Washington Travel Guide – Attractions & Tours

Featured Lists

Washington's Absolute Essentials

This collection spans Washington's diverse geography, from the rugged Olympic Peninsula coastline at Ruby and Rialto Beaches to the volcanic peak of Mount Rainier. Urban highlights include Seattle's historic Pioneer Square and the subterranean passageways of the Underground Tour. Natural wonders feature the temperate Hoh Rain Forest and the three-pronged Sol Duc Falls. Cultural sites range from the novelty architecture of the Teapot Dome Service Station to the industrial Ballard Fish Ladder, where visitors observe migrating salmon.

14 places

Mount_Rainier_summit.jpg / CC BY-SA 3.0

Majestic Peaks and Volcanoes

Washington’s landscape is defined by the Cascade Volcanic Arc and the rugged North Cascades. This collection features prominent stratovolcanoes like Mount Rainier, the state’s highest point, and Mount Baker, known for its heavy glaciation. Beyond the major volcanoes, the list includes isolated summits such as Glacier Peak and historic lookouts like Desolation Peak. The selection also covers smaller volcanic features including the cinder cones and buttes of the Simcoe Mountains volcanic field, providing a comprehensive look at the region’s diverse geological formations.

20 places

Seattle Municipal Archives / CC BY 2.0

Parks and Viewpoints

Washington’s landscape is defined by its geological diversity, from the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula to the basalt coulees of the central plateau. This collection features coastal meadows at Discovery Park, the glacial waters of Lake Wenatchee, and the dramatic volcanic terrain of the North Cascades. Highlights include the remains of the Missoula Floods at Dry Falls and prime wildlife viewing areas like the San Juan Island whale watching sites and the Nooksack Unit’s protected wetlands.

20 places

Amritha A. Joseph / CC-BY-SA

Waterfalls and Lakes

Washington’s diverse landscape features glacial lakes, massive reservoirs, and powerful waterfalls. This collection spans from the 198-foot Palouse Falls, carved by prehistoric floods, to the deep waters of Lake Chelan and the largest natural lake in the state, Ozette Lake. Explore the meromictic soda waters of Soap Lake, the alpine beauty of Tipsoo Lake near Mount Rainier, and the multi-channeled cascades of Sol Duc Falls within the Olympic National Forest.

15 places

Camping & Caravan Adventures

This collection spans Washington's diverse landscapes, from the Olympic Peninsula's Fairholme Campground on Lake Crescent to the coastal dunes of Pacific Beach State Park. It includes backcountry accommodations like the Indian Bar Trail Shelter on the Wonderland Trail and the Mount Tahoma Trails Association’s high-altitude huts. Options range from full-service RV resorts near Grays Harbor to primitive National Forest sites like Walupt Lake and Tillicum Campground, situated near the Indian Heaven Wilderness and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

20 places

Joe Mabel / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Notable Christian Churches and Sites

This collection highlights significant Christian landmarks across Washington state, from the historic St. Joseph’s Mission established by Jesuit priests in 1852 to the modern architecture of the Spokane Washington Temple. The list encompasses a diverse range of denominations, including Catholic cathedrals, Episcopal churches, and Methodist meeting houses. These sites reflect the religious heritage and architectural evolution of the Pacific Northwest, featuring structures that range from rural missions to prominent urban landmarks.

18 places

Earn to fly / CC BY-SA 3.0

Washington Airports Guide

Washington’s aviation infrastructure spans from major international hubs like Spokane and Bellingham to specialized facilities like Boeing Field. The network includes regional airports serving the Yakima Valley wine country and remote airstrips in the San Juan Islands and Olympic Peninsula. These facilities support diverse operations, including commercial travel, aerospace manufacturing, flight training at Bowers Field, and essential island transport, connecting the state's urban centers with its rural and coastal landscapes.

20 places

Washington — Map

Climate & when to visit

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

-4°–7° · varies by region
2° at night
19–21 rainy days · varies by region
3 sunny days
2 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
8°C · too cold to swim
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in February

Poor

-3°–8° · varies by region
2° at night
16–19 rainy days · varies by region
4 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
8°C · too cold to swim
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in March

Poor

-1°–10° · varies by region
3° at night
18–21 rainy days · varies by region
4 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
8°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in April

Fair

3°–13° · varies by region
5° at night
15–18 rainy days · varies by region
6 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
9°C · too cold to swim
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in May

Good

7°–17° · varies by region
8° at night
12–15 rainy days · varies by region
8 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
10°C · too cold to swim
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in June

Great

10°–19° · varies by region
11° at night
10–12 rainy days · varies by region
9 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
11°C · too cold to swim
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in July

Great

14°–23° · varies by region
14° at night
5 rainy days
16 sunny days
10 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
13°C · too cold to swim
UV index 7 · high

Typical weather in August

Great

15°–24° · varies by region
14° at night
5 rainy days
14 sunny days
9 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
13°C · too cold to swim
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in September

Great

12°–20° · varies by region
12° at night
9–10 rainy days · varies by region
12 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
13°C · too cold to swim
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in October

Fair

6°–14° · varies by region
8° at night
15–16 rainy days · varies by region
7 sunny days
4 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
11°C · too cold to swim
UV index 2 · low

Typical weather in November

Poor

0°–10° · varies by region
4° at night
18–21 rainy days · varies by region
3 sunny days
3 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
10°C · too cold to swim
UV index 1 · low

Typical weather in December

Poor

-4°–7° · varies by region
2° at night
18–21 rainy days · varies by region
2 sunny days
2 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
9°C · too cold to swim
UV index 0 · low

This destination spans several climate zones, so these figures are a range across the region rather than exact values. Climate data: NASA POWER + Copernicus ERA5-Land and ERA5; NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025