Top 6 Washington Road Trip Destinations
Seattle is home to a seemingly endless
variety of attractions that can easily entertain your family or friends and
fill up an afternoon. At the same time, there are a number of scenic
destinations that are well worth seeing and just a short drive away. From the
mountains to the sea, few areas can compare with the beauty and diversity found
in Washington state. When a change of scenery is in order, a road trip can be
just the thing to satisfy that desire to experience something new, without the
fuss or expense of embarking on a full blown vacation. The next time you are in
the mood to get away, whether for a day or a weekend, check out one of the
following, which are our picks for the top five road trip destinations in the
area:
Orcas
Island
For a complete change of scenery, take a
trip to Orcas Island, located on the
Canadian border, just three hours north of Seattle via Interstate 5 N. As the
island is inaccessible by car, getting there is an adventure in itself. You can
choose to take the Washington State Ferry, or arrange for a charter via boat or
seaplane. Plan your trip around festivals and events that are held on the
island year round, or go an off-weekend to simply soak in the salt air and
enjoy the views.
Olympic
Peninsula
Two hours west of Seattle, OlympicPeninsula offers a wealth of outdoor attractions,
such as waterfalls, hiking trails, and beaches. Its big appeal lies in its
wildly diverse terrain and environment, which includes snow-capped mountain
peaks and lush rainforests, as well as the opportunity to see a variety of
wildlife, including falcons and eagles. To get to the Olympic Peninsula, head
south on I-5, then north on US 101.
Operated and maintained by the National
Park Service, NorthCascades National Park is located two
hours north of Seattle, via I-5 N and WA-530. In addition to offering
spectacular back country hiking and climbing among its mountain peaks and
valleys, the park boasts nearly 300 glaciers, which are regularly monitored by
teams of scientists in order to gain a better understanding of climate change.
Mt
Rainier National Park
Another park operated by the National
Park Service, MountRainier is located roughly 14,000 feet above sea
level and has the distinction of being the most glaciated peak in the U.S. An
active volcano, visitors are drawn to the ring of subalpine wildflowers that
border the base, while a range of wildlife calls the mountain home. It is less
than two hours southwest of Seattle via WE-167 and 165; make sure to call to
check on weather conditions before you head out, which can vary wildly and
change at any time.
Northwest
Trek Wildlife Park
A 723-acre wildlife park located a little
over an hour south of Seattle via WA-167, NorthwestTrek offers visitors multiple ways to view
indigenous wildlife, such as bison, bighorn sheep, moose, and caribou. The tram
tour is a fan favorite, guiding visitors through the parks free range area,
while a walking tour allows you to get a closer view of the same animals, this
time in enclosed spaces. You can set your own pace on a self-guided tour on the
park’s nature trails, and learn more about both the animals and their habitat
through two discovery learning centers.
Puget
Sound
Located less than an hour south of
Seattle via I-5, Puget Sound may be only a short
drive, but it is like a whole other universe. An inlet of the Pacific, it
offers boating and kayaking adventures, walking and hiking trails,
environmental education tours, as well as numerous markets, shops, and
eateries. A rare gem located right in our own back yard, it is an excellent
place to ‘get away from it all’ without having to drive far from the comforts
of home.
There are so many great things to see
right in our backyard. Of course, even during an exciting trip, accidents can
happen. And if you find yourself in an accident while on a road trip this year,
make sure to reach out to a Seattle car accident lawyer for immediate assistance.
Thanks for visiting today, I hope you enjoyed the road trip journey around Puget Sound! Have you visited any of these spots lately? I don't know about you but I LOVE road trips and exploring the outdoors. I have lived here forever and I've never been to Orcas Island or Mt. Rainier. I know a crying shame!
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Until Next time,
Valerie
PIN it for future reference:
I've always wanted to go to Washington! It looks just lovely.
ReplyDeletexoxo, Jenny
Thank you Jenny, I hope you can come visit...summer time is best or you might need an ark to get around..he he
DeleteI love road trips! These look like awesome destinations!
ReplyDeleteHey there,
DeleteI have been to most of them and yes they are...WA state is so scenic!
I love, love, love a good road trip! I'll be pinning this for our next trip to Washington (next summer)!
ReplyDeleteThanks for pinning and I hope your enjoy your stay when you get here!
DeleteOh man, these are fabulous road trip destinations! I'm definitely going to pin this for future reference--so many gorgeous places to visit!
ReplyDeleteMolly | www.heytheresunshine.com
Thank you Molly for pinning, hope you get to check them all out, happy travels!
DeleteThese all sound so amazing, and I love the photos! I like the idea of road trips ;) xx Adaleta Avdic
ReplyDeleteThank you Adaleta, I have been on most of them and they are amazing indeed!
DeleteI can't wait to get up to the PNW! Looks so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteKatie..hope you can soon.yes many beautiful destinations to explore! thanks for visiting my blog!
DeleteI love Washington although that's cause it's my home! There are so many wonderful places in WA.
ReplyDeleteGlam Hungry Mom
Awe Andrea, I bet you miss it..where are you from? Ive lived here a long time..its beautiful but I'm tired of rain so I'm making plans to move to warmer climate!
DeleteThanks for the reminders, Valerie. The way high-rise condos are going up in Seattle it's hard to remember what's beyond the glass and concrete of the city!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree Dominic! Although I love coming to the city, I love to escape to the outdoors...the detinations to unwind and breathe fresh air are endless around here..thanks for stopping by, hope you are well!
DeleteThanks for the great article, Valerie. I am looking forward to exploring more of Washington! These places are definitely going on the list of places to see/visit.
ReplyDelete