Top Destinations for a Weekend Trip in Washington State

Located 117mi west of Seattle, Leavenworth is a charming, authentic German-style village of under 2,000 residents. With its dramatic Cascade Mountains backdrop, Leavenworth provides a true alpine experience with Bavarian-style bakeries and restaurants, and German-inspired architecture.

San Juan Island is only one of four islands in the San Juan chain with state ferry services from Anacortes, 82mi north of Seattle. The main town of Friday Harbor offers up a selection of museums, galleries, shops, and ocean-view restaurants.

Acting as part of the state border between Oregon and Washington, the 80mi-long Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area also contains part of the popular Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. There are plenty of small towns to explore as you travel through the area along the Lewis and Clark Trail Highway.

The coastal community of Long Beach offers a cozy small town vibe, in addition to a beautiful beach and a nearly half-mile long boardwalk along the rolling sand dunes. It's also home to the colorful World Kite Museum.

Leavenworth is home to several wineries, breweries, and distilleries, including the award-winning Silvara Cellars. Further south, the unofficial Gorge Beer Trail will take you along the Columbia River to visit among a selection of 12 craft breweries. Some even offer dog-friendly beer gardens to help your furry friends feel right at home.

Take a narrated kayaking wildlife tour with San Juan Kayak Expeditions in Friday Harbor, or go on an orca or humpback whale watching tour with Western Prince Whale Watching. The Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area offers a wealth of boating, fishing, and hiking opportunities. Glide above the tree tops with Leavenworth Ziplines, or go whitewater rafting along the Wenatchee River.

San Juan Island hosts the San Juan Island Farmers Market from April through October each year, plus the Friday Harbor Bike Fest in June. Leavenworth celebrates Oktoberfest in the fall, and the Bavarian Icefest in January. The B.I.G. Swig offers craft beer tasting at a selection of brewers throughout the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area in October.

The state of Washington offers an extensive network of hiking trails for you to explore. There are beautiful beaches, state and national parks with waterfalls, mountain vistas, and lush forests, and opportunities for downhill skiing and snowmobiling during the winter months.

The Pacific Northwest is known for its casual lifestyle, and Washington state is no exception. Locals highly value their beautiful surroundings and are often dressed to escape into nature at any given moment. During summer, it’s the norm to wear T-shirts, shorts, and sandals, while the winter and fall months will require waterproof jackets, long pants, and all-weather hiking footwear. If you’re going to be near the water along the rivers or coastline, packing a pair of waterproof shoes might also be a good idea.

As with all weekend getaways, what you need to pack is likely destination-dependent. The Pacific Coast and San Juan Islands will offer warm summer days, but being near the water means it can cool off quickly in the evenings, so a sweater or jacket is always a good idea. Further inland, summer temperatures in Leavenworth and Eastern Washington can reach the high 80s, but can dip down into the low 50s overnight. Be sure to bring a variety of clothing options.

Bring a lightweight backpack to carry around your essentials such as sunscreen, rain jackets, water, snacks, and medication for the day. Sunglasses are a great idea, and hats for sunshine or rain are also recommended. Don't forget your camera and an extra battery pack.