Discover Washington Things to do
Tucked in the northwest corner of the continental U.S. you’ll find Washington State. A state that has a full title, first and last name, so not confused with nation’s capital. When you arrive in Washington State, you’ll find some of the most stunning landscapes in the country. With some of almost every ecosystem and landform known in North America.
Along the pacific coast of Washington, you’ll find rugged cliffs and long beaches. Head into the interior and you’ll find the Cascade Mountains. Towering snowy peaks adorned with dark green forests.
Space Needle
Other than Mount Saint Helens, the other lofty object to grace Seattle’s skyline is the Space Needle a 518-foot tower. After riding the elevator up to the top visitors can enjoy amazing views of Seattle. Two viewing levels with floor-to-forever glass and the world’s first revolving glass floor clearly show off more Seattle than ever before.
Skyrisers lean into breathtaking views through floor-to-forever glass on our glass benches. The Loupe Step onto The Loupe, the world’s first and only rotating glass floor. Located on the upper observation level, Atmos Café features an espresso bar, beer & wine, and local treats.
Olympic National Park
Washington’s most stunning National Park located in the northern part of the state. Encompassing coastline, alpine regions, temperate rain forest, and forested areas. Olympic National Park known for spectacular vistas. Created thanks to the variety of terrain created by ancient glaciers. Olympic has a great deal to offer.
Hurricane Ridge is the most easily accessed mountain area within Olympic National Park. In clear weather, fantastic views can be enjoyed any time of the year. Lake Crescent is a deep, glacially carved lake filled with pristine waters. The eastern side of Olympic National Park offers forests dominated by towering Douglas fir.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Chihuly Garden and Glass is an exhibit in Seattle showcasing the studio glass of Dale Chihuly. The project includes three primary components the Garden, the Glasshouse, the Galleries. The centerpiece is a 40-foot tall, glass and steel structure. Covering 4,500 square feet of light-filled space.
Eight indoor galleries and lush landscaped gardens feature a mix of new and past significant works. They are awe-inspiring whether you visit during the day. Each exhibit is a unique and magnificent expression of glass, color, and art. Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit is a must-visit destination for art lovers.
Mount Rainier National Park
Washington has many towering mountains scattered across the landscape. The over 14,000-foot-tall Mount Rainier happens to be the tallest of the entire Cascade Range. The Mount Rainier National Park has varied ecosystems and terrain.
Including valleys, waterfalls, subalpine meadows, old growth forest, and at least 25 glaciers. The park has several visitor centers, campgrounds, and extensive hiking routes. Hiking trails at Mount Rainier National Park tour mountain meadows, massive waterfalls, and groves of ancient forests, including the around-the-mountain Wonderland Trail.
Pike Place Market
This public farmer market is one of the only in the country named a National Historic Place. The Market overlooks Elliott Bay waterfront. The Pike Place Market has many levels of vendors. Selling fresh food, antiques, comic books, collectibles, crafts, and other products.
The most famous vendors in the market are fishmongers. Known for their reputation of tossing fish and yelling customer orders to one another. The Market spans nine historic acres in the center of downtown where everyday locals and tourists alike shop, visit, eat and discover.
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
The most recognizable element of the skyline of Seattle. Half of Washington, and the northern half of Oregon. This volcano that blew its top creating a regional disaster. Lending the mountain its new flat-topped shape.
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument offers many seasonal activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, snow sport, and ranger led educational programs. A permit is required for any person who wishes to hike above 4,800 ft, which includes climbing to the summit of the volcano. A good place to begin your visit is at one of the Monument’s visitor centers or information stations.
Museum of Pop Culture
The Museum of Pop Culture is a museum in Seattle dedicated to contemporary popular culture. MoPOP is housed in a 140,000 square foot Frank O. Gehry-designed building. A fusion of textures and myriad colors. MoPOP’s exterior conveys all the energy and fluidity of the rock ‘n’ roll artistry and history that originally inspired the institution.
MoPOP’s permanent collection features more than 80,000 objects. Museum of Pop Culture takes visitors on exclusive, in-depth journeys of amazing artifacts, hands-on experiences, and intelligent cultural analysis. Consider MoPOP your personalized pop culture journey.
Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium located on Pier 59 on the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle, Washington. Explore with playful sea otters, seals, octopuses, luminous moon jellies and more. Be amazed by the Window on Washington Waters, a 120,000-gallon exhibit filled with Northwest Sea life.
Touch live sea stars, urchins and more in the Life on the Edge tide pool exhibit, where you experience Washington’s wild outer coast and Seattle’s inland seas. Immerse yourself in our Underwater Dome’s 360° view. Take a virtual trip to the tropics in our Pacific Coral Reef habitat. Plus, don’t miss the daily diver shows and animal feedings.
Kerry Park
At Kerry Park visitors enjoy a view of Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle from this beautiful terraced park. With an occasional backdrop of Mount Rainier. Take pictures and lounge or have a picnic on the lawn.
At sunset they often line the wall just as the city and the sound are beginning to glow with lights. The best time to visit is during sunrise, or at night to admire the buildings and ferries at the bay glow with lights. It becomes almost a fantasy scene, with brightly lit ferries gliding across the water and the Space Needle shining from its 500-foot pedestal.
Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park is a park located in Seattle, Washington. Park features the typical array of joggers, bikers, and even the occasional sunbather. Its 20 acres of grassy hills and towering evergreens includes a play structure and plenty of picnic tables. But it’s also home to something unique: an assortment of giant metal structures.
The old Pump House has been converted to a sheltered playground, and the Boiler Room is a picnic shelter. Stand on the giant sundial at the top of the Great Mound, and follow the instructions to figure out the time.
Things to Do in Washington
Seattle and other large cities in the central part of the state are popular destinations. For visiting museums, shopping, and enjoying the unique counterculture. Outside of this region visitors can enjoy vast expanses of forested land, mountains. Rugged coastline and stunning waters.