washington tourist info

Come explore all that Washington has to offer! Our state’s diverse geography gives you the opportunity to experience every kind of outdoor recreation imaginable. Immerse yourself in a vibrant arts atmosphere, savor Northwest cuisine highlighting local seafood and produce, and taste award-winning wines right where they’re produced in our sunny wine country.   

Dive into a rich arts scene from contemporary art to historic, folk, and Native American works and cultural traditions. Visit the State Capitol and stroll the grounds to view war memorials, monuments, and sculptures. Explore our collection of public art containing over 5,000 pieces from schools, colleges, universities, and state agencies. 

Center for Washington Cultural Traditions  

Memorials & Artwork at the State Capitol  

Search the collection of public art

List of Washington art museums

Washington Creative Districts

Discover Washington Destinations

Our state’s unique natural beauty spans from rainforests, wild coastlines, and rugged mountains in the west to rolling hills, high deserts, and dry grasslands in the east. Learn what Washington’s regions have to offer and plan things to see and do all across the state. 

Trails and lakes

The coast and peninsulas

Wine country

Discover other destinations in our state

Learn about the geology of our state

Getting Around

Find the most convenient airport for your trip and learn how to get around like a local. Travel by bus, train, and light rail, or take a ferry and go island-hopping. Read the details and requirements on border crossings, toll roads, and road conditions and closures. 

Bellingham International Airport

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Driving around Washington

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King County Metro

Other Washington public transit systems

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Washington State Ferries

How-to Guides for Visitors

Become a Resident

Moving to Washington? Here's a checklist to get you ready.

Lottery & Gambling

Get lucky in Washington. Learn the types of lottery and gambling in our state and gamble responsibly.

Get Outside

Find information about parks and hiking trails, and check out activities such as camping, boating, and fishing.

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Experience Washington

Welcome to washington state.

We welcome you to the official travel and tourism website for the state of Washington. Use our maps and the official Washington State Visitors’ Guide to plan your next vacation to the Pacific Northwest. You can click here to view the digital version of the guide and click here to read about the state of Washington .

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There's Only One DC

See the only Da Vinci in the Americas. Explore the oldest urban national park. Visit the largest library in the world. Do it all in the only place you can. There’s Only One DC.

The Show Goes On

With 60+ playhouses, 99+ companies and 180+ productions per year, DC's theater scene is in a class of its own

Welcome to Washington, DC

A capital spring.

Washington, DC hosts the nation’s greatest springtime celebration, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, in honor of the blooming of the city’s beautiful cherry blossom trees. But spring in the nation’s capital holds so much more: cutting-edge theater performances, outdoor revelry in Rock Creek Park and on the waterfronts and a mouthwatering dining scene. It’s no wonder spring is the perfect time to make monumental memories in the District.

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National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

Congress heights, hoop culture capital classic presented by events dc, southwest & the wharf, cherry blossom cruises, capitol hill, the flea market at eastern market, blossoms on the river: seadc boat rentals for the cherry blossom festival, janet echelman’s 1.8 renwick, unknown soldier, morton fine art presents "the unseen" - a solo exhibition, penn quarter & chinatown, little shop of horrors, isekai: blooming parallel worlds, u streets jazzed up cocktail tour, spoken word to go-go, foggy bottom, afternoon tea at the watergate hotel, dupont circle, dupont circle & embassy row architecture tour, washington women in jazz, tour the city tavern building, ftweekend festival: u.s. edition, mother's day brunch in the colonnade at fairmont washington, dc, georgetown, mother's day in the sky.

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Guide to the national cherry blossom festival in washington, dc.

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3 Days of Spring Adventures in Washington, DC

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Washington Travel Guide: Plan Your Perfect Trip

Written by Brad Lane Updated Sep 24, 2021

The state of Washington defines the Pacific Northwest. And its wild and wondrous landscapes invite several types of vacations and extended travel. Whether exploring one of the state's countless natural treasures or searching for more urban adventures, let PlanetWare assist you in planning a Washington vacation. Our guides on the best cities, outdoor spaces, and places to stay make planning a trip easier than ever. And whenever you travel, no matter the season, it will be easy to see how the Evergreen State gets its nickname.

