthrop
Winthrop is a small old western town with wooden buildings, antique boardwalks, and cute boutique stores. The area is famous for its outdoor recreation opportunities because of its location at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.
In summer you can hike, mountain-bike, and enjoy water sports on the Methow River. In winter you can cross-country ski and snowshoe along the largest network of ski trails in the U.S.
This destination is fun to visit at any time of the year and is perfect for a weekend getaway or as an overnight stay on Cascade Scenic Byway road trip.
Washington Guide Books
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