Mount Rainier National Park · JD Hascup Photo · Public domain (US federal government)
Road Trip Guide: Washington
Explore Washington
Washington's state highway network includes ferry routes, which WSDOT describes as a marine highway running from Tacoma to Friday Harbor. WSDOT also counts four of the world's five longest floating bridges in the state, the longest being the 7,708.5-foot SR 520 bridge.
Around 107 breweries sit near the stops we cover in Washington. 36 of them are brewpubs with a kitchen, which off the motorway is often the useful part. The kitchen figure is a floor: the source lists some full restaurants as production sites.
Brewpub locations from Open Brewery DB (MIT)
Around 11 public campgrounds sit near the stops we cover in Washington. 10 of them take reservations; the rest are first-come. Public campgrounds run by federal agencies. State-park and private campgrounds are not included.
Locations in Washington
We have written 4 guides to places in Washington, plus 1 stop along the way.
Public land, water and snow — the places that are the reason for the drive.
National parks and federal sites in Washington
17 National Park Service sites in Washington, including 3 designated National Parks. We have written guides to only a few of these — the rest are here so you can see what is in the state.
*Check before you go. Entrance fees, seasonal road closures, timed-entry reservations and whether a site suits your family are set by each park and change through the year. Follow the link and check with the park itself.
Park register from the National Park Service (public domain)
State parks in Washington
159 state parks we know of in Washington. We have not visited these and have no guide to them — this is a list of what exists, so you can look one up.
See all 159
Alta Lake State Park
Anderson Lake State Park
Battle Ground Lake State Park
Bay View State Park
Beacon Rock State Park
Belfair State Park
Birch Bay State Park
Blake Island Marine State Park
Blind Island Marine State Park
Bogachiel State Park
Bottle Beach State Park
Bridgeport State Park
Bridle Trails State Park
Brooks Memorial State Park
Burrows Island Marine State Park
Cama Beach Historical State Park
Camano Island State Park
Camp Wooten Retreat Center
Cape Disappointment State Park
Centennial Trail State Park
Clark Island Marine State Park
Columbia Hills
Columbia Hills Historical State Park
Columbia Plateau State Park Trail
Conconully State Park
Crawford State Park Heritage Site
Crown Point State Park
Curlew Lake State Park
Cutts Island State Park
Daroga State Park
Dash Point State Park
Deception Pass State Park
Doe Island Marine State Park
Dosewallips State Park
Doug's Beach State Park
Eagle Island Marine State Park
Federation Forest State Park
Fields Spring State Park
Flaming Geyser State Park
Forks of the Sky State Park
Fort Casey Historical State Park
Fort Columbia State Park
Fort Ebey State Park
Fort Flagler Historical State Park
Fort Simcoe
Fort Townsend State Park
Fort Worden State Park
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Goldendale Observatory State Park
Grayland Beach State Park
Griffin Bay State Park
Griffiths-Priday Ocean State Park
Helen McCabe State Park
Hope Island Marine State Park - Mason County
Hope Island Marine State Park - Skagit County
Iceberg Island State Marine Park
Ike Kinswa State Park
Illahee State Park
Iron Horse State Park
Jackson House State Park Heritage Site
James Island Marine State Park
Jarrell Cove State Park
Joemma Beach State Park
Jones Island Marine State Park
Joseph Whidbey State Park
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park
Kinney Point State Park
Kitsap Memorial State Park
Klickitat State Park Trail
Kopachuck State Park
Lake Chelan State Park
Lake Easton State Park
Lake Lenore Caves State Park
Lake Sammamish State Park
Lake Sylvia State Park
Lake Wenatchee State Park
Larrabee State Park
Leadbetter Point State Park
Lewis & Clark State Park
Lewis & Clark Trail State Park
Lime Kiln Point State Park
Lincoln Rock State Park
Loomis Lake State Park
Lyons Ferry State Park
Manchester State Park
Maryhill State Park
McMicken Island Marine State Park
Millersylvania State Park
Moran State Park
Mount Pilchuck State Park
Mount Spokane State Park
Mystery Bay State Park
Nisqually State Park
Nolte State Park
Obstruction Pass State Park
Ocean City State Park
Olallie State Park
Olmstead Place State Park
Osoyoos Lake State Park
Pacific Beach State Park
Pacific Pines State Park
Palouse Falls State Park
Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail
Paradise Point State Park
Patos Island State Park
Peace Arch Park
Pearrygin Lake State Park
Penrose Point State Park
Peshastin Pinnacles State Park
Pleasant Harbor State Park
Posey Island State Park
Potholes State Park
Potlatch State Park
Rainbow Falls State Park
