8/11/2019 Top 10 Washington State Attractions.pdf

1/2

Northwest US Travel

$19 Car Insurance - Newauto-insurance.quotelab.com/WA

Get a Free Quote & Save 55-75%! (Washington Residents Only)Travel

Share

By Angela Brown

Top 10 Washington State AttractionsWashington's Best Visitor Attractions

The state of Washington is blessed with landscapes, whether created by nature or by humans, that are not only scenic but perfect for outdoor recreation of allkinds. Washington State attractions that disappoint are few and far between. The state's top attractions are all outstanding and will provi de memories thatwill stick with you for a lifetime.

Here are my picks for the best attractions to enjoy in the state of Washington.

1. Olympic National ParkOlympic National Park, a unique and diverse wilderness preserve, is designated as a UNESCO World H eritage Site and an I nternationalBiosphere Reserve. During a visit to the park yo u can experience a number of different ecosystems, including alpine mountain,temperate rain forests, and rugged ocean beaches. The park's Hurricane Ridge can be visited on a long day trip from Seattle. If youwish to explore severa l sections of the park, plan to spend at least three days on a multi-day loop around the Olympic Pe ninsula.

2. Mount Baker HighwayMount Baker Highway begins in Bellingham on Highway 542, passes through a charming rural area, then enters Mt. Baker-SnoqualmieNational Forest. Along the way you'll enjoy 60 miles of beauty and recreation. Be sure to stop at the US Forest Service ranger stationin Glacier for a map, recreation pointers, and the latest road and trail condition. There will be many places to stop and enjoy thescenery, hike, or picnic, including Horseshoe Bend, Nooksack Falls, Heather Meadows, and Artist Point. If you plan to head all the wayup to Artist Point (which, along with Heather Meadows is the reason Mount Baker Highway ranks so high on this list), August orSeptember is the time to go.

3. Mount Rainier National ParkThe stunning beauty and dominant presence of Mount Rainier demands that all who see it on their horizon will want to v isit in person.And the closer in you get, the mor e gorgeous the view. Mount Rainier National Park is accessible to all who wish the experience; muchcan be experienced on a driving tour with frequent stops at scenic viewpoints. Those who wish to ex plore the mountain landscape upclose will find hikes that range from easy to difficult, from a few minutes to several days.

4. Coulee Corridor, including Grand Coulee DamThe Coulee Corridor National Scenic Byway runs from Omak in the north, through Moses Lake, to Othello. Along the way you'll take instunning scenery, both natural and human made. Grand Coulee Dam is a major highlight, where you can spend a good chunk of yourday. Dry Falls Interpretive Center, Banks Lake, Steamboat Rock State Park, Sun Lakes State Park, Lake Lenore Caves, Potholes StatePark, and the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge are all wo rthwhile stops along Coulee Corridor.

5. North Cascades Scenic HighwayThe North Cascades Scenic Highway follows Highway 20 from Sedro-Wooley to the Methow Valley, passing through portions of bothMt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park. Along the way you'll see sharp snow-capped peaks, historicdams and powerhouses, and blue-green lakes. There are numerous places to get out and stretch your legs at a scenic viewpoint orhiking trail. Must-do stops include the Diablo Lake Boat Tour, the North C ascades National Park Visitor Center, a nd the charmingWestern-themed town of Winthrop.

6. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic MonumentMount St. Helens and the lands preserved in Mount St. Helens National Monument are a fascinating place to vi sit for a number of

reasons. First, getting up close to an active vo lcano provides a certain thrill. As you drive through the Monument, you'll see evidenceof the vast destruction from the 1980 eruption. But you'll also see signs of amazing recovery i n plant and animal life. Each of thevisitor center's does an excellent job in filling you in on different aspecits of Mount St. Helens - before, during, and after the events of 1980 - with photographs, videos, models, and i nterpretive exhibits.

Free Northwest US Travel Newsletter!

Sign Up

Sol Duc Falls inOlympic National Park

Mt. ShuksanView from Artist Point at the End of Mt.Baker Highway 542

Mount Rainier Reflecting inReflection Lake

Grand CouleeDam

Diablo Lake at Highway 20Viewpoint

View of Mount St. Helens fromthe Johnston Ridge Visitor

10 Washington State Attractions http://gonw.about.com/od/attractionswa/tp/Top-10-Washington-State-At...

2 04/05/2014 10:29 a.m.

8/11/2019 Top 10 Washington State Attractions.pdf

2/2

7. Pike Place Market in SeattleSeattle's Pike Place Market is packed full of more stalls, shops, and eateries than you can explore in just one visit. Or even a few.That's one of the things that makes Pike Pla ce Market a favor ite with both visitors and residents. You know you'll see a gorgeous arrayof seafood, produce, and flowers. You know y ou'll find nifty craft items, hear entertaining street musicians, and see numerousinteresting characters. But you also k now that, along with these old favorites, y ou'll discover something new and uniquely Northwest.

8. Seattle CenterA legacy of the 1962 Century 21 Exposition, Seattle Ce nter combines open park spaces with a number of attra ctions and performancevenues. Many of Seattle's major annual festivals are held at Seattle Center, including the Northwest Folklife Festival, Bumbershoot,and Winterfest. The Space Needle, Experience Music Project and SciFi Museum, the Pacific Science Center, Key Arena, McCaw Hall,and Intiman Theatre are just some of the places you can visit during a day at Seattle Center.

9. Washington State FerriesPart of Washington's state highway system, the Washington State Ferries convey people and their vehicles to and from points aroundthe Puget Sound. Not only are these ferries a way - often the only way - to get to the many island communities scattered around theSound, they are also a fun and relaxing way to experience the beauty of the region. Major ferry docks are located at downtownSeattle , Edmonds, Mukilteo, Clinton, Kingston, Bainbridge Island, and Anacortes.

10. Riverfront Park in SpokaneWorld's fairs and exp ositions have left Washington with wonderful community spaces and unique structures that have gone on tobecome treasured landmarks - Ri verfront Park is a stunning example. Expo '74 transformed Spokane's downtown railroad yards intolovely green spaces dotted with interesting buildings. Some of those structures remain, along with fun attractions such as the SpokaneFalls SkyRide, the historic Looff Carrousel, and an amusement park and seasonal ice skating rink.

Center

Public Market Sign at Seattle'sPike Place Market

The SpaceNeedle and Seattle Center

WashingtonState Ferry Passing Between Islands(J. Poth/Washington StateTourism)

Great NorthernClock Tower inSpokane's Riverfront Park

10 Washington State Attractions http://gonw.about.com/od/attractionswa/tp/Top-10-Washington-State-At...

2 04/05/2014 10:29 a.m.