10 Fun Things To Do In Washington State On An Epic Family Vacation
Washington State’s breathtaking natural surroundings make a fantastic setting for an amazing and fun-filled family vacation. Our family was recently wowed by all the state has to offer. Now we’re sharing know-before-you-go tips for the best things to do in Washington on your family trip.
TripSavvy says it will quickly become your favorite state. Culture Trip details 15 reasons why you should visit it. And US News and Report named it the best state in America for 2 years running.
Surprised that we’re referring to Washington state?
You shouldn’t be! This amazingly beautiful state has so much to offer.
Washington is a plethora of tall evergreen trees and pristine lakes and rivers. Its stretch of coastline is perfect for beach combing and wildlife viewing. And its culture is a great match for the slow yet adventurous travel so many of us crave post-pandemic.
We explored the area on a family vacation and found these 10 fun things to do in Washington State. Now we’re sharing them here, with you.
Hiking at Mount Rainer National Park.
Tour a national park.
Visiting Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park, or North Cascades National Park is a top pick for a fun thing to do in Washington. All 3 national parks have something unique to offer.
At 70 miles away, Mount Rainier’s close proximity to Seattle makes it a fantastic escape from the city. It’s claim to fame is the snow capped mountain that sits in its center. We explored the area in a day and got in several short hikes. If your family loves longer hikes, you could spend multiple days. No matter how long you plan to spend, you’re sure to catch some incredible views.
Olympic National Park is technically still within 3 hours of Seattle, although some recommend a longer more scenic route to get there. This park encompasses a diverse landscape. Oceanside beaches, rainforests, and mountains are all housed inside the million acres that make it up.
North Cascades Mountain is one of the least visited national parks in the country. So if no crowds and challenging hiking are your thing, this park is for you.
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Munchen Haus in the German themed town of Leavenworth, Washington.
2. Visit a Bavarian themed town.
An entire town filled with German food and culture may seem like an unlikely thing to find in Washington. But, this well executed theme is found throughout the town of Leavenworth. And it more than deserves a spot on the list of fun things to do in Washington state.
Leavenworth, located about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Seattle, is a Bavarian-themed town with shops, hotels, and restaurants. It’s a truly unique town with a fascinating history.
With the Bavarian theme of course comes great Biergartens.
Our favorite was Munchen Haus, which also offers yummy sausages and pretzels. (And they come with tons of topping and dipping options - the best part.)
Bushel and Bee and Leavenworth Sausage Garten are just a few of the other great options.
Exploring the town on your own is a really good way to see it. But, a guided tour definitely ups the ante in experiencing all the town has to offer. We used Bavarian Walking Tours for our tour of Leavenworth and had a great experience. We learned about Leavenworth’s rich history and saw all the best spots in town. We also got some great tips on what else to do while we were there.
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Walking paths and grounds at Willows Lodge in Woodinville, Washington.
3. Stay in a North Pacific resort.
The Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. boasts a distinctive landscape of tall pines, rugged coastline, and conflicting climates.
The state is also full of beautiful resorts nestled in that very landscape. And those resorts are a great place from which to see all Washington has to offer.
Our favorite Washington state resorts include Sundacia Resort in Cle Elum, Willows Lodge in Woodinville and Salish Lodge and Spa in Snoqualmie. All three offer unique takes on the evergreen state.
And apparently we’re not the only ones who find them all pretty special. They all were featured in Planet Ware’s 2023 list of the best resorts in Washington State. For more Great Washington state resorts, check out the entire list HERE.
Suncadia is situated on over 6,000 acres and has a huge array of activities for families. Families can bike the grounds or hike the area. Paddle boards, kayaks, and a plethora of indoor and outdoor games are available. Water sliding into the pool was another favorite activity of my kids.
Willow Lodge and Spa is a boutique hotel with to-die-for gardens, nestled in a super cute town. Bike rentals and walking paths kept the younger kids and “big-kids” (a.k.a. adults) in our group entertained.
Salish Lodge and Spa is also a boutique hotel. The star of the show is Snoqualmie Falls, the draw-dropping waterfall on which the hotel is practically perched. Hiking near the falls was our family’s favorite activity. Even if you can’t fit in an overnight stay here, the resort and falls make a great day trip.
Harvest Festival in Cle Elum, Washington.
4. Attend a Washington state festival.
Towering trees, diverse bodies of water, and epic mountains are what define the state of Washington. All that beautiful scenery also makes for great places for festivals and events.
Our trip coincided with the Suncadia Harvest Festival at Nelson Family Farm. What a fun weekend with food trucks, music, and dancing! Lots of activities like a maze pyramid, ax throwing, and archery kept the kids busy too.
For a list of other fun festivals and events in Washington State, check out the state’s tourism site. Or, check with your hotel concierge for what’s happening nearby while you’re visiting. Some of Washington’s best things to do are hidden gems that locals know all about.
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J Bell Cellars In Zillah, Washington.
5. Taste Washington wine.
No list of the most fun things to do in Washington state is complete without a visit to wineries.
Washington is second only to California in terms of the amount of wine produced in a given state. It was even named #1 on the list of the USA Today’s best wine regions of 2022.
We loved our Washington wine tour so much that we created a short list of our own favorite wineries. Check out 3 great wineries in Washington state that are perfect for your family vacation to the area. They’re beautiful, kid-friendly, … and have terrific vino of course.