Rasar State Park
Reed Island State Park
Riverside State Park
Rockport State Park
Sacajawea State Park
Saddlebag Island State Park
Saint Edward State Park
Saltwater State Park
Scenic Beach State Park
Schafer State Park
Seaquest State Park
Sequim Bay State Park
Shine Tidelands State Park
Skagit Island Marine State Park
South Whidbey State Park
Spencer Spit State Park
Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail
Spring Creek Hatchery State Park
Squak Mountain State Park
Squaxin Island State Park
Squilchuck State Park
Steamboat Rock State Park
Steptoe Battlefield State Park Heritage Site
Steptoe Butte State Park
Stretch Point State Park
Stuart Island State Park
Sucia Island State Park
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park
Tilton River State Park
Tolmie State Park
Triton Cove State Park
Turn Island State Park
Twanoh State Park
Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park
Twin Harbors State Park
Upright Channel State Park
Wallace Falls State Park
Wanapum Recreation Area
Wenatchee Confluence State Park
Wenberg County Park
Westhaven State Park
Westport Light State Park
Willapa Hills State Park Trail
Willie Keil's Grave State Park Heritage Site
Yakima Sportsman State Park
*Check before you go. Opening hours, entry fees, campsite availability and whether a park suits your family are not in this data and change with the season. Several of these are day-use only. Please confirm with the park before setting out.
State park locations from Wikidata (CC0)
Lakes in Washington
5 lakes in Washington that we have checked. These are the ones from our research that we could check against an official page — not every lake there is. We have not been to these; this is what the official pages say, so you can look one up.
Run by Quinault Indian Nation (owns and manages the waters and bed); shoreline authority shared with USFS - Olympic NF, NPS - Olympic NP, Grays Harbor County
SeasonUsually full pool July to Labor Day; Hozomeen ramps mid-June to September
Water seldom above 50F even in summer; hypothermia risk
Run by NPS - Ross Lake NRA (dam: Seattle City Light Ross Dam)
*Check before you go. Every lake here links to the official page we checked it against. 2 of these state a price we read off that page on the date we checked. Fees, seasons, water levels, algal advisories and ramp closures change without notice and belong to the agency that runs the water. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something the lake lacks. Never assume a lifeguard. Whether a beach is staffed turns on the season, the day, and which agency runs that particular beach — two beaches on one lake can differ. If that matters to your family, confirm it with the agency before you set out.
This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. We do not list rentals: our source marked every ski area in the country “likely” to have them and confirmed none, so there was nothing to publish. Most hills do rent gear — ring ahead rather than take that from us. Opening dates, lift schedules and trail conditions move every year and we hold none of them, so check before you build a day around it. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.
This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. Opening dates, lift schedules and trail conditions move every year and we hold none of them, so check before you build a day around it. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.
This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. Opening dates, lift schedules and trail conditions move every year and we hold none of them, so check before you build a day around it. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.
National Historic Landmark, 28 May 1987 — Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County
Historic timber inn on Mount Rainier's slopes
This is a list of what is there, not a recommendation of any of it. Each of these is a working hotel and is listed here because the building itself is a designated National Historic Landmark, with the date beside it. Several stand inside national parks and can be walked into and looked at without staying. We are not recommending anywhere to sleep and we earn nothing from them. Every name above links to the operator’s own site.
Days out with the family
Gated attractions with a front door, a ticket and a car park.
Inside NorthTown Mall at 4750 N Division St, Suite 1242, Spokane. Day passes are sold online and at the aquarium and cover all animal exhibits, shows and play areas. Reservations are REQUIRED for groups of 30 or more (email spokaneevents@bluezoo.us), which receive the $13.95 group rate. A waiver is required. Phone (509) 381-0403. Note: the stored domain bluezoo.com does not resolve (NXDOMAIN); the chain uses bluezoo.us with a per-site subdomain.
