Washington State’s lush natural beauty and proximity to the mountains and the ocean make it an amazing place for adventuring — as you’ll see with the following list of best day trips near Seattle. While this list features 10 of the best, it’s by no means *the* definitive list, and we recommend following Only In Seattle to stay up-to-date on all the amazing adventures open to us in our corner of the PNW! 

1. Take the ferry to the San Juan Islands
San Juan Islands, Washington, USA
Flickr/Jacob McGinnis
Get on the ferry and take in the gorgeous scenery as you visit the islands. Then, take advantage of all of the shops and restaurants as you meander through the charming towns on the islands, like Friday Harbor.
2. Go to Victoria, B.C.
Bell Street at Pier 66, 2225 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121, USA
Flickr/jeiline
Just a ferry ride away on the Victoria Clipper, Victoria B.C. is home to the amazing Butchart Gardens, and the beauty and architecture of the town does not disappoint. After touring the gardens, head into town for some shopping in Trounce Alley and a meal at one of their many amazing restaurants.
3. Visit Leavenworth
Leavenworth, WA 98826, USA
Flickr/Jon Vonica
Soak in the local charm at Leavenworth, a replica of a Bavarian village that offers great shopping and fantastic schnitzel. You can also visit the Nutcracker Museum which features a display of 5,000 nutcrackers.
4. Go for a hike or wade into the ocean at the Olympic Peninsula
Olympic Peninsula, Washington 98331, USA
Flickr/LDELD
The only rainforest in the continental United States, the Olympic Peninsula is a lush, gorgeous natural wonderland. Whether you want to go for a hike, visit the beach, or wander through a lavender farm, you’re covered.
5. Hike down to the bottom of Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls, Snoqualmie, WA 98024, USA
Flickr/ehpien
The waterfall in the opening shot of the T.V. series, Twin Peaks, Snoqualmie Falls is a stunning 270-foot fall. To get a view from the bottom, hike down the steep but fairly short trail to the bottom. Then, relax and have a meal at the adjacent Salish Lodge.
6. Go skiing at Mount Rainier
Crystal Mountain Ski Resort, Enumclaw, WA 98022, USA
Flickr/ Doug Zwick
This spectacular mountain offers perfect snow for skiing and other snow sports. Crystal Mountain Ski Resort is on the northeast side of the mountain.
7. Go for a whale watching cruise
San Juan Islands, Washington, USA
Mike Charest/Flickr
Imagine seeing one of these impressive and majestic creatures up close. There are many whale-watching cruises available close to Seattle, like Puget Sound Express, San Juan Safaris, and many, many more.
8. Go berry picking at Remlinger Farms in Carnation
Remlinger Farms, 32610 NE 32nd St, Carnation, WA 98014, USA
Flickr/Lara604
Since Washington is full of amazing U-pick farms, why not take advantage of the delicious abundance and get into nature at the same time? Depending on the time of year, you can pick different kinds of produce, from berries to pumpkins, and there’s an amusement park for the kids to enjoy after you’ve gathered your harvest.
9. Visit the Tacoma Museum of Glass
Museum of Glass, 1801 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA
Flickr/Michael Martin
This beautiful and unique museum in Washington houses 75,000 square feet of glass art exhibits as well as a glass blowing studio. Cross the Chihuly Bridge of Glass that's attached to the building.
10. Tour the Washington State Capitol in Olympia
Capitol Way South, Capitol Way S, Olympia, WA 98501, USA
Flickr/Rachel Samanyi
Visit Washington State’s capital in lovely Olympia. You can take a free guided tour of the State Legislative Buildings and check out the murals and public art installations in Waterfront Park.

Looking for more suggestions for exploring your state? Check out our ultimate and definitive bucket list for everyone in Washington.

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More to Explore

Best day trips from Seattle

Sarah M. | June 22, 2022

What are some of the best getaways near Seattle?

For those looking to extend a day trip into a weekend getaway or longer vacation, there are so many wonderful options in Washington! One of our favorite places to visit is Long Beach. Washingtonians know Long Beach as one of the state's top coastal locales, but it's time the rest of the country caught wind (pun intended) of this breathtaking beach town, too. This small, quaint town is complete with attractions for the whole family, a sky dotted with vibrant kites during the warmer seasons, and mile upon mile (28, to be exact) of heavenly beach scenery -- it is the "World's Longest Beach," after all -- along the Pacific Ocean.

Each summer, the skies over Washington Beach come alive with color, with whimsical kites taking flight in perfect synchrony. In fact, each year, the International Kite Festival draws in visitors from all over the globe, and features fanciful fun like kite flying and kite making classes, amateur (and professional) competitions, and even lighted kite flying at night. Off shore, the town of Long Beach is impossibly charming, with locally-owned shops and restaurants, attractions (like the Marsh's Free Museum), lighthouses, and dreamy little seaside cottages.

Another fun getaway near Seattle is the San Juan Islands, which, as we indicated above, isn't *just* a prime day trip option -- it's one of the best vacation getaways near Seattle! If you're looking for a buttoned-up, East Coast-style getaway that's not as crowded and has that special PNW je ne sais quoi, visit Washington's San Juan Islands. The slower pace of life on the San Juan Islands will instantly set your mind at ease, and it’s nearly impossible not to feel relaxed when surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the country. Whale watching, in particular, is amazing, and you’ll have a whole host of options when it comes to choosing how you wish to experience this bucket-list adventure. Whales can be spotted year-round, but the best time to visit if you’re hoping to see these giants is from mid-April through early October when the whales feed on the runs of Pacific salmon and raise their young in the calm waters around the islands and in Haro Strait. Opt to embark on a chartered whale-watching tour from one of the many area guides or explore the waterways on your own via kayak rentals and guided tours offered by local outfitters. This is definitely an adventure for your bucket list!

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