Washington

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National Park Service

  • Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve –
    • Fort Casey State Park: Take in breathtaking marine views, learn about military history, scuba dive at Fort Casey Underwater Reserve, or visit the Admiralty Head Lighthouse.
    • Hike the Bluff Trail: Start at Ebey’s Landing State Park or the Prairie Overlook near historic Sunnyside Cemetery.
    • Historic Coupeville: Have lunch in Coupeville, visit the Island County Historical Museum, and step into the town’s rich past.
  • Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
    • Reconstructed Fort Vancouver – This fort was built by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 1820s and is now a National Historic Site. Visitors can explore the reconstructed fort and learn about its history.
    • Pearson Air Museum – This museum is located within the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and is dedicated to the history of aviation in the Pacific Northwest.
    • Fort Vancouver Visitor Center – This visitor center offers information about the park, as well as a bookstore and gift shop.
    • This historic district is located adjacent to Fort Vancouver and consists of 21 beautifully restored 19th-century homes that were once occupied by U.S. Army officers.
  • Historical Park
    • Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park – a visitor center in Seattle with a museum
    • Lewis and Clark National Historical Park – A replica of the explorers’ fort was built in 1955. 
    • Manhattan Project National Historical Park – Discover a secret factory that made plutonium. Two visitor centers.
    • Nez Perce National Historical Park – The park consists of 38 places spread across Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington that are important to the history and culture of the Nimiipuu.
    • San Juan Island National Historical Park – Visitor center and trails. The home of the “Pig War.”
    • Whitman Mission National Historic Site – Visitor Center/Museum
  • Recreation Areas:
    • Lake Chelan National Recreation Area – Part of North Cascades National Park Service Complex. There are no roads that lead into Lake Chelan NRA.
    • Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area – encompasses the 130-mile (210 km) long Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake between Grand Coulee Dam and Northport, Washington.
      • Grand Coulee Dam: A dam built in 1941 on the Columbia River
      • Historic sites: Fort Spokane and St. Paul’s Mission
      • Museums: The Colville Confederated Tribes Museum and Titwáatit Native Art Gallery
      • State parks: Crown Point State Park
      • Landmarks: Gehrke Windmill Garden
    • Ross Lake National Recreation Area – It is the most accessible part of the North Cascades National Park Complex. The NRA contains a portion of scenic Washington State Route 20, the North Cascades Highway, and includes three reservoirs: 12,000-acre (4,900 ha) Ross Lake, 910-acre (370 ha) Diablo Lake, and 210-acre (85 ha) Gorge Lake. Newhalem, Washington is home to both the North Cascades Visitor Center and the Skagit Information Center. North Cascades Visitor Center: Update the exhibits, multi-media programs, and activities at the North Cascades Visitor Center.
  • National Park
    • Mount Rainier National Park – Beginning in 2024, timed entry reservations will be required for vehicles using entrances on the Paradise and Sunrise corridors during daylight hours in the peak summer months. This 116-mile loop around the mountain offers views of Mount Rainier, glaciers, waterfalls, and forests.
    • North Cascades National Park – North Cascades Scenic Highway.
    • Olympic National Park – There are several roads in the park, but none penetrate far into the interior.
      • The most popular piece of the coastal strip is the 9-mile (14 km) Ozette Loop. The Park Service runs a registration and reservation program to control the usage levels of this area.
      • Hurricane Ridge visitor center – burned down in 2023 down
  • National Monument
    • Mount St. Helens Volcanic National Monument.

Whidbey Island

Coupeville

  • Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve – Protected cultural landscape with hiking and heritage.
  • Fort Casey State Park – Military history, underwater reserve, and Admiralty Head Lighthouse.
  • Hike the Bluff Trail – Trail with coastal views from Ebey’s Landing or Sunnyside Cemetery.
  • Historic Coupeville – Historic downtown with shops, Island County Historical Museum.

Langley

  • Callahan’s Firehouse Studio & Gallery – Blown glass studio in a former firehouse.
  • Langley Whale Center – Exhibits on orcas and marine mammals.

San Juan Islands

Friday Harbor

  • San Juan Island National Historical Park – Site of the “Pig War” with trails and a visitor center.
  • The Whale Museum – Research-focused museum on regional orcas.
  • Pelindaba Lavender Farm – Lavender fields with shop and views.
  • Lime Kiln Point State Park – Lighthouse, orca watching, coastal hikes.
  • American Camp & British Camp – Historic sites from Pig War era.