On This Page:

Inspirational ideas for a trip to washington, best time to visit washington, visitors guide to seattle, other cities to explore in washington, small towns in washington, hiking, camping & outdoor adventures in washington, interesting and fun facts about washington.

Washington is a big state to explore, with several stunning landscapes and cities vying for attention. It helps to have an overview of everything the state has to offer when planning a trip. Our articles on the best places to visit and top vacation destinations provide an excellent resource for diving into a Washington vacation. And after getting a broad overview, it's fun to plunge into the best natural spaces, small towns, and places worth taking a camera.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Washington State & Places to Visit
• Best Small Towns in Washington State
• Best Beaches in Washington State
• Best Lakes in Washington
• Washington State in Pictures: Beautiful Places to Photograph

Summer: There's no wrong time to make a trip, but summer is well regarded as the best time to visit Washington. Adventure opportunities open up across the state, with snow-free mountain passes, more boats on the water, and longer days. The summer is an excellent time to visit all three of Washington's national parks, as well as the abundant forestland throughout the rest of the state. Summer in places like Seattle also draws big crowds, and for a good reason, as the city is also beaming with excellent weather.

Fall: September and October are excellent months to visit Washington. The busy summertime tourism tends to die down alongside the dropping temperatures. And a crisp cool accompanies both ends of the day. Washington's forests and wild spaces take on a new color this time of year, especially the larch trees, and many summertime activities are still accessible into September. Many of the high mountain passes in Washington receive their first snow flurries by October.

Winter: Winter is a special time in Washington. While the days are shorter, and the forecast is rainier on the west side of the state, activity doesn't go dormant during the winter season. Several ski resorts across Washington cater to downhill and cross-country skiing alike. Other places like Leavenworth celebrate the season with festivals and events.

Spring: Spring is a fun time to visit Washington. Weather in March and April is a mixed bag of rain, sleet, and incredibly sunny days. This forecast keeps the busiest of crowds at bay while opening up several activities and vacation opportunities. Bring a rain jacket and waterproof boots when visiting in the spring, and enjoy the many moments when the rain attire isn't needed.

The Emerald City is a top destination to visit in Washington. Millions of tourists flock to this Pacific Northwest hub of art and culture throughout the year, and especially during the summer. And the city offers several avenues of entertainment for all types of vacations and extended getaways.

Seattle offers a unique blend of live music and creative culture for memorable city experiences. And the flavor of Seattle, found at local coffee houses and places like Pike Place Market, is as aromatic as it is fun to dive into while visiting. And it's the city's beautiful surroundings, with places like Puget Sound and Mount Rainier never far from the horizon, that also attracts adventure lovers from around the world.

Things to Do in Seattle and Nearby:

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Seattle, WA
• Top-Rated Things to Do in Seattle in Winter
• Top-Rated Beaches in the Seattle Area
• Top-Rated Hikes near Seattle
• Best Parks in Seattle
• Top-Rated Day Trips from Seattle, WA
• Top-Rated Weekend Getaways from Seattle
• Top-Rated Campgrounds near Seattle

Where to Stay in Seattle:

Getting around Washington from Seattle:

• From Seattle to Olympic National Park: 5 Best Ways to Get There
• From Seattle to Mount Rainier National Park: 4 Best Ways to Get There

Washington is full of fun cities to explore. Like the capital of Washington, Olympia, several of these growing metropolises surround Seattle in the state's western half. However, the east side of the Cascades is home to other cultural hubs, including Spokane, the second-largest city in the state. And while all these large communities share similar attributes, several stand out on their own with a unique community and tourist appeal.

