Exploring Washington: 6 Fun Weekend Getaways from Seattle for Your Family
The Evergreen State has so much to offer for a family vacation. At under 3 hours away, these weekend getaways from Seattle are the perfect places to visit in Washington.
The bustling city of Seattle has been a favorite of travelers to the Pacific Northwest for a long time.
And for good reason. For starters, Washington’s capital is the birthplace of Starbucks, home to the Space Needle, and boasts truly spectacular coastline views.
But, we’ve learned that small towns also have a lot to offer when traveling with kids. There might not be skyscrapers or iconic landmarks. But, small towns often have something special up their sleeves.
We’ve found this couldn’t be truer anywhere more so than in Washington State.
On our trip to Washington, we found 6 awesome towns that are great weekend getaways from Seattle.
In fact we loved Washington’s smaller towns so much that we decided to skip the pull of the city altogether. We only checked out smaller towns during our trip to the Evergreen State.
So, follow along with us and leave the Space Needle behind. Swap out views of big buildings for views of waterfalls. Skip a visit to Pike Place Market for a trip to a lesser known but equally great spot.
And check out our favorite places to visit in Washington State.
Leavenworth: A Unique Place to Visit in Washington State
Bavarian culture may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Washington. But, I promise, if you squint just slightly, you’ll think you’re in the heart of Germany in this Washington town.
Leavenworth is a super fun and interesting place to visit in Washington State.
And that German influence that makes it so fun came from a place you might not expect.
It wasn’t an influx of German immigrants who decided the town should be Bavaria themed. Rather, town leaders held meetings in the 1960’s to come up with ideas to save the then fledgling town. And the notion to make Leavenworth German themed to attract tourists eventually won enough support to make it a “go”.
That was just one of the facts we learned from our lederhosen-clad guide during our tour of the town on our visit there. (A tour we loved by the way. You can book yours at Bavarian Walking Tours.)
We also shopped in the German themed stores, ate at a Biergarten-style restaurant and tasted local beer brews.
Leavenworth’s charm isn’t just about it’s unique take on how to reboot the town’s economy and population. It also sits on the beautiful Wenatchee River and offers access to a plethora of outdoor activities. Kayaking the river, hiking, or enjoying nearby skiing are just a few of those options.
TIP: Leavenworth has a variety of accommodation options. Bavarian Lodge is a favorite with families. Or if you can sneak away without kids, the adults only Posthotel that overlooks the river is worth the hassle of finding babysitting.
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2. Snoqualmie Falls: A Picturesque Weekend Getaway from Seattle
Snoqualmie Falls makes a great weekend getaway from Seattle or a perfect day trip from the city. It’s located just 25 miles from Seattle, yet feels like a different planet.
Snoqualmie Falls is a gorgeous, 258-foot waterfall that is the most famous of its kind in Washington. Great hiking trails are located nearby, offering various views of the falls. The trails also feature plaques telling about the fauna and history of the area.
If you have time for an overnight stay at the falls, Salish Lodge and Spa is the perfect option. The quaint inn features rooms with fireplaces and tea served in the lobby in the afternoons.
Even if aren’t spending the night, the Salish Lodge dining room is a fantastic place to grab lunch or dinner. Be sure to ask for “honey from heaven” before your meal. It’s a yummy way to take part in a long-standing tradition at the lodge.
TIP: Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most visited places in the state of Washington. So, weekday visits, like the one we planned, are optimal if you can manage it. We experienced very low crowds and were able to avoid jostling for a picture at the falls.
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3. Mount Rainier: An Epic Place to Visit in Washington
At under 2 hours from the city, Mount Rainier makes the list as a “must do” day trip from Seattle. As the most glaciated area in the U.S. outside of Alaska, you’re sure to catch a glimpse of a glacier. It’s also the highest volcanic peak in the country. And the scenery offers something different every season of the year.
Mount Rainier National Park offers hundreds of hiking trails that span over 250 miles. Some families will want to spend a lot of time exploring longer trails. Others, like our “get it all in” family, will still get a great experience, even if it’s a shorter stop along your trip.
Exploring the trails means traversing the same land that many Native Americans tribes called home. Learning a little about them checks the box to make this a great “travel and learn” vacation. The National Park Service offers THIS information on what tribes are associated with Mount Rainier.
