You’ll have no trouble finding the best summer vacations in Washington state because there are no wrong answers. Washington is beautiful in the summertime, with warm weather, plenty of sunshine, and abundant greenery, which more than making up for the gloomy winter months.
Whether you’re looking for a beach vacation, a hiking trip, or a relax-and-do-nothing trip, Washington state has it all. To make sense of your options, I’ve rounded up my favorite vacation spots in Washington for every type of traveler.
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Best Summer Vacations in Washington State
Before we dive in, it’s important to note that wildfires are extremely common across Washington, especially east of the Cascades. So, you should always check the road conditions before setting out on your vacation. Follow along with the Department for Natural Resources for updated information on current wildfires.
Overwhelmed by trip planning? Delegate it to me and let me plan you the perfect summer vacation exploring Washington state.
Ready to plan your summer trip on your own? Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll update it as I discover more of the best summer vacations in Seattle!
San Juan Islands
distance from Seattle: ~3 ½ hrs (get directions) | best for: slowing down & whale watching
Of all the islands dotting western Washington, the San Juan Islands are considered the best islands near Seattle and definitely one of the best summer vacations in Washington state. There are three main islands worth visiting and I have a guide to each: Orcas Island for shopping and hiking, Lopez Island for cycling and slow living, and San Juan Island for history and easy walks. I recommend visiting all of them if you can, but if you can only choose one know that you’re likely to see whales May – October from any of them.
To get to the San Juan Islands, you need to take a ferry from Anacortes. I suggest visiting San Juan Island first, then Orcas, then Lopez to save money since you only pay a ferry fee to travel west from the mainland. There’s limited space for vehicles, so you’ll want to make a reservation in advance. The weather is warm but breezy on the islands, so bring layers, especially for nighttime.
If you have time, I suggest adding a day to explore Anacortes the nearby Skagit Valley. It’s Washington’s agricultural epicenter, with beautiful scenery, minimal crowds, and tons to do. You’ll drive right through it to get to the ferry terminal, so it’s the perfect addition before or after your island visit.
Washington national parks
If there’s one thing The Evergreen State knows, it’s national parks. There are three to choose from, all of which would make one of the best summer vacations in Washington state! You could try to visit all of them in one trip, but they are 2.5 to 4 hours away from each other, so prepare for a lot of driving.
Olympic National Park
distance from Seattle: ~2 ½ hrs (get directions) | best for: diverse landscapes
Olympic National Park is one of my favorite Washington coast attractions. It spans over a million acres of forest, coast, and mountain landscapes, which means one day you can explore lush rainforest and the next take in the views at some of the most stunning beaches in the US. You may recognize La Push Beach from the popular Twilight movie franchise. Yup, there’s a tour for team Jacob and Edward fans!
The Olympic Peninsula may look close to Seattle on a map, but its huge and remote. Therefore, make sure to bake in plenty of time to drive between attractions. I recommend spending a minimum of three days, using Port Angeles or one of these Washington coast cabins as your home base.
If you stay in Port Angeles, add a few extra days to take the ferry to Victoria, BC on Vancouver Island! Or stay on the mainland and visit the Victorian town of Port Townsend or Poulsbo, Washington’s “Little Norway”.
Mount Rainier National Park
distance from Seattle: ~2 ½ hrs (get directions) | best for: wildflowers & hiking or viewpoints for all skill levels
I never tire of visiting Mt. Rainier. It’s the 5th designated national park in the country and the 5th tallest peak in the contiguous US. There are more than 240,000 acres of forest to explore, and the park has the most built up amenities and accessible trails out of the 3 national parks. And since it’s the closest to Seattle and Tacoma, it feels less remote.
Its ideal location makes Mt. Rainier the most crowded of the national parks (though the line to the entrance of Olympic National Park can be no joke in the summer). As such, the park service has started enforcing timed entries into Mt. Rainier during the summer months.
You can technically do a day trip to Mt. Rainier from Seattle, but I recommend staying overnight in the quaint towns of Ashford or Packwood so you can take your time exploring the attractions and best hikes in Mt. Rainier National Park. There are 5 main entrances: Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon River/Mowich, but Sunrise and Paradise are the most popular.
I recommend spending at least 2 days so you can have one day in Paradise and the other in Sunrise. You’ll get to experience two very different landscapes, with more wildflowers and glaciers in Paradise and rockier/arid peaks at Sunrise.
North Cascades National Park
distance from Seattle: ~2 ½ hrs (get directions) | best for: free entry & backcountry camping
The North Cascades is one of the most underrated national parks in Washington and the only one that doesn’t require a fee to enter. Similar to the Olympics, it’s quite remote, but it has more backcountry camping than the Olympics and more glaciated area than any park outside of Alaska. It also draws less people than the Olympics, so you can experience a lot crowd-free days even in summer.
