Best places to visit in Washington

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.

Washington's Absolute Essentials — Map

Niagara66 / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Sol Duc Falls

A three-pronged waterfall in Olympic National Park, accessible via a 1.6-mile round-trip trail through old-growth forest.

B

Underground Tour

The Seattle Underground is a network of underground passageways and basements in the Pioneer Square neighborhood of Seattle, Washington,…

Mount_Rainier_summit.jpg / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier, also known as Tahoma, is a large active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest in the United States.

Kevin Kelly / CC-BY-SA

D

Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center

Gateway to the Hoh Rain Forest, providing exhibits on the temperate rainforest ecosystem and access to the Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature trails.

Amritha A. Joseph / CC-BY-SA

E

Marymere Falls

Marymere Falls is located in Olympic National Park near Lake Crescent in Washington, United States.

Amritha A. Joseph / CC-BY-SA

F

Hall of Mosses

An 0.8-mile loop trail in the Hoh Rain Forest featuring old-growth maples and Sitka spruces heavily draped in club moss and licorice ferns.

Amritha A. Joseph / CC-BY-SA

G

Ruby Beach

Rugged coastline in Olympic National Park known for its large sea stacks, reddish sand, and abundant driftwood.

Amritha A. Joseph / CC-BY-SA

H

Rialto Beach

A rocky beach on the Pacific coast featuring massive driftwood logs and the "Hole-in-the-Wall" rock formation, accessible at low tide.

The Library of Congress / No restrictions

I

Teapot Dome Service Station

The Teapot Dome Service Station is a former gas station built in the shape of a teapot located in Zillah, Washington, United States, that…

Eric Prado / CC BY-SA 4.0

J

Bridge of the Gods

The Bridge of the Gods is a steel truss cantilever bridge that spans the Columbia River between Cascade Locks, Oregon, and Washington state…

Jason Scott / CC BY 2.0

K

Living Computers: Museum + Labs

Founded by Paul Allen, this museum features a collection of restored vintage mainframes and microcomputers that visitors can interact with and operate.

Joe Mabel / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Ballard Fish Ladder

Part of the locks that provide link between the salt and fresh water - watch salmons and sea lions from the underwater tank.

Joe Mabel / CC-BY-SA-3.0

M

Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square is a neighborhood in the southwest corner of Downtown Seattle, Washington, US.

Seattle Municipal Archives / CC BY 2.0

N

Discovery Park

Discovery Park is a 534-acre park on the shores of Puget Sound in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, Washington.

Other Lists

Majestic Peaks and Volcanoes Parks and Viewpoints Waterfalls and Lakes Camping & Caravan Adventures Notable Christian Churches and Sites Washington Airports Guide