TIP: Plan your route ahead and time. Not every place in the park is accessible by each of the 5 entrances. And cell service is limited in the area.
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4. Cle Elum: A Fun, Family Weekend Getaway From Seattle
Cle Elum was our home base during our trip to Washington. It was a perfect spot from which to explore the northwest edition of the best places to visit in Washington State.
We learned that the tiny town of Cle Elum (pronounced klee ELL-um) was ultra-tiny before the opening of Suncadia. Suncadia Resort now encompasses 6,000 acres of the area.
With all that land, it’s no surprise it took a few days during our stay for us to realize all the resort has to offer.
The kids loved the huge indoor and outdoor pools, complete with water slides.
We appreciated the fitness area (uncrowded and bigger than most). We really enjoyed the spa (secluded and cozy). And we were super pleased with the great selection of restaurants (with easy access, right on property).
But it’s really nature itself that takes center stage here. Sitting next to the several million acre Wenatchee Washington National Forest, Suncadia feels like a huge, wooded oasis.
We found one of our favorite things about Suncadia nestled in those very woods - the Nelson Family Farm. We arrived there via another favorite thing about the area - the well groomed bike paths.
During the week, Nelson Farm offers the chance to participate in ax throwing, archery, and hay pyramids virtually crowd free.
On the weekends, the farm hosts festivals with things like live music, beer from local breweries, and more kids’ activities.
TIP: If you like a little extra room to stretch out, consider the vacation homes available to rent. They still offer easy access to all the resort has to offer with more space. The attached deck overlooking the woods was a great way to begin the day with a cup of coffee. And the option to grab our own groceries made breakfast and snacking easy.
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5. Yakima Valley: A Place to Visit in Washington That Kids AND Adults Will Love
Washington State is the second largest producer of wine in the country (behind California, of course.) So, visiting wine region is an easy choice for an adult trip from Seattle.
But, we’re more than convinced it’s also a perfect choice for a family trip from Seattle too.
Washington differs from California in that its hub is farther from a big city though.
The biggest wine region is Walla Walla, which is about 4 1/2 hours from Seattle. While also a great place to visit in Washington, it’s a bit far for a day trip from Seattle. Or a least a bit far with kids in tow. (Don’t worry though. Lots of tasting rooms and restaurants throughout Washington give visitors the chance to enjoy Walla Walla wine.)
However, the Yakima Valley, another noteable wine producing region, is just a little over 2 hours from Seattle. The drive alone is worth it. You’ll leave behind the lush landscapes found close to Seattle for contrasting but equally beautiful terrain.
And when you arrive in Washington’s Yakima Valley, you’ll find it full of spots with kid friendly food and places for kids to roam.
Of course, you’ll also find great wine. In fact, the valley has over 90 wineries. It also has produce stands, brewery stops, restaurants, festivals, and more.
Check, check - the boxes are covered for you and your kiddos.
TIP: Mapping out some of these day trips from Seattle is a good idea. Combining a few different stops is easy, doable, and a great way to see a lot. For example, Mount Rainier or Leavenworth could be a stop on the way to or from Yakima Valley.
6. Woodinville: An Easy and Charming Weekend Getaway From Seattle
For a truly close day trip from Seattle, check out Woodinville, Washington.
Woodinville is the perfect way to see Washington without the long drive from the airport.
Although grapes aren’t grown in the region, the quaint town is known for its tasting rooms and other attractions.
For example, Chateau Ste. Michelle Vineyards is definitely not to be missed. Woodinville Whiskey Co. makes a fun stop. And the small cafes are perfect for sampling local food.
We made the area our home base for the second part of our trip to Washington. And our all-time favorite thing to do in Woodinville was to explore the area on bikes.
We snagged the complimentary bikes from the hotel and spent a ton of time exploring. The well maintained bike trails make it easy to get to nearby areas.
Visitors can travel on dedicated bike paths to stops not just in Woodinville but also in nearby Bothell and Redmond. Stops along the way included everything from wonderful cafes to fun play grounds.
Once you’re done biking your way through this picturesque Washington landscape, you’re still only about a half hour from Seattle.
TIP: Check out Willows Lodge for your stay in Woodinville. We absolutely loved our stay there. The hot tub was perfect after our day spent biking. The on-site restaurant was a treat. And the staff made us feel like family.
