My top 9 weekend getaways in Washington

With the variety of options available, you can never run out of things to do in Washington. The Emerald State is blessed with a distinctive view of Puget Sound, snow-clad mountains visible from anywhere around the city, islands that are a ferry ride away, one of the best farmers market in the USA, colorful lakes and the list goes on. It’s got a perfect blend of places that are accessible by foot, car, and public transportation. Biking around the city, riding the link, walking on the piers are some other options to get a true essence of the city. After spending a year and exploring as much as possible, I have archived my top 9 weekend getaways in Washington that have made me fall in love with this state and continues to enthrall me with its endless charm. Here it goes!

1) Palouse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It boasts one of the wonders of Washington state, Palouse falls and is most famous for its pastoral rolling plains. You will see the incredible shades of green fields in the spring and dry shades of brown in the summer. June is the best time to visit Palouse.

How to get here?

• Car is the best way to get here as you don’t want to miss that scenic drive.
• Car2go or reach now have a restriction of being in 100 miles radius so this is not an option.

Things to do

• Take the Palouse scenic byway for an uninterrupted view of the abundant beauty.
• Drive to Palouse Falls State Park
• Make a food stop in Moscow, ID. Mad greek, La Casa Lopez, Breakfast club are some good ones to try from.
• Treat yourself to Ferdinand’s ice cream shoppe.
• Watch the sunset from Steptoe Butte.
• Stop at Wanapum State Park in Vantage on your way back.

Stay

• Airbnb is my favorite option, as some of them are very close to the fields and some are on the fields. You can find one in Moscow, Pullman or Colfax all the three places are close to Palouse.
• Camp at Steptoe Butte state park
• Camp at Palouse falls state park

2) Forks and Cape flattery

This was the first place I wanted to go see the most when I moved to Washington and has to be in my list of my favorite weekend getaways. To the west of Seattle, passing Olympic National Park is this small city called Forks. What I love the most about this place is the seclusion it offers, which makes it one of the best romantic getaways.

How to get here?

• Driving is the most convenient option.
• Dungeness Line leaves from Seattle Poly Clinic Madison to Port Angeles is a 3-hour long ride.
• From Port Angeles, you can catch bus 14 that drops you at Forks transit center.
• You can find more information on public transport options in forks here.

Things to do

• Stay in a tiny house here, you will find a couple of them on Airbnb.
• Take a stroll on La Push beach.
• Hike to the most Northwest point of the USA, Cape Flattery
• Get a stunning view of Victoria Islands from Neah Bay

Stay

• We were staying in a really beautiful shack few miles away from La Push that we found on Airbnb.
• You could also camp on Klahanie campground which opens late spring. You could check the website for the current status
• Manitou Lodge B&B is another good option. They provide cabins, campsites and RV’s lodging. They have campsites with tents set up so you don’t have to worry about carrying any gear with you. Their RV’s are stationary but fully equipped.

More Details: Exploring Olympic National Park, Forks, and Cape Flattery…

3) San Juan islands

I had heard a lot about the islands surrounding the state and had this crazy urge of visiting each one of them. Although I am very close to covering all of them, San Juan Island is my favorite so far. San Juan undoubtedly comes in everyones list of favorite weekend getaways in Washington.

How to get here?

• There are two options, you could either take a ferry or a clipper.
• With ferry, you can take your own car whereas the clipper does not have that option.
• While you need reservations for both, the ferry is cheaper than the clipper. However, the ferry leaves from Anacortes which is an hour drive away from Seattle downtown. You can find more information for ferry reservation here.
• Clipper leaves from pier 69 in Seattle downtown. You can find more information on pricing and reservation here.
• You could also take a seaplane ride leaving from Seattle Lake Union.

Things to do

• Get some delicious Vegan food in Mike’s cafe and wine bar
• Enjoy the beautiful view of the lighthouses in Lime Kin-state park and Cattle Point
• Take a walk on the beach in Cattle point. You might also come across a number of dead jellyfishes on your way.
• Go whale watching.
• Experience everything lavender in Pelindaba Lavender farm. From souvenirs to ice cream, everything here is made from lavender.
• Take a sunset kayak tour. If you are lucky, you might even get to see Orcas.
• You could also take a Bio Bay kayak tour where you paddle through a mangrove forest and watch the bioluminescent organisms light up
• Grab some breakfast in Lime Kin Cafe in Roche Harbor
• Go Wine tasting in San Juan Vineyard
• Watch the sunset from Jackson Beach

Stay

• San Juan Island is known for its Bed & Breakfast.
• Airbnb would be another great option for a bigger group of people
• You could also camp in the Lime Kin-state park

More Details: Things to do on San Juan Island!

