There are so many trips to do outside of Seattle if you have a car (or if you don’t). You can go hiking to see many pretty waterfalls, lakes, and state and national parks. Or, if hiking isn’t your cup of tea, then try visiting a beautiful island via a ferry or small town. If none of those fit the bill, then definitely visit another large city close-by like Portland, Oregon or Vancouver (BC) in Canada.

Above is a picture from Orcas Island, one of the many San Juan islands that you just HAVE to visit!

Choose your own adventure!
Hikes | Islands | Small Towns | Large Cities

HIKES

You should be using Washington Trails Association‘s website to find which hikes to do, read the trail reports, how to get there, and tips and tricks given that hike. Parking is sometimes difficult and trail conditions could be tough so be prepared and read the website.

Waterfalls

Snoqualmie Falls (mins drive from Seattle): Large waterfall, seasonal trails available, Don’t feel like hiking? Enjoy the classy dining at Salish Lodge and Spa
Wallace Falls State Park (mins drive from Seattle): Easy trail for waterfalls
Twin Falls Trailhead (mins drive from Seattle): On my to-do list

Parks

Lake Sammamish State Park (mins drive from Seattle): Freshwater lake 8 miles away from Seattle, fun stuff
2000 NW Sammamish Rd
Issaquah, WA 98027
Mount Rainier National Park (mins drive from Seattle): Active volcano that is snow-capped year-round, I hear the flowers are beautiful in the summer, 1 hr and 45 min drive from Seattle; if you feel like camping, try the Ohanapecosh campgrounds which has beautiful trails to gorgeous Silver Falls and tall forests (no Redwoods, but alright)
39000 State Route 706 E
Ashford, WA 98304
Olympic National Park (mins drive from Seattle): Quinault Rain Forest – On my to-do list, it’s a rainforest. what. that’s awesome. Located in Olympic National Park

Lakes

Lake 22: The best hike ever. period.
Rattlesnake Lake (mins drive from Seattle): Gorgeous view after reaching mid-way on the upward hike/trail. Super popular.
Annette Lake (mins drive from Seattle): On my to-do list, a bit over an hour drive from Seattle
North Bend, WA 98045
Blanca Lake (mins drive from Seattle): On my to-do list
Heather Lake (mins drive from Seattle): On my to-do list, around a 3 hr drive from Seattle
Snow Lake (mins drive from Seattle): On my to-do list

ISLANDS

Bainbridge Island (mins drive from Seattle): $7 round-trip on the ferry, ~35 mins on the ferry from the Seattle terminal and then you’re there, get Mora ice cream – you can drive onto the ferry, but you don’t have to drive if you dont want to
San Juan Islands (mins drive from Seattle): Orcas Island is the largest of the San Juan islands, it was just stunning, 3 hrs by Clipper OR 2 hrs drive plus 1 hr ferry
Vashon Island (mins drive from Seattle):
Lopez Island
Lummi Island(mins drive from Seattle): Home to The Willows Inn Bed & Breakfast where the best meal in the Puget Sound area resides.
Victoria Island (British Columbia), Canada (mins drive from Seattle): Known as the “City of Gardens,” it is home to The Butchart Gardens, luxuriously beautiful

SMALL TOWNS

Skagit Valley, Washington (mins drive from Seattle): tulip festival – tulip festival
Leavenworth, Washington (mins drive from Seattle): Octoberfest, Small German town
Whitewater Rafting (mins drive from Seattle): Wenatchee river
Woodinville, Washington (mins drive from Seattle):
La Conner, Washington (mins drive from Seattle): Small town charm with quaint shoppes, dining, and romantic scenery
Port Townsend, WA
Sequim, Washington (mins drive from Seattle): Home to the Sequim Lavender Festival in July lavender festival – lavender farms
Port Angeles, Washington (mins drive from Seattle):
La Push, Washington (mins drive from Seattle):
Camlann Medieval Village – On my to-do list to do the medieval feast for $44, 40min drive from Seattle, living-history museum project portraying rural England in the year 1376
10320 Kelly Road Northeast
Carnation, WA 98014
Bellingham, Washington (mins drive from Seattle): College town
Hama Hama oyster farms (mins drive from Seattle):
Taylor Shellfish oyster farms (mins drive from Seattle):
pick-your-own berry farms (mins drive from Seattle): https://www.graysmarsh.com/#upick
https://biringerfarm.com/
Lake Chelan

LARGE CITIES

Portland, Oregon, USA (mins drive from Seattle): Keep Portland Weird. Weird. Voodoo Doughnuts.
Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada (mins drive from Seattle): Reminds me a lot of Seattle but they take Canadian dollars, farmers’ market and delicious dim sum