The
most western and northerly of the lower 48 states, Washington
territory was visited by Spanish, American, and British explorers
throughout the 1700's.
A century later, Washington's incredible store of natural resources -- found in lumber, salmon fishing, and fur-trapping -- attracted early settlers to the area to stake personal claims to the region's riches.
Today, the state still beckons visitors by the millions each year to a variety of tourist attractions beginning with Seattle offering a view of the city high atop the iconic Space Needle, and more attractions including the Pike Place Market and
aquarium (see kid-friendly Seattle, below.)
Although still a major lumber
producer, for nature lovers Washington continues to preserve millions of acres of national parks including
those at Olympic
National Park, Mount
Rainier, and the North
Cascades.
Top Washington State attractions include the iconic Space Needle in Seattle (left); oceanside camping and
sightseeing at Olympic National Park (middle); and more natural beauty at Columbia River Gorge (right).
If traveling in the Fall, don't miss a trip to the Washington State Fair in Puyallup offering bronco busting, roller coaster rides, and other family-friendly entertainment starting in mid-September.
2023 Washington State Events & Festivals
Ballard SeafoodFest in Seattle celebrates that
neighborhood's seafaring Nordic roots with three
days of wall-to-wall seafood and live music in July.
Check out our 2023 Washington State travel calender featuring memorable events and major festivals happening throughout the state with dates, locations and official links for more information.
Besides the
fun and excitement at Pike's
Place Market, and a trip high atop the Space
Needle the city is a virtual playground for kids of all ages.
Seattle Aquarium offers close encounters with all kinds of shore life.
Plan to spend
at least a full afternoon at the Pacific
Science Center guaranteed to offer something of interest for
teens to toddlers including hands-on exhibits, awesome
dinosaurs, a sit inside the cockpit of a space shuttle, a huge
screen IMAX theater, and even an outdoor play area.
For more outdoor family adventures, head over to the Woodland
Park Zoo offering an enormous 92 acres devoted to animals
living in either rain forest or coastal deserts displayed in state-of-the-art
exhibits.
For a closer
look at Seattle's shore life, also be sure to visit the Seattle
Aquarium for eye-popping displays including a 120,000-gallon
showcase Window on Washington Waters, as well as fascinating hands-on
exhibits.
More information
about Washington State travel around the Web:
Washington
State Tourism -
A virtual tour to the entire state with 360º interactive
gallery plus facts & information on cultural & historical
attractions, Washington state birds & wildlife, must-see sights,
event calendar, maps.
Washington
Attractions. Roadside America - Weird Washington captured
in pictures & descriptions, i.e., the world's largest frying
pan, the Pickled Pioneer grave site, Jake the Alligator Man, and
lots more.