16 Things to Do in Washington: A Washington Bucket List

1. Hike to the “Hole in the Wall” at Rialto Beach:

If you enjoy walking on the beach, this hike is for you! It’s an easy 1.5 miles over the rocky shore. Be sure to check the tide schedule before going here! You can only do this hike during the lower tides. 

2. Walk through the mossy floors of Hoh Rainforest

A beautiful rainforest in the U.S. There are two short hikes here that you can hike within the same trip. The Hall of Mosses trail is a .8 mile loop and the Spruce Nature trail is a 1.2 mile loop. If you’re lucky, you’ll even be able to see some Roosevelt Elk on your visit!

3. Hike Sol Duc Falls

This hike is perfect for fans of waterfalls! Only 1.6 miles roundtrip, you’ll hike through old-growth trees for the most beautiful reward at the end. 

4. Visit Forks, WA

If you are a Twilight fan, then you have to spend a day here while visiting Washington. In Forks, you can do a self guided tour to see a few different filming locations or you can even pay for a guided tour. True to Stephanie’s Meyer’s writing, there isn’t much going on in Forks, but it was still a fun experience getting to see the inspiration for the series. 

5. Go to Cape Flattery

This 1.2 mile roundtrip hike starts on a flat trail in a forest and slowly turns into wooden boardwalk that leads you to a beautiful coastal view. Cape Flattery is located on Makah Reservation, so a Makah Recreation Pass is needed to visit. This can be purchased at Neah Bay. This pass also gets you into Shi Shi Beach.

6. Hike the Skyline Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park

Located near the entrance to the Jackson Visitor Center in the Paradise region of the park, this hike is 5.5 miles roundtrip, and takes you to the base of Mt. Rainier! You will also pass some beautiful waterfalls on this hike. 

7. Drive Highway 20 through North Cascades National Park

Approximately 30 miles long, you can drive highway 20 through North Cascades National Park, stopping at the many pull offs along the way to see the stunning views! Our favorite was Mt. Diablo lookout. 

8. Visit Skagit Valley during their Tulip Festival

If you are visiting in the spring, the Skagit Valley tulip festival will be in full swing! We actually stopped here on the way to North Cascades National Park, it was only a little out of the way and barely added extra travel time. 

9. Space Needle

Standing 605 feet tall, the Space Needle takes you above the city of Seattle. From here you can see not only the downtown area, but also Puget Sound, Mount Rainier (on a cloudless day of course), and the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges. Depending on the time of day you visit, the ticket prices are $32.50-$42.50 for adults.

 

10. Chihuly Glass & Garden

This is a beautiful museum with both inside and outside areas. Chihuly’s work is absolutely stunning and in my opinion, this is a can’t miss attraction in Seattle. Since this is located right next to the Space Needle, they offer a package for admission to both attractions for only $62.50-$67.50 for adults. 

11. Seattle Great Wheel

Fun for all ages, you can take a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel. Tickets are only $18 for adults and $13 for children. This offers some amazing views from the top of the wheel!

12. Pike Place Market

Another can’t miss attraction when visiting Seattle, you HAVE to stop by the Pike Place Market. Looking through all of the different vendors, you could spend hours here. If you’re lucky, someone will buy a fish when you’re there and you’ll get to see the workers tossing it around before packaging it. 

13. Piroshky Piroshky

This pastry place was so good, we went there 3 times. If you are into savory or sweet pastries the size of your face, then you need to go to Piroshky Piroshky! It’s located a block away from Pike Place Market and right next to the first Starbucks. 

14. Buy a drink at the first Starbucks

Located next to Pike Place Market is the very first Starbucks! Be sure to get here very early if you don’t want to wait in a long line. 

15. Try a coffee flight at a Starbucks Reserve & Roastery

If you’re a fan of Starbucks coffee, then you must go to the Starbucks Reserve & Roastery while you’re in Seattle. They are only located in 6 different cities throughout the world, the other two in the U.S. being Chicago and NYC. Here, you can try a few coffee flights as well as different menu items that aren’t offered at a regular Starbucks. 

16. Museum of Pop Culture

In this museum, you can experience the power of pop culture. Tickets are $27-$29.75 depending on what time and day of the week you go.