Best summer vacation ideas in Washington State

One of the many benefits of living in Seattle is all the amazing getaways around Washington State. The following summer vacation ideas are some of the most beautiful sites in the United States.

You can head out for a day trip, a long weekend getaway, or a long family vacation. You’ll spend less time getting there and more time having fun since we have all these spots just a hop, skip, and a jump away.

Tourists and residents alike venture out to see all that Washington State has to offer. There are vacation ideas for any type of experience.

At these vacation spots, you can enjoy a wide variety of activities, from Washington State wildlife and nature, whale watching or hiking, and vigorous activities, to lazy days at the shore and roadside attractions. Travel by car, catch a ferry ride, or sail above it all in a seaplane. Find it all right here in our own backyard.

Accommodations range from camping (rustic or glamping), to charming local inns, motel chains, as well as rustic resorts, full service casinos, or luxury spas.

In the list below, most of the summer vacation ideas are within an easy day drive from Seattle. A few are farther away over the Cascade Mountains or across Washington State.

But several of these top vacation spots aren’t far from one another, so you can plan more than one stop and check a few items off your bucket list.

Washington State Summer Travel Tips & Tricks

Travel in the Pacific Northwest is unlike travel anywhere else. Especially this far north. If you’re new to the area or planning a summer vacation around Washington State, these travel tips will help you plan a stress-free vacation.

Seattle traffic
- Traffic in Seattle can be rough. Plan to drive before or after rush hour or you may end up spending a lot of extra time in the car. Consider leaving town early in the morning and returning late at night–especially if you’re planning a day trip.
Late nights, early mornings
- In summer, expect it to be light out until at least 11pm. You’ll see the sun peeping up again around 4am. If you’re camping, bring eye-shades in the tent or blackout curtains for your RV. Even in hotels, the curtains may not keep the room as dark as you like.
It doesn’t always rain
- Contrary to popular belief, summer in Seattle is dry–drier than most other areas of the country except for desert regions. We can go for weeks without rain. But just in case, pack a light rain jacket and hat, which can double as wind or sun protection, or layering for chilly nights. Most likely you’ll stay dry.
Sunny days chase the clouds away
- Did you know Seattle sells more sunglasses than any other major US city? Summertime here has lots of sun from sunrise until sunset. Make sure to pack hats, sunglasses, and sun protection.
Fire season
- Wildfire season is late July to early September. In the past years, we’ve had at least one week during that time span with dangerous air quality. Travelers may want to pack a face-mask and have back-up indoor plans.
90+ degree temperatures do happen
- We can see the upper 80s and low 90s here. Make sure to stay hydrated–especially for outdoor activities, in the mountains, or at the beach.
Camping and hotel reservations
- Some travelers like the fun of an open itinerary, waiting until they arrive at a destination to seek out accommodations. However, be aware that summer travel can be crowded in popular spots, including camp sites. So do some research and plan to make reservations if you want to stay at key spots along the way.

Grand Coulee Dam area 2016 (public domain)

(Listed roughly north to south and west to east.)

Lake Chelan, about 180 miles northeast of Seattle is a crystal clear, glacier-fed lake in central Washington State. The 50-mile long lake reaches a depth of 1,486 feet and is one of the clearest lakes in the United States. Camping is available at Lake Chelan State Park. There are many other affordable summer vacation lodging choices including campsites, cabins, and RV parks, to resorts and rental condos. If you are planning a family vacation at or near the state campground and town of Chelan, there is plenty to keep the entire family happy, including a water park, go-carts, arcades, and more. There are eight golf courses in the Chelan Valley and many more nearby. A little farther north around the town of Manson, adults will enjoy visits to vineyards and wineries along with plenty of shops and restaurants. Or head to the north end of the lake to the town of Stehekin. The only way to arrive in Stehekin is by boat, plane, or horseback–there are no roads. So, it’s an out-of-the-way vacation spot especially appealing to Washington State wildlife enthusiasts–campers, fishers, hunters, and hikers–some arriving all the way from Mexico via the Pacific Crest Trail.

San Juan Islands, about 100 miles northwest of Seattle are considered a must-see by many travelers to the area. They hug the Canadian border and require a ferry ride to get there. There are 172 named islands, but only three are served by ferry: San Juan Island (with the county seat Friday Harbor), Orcas Island, and Lopez Island. Shaw Island is also accessible by ferry but has limited camping and visitor amenities. On these islands are the vast majority of lodging and dining options and sightseeing activities. You can do the San Juans as a day trip, but you’ll feel rushed. To do it in a day, take a walk-on ferry. If you can, plan for a weekend getaway or a longer. Plenty of lodging options exist including camping, plus low-cost cabins, B&Bs, hostels, and farm stays. The San Juans offers many summer vacation activities from kayaking and biking to Orca whale watching, fishing, and a zip line adventure. Friday Harbor and Roche Harbor are two popular town destinations where you can wine and dine, shop, relax at a spa, explore art, or search for second-hand goods. It’s a great destination for a long weekend getaway whether you are a nature lover or looking for a relaxing city escape. And it’s a great spot for a romantic getaway.

