Best Weekend Trips from Seattle
There's enough sightseeing in Seattle to keep you entertained for any length of time, but sometimes you might want to get away from the city.
You can drive a few hours in any direction and find yourself at the ocean, in the mountains, in another state or in another country. The best weekend getaways and day trips from Seattle offer endless possibilities.
1. Mount Rainier
Topping out at 14,410 feet, the towering summit of Mount Rainier is the centerpiece of Mount Rainier National Park, one of the great outdoor playgrounds in the Seattle area. Visit during the warmer months to explore the rivers, forests and hiking trails that surround the snow-capped peak. Drive up to the top of Sunrise Mountain—the highest point that can be reached by vehicle in the park—for an unparalleled view of Rainier. Skiing takes over as the main pursuit in winter, and you'll find Washington's largest ski area just down the road at Crystal Mountain.
2. Tacoma
One of Seattle's smaller neighboring cities, Tacoma offers big city attractions at a slower pace. Tacoma is largely known for its museums, so you're in the right place for art and culture. Check out the world-renowned glass art at the Museum of Glass, learn more about the Evergreen State at the Washington State History Museum, and marvel at the vast collection of antique automobiles at the LeMay-America's Car Museum.
3. Snoqualmie Falls
Seattle is just a short drive from the Cascades region, so don't be too surprised that some of the best weekend trips from Seattle involve waterfalls. Snoqualmie Falls is easily one of the most impressive in the area, tumbling 270 feet into a rugged gorge. It offers incredible views from both above and below the falls. It's just down the road from the town of Fall City where you'll find lots more to do, like playing 18 holes at the Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course or sampling the delicious all-organic cuisine at Fall City Bistro (4050 Fall City-Carnation Road Southeast, Fall City).
4. Leavenworth
A picture-perfect replica of a small Bavarian village tucked away in the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth is a one-of-a-kind getaway. There's simply no better place—well, other than Bavaria—to take in the mountain air, eat schnitzel and browse through rows of charming little shops. There are so many great places to eat in town that it's almost impossible to choose, but be sure to hit Munchen Haus (709 Front St., Leavenworth), a rustic eatery with a gorgeous outdoor beer garden and live music, serving German sausages and craft beer surrounded by Bavarian decor.
5. Skagit Valley
The lush bottomland along the Skagit River is as close as you'll get to heaven if you have a green thumb. Among the small towns and waves of grain, you'll find countless places to sample the local fruits of the land in the Skagit Valley. Great local wines are seemingly around every corner, from Tulip Valley Vineyard (16163 WA-536, Mt. Vernon) to Eagle Haven Winery (8243 Sims Rd., Sedro-Woolley). You can also pick your own produce at Jones Creek Farm, which offers everything from apples and pears to squash, pumpkins and garlic, depending on the season.
6. Olympic National Park
You can spend a lifetime exploring Olympic National Park, but if you only have a weekend, you'll want to catch the highlights. Be sure to experience at least some of the Hoh River Trail, which meanders through a lush temperate rain forest. Relax at Olympic Hot Springs, fish for wild rainbow trout in the Elwha River, and definitely hit the beach. Olympic is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the state, like Shi Shi Beach, where outlandish rock formations rise up out of the surf and shallow tide pools hold colorful marine life. The coastal city of Port Angeles is your gateway to this outdoor wonderland.
Ready to travel? Find your hotel in Seattle, Sedro Woolley, Port Angeles.
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