This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. 4 of these carry an accreditation we confirmed against the accrediting body’s own register. Where there is no badge we did not confirm one — that is not a judgement on the place, and a good many municipal, state and university sites belong to no register we check. 3 entries are marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, prices and seasons change without notice, so check the operator’s own site — every name above links to it.
This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. 1 of these runs a season rather than opening year round. Opening and closing dates move every year and we hold none of them, so check the park’s own calendar before you build a day around it. Prices, hours and ride closures change without notice — every name above links to the park’s own site.
Wineries, Distilleries and Cideries in Washington
7 producers in Washington that we have checked. These are the ones from our research we could check against their own site — not every producer there is. We have not been to these; this is what their own sites say, so you can look one up.
Spokane craft distillery founded in 2007, making whiskey, gin and vodka from Washington grain.
HoursMon-Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11am-7pm
Foodyes - bites menu
Phone(509) 489-2112
1021 W Riverside Ave, Spokane, WA 99201
*Check before you go. Every producer here links to its own site, which is where we read these details on the date we checked. Opening hours, tour times, tasting fees and who may come in change without notice and belong to the producer. A blank is something we did not confirm, not something they lack. 1 of these says something about children, in their own words above. Where there is no Children line, we did not find a policy — that is not the same as children being welcome, and several tasting rooms are 21 and over.
Landmarks and curiosities
What is worth stopping the car for, from the formally designated to the frankly odd.
Large outdoor sculptures stand along Seattle's waterfront in this free park, which is open every day from just before sunrise to just after sunset and overlooks the Salish Sea. At the shore, a small beach has a tidal garden where kelp and other plants show and hide with the tides; the sculptures are not for touching or climbing.
No touching or climbing on sculptures; bikes/scooters/skateboards must be walked; active sports not allowed
Pets on six-foot leash welcome; only service animals in Pavilion and Amphitheater
PACCAR Pavilion closed on several holidays (listed on page)
No seasonal schedule; holiday openings and closings listed instead.
This downtown museum, one block from Pike Place Market, shows art from around the world and across the centuries. Children 14 and under get in free (everyone is free on First Thursdays), and strollers are allowed throughout, with loaner strollers at Coat Check.
South wing temporarily closed through December 10, 2026; First and University entrance (at Hammering Man) closed until December 10, 2026
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
No timed ticketing currently
Backpacks/large bags not allowed in galleries (free coat check)
West Point Lighthouse, established in 1881, is one of 18 active lighthouses in Washington and can be seen from the South Beach Trail in Discovery Park. Beach-level parking near it currently requires an ADA placard.
Exterior only; no official page found saying the lighthouse is open inside
Beach parking permits suspended while Visitor Center is closed (until summer 2027); ADA placard needed to park at beach level
City is reworking the South Beach Trail (steep, eroded staircases being addressed); no closure stated as of the Oct 20, 2026 update
Run by Seattle Parks and Recreation (Discovery Park, the surrounding park)
City page states no entry fee and does not say 'free'. The seasonal beach shuttle is stated as free.
Season
Park hours given without season; the free beach shuttle ran Thursdays-Sundays through November 1, 2026.
This 560-acre natural area on the former Fort Lawton site overlooks Puget Sound, with two miles of protected tidal beaches, meadows, sea cliffs, forest and dunes, and views of the Cascade and Olympic mountains. The Visitor Center is closed until summer 2027; the rest of the park is open.
Visitor Center closed until summer 2027 (flood damage); no beach parking permits issued meanwhile - beach-level parking needs an ADA placard
Free beach shuttle season ended November 1, 2026
City page calls it Seattle's largest park and uses 'spectacular'
Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center is in the park (separately run by United Indians of All Tribes)
General Admission $40 – 45 Senior $35 – 40 Youth (5-12) $35 – 40 Children (under 4) Free source
Season
Chihuly Garden and Glass is open year-round, with occasional adjusted hours for private events. source
Dale Chihuly's glass art fills eight galleries, a Glasshouse and a garden at Seattle Center, and the operator puts an average visit at 1 to 2 hours. Daily demonstrations from 11 a.m. show artists shaping molten glass from a furnace.