North Cascades Scenic Byway begins about 70 miles north of Seattle. Commonly referred to as the North Cascades Highway, State Route 20 (SR-20) is the northernmost route across the Cascade Mountain Range. Note that the highway is closed over the mountain pass in winter (November to April) due to snow and avalanche danger. SR-20 offers some of the most breathtaking mountainous beauty in Washington State. The scenic byway is part of the Cascade Loop, a 400-mile driving tour through the Cascade Mountain Range, which bisects the state. The 140-mile North Cascades Scenic Byway spans the section of the Cascade Loop from the town of to Sedro-Woolley in the Skagit Valley (about 70 miles north of Seattle) and over the mountains to the towns of Winthrop and Twisp in the Methow Valley. Expect the landscape and environment to change radically as you head out of green, pastoral Skagit Valley and ascend into the North Cascades National Park, winding your way through jagged mountain peaks, rocky spires, rushing waterfalls, and alpine glaciers. (The North Cascades are often referred to as the “North American Alps”.) Don’t forget to stop at Ross Dam and Diablo Dam overlooks for iconic photo ops. If you have time, take in a dam tours of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project (the chicken dinner is highly recommended). Finally, descend into classic Methow Valley Country (think spaghetti westerns and real-life cowboys and cowgirls). Pick out a few must-see spots for a long day trip, or plan overnight stays for a multi-day trip to see more; Winthrop usually has the most budget-friendly accommodations. Camping is available but reservations fill up fast in the summer, so plan ahead. This is a must-see for nature lovers and hikers. There will be opportunities for viewing Washington State wildlife, as well as many scenic photo ops; you may even get to see snow.

Mount Rainier National Park is about 90 miles southeast of Seattle. Mount Rainier towers at 14,411 feet. On a clear day when “the mountain is out”, it is easily visible from many Seattle vantage points. You can make a visit to Mount Rainier a day trip or stay a few nights to take in more of the scenery. Visiting Rainer is unlike any other mountain in the nation. Hikes range from easy walks suitable for all ages to skilled treks summiting the peak. This is definitely a nature lovers vacation spot that can make for a great family vacation as well as a romantic getaway. Camping is the best affordable option, though there are plenty of lodging options, including two inns inside the park and plenty of other accommodations along the various routes to the park. There are no off-road biking trails and it is not known as a key fishing destination. Walking, hiking, climbing, birdwatching, and wildflowers are favorite activities. Head there in July or August if you want to catch peak wildflower season.

Grapevines in the Red Mountain vineyard, Benton County, Washington State - DepositPhotos.com

A row of cabernet sauvignon grapes stretches down a long row in a vineyard on Red Mountain southeast of Yakima in Washington State – DepositPhotos.com

Wenatchee is a small city of 80,000 people over the Cascade Mountains, just 140 miles east of Seattle. The lush, agricultural valley sits in the center of Washington State at the confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers. The city bills itself as the apple capital of the world, although today China production dwarfs that of the U.S. Still, Wenatchee produces more than half of the U.S. apple crop each year–more than any other state in the Union. To get to Wenatchee, head east on I-90 over the beautiful Snoqualmie Pass. Or, take the Northern route on US-2 through Steven’s Pass. Once you arrive in Wenatchee, you’ll find loads of fun things to do on a summer vacation: climbing, hiking, biking, river rafting, several hydroelectric dams, world-class golfing, several sports teams, farmers market, art galleries and museums, the Ice Age Flood Trail, and outdoor concerts (or catch a shuttle to an event at the Gorge amphitheater). Budget-friendly motels are easy to find with rooms as low as $60 a night and there are plenty of camping choices in the area. It can be a great weekend getaway, especially if the weather in Seattle has been gray and cloudy.

Grand Coulee Dam is located about 100 miles northeast of Wenatchee in north-central Washington State. Whether a stopover or summer vacation destination, many find the Grand Coulee Dam to be an interesting and worthwhile stop. The massive dam rise 350 feet above the river and stretches nearly one-mile across, longer than Hoover Dam, which less than 1300 feet across but taller by 176 feet. Woody Guthrie traveled around the Columbia Basin and wrote a collection of 17 songs, released as “The Columbia River Collection”, including “Roll on Columbia” and “Grand Coulee Dam”, as well as “Roll On Columbia, Roll On” sung to the tune of “Goodnight Irene” and later adopted as the state folksong of Washington. As a vacation spot, there are plenty of things to do in the Grand Coulee Dam recreation area.