• Top-Rated Things to Do in Tacoma, WA
• Top-Rated Things to Do in Everett, WA
• Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Olympia
• Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Bellingham, WA
• Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Bellevue, WA
• Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Vancouver, WA
• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Spokane, WA
• Top-Rated Campgrounds near Spokane
• Top-Rated Hiking Trails near Spokane
• Top-Rated Things to Do in Wenatchee, WA
• Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Yakima, WA

For an authentic Washington experience, consider adding a small town to the itinerary. Some of the best small towns in Washington offer unforgettable adventures, including whale-spotting, hut-to-hut skiing, and Bavarian festivals. Other popular activities spanning from small towns include backpacking adventures, white-water rafting, and skiing and snowboarding throughout the winter.

• Top-Rated Things to Do in Port Angeles, WA
• Top-Rated Things to Do in Leavenworth, WA
• Top-Rated Things to Do in Winthrop, WA
• Top-Rated Things to Do in Snoqualmie, WA
• Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Puget Sound

The Great Outdoors is a building block of Washington tourism. The state's many natural spaces, ranging from glaciated peaks to wild beaches, attract millions of visitors every year. And with premiere national parks, renowned ski slopes, and verdant environments like wild rivers, rainforests, and state-spanning hiking trails, Washington delivers adventure every day of the year.

The state of Washington is world-renowned for its national parks. It has three crown jewels of the National Park System: Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and North Cascades National Park. The state is also home to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. And while it's almost impossible to rank which one of these natural playgrounds is the best to visit, it's a very fulfilling experience figuring out which one is your favorite.

Mount Rainier National Park

• Top-Rated Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park
• Top-Rated Campgrounds at Mount Rainier National Park

Olympic National Park

• Exploring Olympic National Park and the Hoh Rain Forest: A Visitor's Guide
• Top-Rated Hiking Trails in Olympic National Park
• Top-Rated Campgrounds in Olympic National Park

North Cascades National Park

• Top-Rated Campgrounds at North Cascades National Park
• Top-Rated Hikes in North Cascades National Park

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

• Top-Rated Hiking Trails at Mount St. Helens
• Best Places to Camp near Mount St. Helens

More Outdoor Activities in Washington

• Best State and National Parks in Washington
• Best National Forests in Washington State
• Top-Rated Ski Resorts in Washington State
• Top-Rated Campgrounds in Washington State
• Top-Rated Hiking Trails in Washington State
• Top-Rated White Water Rafting and Kayaking Adventures in Washington
• Top-Rated Hot Springs in Washington
• Top-Rated Waterfalls in Washington State
• Best Hiking Trails near Leavenworth
• Best Campgrounds near Leavenworth

What is Washington Known For? Washington is well known for its dramatic Pacific Northwest surroundings. The Cascade Mountains run right through the western part of the state, and the dramatic Washington coastline includes otherworldly spots like Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands. Included in this outdoorsy reputation are three stunning national parks, over 200 state parks, and six national forests. Washington is also well known for the culture of Seattle, the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. From industry-leading businesses like Microsoft and Boeing to an ever-evolving sound spanning well beyond grunge music, the city's influence spans the globe.

What is the Washington State Flower? The Washington State flower is the Coast Rhododendron, sometimes referred to as the Pacific Rhododendron, and scientifically known as the Rhododendron macrophyllum. This evergreen shrub is prevalent along the Washington Coast and farther inland. It blooms a pretty pinkish color between May and June. Other state symbols in Washington include the Western Hemlock (state tree), willow goldfinch (state bird), and steelhead trout (state fish). Washington's state gem, petrified wood, is on display at Ginkgo Petrified Forest in the Wanapum Recreation Area.

What Sports Teams are in Washington? Washington has six major league sports teams. The Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League call CenturyLink Field in Seattle home, as do the Seattle Sounders soccer club of Major League Soccer. The Seattle Storm of the Women's National Basketball Association also calls Seattle home at Climate Pledge Arena. And new to the Seattle sports scene, the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League will play their first season in 2021, also at Climate Pledge Arena.

