Washington Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Cape Flattery featuring a bay or harbour, rugged coastline and landscape views
Kerry Park showing a city, skyline and night scenes
Washington
Washington
Washington

Experience cosmopolitan cities with engaging cultural attractions or escape to mountainous national parks and wildlife-rich islands in the alluring Evergreen State.

Artists and innovators thrive in the state of Washington. Find inspiration in trendy, modern cities or atop the peaks of soaring mountains in the northwestern corner of the U.S. The state also offers the chance to see beautiful wildlife and hiking routes along breathtaking coastal trails.

Washington’s history is rooted in the American Indian nations who have lived here for millennia. Discover each unique culture at attractions such as the Hibulb Cultural Center, the Suquamish Museum and Yakama Nation Museum. Visit the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture to trace the evolution of Native American culture across the region.

Mingle with tech pioneers and stylish creatives in fashionable Seattle. Fill your days at world-class attractions such as Chihuly Glass and Gardens, the Olympic Sculpture Park and the Seattle Art Museum. Alternatively, simply soak up the atmosphere in artistic neighborhoods such as Fremont and Capitol Hill. Artisan coffee, micro-brewed beer and small independent galleries make Seattle one of the coolest places to enjoy a city break.

Explore Washington’s other cities, such as Spokane in the east, where you can find the Nishinomiya Japanese Garden and Riverfront Park. Tacoma offers the Museum of Glass and the Washington State History Museum, while the university town of Bellingham has a historic center and public art installations.

Olympic National Park, in the far west of the state, features the Hoh Rain Forest, coastal hikes and kayaking opportunities. Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park are visited less than Olympic, yet they are also worth exploring for their active volcanoes, colorful fields of flowers and miles of hiking trails. The mountains in winter transform into lively skiing regions at places such as Mount Baker and 49 Degrees North.

Ride boats between the islands of the Puget Sound. Watch orcas splash in the waters around the San Juan Islands or stroll around picturesque harbors of Bainbridge Island.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is the largest in the Pacific Northwest, making Washington easy to reach from all around the U.S. Come to the state throughout the year to experience its enticing combination of friendly cities and natural beauty.

Popular cities in Washington

Spokane featuring a river or creek and a bridge
Spokane
Known for Dining, Rivers and Shopping
Get away to Spokane! Enjoy the sports, riverfront and university life.

Reasons to visit

  • Gonzaga University
  • Spokane Arena
  • Riverfront Park
Leavenworth which includes a small town or village and street scenes
Leavenworth
Known for Walking, Shopping and Rivers
Experience the traditions, culture and architecture of Bavaria relocated to the mountains of Central Washington.

Reasons to visit

  • Lake Wenatchee
  • Lake Wenatchee State Park
  • Front Street Park
Downtown Seattle which includes street scenes, a high-rise building and a city
Seattle
Known for Shopping, Entertainment and Theatres
Love theatre, art and live music? Get away to Seattle!

Reasons to visit

  • Seattle Waterfront
  • Space Needle
Port Angeles
Port Angeles
Known for Ports, Ferries and boats and Nature
This attractive city is a gateway to the wild northwest and a worthy destination in itself, with a bustling marina and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Reasons to visit

  • Olympic National Park Visitor Center
  • Lake Crescent
Tacoma which includes a city
Tacoma
Known for Dining, Family-friendly and Shopping
Explore Tacoma: its museums, live music, cafes and more!

Reasons to visit

  • Tacoma Dome
Bellevue which includes a lake or waterhole and a garden
Bellevue
Known for Dining, Shopping and Business
Sip roasted coffee in buzzing shopping districts, amble through flowery gardens and experience the rich undercurrent of artisanship in this modern city.

Reasons to visit

  • Bellevue Square