Check out my North Cascades Park itinerary for a full list of what to do, which includes a mix of both viewpoints like the stunning Diablo Lake pictured above and hikes with meadows, alpine lakes, and mountain vistas.
There aren’t many accommodation options inside the park besides camping, but if you’re not about the camp life you can stay at one of these cute Winthrop cabins nearby. Winthrop is a historic pioneer town that’s the perfect home base because it’s quaint, but still has a surprisingly good restaurant scene for a bite after a long day hiking.
Washington beach towns
There are a lot of beach towns dotting the Washington coast, but these are the ones most commonly visited and worth checking out over your summer vacation.
Seabrook
distance from Seattle: ~2 ½ hrs (get directions) | best for: family activities & uncrowded beach
The fact that over half the homes in Seabrook are vacation rentals should tell you just how popular this place is. It’s family-friendly and romantic, with tons to do within walking distance. The downtown is quaint and dotted with boutiques, restaurants, and cafes, and the beach is conveniently uncrowded, giving you the perfect vantage point for a Pacific Northwest sunset.
Pro tip: You never have to leave Seabrook, but if you’re a fan of arcades, mini golf, or go-karting, visit nearby Ocean Shores. There are also a bunch of canals perfect for kayaking and paddle boarding.
Long Beach
distance from Seattle: ~3 ½ hrs (get directions) | best for: surfing & drivable beach
Most people know Long Beach as the location of Cape Disappointment, but it’s also the longest drivable beach and the longest peninsula beach in the world. With 28 miles of white sandy beaches, it’s very kid- and adult-friendly, though swimming is not advised given the strength of the current. That said, I have seen surfers and a few shops offering surfing lessons.
If that’s not your style, you can spend your vacation pursuing the local downtown shops, walking the boardwalk, or hiking the 8.5-mile Discovery Trail.
Pro tip: If you visit in August, definitely check out the International Kite Festival!
Westport
distance from Seattle: ~2 hrs 15 min (get directions) | best for: fishing & fresh seafood
Westport is a tiny town situated at the mouth of Grays Harbor. Once referred to as the “Salmon Capital of the World,” the town remains steeped in maritime history. There’s the Grays Harbor Lighthouse, the tallest in the state, a thriving fishing community, and a solid–albeit cold–surfing season. It’s the perfect beach vacation a bit off the beaten path!
Columbia River Gorge
distance from Seattle: ~2 hrs 45 min (get directions) | best for: waterfalls, hiking, & beer/wine
The Columbia Gorge stretches 90 miles along the Washington-Oregon border. It’s known for having a high density of hikes and waterfalls (check out my waterfall map here) and is a hub for rock climbers. There are also quite a few breweries and Gorge wineries worth checking out in the different towns dotting the Gorge. Here’s my guide for planning your perfect Gorge itinerary to see all this stunning national forest has to offer.
From the Gorge, you’re only 30 minutes from Portland and another 10 minutes from Vancouver, WA, so you might as well add a day or two to explore each! Just about 30 minutes south of Portland is Willamette Valley, one of my favorite wine regions in the PNW.
Leavenworth
distance from Seattle: ~2 ½ hrs (get directions) | best for: cute Bavarian town & hiking
People will tell you Leavenworth is better as a winter getaway, but I beg to differ. It’s beautiful in the summer and offers a lot of hiking and tubing opportunities.
But its most famous attribute is its charming Bavarian-themed downtown with a ton of shops, restaurants, and wineries. There are also a bunch of secluded, cozy Leavenworth cabins making this one of the most romantic getaways in Washington.
Lake Chelan
distance from Seattle: ~4 ½ hrs (get directions) | best for: wine tasting & water fun
Lake Chelan is one of the best summer vacations in Washington state thanks to its pristine, deep-blue water and gorgeous mountainscape. Given this is one of the Pacific Northwest’s best wine regions, I visit for the wine tasting, but there’s plenty more to do.
Water sports are especially popular in the summer. You can go jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, or visit the local waterpark, Slidewaters, and float the lazy river. There’s also the option to take a ferry to Stehekin, an adorable area only accessible by foot or boat.
When you’re done, reward yourself with some wine tasting at one of Lake Chelan’s 40+ wineries and dinner at one of Chelan’s best restaurants.
Spokane
distance from Seattle: ~4 hrs (get directions) | best for: bustling downtown & parks
Many people know about Spokane, but few actually visit. When I first made the trip, I was blown away by how big it was and how much there was to do. For starters, the historic downtown is bustling with fantastic restaurants, bars, cafes, and locally-owned shops. There are also a lot of wineries, with over 14 in downtown alone (find a map here).