And it turns out wine isn’t the only beverage that inspires fun things to do in Washington. Breweries and distilleries also deserve a spot on the list.
In fact, Forbes explains exactly why you should explore Washington’s whiskey distilleries HERE. And Culture Trip created THIS list of the best craft breweries in Washington.
We chose just one distillery to sample and found it to be a great choice. Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon drinker or new to the bourbon craze, you’ll enjoy a visit to Woodinville Whiskey too. Maple syrup even rounds out the tasting in case you prefer your barrels to age something that’s zero proof.
One great spot to enjoy breweries is in the already-named place not to be missed of Leavenworth. Other great towns and cities to explore the craft beer scene in Washington are Seattle and Yakima. Although, chances are you can find a great brewery wherever you are in the state.
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The Herbfarm in Woodinville, Washington makes lots of “best of” lists. Make a reservation early though to ensure a table and don’t plan to bring the kids to this 9-course splurge.
6. Enjoy North Pacific Cuisine.
One of our favorite ways to explore any area we visit on a family vacation is through the food and customs that define it. Washington state did not disappoint when it came to doing that.
We ate at lots of great restaurants in the area and really enjoyed Pacific Northwest cuisine. Finding non-chain restaurants with highlight local, seasonal food was not difficult. They seemed to be around every corner.
That great water view that we talk about below also greatly influences the food of the region. Northwest foods include things like salmon, shellfish, and other seafood. Game meats such as moose, elk, or caribou, are also indicative of the area.
So bring your appetites on your trip. You won’t be disappointed by the food in Washington.
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White River in Mount Rainer.
7. Enjoy the water.
With over 3,000 miles of shoreline, there’s no need to feel land-locked in this state. Seeing the beautiful coastlines and enjoying water activities are perfect things to do in Washington.
The Pacific Ocean borders the western side of the state and provides scenic views from coastal towns. The nearby Puget Sound alone encompasses 1330 miles of shoreline. Tourists can explore the area whale-watching or taking ferry rides.
The remaining shoreline is divided along rivers and lakes. Places like Lake Crescent and Lake Wenatchee make excellent spots to experience water activities and enjoy spectacular views.
We loved the water views of the Wenatchee River, which feeds Lake Wenatchee, in Leavenworth. The White River was one of our favorite spots in Mount Rainer. And the Cle Elum River was a gorgeous backdrop for walking and hiking through the area.
To enjoy more of the water in Washington, check out Planet Ware’s list of some of the best lakes in Washington HERE.
Biking in Roslyn, Washington.
8. Go on a bike ride or a hike.
Washington’s topography makes for an ideal spot to hop on a bike and take a spin. And we had so much fun doing just that during our family vacation to Washington state.
Our favorite way to bike was to travel the well marked bike paths between cities like Woodinville, Bothell, and Redmond. We found playgrounds and small towns along the way to stop and enjoy. It was a fantastic and active way to explore what the state has to offer.
Balancing on 2 wheels not your thing? Hiking may be more your idea of one of the best things to do in Washington instead. While the state’s national parks offer great hiking terrain, there are loads of other places to get your steps in.
Washington may seem like a place of constant rain, but 2/3 of the state is actually dry much of the time. That’s thanks to the Cascade Mountains. And those mountains are also at least partially responsible for the gorgeous backdrop hikers see throughout much of the state.
With 1/2 the state covered in forests, wherever you are in Washington, chances are a great trail isn’t far away.
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Seattle - photo courtesy Thom Milkovic @ Unsplash.
9. Visit a Washington state city.
Washington forested land isn’t the state’s only claim to fame. The more populated areas are also visit-worthy.
Seattle is Washington’s biggest city in the state and offers lots to do. It’s known for being the birthplace of Starbucks and a technology hub. Yet it’s also one of the most visited places in Washington.
In Seattle, tourists can visit the Space Needle and Pike Place Market for starters. Ferry rides to nearby islands and enjoying the waterfront are also great options. And with so many charming places to stay outside of the city, day trips to Seattle are a fun way to explore.
Seattle isn’t alone in deserving a look when planning your Washington family vacation though.
For example, Spokane is a thriving small city with cultural experiences and ties to the state’s Native American heritage.
And Tacoma offers visitors a chance to see the Puget Sound. The city also has art and history museums and a well-known glass museum.
Got a question about planning your trip to Washington? Comment below!
The spa overlooking the wooded grounds of Suncadia Resort.
10. Relax, Unplug and Unwind.
One of our favorite things about our trip to Washington was the way the often pristine environment encouraged us to relax.
The huge fir trees and hemlocks are like a fairy tale forest come to life. Much of the state feels rustic, inviting all who come to enjoy nature. And with the hustle and bustle of life with kids, it was a fantastic escape.
There are plenty of active things to do in Washington (and we filled our days with them). But, it’s also a great place to unwind.
Wellness and reconnecting with nature comes easy in the state. Many resorts offer spas. We found our zen at Suncadia Resort’s spa. It made for a blissful adult day. (Although they also offer spa treatments for teens over 16 and mani and pedi appointments for kids over 7.)
Even if you skip the spa, the Evergreen State’s ethereal landscape will help you embody slow-travel. And that’s no small feat with kids in tow.
