Top 10 Weekend Getaways in Washington State

Last Updated on June 06, 2023 by Nikki Jain

Navigating the Northwest

The grass is always greener in Washington State! Dubbed “the evergreen state,” Washington is the perfect place to go for that much-needed getaway. It has big cities with bright lights and bustling nightlife, and large, sprawling natural parks for just a little bit of serenity.

Washington is the ideal location for a variety of travelers. Wine lovers, thrill-seekers, romantic getaways, family vacations, and so much more. Here in Washington, you will find no shortage of activities to engage in and numerous cities to add to your bucket list.

Want to learn more about Washington State? Check out this list of the 10 best weekend getaways in Washington State.

Best Weekend Getaways in Washington State

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1: Seattle

Seattle
Adobe Stock

By far one of the best weekend getaways in Washington State, Seattle is a city you just can’t miss! It is trendy, lively, and massive as it spans over several districts and bleeds into the outskirts of town. Seattle sits on Lake Washington and provides for some pretty stellar city views.

Be sure to check out the famous space needle so you can literally see all that Seattle has to offer. Alongside its name to fame in the technological game, Seattle is also known for having some of the best coffee in the United States. Grab a warm cup of Joe, and get ready to explore your new favorite city in Washington!

Accommodation: Where to stay in Seattle

Address: Seattle, WA

Also Read: Top Tourist Attractions in Seattle


2: Kirkland

Kirkland
Flickr/Taomeister

Found on the shores of Lake Washington, Kirkland is the perfect place for a weekend getaway in Washington State. This offers both city life and outdoor adventure.

There are paths to explore, water to enjoy, and enough of a town to make you feel at home without the stresses of it. Kirkland is a great place to bring the whole family for a fun, relaxing weekend getaway.

Address: Kirkland, WA


3: Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park
Flickr/BDFri2012

Olympic National Park is a massive, daringly beautiful outdoor paradise. It sprawls over hundreds of thousands of acres and features waterfalls, beaches, and everything in between.

Olympic National Park is one of the top places to go, not just in Washington, but in the United States! It is nationally recognized as one of the best national parks to visit in the US and is more than deserving of this title.

Address: 3002 Mt Angeles Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362

Visit Website

Also Read: Top 10 Things To Do in Olympic National Park, Washington


4: Ocean Shores

Ocean Shores
Flickr/Nickay3111

Answer the call of the Pacific! Ocean Shores is a gorgeous stretch of coastal land that features a charming, inviting beach town.

This is the perfect place for a relaxing vacation spent underneath the warming sun. Here you won’t feel any big city chaos or much of any daytime stress: simply you, yourself, and the lapping waves.

Ocean Shores is a great place to swim, rent a bike, or check out some of the shops native to the city. If your idea of a weekend getaway in Washington State rests in finding the perfect place to destress, check out Ocean Shores.

Address: Ocean Shores, WA


5: Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan
Lake Chelan is one of the best weekend getaways in Washington State for stunning natural beauty | Flickr/Robert Patten

Most things in Lake Chelan are centered around two of the best things: nature and wine tasting. And there is plenty of both year-round! Lake Chelan features the back end of the North Cascades Mountain Range and settles it all on a shimmering, exquisite lake.

Here, you can find diverging paths, mouth-watering farm-to-table dishes, and some of the best wines in the state.

Most visitors would even recommend opting for a ride on one of the seaplanes, as this will take you not just to the Namesake Lake, but on it!

Address: Lake Chelan, WA

Also Read: 25 Most Beautiful Lakes in the US


6: Spokane

Spokane
Flickr/Kidron Cool

Second only to Seattle, Spokane is one of the largest cities in Washington. This city resides further inland than some of Washington’s other names to fame and can be found right up on the border of Idaho.

This is a great place to go and explore the city! Here you will find interesting museums, delicious restaurants, and even some truly unique breweries that have been making a name for themselves throughout the years.

For your next Washington weekend getaway, this city is the ultimate place to bring the whole family, with numerous options to explore that is fun for all ages. Not too far out, you can even find some pretty great hiking paths.

Address: Spokane, WA

Also Read: Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Spokane, Washington


7: Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier

Just outside of Seattle, Mount Rainier opens up into slopes of ethereal natural beauty. This is one site where “gorgeous” is just the beginning. Here you will encounter some of the wonders of nature, such as dense, thick forests teeming with life and the reflection of mountains on small inter-park streams.

This is also the location of Washington’s highest mountain! Yes, its title character has the highest peak in this Northwest state and draws climbers and hikers to its base in droves. Check out Mount Rainier if you are looking for a challenging, breathtakingly beautiful adventure.

Address: Mount Rainier, WA 98304

Visit Website

Also Read: 20+ Incredibly Beautiful Hikes in Washington State


8: Mount St. Helens National Monument

Mount St. Helens National Monument

Mount St. Helens has typically gained attention after the tragic volcanic eruption of 1980. It is still a notable active volcano, although it has not erupted since the ’80s. Now, it is a national park that is centered around the towering beauty of these volcanoes.

Here, the paths wind up and down the mountain to give you some of the most spectacular views in all of Washington.

Settled between the two major cities Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, Mount St. Helens is an attraction not to be missed.

Address: 42218 NE Yale Bridge Rd, Amboy, WA 98601


9: San Juan Island

San Juan Island
Flickr/Jeff Gunn

Take a trip off the mainland! The San Juan Islands are actually closer to British Columbia than the United States, but they are a proud Washington State member. This island is incredibly well preserved and features just about everything you can expect on a perfect weekend getaway in Washington State.

There are trails upon trails of hiking paths, kayaking, canoeing, orca-watching, running, biking, climbing, and so much more to explore.

There is also a San Juan National Historical Park available for use, so be sure to check out the pride and joy of San Juan Island.

Address: San Juan Island, WA


10: Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls
Flickr/Steve Snodgrass

The place of your dreams come to life! Snoqualmie Falls is a popular weekend vacation spot nestled in the wilderness of Washington. Here, everything is surrounded and celebrated within nature.

There are thick, lush forests with numerous hiking trails and, of course, the title attraction: the massive Snoqualmie waterfall at the center of it all.

And if you think you’ve seen this scene before, that’s probably because this was also the location of the hit TV show “Twin Peaks”. As a city so pretty they had to immortalize it on the screen, Snoqualmie Falls cannot be missed.

Address: 6501 Railroad Ave SE, Snoqualmie, WA 98065


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