Lopez Island

  • Shark Reef Sanctuary – Coastal trail with tidepools and sea lion views.
  • Spencer Spit State Park – Sand spit with campsites and kayaking.

Orcas Island

  • Moran State Park – Summit Mount Constitution for sweeping views.
  • Cascade Falls – Easy hike to scenic falls in Moran SP.

Seattle Metro

Seattle

  • Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park – Visitor center and museum exploring Seattle’s gold rush role.
  • Burke-Gilman Trail – Urban ebike trail along Lake Washington.
  • Fremont Troll – Iconic public art beneath Aurora Bridge.
  • Hat ‘n’ Boots – Oversized cowboy boots and hat relocated to a public park.
  • Museum of Pop Culture – Interactive exhibits on music, sci-fi, and fandom.
  • Gas Works Park – Former gasification plant turned city park with skyline views.
  • Discovery Park – Forest, beach, and bluffs in Seattle’s largest park.
  • Washington Park Arboretum – Trails among rare trees and gardens.
  • Volunteer Park Conservatory – Historic glasshouse with tropical plants.
  • Kubota Garden – Japanese garden with ponds and paths in Rainier Beach.

Bellevue

  • Bellevue Botanical Garden – Urban natural retreat with themed gardens.
  • Mercer Slough Nature Park – Wetland trails and environmental center.

Renton

  • Jimi Hendrix Grave – Memorial site and monument.

Redmond

  • Marymoor Park – Open space, bike trails, concerts, and climbing boulders.

Vancouver Area

Vancouver

  • Fort Vancouver National Historic Site – Hudson’s Bay Company 1820s fort and surrounding heritage.
  • Reconstructed Fort Vancouver – Rebuilt structure with interpretive history.
  • Pearson Air Museum – Aviation museum with regional aircraft history.
  • Fort Vancouver Visitor Center – Intro exhibits and bookstore.
  • Historic Officers’ Row – Restored 19th-century Army homes.
  • Esther Short Park – Oldest public square in WA.

Camas

  • Lacamas Park – Waterfalls and hiking trails near Vancouver.
  • Round Lake – Connected to Lacamas Lake for paddling and trails.

Ridgefield

  • Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge – Birding, kayaking, and cultural site.

Mount St. Helens Region

Mount St. Helens

  • Mount St. Helens Volcanic National Monument – Geological wonder with visitor access.
  • Johnston Ridge Observatory – Visitor center with eruption views and exhibits.
  • Ape Cave – Lava tube hiking experience.
  • Trail of Two Forests – Preserved lava-cast tree molds.
  • Lava Canyon Trail – Dramatic canyon with suspension bridge.
  • Meta Lake Trail – Regrowth site of young forest.

Castle Rock

  • Mount St. Helens Visitor Center – Introductory exhibits and walking trails.

Olympic Peninsula

Port Angeles

  • Olympic National Park – Diverse ecosystems with coastal trails, alpine zones, and forest. Ozette Loop Trail a coastal highlight.
  • Hurricane Ridge – Scenic area; visitor center destroyed in 2023.
  • Lake Crescent – Deep glacial lake with trails and lodge.
  • Marymere Falls Trail – Popular short waterfall hike.

Forks

  • Rainforest Arts Center – Local history and Twilight-themed exhibits.
  • Hoh Rainforest – Moss-draped trails and ancient trees.
  • Bogachiel State Park – Lesser-known forest park.

Neah Bay

  • Makah Cultural and Research Center – Artifacts and heritage from the Makah people.
  • Cape Flattery Trail – Boardwalk trail to northwesternmost point in the continental U.S.

Port Townsend

  • Fort Worden State Park – Former military base with museums and bunkers.
  • Point Wilson Lighthouse – Historic working lighthouse.
  • Chetzemoka Park – Bluff views, gardens, and beach access.

Sequim

  • Dungeness Spit – Long sand spit with lighthouse and hiking.
  • Olympic Game Farm – Drive-through animal park with bison.

North Cascades Region

Chelan

  • Lake Chelan National Recreation Area – Remote NRA accessed via ferry, part of North Cascades Complex.
  • Slidewaters Waterpark – Family destination above the lake.
  • Chelan Butte – Hang-gliding launch with panoramic views.