Large strollers not permitted (free coat check); children must be accompanied by an adult
Glasshouse sometimes closed for private events
Operator page uses 'iconic' and 'stunning'
Next to the Space Needle; Space Needle combo tickets sold
Open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Our public courtyard is open from 7 a.m.–11 p.m. source
Admission
Ticket prices are not in the page text; the operator uses date-based 'plan-ahead pricing'. General admission includes Planetarium and daytime Laser Dome shows (free timed tickets).
Season
No season stated.
This science center grew out of Seattle's 1962 World's Fair. General admission covers Planetarium and daytime Laser Dome shows (free timed tickets), and there is a Tropical Butterfly House, where strollers are parked outside.
Denny Way entrance closed; enter from Seattle Center north entrance
Operator claims 'nation's first science and technology center' (superlative, not used)
IMAX is a separate add-on per site navigation (not verified in detail)
Run by Pacific Science Center
This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Opening times and prices here are quoted from each operator’s own page on the date we read it, and both change without notice. Where this list says an operator does not publish their hours or their price, that is what we found on their page — 3 state no price. A blank is not “free” and not “always open”, so ring ahead where it matters. Every name above links to that page.
Roadside oddities in Washington
World's Largest EggGiant statue / World's largestWinlock
These are things you can go and look at, not a recommendation of any of them. Oddities move, get sold and quietly disappear more than anything else we list, so check anything you are driving a long way for. One of these is named for a record. That is what the place calls itself — we have not checked the record itself. Where this list says we did not find a price or opening times published, that is exactly what we mean. A blank is not “free” and not “always open”. Some sit on private land and can only be seen from the road — please do not go onto anyone’s property. Every entry links the page we read it off.
* We could not confirm: the details beyond the month it usually runs. Check their site before you go.
This is a list of what is near you, not a recommendation of any of it. Events are listed by the month they usually fall in, because that is what we hold — we do not publish dates, and a month is not a promise. Check the organiser before you plan around one. 11 entries are marked with an asterisk: we could not confirm part of what is listed, and the note under it says which part. Opening times, line-ups and ticketing change without notice, so check the venue’s or organiser’s own site — every name above links to it.
On the road
Before you set off.
Scenic roads through Washington
Federally designated scenic byways and All-American Roads, with the places we publish along each one in the order you meet them.
Spring is often cool and wet in the west, with variable inland conditions.
Wear
Start with a long-sleeve tee, stretch pants, and a fleece or sweater. Add a rain shell when the wind or showers pick up.
Shoes
Water-resistant walking shoes with grip; boots for muddy stops.
Pack
fleece or sweater
rain shell
light beanie
spare dry socks
Summer 76°/50°F (24°/10°C)
Summer is often mild in western lowlands and hotter east of the Cascades.
Wear
Wear a tee with lightweight pants or shorts, then carry a fleece and wind-resistant shell. Keep the warm layer handy even on sunny days.
Shoes
Walking sneakers for town; trail shoes for rougher stops.
Pack
fleece
wind and rain shell
sun hat
sunglasses
spare socks
Fall 57°/38°F (14°/3°C)
Fall brings cooler temperatures and wetter western weather.
Wear
Build around a long-sleeve tee, comfortable pants, and a sweater or fleece. Add a wind-resistant jacket for breezy overlooks.
Shoes
Walking shoes with grip; water-resistant boots for wet or muddy routes.
Pack
sweater or fleece
wind and rain shell
beanie
light gloves
spare socks
Winter 39°/26°F (4°/-3°C)
Winter is often wet in western lowlands and colder or snowy inland and uphill.
Wear
Wear a tee or long-sleeve top with pants and a sweater. Add a medium-weight jacket on colder days and a rain shell for wet stops.
Shoes
Closed-toe walking shoes; water-resistant shoes when showers are forecast.
Pack
sweater
medium-weight jacket
rain shell
warm socks
light gloves for cold spells
Adjust for your route. Eastern Washington summer stops may need shorts and a sun shirt. Cascade and eastern winter routes need thermals, an insulated coat, and snow boots.