4) Cape Disappointment, long beach

If you are looking for an offbeat adventure into the lazy town hidden to the most south-west of Washington, Long Beach is one of your options. It’s one of the seven wonders of the Washington State and is claimed to be the longest beach in the world.

How to get here?

• Renting a vehicle is the most recommended and convenient option. Especially if you are looking forward to driving on the beach.

Things to do

• Enjoy the drive on the beach and spin some donuts
• Get blown away by the wind in Dead Man’s cove in Cape Disappointment state park.
• Take a walk on the Waikiki Beach for a beautiful view of the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse
• North Head Lighthouse is another famous attraction which is only open during summer.
• If you are here around August, do not miss the International Kite festival
• Enjoy some food and drinks in the most welcoming bars and restaurants in the town of Long Beach.

Stay

• There are a variety of Airbnb options for your stay here. If you book way ahead of time you could find some really quirky ones for cheap.
• You could also camp in Cape Disappointment state park

More Details: A Weekend Getaway to Long Beach, WA

5) Orcas Island

Another pretty Island getaway in Washington. Orcas Island is much smaller than San Juans and that’s what makes it easier to drive around this island as everything is within a couple of minutes distance by car.

How to get here?

• You have two options, take a ferry from Anacortes or a clipper/seaplane from the San Juan Islands.
• While you need reservations for both, the ferry is cheaper than the clipper. However, the ferry leaves from Anacortes which is an hour drive away from Seattle downtown. You can find more information for ferry reservation here.
• You could also take a seaplane ride leaving from Friday Harbor, San Juan Island.

Things to do

• Explore the cascade trail falls in Moran State Park.
• Kayak in the Mountain Lake.
• Grab some dinner at Doe Bay Resort and Retreat which is a famous eco-friendly gourmet restaurant.
• Bar hop in downtown which is a small village of Eastsound.
• Relax while stargazing in a hot tub in Kangaroo B&B.

Stay

• Kangaroo B&B is one of the B&B to look out for.
• There are many other B&B’s you could choose from.
• Airbnb is another great option.
• Camping in Moran state park is another one.

More Details: Things to do on Orcas Island, WA!

6) Olympic National Park

One of the most famous and green National parks in Washington is also the most beautiful one. A drive to Olympic National Park is around 3 hours from Seattle and you will instantly notice the difference as you enter the National park. It almost feels like the world is slowly being transformed into the wilderness.

How to get here?

• You could take a ferry from Seattle downtown to Bainbridge island and drive to the park form there.
• You could also directly drive to the National Park via Tacoma down South.

Things to do

• Take the stairs down to Elwha river as you enter the park
• Get a view of the river flowing from Glines Canyon dam spillway overlook
• Drive further to Lake Crescent
• Hiking Hurricane Ridge is one of the most fun hikes.
• Go hiking in Hoh Rainforest
• Relax in the Sol Duc hot springs
• Grab some food in Port Angeles
• Get a view of Mt Olympus from Port Angeles

Stay

• You could stay in Sequim or Port Angeles
• There are a couple of camping options in the National Park.
• You will also find lodging options inside the park here.

More Details: Exploring Olympic National Park, Forks, and Cape Flattery…

7) Lake Diablo

Located in the Northeast of Washington, it is one of the most pristine lakes. It inevitably stands out from the rest because of its turquoise blue water and mesmerizing view of Northern Cascades encompassing the lake. It’s a reservoir created by Diablo dam and is right in between Ross Lake and Gorge Lake.

How to get here? 
It is approximately a 3-hour drive from Seattle downtown. Renting a car, car2go, ReachNow are some transportation options that you can choose from.

Things to do

• Kayaking in this beautiful lake is the most famous activity. However, you would need to get your own kayak’s as there are no rentals nearby.
• Or you could take a dip in the freezing cold water which is absolutely refreshing.
• Get your own tubes and enjoy tubing in the summer
• It is a good spot for barbeque party with friends or a cozy weekend with your loved ones.
• North Cascades National park is close by, you could either go for a hike or a drive.

Stay

• There are tons of cabins near Ross Lake and Gorge lake. You can find more information on the website.
• Airbnb is my favorite option.
• You could also find Cabins/Airbnb’s in North Cascades National Park.

More details: A weekend of Lake Diablo and Mt Rainier!

8) Leavenworth

To the Northeast of Washington, this is a small Bavarian town. Another option to get away from the busy city and for a quiet weekend. Immerse yourself in the mountains and lakes in Leavenworth.

How to get here?

