Washington State Travel Guide

Washington is a Pacific Northwest state of misty rainforests, volcanoes and coffee culture, crowned by Mount Rainier and anchored by Seattle.

Known for: Mount Rainier, Seattle coffee, and the Olympic rainforest

Don’t miss: Seattle, Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park, and the San Juan Islands

When to go: Jul-Sep for the driest weather

Washington is a state of dramatic contrasts: the deep waters of Puget Sound and the Salish Sea meet coastlines and temperate rainforests on the Olympic Peninsula, while the Cascade Mountains slice the state north - south and reveal high, glaciated volcanoes and dry, sun‑baked basins to the east. From mossy old‑growth forest to alpine meadows and sage‑covered orchards, the landscape changes within a few hours’ drive.

The urban side of Washington is anchored by Seattle, a buzzing port city with waterfront culture and tech hubs; nearby you’ll find revitalized downtowns like Tacoma and inland centers such as Spokane and wine towns like Walla Walla. Outdoor draws are world‑class: Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and North Cascades National Park each offer distinct ecosystems, and the San Juan Islands are famous for wildlife and island hopping.

Outdoor life is what many visitors come for - day hikes and alpine scrambling in the Cascades, tidepooling and storm‑watching on the Olympic coast, kayaking and whale‑watching around the San Juans, plus world‑class skiing and snowboard terrain in winter; glacier routes and summer wildflower meadows make for unforgettable adventures in high country.

Food and drink are integral to the Washington experience: Pacific salmon, oysters and seafood feature on many menus, Seattle’s coffee and craft‑beer scenes are influential, and eastern Washington around Walla Walla and Yakima produces celebrated wines and fruit (apples, cherries) that define local cuisine.

Visit Washington for a rare mix of big‑city culture in Seattle and immediate access to wild places - hike glaciers on Mount Rainier National Park, wander the rainforests and beaches of Olympic National Park, then warm up with local wines in Walla Walla or float among islands in the San Juan Islands.

Western Washington (including the Puget Sound corridor) has mild, wet winters and dry summers, while east of the Cascades is much drier with hotter summers and colder winters; choose timing based on whether you want rainforests, vineyards or alpine snow.

Visitors typically get around Washington by car for regional flexibility, with car ferries and passenger ferries linking islands and the Puget Sound; trains and regional flights supplement travel between major cities.

Major Highways

Major routes include Interstate 5 (I‑5), the state’s spine running north - south from the Canadian border through Bellingham, Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia to Oregon; Interstate 90 (I‑90) connecting Seattle eastward across the Cascades to Spokane and Idaho; I‑82 linking Ellensburg/Yakima southeast toward Oregon; U.S. Route 2 across northern Washington and the scenic State Route 20 (North Cascades Highway) traversing the high Cascades.