Yakima, best known as the “Heart of Central Washington” is located in the south central part of the state, about 140 miles southeasts of Seattle. You can head there on a day trip, a long weekend getaway, or make is your home base for exploring more of Washington State over a longer summer vacation. Yakima is an excellent spot for history-buffs with several museums and a free walking tour map. There are also vineyards, craft breweries, cherry picking, and festivals throughout the summer keep travelers visiting Yakima all summer long. It’s a relaxing great vacation spot to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Plenty of motel options are available as well as historic Bed & Breakfasts.

Moses Lake is located about 70 miles southeast of Wenatchee and 100 miles northeast of Yakima, just off I-90. Here you’ll find the one-of-a-kind Mud Flats and Sand Dunes–perfect for an off-road adventure. If you’re not looking for something quite so rough-and-tumble, there’s plenty of other options. Check out the Japanese Peace Garden, Museum and Art Center, and Farmer’s Market. There’s also the Surf n’ Slide Water Park and several parks for a family vacation with kids in tow. Camping options, as well as dozens of motels, make this an easy stay for one or several nights.

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is an 80-mile long Columbia River Canyon on the Washington-Oregon border and the largest natural scenic area in the United States. We suggest exploring the section from Camas, WA to Wishram, WA, which begins about 200 miles south of Seattle. You can return the same route, or cross the Columbia River at Biggs Junction or Dallesport and return along the Oregon side of the river. Lewis and Clark visited this area, taking in the stunning waterfalls along the rushing river. This is an area excellent for those looking to explore geologic formations or Native American history, take in some fine dining and wine, hike or bike, fish, get on (or in) the water, or just enjoy a scenic drive. You will want lots of time to linger here. To get the most out of it, stay at least one night. Campgrounds in Oregon State Parks and Washington State Parks is available many other lodging options throughout the area.

Olympic Peninsula has a variety of vacation options for day trips, long weekends, or a longer summer vacation. The stunning Olympic Peninsula loop drive covers more than 300 miles and offers a multitude of experiences, from world-renowned shellfish and award-winning craft beverages, to wildlife and waterfalls. You can drive it a day with minimal stops or opt for a longer drive, taking in many scenic attractions along the way. You can visit the lavender fields in Sequim, Hoh Rain Forest (which gets 14 feet of rain a year!), go bird watching, explore coastal beaches, visit lighthouses, hike in search of petroglyphs, paddle bottomless Lake Crescent (officially 624 feet deep), or trek Dungeness Spit–the longest natural sand spit in the United States. If you plan to do a lot of driving, it might make for a better family vacation with older kids or a couple looking for a romantic getaway. With kiddos in tow, you will want to pick an area to stay and explore from there. Either way, the Olympic Peninsula is one of the best places in Washington State offering plenty of things to do and amazing natural wonders. It will not disappoint.

Washington Coast. With Puget Sound at our fingertips, it’s easy to forget the Pacific Ocean is less than 200 miles away. Ocean Shores and Long Beach are not to be missed. Long Beach is the World’s Longest Driveable Beach, so put the 28-mile long drive on your bucket list. In the area, you’ll find a plethora of museums, attractions for kids, and great shopping. So it can make a great family vacation or romantic getaway. Campgrounds and cabins are plentiful, many right on the beach. Or get a motel room, but remember, you’ll pay a premium for a room with a beach view. So look for lodging in town to save money.

Wildfire information for Washington State

It’s a good idea when traveling during summer to check on Washington State wildfire information.

The best way to get up-to-date information on wildfires is to follow the #WaWILDFIRE hashtag on Twitter or text 40404 to get DNR tweets delivered to your phone as text messages. DNR provides information about wildfires that are notable, due to location or size.

Review the DNR Burn Risk Map to view the fire danger in your planned area of travel. Visit the Ready, Set, Go! (RSG) Program for information about wildfire safety and what you can do before a fire strikes to be prepared.

Local emergency management offices, such as sheriff departments or local fire districts, order and communicate evacuations when needed and other emergency activities. If you find yourself in a wildfire emergency, always follow the directions of public safety personnel.

More getaways

(If nothing is listed below, there are no upcoming getaways on our calendar. Theoretically, this shouldn’t happen. We update these events on a rolling basis throughout the year.)