Washington

Sure it can be rainy, but Washington State boasts beautiful and varied scenery, from rugged Pacific beaches like Copalis and Grenville Bay to the snowy, craggy peaks of the Cascade Mountains. Don’t driving the rugged coastline on the Olympic Peninsula, hiking in a temperate rain forest at Hoh Rain Forest, or whale watching in the San Juan Islands, either. The state’s culinary scene includes wine made from cabernet sauvignon and albariño varietals grown in Walla Walla and plenty of seafood, especially Dungeness crab, sea urchins, mussels, and Kumamoto and Olympia oysters.

Seattle Washington
Overview

Planning your trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to Washington.

READ BEFORE YOU GO
HOTELS
With its soothing design and sustainability-driven ethos, the new 1 Hotel Seattle offers a tranquil base in the South Lake Union neighborhood.
Housed in a restored 1907 warehouse, the new, eco-conscious Populus Seattle brings world-class art, native rooftop plants, and Pacific Northwest storytelling to Pioneer Square.
In the Pacific Northwest, guests are encouraged to unplug, embrace the outdoors, and commune over s’mores.
Both properties stand out for their design-forward approach to sustainability, making them an appealing choice for travelers who appreciate lower-impact luxury.
Architecture, history, and fitness star in these exclusive club hotels that let nonmembers check in.
The wild beauty of Washington state and Canada’s British Columbia is luring in a fresh crop of outdoor-focused accommodations—from tented camps to Japanese onsen-inspired forest cabins.
How I became a Snow Peak fan-girl in one short weekend.
RESOURCES TO HELP PLAN YOUR TRIP
Three times bigger than the original, Amex’s revamped Centurion Lounge at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport offers a full-service coffee bar—a first for the brand—and views of the Olympic Mountains.
With historic food halls, a Latin American market, and more authentic culinary experiences, it’s no wonder that folks flock to NoMa to satiate their tastebuds.
This two-for-one sale lets you bring along a companion for free in a private Amtrak Roomette.
Trailing only California, Washington is the USA’s second-biggest wine-producing state—and these half-dozen Washington wineries offer some of the finest pours around.
The city’s bars, coffee shops, and famous live music venues are open for business.
Live like a local in the Emerald City with these home-away-from-home Airbnbs in neighborhoods from Capitol Hill to Ballard.
Lunch under $10? Dinner under $20? Totally achievable in foodie-friendly Seattle. Enjoy savory Cuban sandwiches, Oprah-approved fried chicken, and made-to-order sushi that won’t strain your budget.
Sure, you could bring back some “Sleepless in Seattle” T-shirts that you got at a souvenir shop outside the Pike Place Market. But wouldn’t you rather support small businesses, independent designers, and local artists — and get some great stuff at the same time? These Seattle stores will send you home with truly unique mementoes of your trip.
Whether your passion is for art, music, science, history, or aviation, Seattle has museums for you. Sometimes the museum itself is a landmark, like Seattle’s colorful Experience Music Project Museum building, designed by Frank Gehry. Add some educational value to your Seattle vacation when you spend an afternoon at one of these family-friendly destinations. If you plan to visit multiple museums, check out the Seattle CityPass to save on admission.
Seattle’s hotels cater to all sorts of travelers, from budget-conscious families to couples seeking a romantic getaway. Which hotel is best for you? The Four Seasons combines luxury accommodations with a central location in downtown Seattle. The hip Ace Hotel is in the heart of Belltown’s nightlife. Or you can explore Ballard’s artsy shops and restaurants while staying at the small, cozy Ballard Inn, just steps away from one of Seattle’s weekend farmers markets.