• I love driving to Leavenworth as the drive is really beautiful, especially during fall.

Things to do

• Try some delicious Bratwurst from the variety of restaurants in the town. Leavenworth Sausage Garten and Munchen Haus are my favorites.
• Do some window shopping in the souvenir stores.
• Drive to Lake Wenatchee
• If you are here in October, do not miss one of the best Octoberfest in Washington
• Ski in Stevens Pass
• Take a walk on the Barn Beach

Stay

• There are a lot of hotels near the commercial street in the town area. However, booking in advance is important as they usually fill up soon.
• There are a couple of cute Airbnb options as well. This one’s my favorite.

9) Be a Tourist in the City

Seattle is beautiful and has so many options when it comes to doing something fun and exciting on a weekend. You could easily explore the city either on foot, bus, link or bi-cycle.

Things to do

• Explore the food, souvenirs, fresh products in Pikes Market.
• Walk around and stumble upon some really cool graffiti’s on your way.
• Check out the Ballard Locks.
• Catch a sunset from Gas works park or Discovery Park or Pier66
• Drive to Mt Rainier National Park or get a glimpse from Sculpture Park on a bright sunny day.
• Party In Capitol Hill
• Get some Salumi Sandwich and explore the International District
• Catch an awesome Laser show in Pacific Science Center
• Get some brunch at Can Can Cabaret
• Hike Mount Si

More details on things to do here.

Other suggestions if you have already covered the above and looking to get away from Washington yet closer to the state.

Road trip to Oregon

Oregon is just 4 hours drive away and one of my favorite drives too. Highway 101 is one of the most scenic drives in the USA. Oregon is the closest state to Washington and hence a convenient getaway.

How to get here?

• I would personally only recommend driving here. You don’t want to miss the beautiful drive on highway 101 and getting around in Portland is much easier and convenient if you have a car.

**Do not leave any important belongings in the car when you park your car anywhere in Portland. Our car was broken into near Oneonta Gorge and we had to spend a day getting it fixed. We were staying in Timberline Lodge and had to drive to the city to get it fixed :/**

Things to do

• Stay near Canon beach
• While you are on highway 101, don’t forget to see Thor’s well, Yaquina Lighthouse.
• Catch the sunset at the Vista Point.
• If you get bored of the coast, drive to see Mt Hood on the east.
• While you are on your way to Mt Hood, stop by Multnomah Falls on your way.
• Venture Oneonta Gorge which is just a couple of miles away from Multnomah Falls.

Stay

• Timberline lodge near Mt Hood is at the foot of the mountain and easily accessible during summer. You might need winter tires or chain during winter.
• There are a number of hotels near canon beach
• You will find awesome and cheaper options on Airbnb.

A Roadtrip to Vancouver

The fact that you are in a different country in just 2hrs makes it the most convenient getaway option, as long as you have a Canadian visa. The line at the border is not bad and you are on the other side in a couple of minutes.

How to get here?
There are a number of ways in which you can get to Vancouver from Seattle which includes train, bus, ferry, and car.
– Amtrak cascades operate from Washington to BC and it takes around 4 hours to Pacific Central station in Vancouver. From here you can either catch a train to the airport or Vancouver downtown.
– Grey Hound buses are more convenient than the trains in terms of dropping you directly in Vancouver downtown. This way you are much closer to the other public transport options. However, the views are not as great as the ones you get to see from the train and no power outlets either.
– Another option is Victoria clipper leaving from Seattle. Once you are in Vancouver islands you can either take a helicopter, BC ferries or seaplane to get to Vancouver city. However, BC ferry terminal leaves from Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay which is an hour and a half away from Victoria. I would suggest making a stop on Vancouver Islands and leaving for the city next day.
– Renting a car is an easiest and convenient option. You can leave whenever you want and have more control over your itinerary. You could track the Northbound Traffic wait time here. It usually doesn’t take more than 5 minutes to cross the border.

Things to do

• Grab some food and drinks in Yaletown.
• Go shopping in Gas Town.
• Loose yourself in the garden near Capilano Suspension bridge.
• Catch a lumberjack show on Grouse mountain.
• Check out the Public Market on Granville Island.
• Take a walk on the Vancouver Waterfront.
• Drive to Whittier to see the Provincial National Park and Garibaldi Lake.

Stay

• We were staying in Coquitlam that had cheaper Airbnb options. It’s half an hour drive away from the downtown.
• You could also stay in downtown Vancouver which is more convenient as you are closer to public transport.

More Details: A weekend in Vancouver, BC!!

These are my top 9 weekend getaways in Washington which you wouldn’t want to miss if you are in the State 🙂