Beyond the well known charms of Seattle, the state unfolds into a world of glaciated peaks, apple orchards, wild coastline and mountain passes that take your breath away. Here are the top 10 things Washington is known for, and the experiences that make this corner of the Pacific Northwest unforgettable.
1. Seattle
Washington is known for Seattle, the Pacific Northwest's largest city and one of the most dynamic urban destinations in the country. From the waterfront energy of Pike Place Market to the iconic silhouette of the Space Needle to a coffee culture that changed how the world drinks espresso, Seattle sets the tone for everything that makes this state remarkable. It's also where Royal Caribbean cruise ships call, making it the perfect gateway to all that Washington has to offer beyond the city limits.
2. Mount Rainier
Visible from Seattle on clear days, Mount Rainier is Washington's most iconic natural landmark, a glaciated stratovolcano that rises 14,410 feet above the surrounding Cascade Mountains. Mount Rainier National Park protects ancient old growth forests, summer wildflower meadows so vivid they look painted, and more than two dozen glaciers that feed the rivers of the entire region. Hikers, climbers and photographers make the pilgrimage year round.
3. Olympic National Park
Washington is famous for the extraordinary ecological variety of Olympic National Park, one of the most diverse protected landscapes in North America. The Hoh Rain Forest receives up to 14 feet of rainfall a year, producing a cathedral of moss draped maple and Sitka spruce that feels prehistoric. Drive a few hours west and you reach glacier carved alpine peaks. Drive north and wild Pacific coastline stretches for more than 70 miles with no development in sight.
4. The San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands are one of Washington's most beloved treasures, an archipelago of more than 170 islands scattered across the waters between Seattle and Vancouver. Orcas Island and San Juan Island are the most visited, offering whale watching cruises where resident orca pods surface year round, sea kayaking through kelp forests, lavender farms and a pace of life that makes the rest of the world feel very far away.
5. Walla Walla Wine Country
In the southeastern corner of the state, Walla Walla has quietly become one of America's most celebrated wine regions. Warm days and cool nights produce bold syrahs and elegant cabernet sauvignons that rival Napa, and the downtown is lined with tasting rooms, farm to table restaurants and boutique hotels. It's the kind of wine country discovery that makes visitors feel like they found something the crowds haven't caught up with yet.
6. Washington Apples
Washington is the apple growing capital of the United States, producing nearly two thirds of the country's apple crop from the sunny orchards of the Wenatchee Valley and the Columbia River Basin. Crisp Honeycrisps, tart Galas, sweet Fujis and the classic Red Delicious all thrive in Washington's volcanic soil and long summer days. Stop at a roadside stand in apple country and taste the difference a perfect growing region makes.
7. Mount St. Helens
The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens was the most significant volcanic event in modern American history, and the mountain it left behind is one of Washington's most extraordinary sights. The blown out crater and the miles of ash covered terrain tell the story of nature's raw power, while the surrounding landscape shows how remarkably life has returned in the decades since. The Johnston Ridge Observatory puts you face to face with the still steaming lava dome.
8. The Columbia River Gorge
Washington shares the spectacular Columbia River Gorge with Oregon, a dramatic canyon carved by the river over millions of years and lined with basalt cliffs, waterfalls and forests. The gorge is famous among windsurfers and kiteboarders for its powerful seasonal winds, and its network of hiking trails leads to viewpoints that stretch for miles across two states. Multnomah Falls and Beacon Rock are the most visited landmarks along its length.
9. The Cascade Mountains
The Cascade Range runs the length of Washington from north to south, dividing the wet, lush western half of the state from the dry, sun drenched eastern plateau. World class skiing awaits at Crystal Mountain, Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Pass, while summer opens up hundreds of miles of alpine trails through meadows of lupine and paintbrush. North Cascades National Park, one of the least visited in the national park system, rewards those who make the effort with complete wilderness solitude.
10. The Pacific Northwest Outdoors
More than anything, Washington state is known for an outdoor culture that sets the standard for the Pacific Northwest. Kayak among bioluminescent plankton in Puget Sound, fish for wild salmon on the Olympic Peninsula, mountain bike through old growth forests on Whidbey Island or simply pull over on a back road east of the Cascades and watch a sky full of stars appear. Whatever draws you outside, Washington does it against scenery that makes it hard to go home.
What Is Washington Known For?
Washington state is known for Seattle, Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park, the San Juan Islands, Walla Walla wine, Washington apples, Mount St. Helens and the sweeping landscapes of the Cascade Range and Columbia River Gorge. From rainforests to volcanoes to sun drenched wine country, few states pack this much variety into one destination. And with Royal Caribbean sailing from Seattle, Washington's greatest wonders are just a scenic drive from the pier.
