Pacific Northwest · Cascades to Salish Sea · Statehood 1889
Washington
State
Field Guide
A 14,410-foot volcano that dominates the horizon, an archipelago of more than 170 islands in the Salish Sea, and a waterfall taller than Niagara about 30 miles from Seattle. Most visitors stay in the city. These are the reasons to leave it.
Updated October 2026 · Written by artist Nick Scacco
Classic Experiences
01.
Cascade Range · Mount Rainier National Park
ExploreMount RainierUp Close
Mount Rainier is an active volcano and the most heavily glaciated peak in the contiguous United States. Paradise and Sunrise are the main visitor areas, with wildflower meadows in July and August and trails that look straight at the glaciers. The Wonderland Trail circles the mountain in about 93 miles for those with a week to spare. Roads and facilities have seasonal limits, so check the National Park Service before you drive up.
02.
Salish Sea · San Juan Islands
Sail theSan Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands lie between the mainland and Vancouver Island, reached by Washington State Ferries from Anacortes. Four islands have ferry service: San Juan, Orcas, Lopez and Shaw. Whale-watching boats run from spring through fall, and the Southern Resident orcas travel these waters, though sightings are never guaranteed. Rent a bike on Lopez, hike Moran State Park on Orcas, and book ferries and lodging well ahead in summer.
03.
King County · Snoqualmie Falls
WatchSnoqualmie Fallsin Full Flow
Snoqualmie Falls drops about 268 feet, taller than Niagara Falls, and sits roughly 30 miles east of Seattle. An observation deck and a short trail give views of the plunge, and a hydroelectric plant from 1898 still operates beside the falls. The falls are at their most powerful in winter and spring when runoff is highest. It is an easy stop on the way to the Cascades.
Little-Known Gem
Palouse Falls: theWaterfall of Eastern Washington
Palouse Falls State Park · Eastern Washington · Washtucna
Most visitors stay west of the Cascades. In the dry scablands of eastern Washington, the Palouse River drops about 200 feet over a basalt cliff into a deep, round plunge pool. The waterfall is Washington's official state waterfall, and the canyon around it was shaped by the Ice Age Missoula Floods. Three viewpoints are reachable on short paths, but parking is limited and all trails into the canyon are closed. Spring runoff is the best time to see it at full volume.
Washington Travel Questions
What are the best places to visit in Washington outside Seattle?
Three classics are Mount Rainier National Park, the San Juan Islands, and Snoqualmie Falls. A lesser-known stop is Palouse Falls in eastern Washington. Rainier and the islands each deserve a full day, while Snoqualmie Falls is an easy half-day from Seattle.
When is the best time to visit Mount Rainier?
July through September, when snow has melted from the main roads and the wildflower meadows are open. Winter brings snowshoeing and skiing, and some roads close, so check current conditions with the National Park Service before you go.
How do I get to the San Juan Islands?
Most visitors take a Washington State Ferries boat from Anacortes, about 80 miles north of Seattle. Ferries run year-round with more sailings in summer, so book early for summer weekends. You can also travel by foot and rent bikes on the islands.