There are a few parks in town, including the stunning gardens at Manito Park and Huntington Park, which features Spokane Falls spilling right into downtown. Riverfront Park, previously the site of the 1974 World’s Fair, is considered the crown jewel of the town and offers an unimpeded city view. If you visit, I recommend bringing more layers than you think you’ll need since Spokane is inland and can go from super hot to frigid in a few hours.
Walla Walla
distance from Seattle: ~4 hrs 15 min (get directions) | best for: wine tasting
Summer is arguably the best time of the year to visit Walla Walla, second only to harvest season around September/October. It’s the eastern Washington version of Woodinville, with over 130 wineries and tasting rooms. It’s perhaps better because there are fewer crowds, and you can actually sip wine with a view of the vineyards.
Check out my secret map to find all the hidden gem wineries and best things to do in Walla Walla. I also have a guide to Washington wine country hotels for ideas on where to stay.
Bellingham
distance from Seattle: ~1 ½ hrs (get directions) | best for: beer & a lively downtown
Bellingham is one of the better-kept secrets, with so much to do. Nestled in Whatcom County, you have the San Juan Islands to the west and Mt. Baker to the east, giving you the perfect balance of waterfront views, city life, and nature.
Being a college town, the city is pulsing with energy, and there are tons of restaurants, breweries, and locally-owned shops on every corner. You’re only 1 ½ hours from Mt. Baker, but you don’t even have to go that far to get some fresh air. Whatcom Falls Park is in Bellingham’s backyard and offers 6 miles of easy-to-moderate hiking around Lake Whatcom.
One town over is the equally cute Fairhaven, AKA the start of the scenic Chuckanut Drive, a must-do if you’re looking for picturesque scenes of the islands and the Salish Sea. If you’re looking to go further afield, Lummi Island is a short ferry ride from Bellingham. Or you can make the ~1 hour drive across the border and explore all the best things to do in Vancouver BC.
Whidbey Island
distance from Seattle: ~1 hr (get directions) | best for: state parks & island wineries
Whidbey Island is the state’s longest island, stretching 45 miles along Puget Sound. With five state parks and countless beaches, there’s plenty to do, and even in the peak summer season, you rarely have to wade through the crowds. The two must-see attractions are the historic Fort Casey with its batteries tucked into a hillside overlooking the water and Deception Pass State Park‘s stunning turquoise waters.
If you’re into wine, the islands is where you’ll find most of the vineyards and wineries in western Washington, and Whidbey has quite a few to choose from. Given its proximity to Seattle, Whidbey Island also has a thriving food scene ranging from farm-to-fork restaurants, bagel shops, and heart-warming ramen.
Bainbridge Island
distance from Seattle: ~45 min (get directions) | best for: wineries & restaurants
Bainbridge is one of my favorite day trip destinations. It’s less than 45-minutes from Seattle via a ferry ride, and when I have the time, I love to take a real vacation here. The island has a ton of restaurants and wineries, and there are also a few parks in south Bainbridge.
Since there’s a road that takes you to the mainland, you can even dip into Poulsbo, one of my favorite small towns in Washington. Either way, there’s plenty to do in Bainbridge off the beaten path.
Vashon Island
distance from Seattle: ~20 min (get directions) | best for: restaurants & farms
Sometimes the best summer vacations in Washington state are not that far, and Vashon Island fits the bill because it’s so freaking close to Seattle. I can easily hop over for a day trip from West Seattle, but there are enough cool things to do that it’s worth spending a summer vacation, especially when you consider the weather rarely warms up past the mid-70s.
First off, they have a thriving food scene, and most of the restaurants are located in downtown Vashon, so you can hop from one place to another with ease. There aren’t as many wineries as on Whidbey Island, but you’ll find more breweries and cideries here. There are also low-key some of the best coffee roasters in Seattle.
Seattle
get directions | best for: nightlife, museums & great food
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Seattle on this list of the best summer vacations in Washington state. With countless restaurants, bars, shops, spas, museums, and city parks, you quite literally can’t scratch the surface in a day trip. Now, if you want to check out Seattle for a solid 2 days or 3 days, I’ve got you covered!
To give you the cliff notes, Seattle has a ton of cool neighborhoods, so you can’t go wrong. If you’re traveling with kids, stay near Phinney Ridge, so you’re close to the Woodland Park Zoo and a high concentration of restaurants and playgrounds. If you want to happy hour hop and find a cool rooftop bar, stay downtown.
Whatever you do, make sure to check out my list of hidden gems even locals don’t know about so you can hunt out the hidden parks, beaches, under-the-radar restaurants, and unique gift shops. Or check out my list of bucket list activities in Seattle to make the most of your trip!
More Washington summer trip ideas
The above are what I consider the best summer vacations in Washington state, but there’s so much more to explore in The Evergreen State. Here are some guides to help you experience it all.