Coulee Dam Area

  • Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area – Long reservoir with forts, museums, and scenic drives.
  • Grand Coulee Dam – Historic 1941 dam on Columbia River.
  • Fort Spokane – Historic fort site.
  • St. Paul’s Mission – Restored Catholic mission.
  • Colville Confederated Tribes Museum – Native American heritage.
  • Titwáatit Native Art Gallery – Tribal art exhibitions.
  • Crown Point State Park – Scenic views.
  • Gehrke Windmill Garden – Folk art windmill sculptures.
  • Dry Falls – Former waterfall site larger than Niagara.
  • Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park – Interpretive center and glacial geology.

Winthrop

  • Shafer Museum – Outdoor collection of pioneer-era buildings and mining equipment.
  • Western-themed downtown – Old West facades and signage.
  • Methow Valley Trail System – Cross-country skiing and hiking.

North Cascades NP Gateway (Newhalem Area)

  • Ross Lake National Recreation Area – Part of North Cascades, includes lakes, Highway 20, and visitor centers.
  • North Cascades Visitor Center – Park interpretation and exhibits.
  • Skagit Information Center – Gateway info for North Cascades visitors.
  • Diablo Lake Overlook – Stunning glacial lake views.

Mount Rainier Region

Ashford / Paradise

  • Mount Rainier National Park – 116-mile loop, glaciers, waterfalls, forests. Timed entry required in summer.
  • Grove of the Patriarchs – Ancient trees trail.
  • Paradise Inn – Historic lodge inside the park.
  • Narada Falls – Photogenic double waterfall.
  • Reflection Lakes – Sunrise and mountain mirrored in still water.

Enumclaw

  • Crystal Mountain Scenic Gondola – Views of Mount Rainier.

Packwood

  • Packwood Lake Trail – Hike to alpine lake.
  • La Wis Wis Campground – Forested riverside camping.

Tri-Cities & Central Washington

Richland

  • Manhattan Project National Historical Park – Plutonium factory history with visitor centers.
  • Hanford – Part of the Manhattan Project park.
  • LIGO – Interactive science exhibits.

Pasco

  • Pasco Aviation Museum – Regional aviation history.
  • Franklin County Historical Society – County history and education.

Kennewick

  • The REACH Museum – Natural and human history of Tri-Cities.
  • Columbia Park – Riverfront with boat ramp and walking paths.

Dayton

  • Museum at Keewaydin – Fossils, insects, petrified wood, settler/WWII artifacts.

Lewiston-Clarkston Area

  • Nez Perce National Historical Park – 38 sites across four states about the Nimiipuu.
  • Sacajawea Interpretive Center – Cultural exhibits at historical park.

Pendleton (adjacent region, OR)

  • Tamástslikt Cultural Institute – Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla history.

Mattawa

  • Wanapum Heritage Center – Tribal culture and history.

Toppenish

  • Yakama Nation Cultural Center – Living culture of the Yakama people.
  • Toppenish Murals – Dozens of large murals depict regional history.

Ellensburg

  • Dick and Jane’s Spot – Whimsical yard art and sculpture garden.
  • Kittitas County Historical Museum – Local heritage displays.
  • Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park – River access and views.

Southwest Washington

Ilwaco

  • Lewis and Clark National Historical Park – Replica of explorers’ fort.
  • Cape Disappointment State Park – Lighthouses, beaches, Lewis & Clark center.

Walla Walla

  • Whitman Mission National Historic Site – Interpretive visitor center and grounds.
  • Kirkman House Museum – Victorian home turned museum.
  • Bennington Lake – Birding and boating near town.

Long Beach

  • World’s Largest Frying Pan – Oversized steel skillet.
  • Marsh’s Free Museum – Quirky seaside museum with Jake the Alligator Man.
  • Discovery Trail – Coastal path with sculptures.
  • Long Beach Boardwalk – Ocean views and beach access.

Centralia

  • Historic Downtown – Murals, antique shops, and history.
  • Olympic Club Hotel – Restored McMenamins property.
  • Seminary Hill Natural Area – Forest trails above town.

Ebike Trails

  • The Burke-Gilman Trail – Pedal through Seattle’s diverse neighborhoods and alongside Lake Washington on this popular urban trail.

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