Five Must-Do Washington State Road Trips to Take This Summer
With a plethora of diverse landscapes to explore and mild summer temperatures, Washington makes an ideal State for road trips during the sunny summer months. In no particular order, here are five of the absolute must-do trips in the Evergreen State, from the perspective of a long-time resident.
The San Juan Islands are accessible by ferry, most commonly from Anacortes, WA
01 | San Juan Islands
There are few places that are more quintessentially Pacific Northwest than the San Juan Islands. This Island chain is found North of the Puget Sound in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and offers a paradise for whale watching, hiking, biking and beach combing. The three most populous islands – San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez – are the most visited and are accessible by ferry, but don’t expect populated to mean fast-paced. Visitors will find the “island time” vibes offer a relaxing experience whether enjoying nature or a variety of the islands’ boutique shopping and dining experiences.
Learn more about visiting the San Juan Islands at: https://www.visitsanjuans.com/
Ruby Beach, located in Forks, WA, is a gem of Olympic National Park
02 | Olympic National Park
As one of the state’s three National Parks, it’s no surprise that Olympic National Park (ONP) makes the list. The park is split between inland temperate rainforests and incredible ocean beaches, and any trip to ONP should include a taste of both. For access to all the park has to offer you can’t go wrong with a stay at the rustic cabins or lodge at Kalaloch Beach.
Learn more about visiting Olympic National Park at: https://www.olympicnationalparks.com/
Charming Downtown Leavenworth
03 | Leavenworth
Experiencing the lush forests and snowy peaks of the Cascade Mountains should be on any adventurer’s bucket list. Leavenworth, WA is an unexpected Bavarian themed mountain town found in Central Washington. It offers year-round award-winning outdoor recreation and a plethora of festivals and events just two hours from the greater Seattle area.
Learn more about visiting Leavenworth at: https://leavenworth.org/
Views of the rolling hillsides and Lake Chelan from Slidewaters water park in Chelan, WA
04 | Lake Chelan
Just another 55 miles Northeast of Leavenworth, you’ll find the charming lake town of Chelan, WA. Home to the one of the largest (and record-holder for the deepest) lakes in our State, Lake Chelan began as a haven for water recreation and has evolved into an incredible destination for sampling the best of Washington State wines. With sunnier and drier weather than the Western half of the state, Chelan and surrounding areas are high demand vacation spots for Western Washingontians looking to escape the rain - so be sure to book accommodations early!
Learn more about visiting Lake Chelan at: https://www.lakechelan.com/
Downtown Seattle is filled with fabulous dining, shopping, and entertainment for all ages
05 | Seattle
For those that live outside of the largest city in the state, playing tourist in Seattle is a must do at least once. With an incredible amount of green spaces, and the usual suspects expected of a “big city” - museums, galleries, incredible shopping and dining, and more - a visit or staycation in the Emerald City is a must on your summer agenda.
Learn more about visiting Seattle at: https://visitseattle.org/