A short drive south of Seattle, the neighboring city of Tacoma is home to the OL Reign. Formerly known as Seattle Reign FC, this celebrated soccer club was a founding member of the National Women's Soccer League.

Is Mount Rainier an Active Volcano? Mount Rainier is an active volcano with a long track record of eruptions. Specifically, Mount Rainier is a stratovolcano with a million-plus-year history of episodic eruptions. The last significant event took place approximately 1,000 years ago. The postcard mountain, the highest in the Cascade Range, sits near over three million residents of the Seattle-Tacoma area.

While scientists are confident that Mount Rainier will erupt again, it's hard to pinpoint when that will happen. Extensive observation and surveying occur on all sides of Mount Rainier. When an eruption is imminent, the public will have plenty of time to prepare.

For a firsthand look at Washington's not-so-distant volcanic past, visitors should head to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, 50 miles southwest from Mount Rainier. This similar stratovolcano experienced a massive eruption event in 1980, leaving behind today an enormous crater that hikers can access with a permit.

What is Puget Sound? Puget Sound is the large body of water between the Seattle region and the Olympic Peninsula. It's a complex collection of waterways, islands, and inlets where the ocean mixes with inland freshwater drainage. This complicated environment is the second-largest estuary in the country, behind the Chesapeake Bay, and is a defining landscape of the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area.

ALERT: Know before you go! For important travel alerts, click here .

A Place to Spark Your Senses

Adventures on the Olympic Peninsula Coast

Plan your next adventure on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula Coast April 22 marks the 54th anniversary of Earth Day. What better way to celebrate than exploring one of Earth’s best natural wonders? The beach! The Olympic Peninsula is home to some …

Natural Wonders WOW THE WORLD

Olympic National Park

A natural UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its diverse ecosystems.

A 68-mile saltwater fjord, rich with underwater flora and fauna.    

Dungeness Spit

The longest natural sand spit in the U.S., growing 13 feet per year.

Cape Flattery

Welcome to the northwestern-most point in the contiguous United States.

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Olympic birdfest.

This festival provides participants the opportunity to view a wide variety of birds normally seen on the Olympic Peninsula. Field trips are planned for Sequim Bay, Port Angeles Harbor, Ediz Hook, Dungeness …

Port Townsend Victorian Heritage Festival

Celebrating Port Townsend’s history, lifestyle and audacity of the city’s early life, the festival offers an opportunity to stroll back in time, learn how the early residents lived, worked and …

129th Sequim Irrigation Festival

Join the fun this year for the 129th Sequim Irrigation Festival—celebrating the irrigation ditches that turned an arid prairie into fertile farmland. Since 1895, the community has invited visitors and …

Expect the Unexpected- OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

Diversity is the Hallmark

Forty-nine peaks over 6,500 feet, more than 600 miles of trails, 266 glaciers. Four temperate rain forests. Iconic rivers, deep lakes, and 22 waterfalls. Rocky, craggy beaches full of sea life. Known for roaming Roosevelt elk and flying squirrels. One …

Hoh Rain Forest

A magical destination like no other, the lush and diverse Hoh Rain Forest is one of the most popular spots on the Olympic Peninsula. Take in tumbling waterfalls and rushing rivers, miles of forested trails, and wildlife and fishing like …

Wild Ocean Beaches

From rugged to serene, Olympic Peninsula beaches stretch for miles and offer endless recreation and exploration. Trek the coastline, catch a wave, discover teeming tidepools and dramatic sea stacks, and soak up Pacific Ocean views and sunsets that will leave …

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Welcome to Seattle

A vibrant city surrounded by unrivaled natural beauty, seattle boasts world-class attractions, a renowned arts and culture scene, major sports teams, and more. it’s a city that offers the best of both worlds—from sailing to shopping and museums to mountains. and it’s all waiting for you to explore. no matter where you come from, what you look like, or whom you love, you can find community, acceptance, and opportunity here. we can’t wait to welcome you to the emerald city, travel professionals:.

We would love to connect! Learn more about what’s new and what resources we have available .

