Washington State

Best time to visit Washington State

The best time to visit Washington state depends on your preferences and what you want to do.

Spring (April-June) has mild temperatures, blooming flowers, fewer crowds, and lower prices. However it can be rainy, especially in western Washington.

Summer (July-August) has warm and dry weather, ideal for outdoor activities, making it the peak season for festivals and events. It's important to note it can get crowded with higher prices, and some areas can even experience heat waves.

Autumn (September-November) has beautiful fall foliage, pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds but it can be rainy, especially in late autumn, and some attractions may close for the season. 

Winter (December-March) provides the opportunity to see snow-capped mountains as well as there being fewer crowds, and lower prices. However the weather is likely to be cold and wet, especially in western Washington, and some attractions will be closed.

Ultimately, the best time to visit Washington state is the time that works best for you. Consider your preferences and priorities when making your decision.

Discover Washington State

Washington State contains a multitude of landscapes and various national parks including The Olympic National Park with its fascinating ecosystem and rainforests, North Cascades and its stupendous mountain views, Mount Rainier where you will see awe-inspiring glaciers and easily accessible alpine meadows, and Mount St Helens , an active stratovolcano where adrendaline junkies come year round to climb and hike.

Aside from the gorgeous scenery, all of this is within easy reach of vibrant, sophisticated cities and neighbourhoods including Seattle: home of great coffee, ‘Frasier’, ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ and its cool urban music scene. From the open skies of Eastern Washington's high desert country, across the abundant valleys of rich agricultural regions, to the wild Pacific Ocean beaches, it's no wonder that Washington the State is often compared to the song, ‘America, the Beautiful.’

Highlights of Washington State

What is Washington State famous for?

• Seattle
• Mount Rainier National Park
• Olympic National Park
• San Juan Islands
• Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Swipe left or right to learn more about each destination.

Seattle

Washington State’s largest city and gateway to the state is home to the original Starbucks, the futuristic Space Needle, and the fun and lively Pike Place Market. Cosmopolitan Seattle has a great restaurant and craft brewery scene and is the perfect place to stay for a few nights before driving out to explore the state’s national parks, mountains, and vineyards.

Mount Rainier National Park

Beautiful Mount Rainer National Park protects the stunning beauty of Mount Rainier, which stands proudly at 4000 metres tall. Mount Rainier is one of the most iconic sights of the state and is still an active volcano. Apart from the dominate mountain, outdoor adventures are the other big reason why people visit. Hikers come to walk through deep forests, streams, and wildflower meadows whilst mountain climbers visit to get up close to the mountain’s glaciers and tundra.

Olympic National Park

Wilderness, hiking, dramatic scenery, and varying ecosystems await in Olympic National Park which is all contained on a peninsula across the water from Seattle. Located in the centre of the park is the Olympic Mountains which are topped with massive ancient glaciers. The surrounding mountain landscape is extremely diverse. The coastline of the park is rugged, beautiful and offer scenic hikes, surfing and storm watching and beautiful beaches including Ruby Beach located on the west of the peninsula. Visitors will also see tropical rainforests, old growth forests, lakes, waterfalls, and wildlife including mountain goats, deer, and black bears.

San Juan Islands

The unspoilt San Juan Islands are in the Salish Sea in between Washington State and Canada’s Vancouver Island. With over 172 islands, they all offer their own unique charm, but all boast abundant wildlife, lush landscapes, pretty fishing villages and stunning waterviews. Washington State Ferries depart from Anacortes ferry terminal, located two hours north of Seattle to the islands of Lopez, Orcas, Shaw, and San Juan. You can also reach the islands by taking a seaplane from Seattle.