A varied landscape with trendy city attractions
When the untamed and untamed landscape of the Pacific Northwest appears before you and you have only recently left the large metropolis of Seattle, you will know you are in Washington. (In addition, every block has at least one espresso bar.) The only state in the “lower 48″ that offers the opportunity to stroll trails at a National Volcanic Monument in the afternoon, tour a national park in a temperate rainforest in the morning, and take in the scent of desert sage as the sun sets is Washington.
Striking Landscapes Abound
Shaped by millions of years of volcanic activity, Washington’s incredible geography is something you have to see to believe. Visit Mount Saint Helens, located just outside the city of Vancouver, to experience the unique thrill of hiking and climbing a dormant volcano. While the state has a reputation for having moody weather, Washington’s Eastern regions are shielded from the rain by the towering Cascade Mountains, offering ample opportunities for fun in the sun. Communities like Lake Chelan experience 300 annual days of sunshine, making it easy to hop on a paddleboard – or Jet Ski in the winter – and traverse one of the USA’s most distinct and beautiful glacier-fed lakes. Seattle is the gateway to the Pacific Northwest region, where wondrous mountain ranges look over lush rainforests and dramatic coastlines. Three national parks – Mount Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic – offer stunning encounters with nature as do the San Juan Islands just off the coast.
Uncover Cultural Gems
Washington has one of the USA’s most robust ferry systems: Take advantage of it and discover the state’s rich maritime history in seafront communities like Kingston and Bainbridge Island, where idyllic streets and fascinating museums welcome you for off-the-beaten path exploration. The state’s history as a bustling trade hub has also made it a cultural melting pot. Admire Bavarian-style architecture in Leavenworth, jam out to alternative and grunge rock at the Experience Music Project in Seattle and connect with the living traditions of the Lummi Nation at the Whatcom Museum in Bellingham. Renowned explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark traveled through the area now known as the Lewis and Clark Valley, where museums such as the Lewis and Clark Discovery Center tell the story of the expedition and preserve the culture of the Nez Perce Tribe who offered guidance on the journey. Fans of the “Twilight” series will want to visit Forks, the town on which author Stephenie Meyer based the novels. Expand your horizons to the rest of the Olympic Peninsula with a hike through Hoh Rainforest and a cruise down the Strait of Juan de Fuca National Scenic Byway.
Fresh Flavors and Beyond
Visitors won’t go hungry or thirsty here. More than 1000 wineries cultivate 70 grape varieties across thousands of hectares of bountiful vineyards. Wine aficionados flock to the Tri-Cities area, where you’ll find nearly 200 vineyards and wineries within an 80-kilometer radius. Coffee drinkers are welcome here, too: The first Starbucks opened in Seattle in 1971. Today, independent shops contribute to the city’s 2.5 coffee shops per 1,000 people, the greatest concentration in the country. Rich coastal waterways and the state’s agricultural abundance provide for a booming food scene and the opportunity for visitors to interact with farmers, artisans and chefs specializing in locally grown and sourced fare.