Top Things to Do

Food & drink.

Dreamy islands, scenic drives, and gorgeous natural wonderlands are a quick car, ferry, or seaplane ride away.

One of the most notable things about Seattle is the number of world-class activities, from exquisite dining to breathtaking art, that fit into the accessible city. Another alluring aspect of this area is the plentiful day-trip and weekend destinations nearby, making it easy to have Seattle as your home base or as a jumping-off point for a tour of. Go on and choose your next adventure.

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Fun Facts About Seattle

Did you know.

Seattle is surrounded by three national parks and has more than 485 parks within city limits.

Washington is the second-largest wine-producing state in the US.

289 cruise ship stops are scheduled in Seattle for 2023

There are more than 700+ bars and restaurants within city limits

Washington has more than 1,050 wineries , 420 breweries , and 100

To learn more interesting facts about Seattle, click here. >>

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Seaside city, Seattle, might be best known for its fresh fish market, coffee and landmark Space Needle, but this Northwestern destination also plays host to a good variety of cultural attractions all within easy reach of majestic Mount Rainier.

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Below are the Free Visitor Guides for Washington Area. Click here to view all the guides avialable for Washington.

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Kitsap peninsula.

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Grays harbor.

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Washington Travel Guide

A comprehensive vacation and recreation guide.

The Go Washington Travel Guide and Vacation Planner is your best resource to provide complete and accurate information on the thousands of sightseeing attractions, tourist destinations, hotels, resorts, RV parks, and recreational activities. Our travel guide contains thousands of pages of travel, vacation, and recreation information to help you plan your trip.

Your dream vacation, recreational activities and travel opportunities within Washington are only a few clicks away...

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Skier Looking Toward Mount Rainier

Washington State Regions & Cities

With mountains and rain forest, wine country, and urban landscapes, we’ve got something to fit every interest and taste.

Frolic in sand and surf on the southwest coast

Enjoy natural beauty along the Washington-Oregon border

Vancouver , Camas , Stevenson , White Salmon

Embrace island time in Washington’s archipelago

San Juan Islands , Whidbey and Camano Islands

METRO PUGET SOUND

Experience culture in the state’s urban core

Seattle , Tacoma , Bellevue , Everett , Gig Harbor , Issaquah , Woodinville , Vashon Island

Wander wide-open spaces in southeast Washington

Pullman , Clarkston

The Peninsulas

Explore lush green forests and rugged beaches

Olympic Peninsula , Kitsap Peninsula

Discover the wild northeast corner of Washington

Spokane , Republic

Explore from the mountains to the sea

Bellingham , Skagit Valley

Trails & Lakes

Uncover amazing hikes and stunning lakes

Okanogan Country , Ellensburg , Leavenworth , Chelan , Wenatchee

Get up close to breathtaking volcanoes

Olympia , Centralia

Wine Country

Sip your way through southwest Washington

Walla Walla , Yakima Valley , Tri-Cities

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Up to a Trillion Cicadas Are About to Emerge in the U.S.

Two periodical cicada broods are appearing in a 16-state area in the Midwest and Southeast for the first time in centuries. Can you get rid of them? Do they bite you? We answer your questions.

By Aimee Ortiz

In a rare occurrence, a trillion cicadas from two different broods are expected to begin appearing in the Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States at the end of April.

It’s the first time since 1803 that Brood XIX, or the Great Southern Brood, and Brood XIII, or the Northern Illinois Brood, will appear together in an event known as a dual emergence.

Thomas Jefferson was president the last time that the Northern Illinois Brood’s 17-year cycle aligned with the Great Southern Brood’s 13-year period. After this spring, it’ll be another 221 years before the groups, which are geographically adjacent, appear together again.

A roughly 16-state area will be center stage for these periodical cicadas, which differ from those that appear annually in smaller numbers.

