Learn About Washington State
Q: Where is Washington State?
Washington State is located in the northwest corner of the United States, and has a population of 6.6 million people. The largest city in Washington State is Seattle, situated on the western side of the Cascades with a spectacular location on an inland sea, Puget Sound.
Seattle is built on seven hills, and despite its modern skyline, is on the edge of a vast wilderness encircled by the Olympic Mountains, the Cascades and Mount Rainier. The city offers an interesting juxtaposition between modern companies such as Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon and Starbucks, and this pristine wilderness. An otherwise ordinary commute to work can suddenly be transformed by the sight of Mount Rainier soaring above the clouds, or the jagged outline of the Cascades on the horizon.
When visiting Washington State, fly in to SEATAC airport in Seattle, and use Seattle as a base to explore the surrounding area.
Q: What are the top attractions in Seattle?
Tourists can find plenty of city attractions to keep themselves occupied in Seattle WA, including the Pike Place Markets, Seattle Aquarium, Experience Music Project, Space Needle, Seattle Art Museum, Sculpture Park, and Underground Tour at Pioneer Square.
Yet one of Seattle’s best kept secrets is its thriving neighborhoods, ranging from the old Scandinavian fishing village of Ballard, to artsy Fremont, to the trendy bars and restaurants on Capitol Hill, and the revitalized South Lake Union area. These neighbourhoods are home to bustling coffee shops, the lifeblood of Seattle, and some favorites include trendy Bauhaus at Capital Hill, Vivace’s at South Lake Union, or Zeitgeist in historic Pioneer Square.
Q: Where are Washington State's three "world class" National Parks?
The true jewels of WA are its three national parks, the Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park. The meadows on Mt Rainier’s slopes in summer are ablaze with color, and the sub-alpine environment takes on an otherworldly appearance with stunted pines in the upper reaches that miraculously survive extreme winter conditions.
In contrast, the drive around the Olympic National Park is a study in extremes, with soaring views across the top of the mountains at Hurricane Ridge, wild coastal beaches artfully strewn with logs at Ruby Beach and Kalaloch, the silent, mist-laden interior of the Hoh Rainforest, and pristine sub-alpine lakes at Lake Crescent and Lake Quinault. When visiting the Olympic National Park, tourists can also take a side-trip to the most northwestern point of the Continental US at Cape Flattery to glimpse the surreal rocky outcrops in the ocean with twisted trees clinging precipitously to cliffs above the unusual turquoise waters. The whole scene appears as if it belongs to the Jurassic era.
Q: Which Washington State islands should I take a ferry to?
It’s a little known fact that Washington State has the largest ferry system in the world, transporting visitors through an intricate network of islands that make up Puget Sound and beyond. The ferry from Mukilteo transports visitors to charming Whidbey Island, with two quaint towns perfect for a quiet weekend getaway; Langley and Coupeville. Alternatively, visitors can travel to Anacortes for a ferry to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, or Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands, immensely popular during summer months. Historic Roche Harbor on San Juan Island is also an unexpected delight, with an English influence reminiscent of Victoria BC in Canada.
Q: Where are Washington State's most charming towns?
Washington State has a rich history, attracting numerous immigrants in the 19th century with the promise of abundant natural resources in the mountains, forests and waters. Many townships have visible reminders of this frontier era, with well-preserved main-streets and exquisite Victorian-style architecture. Two of the best include Port Townsend and Port Gamble on the Olympic Peninsula. The Fairhaven historic district at Bellingham is also tastefully preserved, as is the riverfront town of La Conner in the Skagit Valley.
Q: What are the top winter destinations?
During winter months, Washington State locals flock to the ski fields of Snoqualmie Pass, Steven’s Pass, Crystal Mountain and Mount Baker, or to see the Holiday Lights at the Bavarian themed town of Leavenworth.
Q: What are the top summer destinations?
Over summer, travel south for a coastal getaway to Long Beach to explore the lighthouses at Cape Disappointment near where the Lewis and Clark expedition ended in 1806, or to the resort town of Lake Chelan on the other side of the Cascades. The Cascade Mountain Range runs through Central Washington, dividing Washington State into two distinct regions. The region to the west of the Cascades receives more rainfall, resulting in a lush landscape resplendent with towering evergreens and pristine lakes. The area to the east of the Cascades beyond the mountain passes is dry and flat, with a warm, sunny climate typical of a semi-arid environment.
Q: What are the best months to visit Washington State?
The best months to visit Washington State are July and August (summer). You can check average Seattle temperatures and rainfall at weather.com.
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