1. Seattle
There are many reasons to visit the largest city in the region. In addition to being surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, the Emerald City is home to famed Pike Place Market, enjoy the sounds and sights of street performers, and, of course, watch the fishmongers who toss the fresh catch of the day while cracking jokes. Seattle also has a fantastic café, music and arts scene. Don’t forget to check out the giant troll under the Aurora Bridge just north of downtown in the Fremont neighborhood. Seattle Homes for Sale are up from the previous year. Condos are definitely the less expensive option in Seattle, followed by townhouses and then houses.
2. Port Townsend
Surrounded on almost all sides by water, Port Townsend offers many places to launch your vessel of choice, from rowing scull to yacht. Frequent races, regattas and the annual Wooden Boat Festival testify to the relationship between land and sea. For the landlubbers, there are also numerous parks surrounding the city, including Fort Worden and Old Fort Townsend State Parks and, further away, Olympic National Forest. An artists’ haven, the town is home to many galleries and a vibrant Art Walk.
3. Cape Flattery
Cape Flattery is one of the most popular hikes on the Olympic Peninsula, despite its isolation. The trail, which leads to an observation platform, takes those intrepid enough to make the journey along a well-maintained 1.5 mile out and back trail. Weaving through coastal forests, on cedar boardwalks and along a sometimes muddy trail, the path eventually ends at the northwestern-most point in the contiguous United States.
4. Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula in the Pacific Northwest. The park sprawls across several different ecosystems, from the dramatic peaks of the Olympic Mountains to old-growth forests. The summit of glacier-clad Mt. Olympus is popular with climbers, and hiking and backpacking trails cut through the park’s rainforests and along its Pacific coastline.
5. Mount Rainier National Park
On a clear day in the Puget Sound, majestic Mount Rainier, peaking at 14,411 feet, is an incredible sight that can be glimpsed from many points throughout the area, but by heading to Mount Rainier National Park you’ll get an up-close and personal experience that is sure to leave a memorable impression. Not only does the mountain’s snow-capped summit await, but you’ll also see alpine meadows dotted with colorful wildflowers, massive glaciers, and waterfalls that cascade around nearly every bend. Some of the very best views can be found at Tipsoo Lake, where photographers can capture a reflection of the mountain in its translucent waters.
While you’re here, you might as well check out the photos from my roadtrip in the opposite end of the United States: the beautiful Florida Keys!