Forested areas, including urban green spaces, are more likely to see higher numbers of cicadas than agricultural regions. To put into perspective just how many of these bugs could emerge, one trillion cicadas, each just over an inch long, would cover 15,782,828 miles if they were placed end to end, said Floyd W. Shockley, an entomologist and collections manager at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

“That cicada train would reach to the moon and back 33 times,” Dr. Shockley said.

When are the cicadas coming out?

The first cicadas are expected to start emerging in late April. Temperature determines when they come out, said Gene Kritsky, a retired professor of biology at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, and the author of several books on cicadas, including “A Tale of Two Broods.”

Professor Kritsky said that first the soil needs to reach 64 degrees Fahrenheit, about six inches deep, and “then you get a good soaking rain, and that’s when they really pop,” he said.

They’ll use their forelegs to tunnel out from the earth, their beady red eyes looking for a spot where they can peacefully finish maturing. A few days after they emerge and molt, the males will start buzzing in an effort to find a mate, a slow-building crescendo of noise that as a chorus can be louder than a plane .

Where will they be?

The first waves of cicadas will emerge in northern Louisiana, southern Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, northern Georgia, and up into western South Carolina, Professor Kritsky said.

Then they’ll surface in central North Carolina, eastern Tennessee and northern Arkansas, followed by southern Missouri, Southern Illinois and western Kentucky . Finally, he said, the cicadas will appear throughout central and northern Missouri and Illinois, northwestern Indiana, southern Wisconsin and eastern Iowa.

How long will the dual emergence last?

The Midwest and Southeast should be buzzing for about six weeks.

In most cases, Dr. Shockley said, the cicadas, which live about a month, will die not far from where they had emerged.

Are cicadas dangerous?

Cicadas don’t bite or sting, nor do they carry any diseases. But since they’re “not great fliers and even worse landers,” cicadas often end up on sidewalks and city streets, where they can be squished by people or cars and “could conceivably make things slick.”

“In urban areas, there will be sufficient numbers to necessitate removal of their bodies,” Dr. Shockley said. “But rather than throwing in the trash or cleaning up with street sweepers, people should consider them basically free fertilizer for the plants in their gardens and natural areas.”

If you have a dog that likes to eat them, it’s not good to let them gorge themselves on the insects because it can lead to intestinal blockage, said Professor Kritsky.

How do I get rid of cicadas?

The short answer is: You don’t. If you have delicate plants that you want to protect, then use special netting created for that purpose.

The bugs are beneficial to the environment, acting as natural tree gardeners. The holes they leave behind when they emerge from the ground help aerate the soil and allow for rainwater to get underground and nourish tree roots in hot summer months. The slits they make in trees can cause some branches to break, and the leaves then turn brown in a process known as “flagging,” which is a kind of natural pruning. When the branch grows again, the fruits it yields will tend to be larger. When they die, the cicadas’ rotting bodies provide nutrients that trees need.

John R. Cooley, a biology professor at the University of Connecticut, said that his best advice for people living in the regions of the dual emergence is to let the bugs be.

“The forest is where they live,” he said. “They are a part of the forest. Don’t try to kill them. Don’t try to spray insecticide, all that kind of thing. That’s just going to end badly because there are more than you could possibly kill with insecticide. You’d end up killing everything.”

Aimee Ortiz covers breaking news and other topics. More about Aimee Ortiz

Official Seattle Visitors' Guide

Official visitors’ guide | winter/spring 2023-24, browse our archived visitors' guides.

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March 2024 Air Travel Consumer Report

About this document.

The Air Travel Consumer Report is a monthly product of the Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection. The report is designed to assist consumers with information on the quality of services provided by the airlines. 

Data Included in this Report

Flight Delays: January 2024 Mishandled Baggage / Wheelchairs and Scooters: January 2024 Oversales: 4th Quarter 2023 / January - December 2023  Consumer Complaints: See the report for details. Customer Service Reports to the Dept. of Homeland Security:January 2024 Airline Animal Incident Reports: January 2024

Individual redacted animal incident reports may be seen by clicking the airline’s name in the report.