The 5 Best Day Trips from Seattle
Although I lived in Seattle for less than I year, I made the most of my weekends. I took day trips as much as possible. How could I not? The Pacific Northwest is filled with incredible hiking opportunities and quirky cities to explore.
Yes, there are plenty of things to do in Seattle. But if you are looking for something different, you don’t have to go too far out of the city. Here are the 5 best day trips from Seattle.
Mount Rainier National Park
2 hour-drive from Seattle
If you visit Seattle during the summer, you will often be treated to clear skies and views of Mount Rainier in the distance. But it’s even better to get an up-close look at the volcano from the national park.
Unlike Seattle, Mount Rainier gets a lot of snow. I visited in late July and some of the trails were still covered in snow. But, July and August are also some of the best times to go because you will see the wildflowers in bloom. Just be sure to check the website for updated trail conditions.
You could easily spend weeks exploring Mount Rainier National Park and not see everything. Since you only have a day, here are some of the best shorter hikes:
- Skyline Trail– 5-mile loop starting at the Jackson Memorial Visitor Center
- Grove of the Patriarchs– scenic 1.5-mile loop taking you past massive Douglas-fir, hemlock and cedar trees
- Narada Falls– just west of the Paradise Entrance you can see a two-tiered waterfall by taking a short and steep walk
Olympia
1.5-hour drive from Seattle
Washington’s capital might not be the first place you consider for a day trip, but this charming city offers a nice escape from Seattle. Take a walk around the 1.5-mile Capitol Lake Trail loop and enjoy views of the water and capitol building. You can even take a free tour of the Capitol Building if you are interested! Percival Landing is another waterfront park in downtown Olympia where public events and festivals are held.
Don’t miss the downtown Olympia Coffee where you can watch the roasting process as you sip on some of the state’s best coffee. Plus, just outside of Olympia, you can explore the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. This is a great place to hike, bike, kayak, or birdwatch. The refuge is home to over 200 species of birds.
Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour
30-min drive from Seattle
Head north from Seattle and spend a day touring the world’s largest building (by volume). The Boeing Factory in Everett is home to the 747, 767, 777 and 787 Dreamliner production lines. The factory is open every day but production is limited on the weekends. I toured on a Saturday and still really enjoyed the experience. But, if you want to see (and hear) the assembly plant in all its glory consider visiting on a weekday.
The tours last 90-minutes and often sell out, so you should purchase online before you go. After the guided factory tour you can explore the additional aviation exhibit at your own pace. There is also a cafe on site if you get hungry.
Snoqualmie Falls + Rattlesnake Ridge
35-min drive from Seattle to Snoqualmie Falls
Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington’s top attractions (partially because it was featured in Twin Peaks). The falls attract over 1.5 million visitors every year. You won’t have to do much of a hike to get your perfect Instagram pic. This is more of a park-and-walk to the observation deck type of experience.
If you are looking for an actual hike, continue an hour past Snoqualmie Falls to Rattlesnake Ledge. The 4-mile loop hike is easy but provides some fantastic sweeping views of evergreen trees and the gorgeous blue lake.
Leavenworth
2.5-hour drive from Seattle
Leavenworth is a cute Bavarian-inspired town in the Cascade Mountains. If you want to spend a day pretending you escaped to Europe, this is the place to go. Enjoy some classic German food at Munchen Haus and stop by Icicle Brewing to try some beer made with locally-sourced water. Or, treat yourself to a spa day in the Icicle Village Resort.
Holidays are the best time to visit Leavenworth. Each fall, Leavenworth transforms in the PNW’s Oktoberfest capital. And during the Christmas season, this town hosts its annual Lighting Festival. Get in the holiday spirit with festive foods, music, and hundreds of twinkling lights.
So where are you going to take a day trip? Let me know in the comments below.
If you are looking for more Washington State inspiration, check out these posts:
30 Unique Things to do in Seattle
5 Beautiful Places in Washington State That Will Give You Serious Wanderlust
If you liked this post, feel free to share it or pin it!
