With its magnificent, diverse terrain, Washington State offers a wealth of fantastic travel destinations. You’ll find everything from breathtaking coastal scenery and wild driftwood-strewn beaches to dramatic mountains and glistening lakes with charming towns tucked in between. If you’re trying to make it through the many options here, we’ve narrowed it down for you by providing some of the very best escapes for Memorial Day weekend in Washington.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is massive, covering 1,442 square miles. It’s larger than the state of Rhode Island by 200 square miles, and while Memorial Day weekend may be busy, you’ll find plenty of places to go to escape the crowds. The park is home to over four dozen peaks that soar more than 6,500 feet and over 600 miles of scenic trails. Look forward to visiting endless waterfalls, beachcombing, lake activities, hiking, climbing, and more. While you’re out there, keep an eye out for wildlife like mountain goats, marmots, Roosevelt elk, bald eagles, and possibly even the spout of a whale offshore.
Long Beach
Memorial Day weekend is the official kick-off of summer in Long Beach, a top Washington State destination that sits along the southwest coast. The self-proclaimed ‘World’s Longest Beach,’ offers endless activities on the sand, from beachcombing, peaceful strolls and horseback riding to kite flying. In fact, Long Beach is considered one of the best spots to fly a kite on the planet. It also hosts a World Kite Museum and Hall of Fame, and all sorts of family-friendly entertainment, including carnival rides, face painting, games, bumper cars and a carousel. You can even rent a bicycle built for two or a three-wheeler to cruise the beach.
Port Townsend
Port Townsend sits on the northeastern tip of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, offering stunning mountain and water views and a whole lot more. Its main street is lined with grand historic buildings that house a variety of independent shops and a wide range of eateries. Just two miles away at Fort Worden State Park, you can rent a kayak and paddle out among marine life in Admiralty Bay, including seals, dolphins and otters, or rent a bike and pedal to Point Wilson lighthouse. Whale-watching tours are available via Puget Sound Express, leaving from Point Hudson Marina.
Leavenworth
Visiting this Bavarian village that sits just east of the Cascade Mountains is an ideal way to start any summer. On the east side, there’s a lot more sunshine for activities in Leavenworth, like tubing down the Wenatchee River, hiking the trails in the surrounding area, or taking a scenic guided tour via horseback. Lake Wenatchee is just a short drive west and ideal for a wide range of water sports, including boating, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. In town, look forward to dining on the tasty traditional German cuisine paired with German beer, shopping for unique Bavarian goods, or even having your photo taken while wearing traditional Bavarian attire.
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is an uncrowded alternative to other national parks in the country, which means even on a busy holiday weekend, you’ll be able to enjoy this rugged, glacier-filled wilderness area practically all to yourself. The park boasts more glaciers than any other place in the U.S. outside of Alaska, with over 300, along with an abundance of wildlife. Watch for bald eagles and osprey soaring above or perched in the trees, along with some more elusive creatures like moose, cougar, wolverine, gray wolf, and black and grizzly bears.
Winthrop and the Methow Valley
Winthrop and the surrounding Methow Valley is located at the eastern edge of the Northern Cascades. The western-themed town of Winthrop is one of the most charming cities in the state that offers a trip back in time, while the surrounding area offers a wide range of outdoor adventure, from hot-air balloon rides to biking, hiking, and horseback riding, all among especially breathtaking mountain scenery.
Orcas Island
A lush, green paradise that locals often call the “gem of the San Juans,” Orcas Island is part of the San Juan archipelago off the northern Washington coast. Accessed by ferry from Anacortes, it’s the largest of the islands and less visited than neighboring San Juan Island. Moran State Park is home to the island’s tallest mountain, Mount Constitution, and nearly 40 miles of scenic trails, including one that will take you to the highest point at 2,409 feet above sea level for incredible panoramic views. Be sure to rent a kayak or join a tour to explore the surrounding waters, which are frequented by the Southern Resident orcas.
Whidbey Island
Whidbey Island is less than a 90-minute drive from downtown Seattle, but it feels as if it’s worlds away. It offers all sorts of recreational activities, including freshwater and saltwater fishing, beachcombing, crabbing, kayaking, hiking, and biking. The small town of Langley is especially picturesque with its charming streets that overlook the Puget Sound, while the towering Cascade Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop. In Deception Pass State Park near the north end of the island, you’ll get to enjoy some especially breathtaking scenery that includes a saltwater shoreline and rugged cliffs that plunge down to meet emerald-hued waters. Peer into the tide pools filled with colorful creatures, and keep an eye out to sea as you might just spot the porpoises, orca, or gray whales that swim through the strait.
Stevenson, Columbia Gorge
While lots of people head to the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, there are lots to do, and the scenery is just as good on the Washington side too. Hike to Dog Mountain Peak for some especially extraordinary views with Mount Hood looming in the distance while the majestic Columbia River rushes below. Skamania Lodge in Stevenson offers a thrilling zip-line tour for a bird’s eye view of the lush forest and even the wildlife as well as three sky bridges for more spectacular gorge vistas. If you want to learn more about the history of the area, check out the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, also in Stevenson. It features a variety of exhibits and displays on the natural history and early residents.
