Washington Overview

Washington offers some of the most unique travel and recreation opportunities available in the lower 48 states -- hiking across active volcanoes and old growth forests, fishing and whale watching in the Puget Sound and San Juan islands, sampling wines and fresh produce, and enjoying the excitement of Seattle.

The state of Washington is neatly divided in half by the Cascade Mountains, and presents a study of contrast. To the west is the Washington that many visitors think of - temperate rainforests, high tech industry, and progressive urban areas, while the east offers dry farmland, orchards, and vineyards, and outstanding recreational opportunities along the mighty Columbia river.

We have divided Washington into 4 geographic regions, east and west along the Cascades, and north and south from Spokane to Olympic National Park. Overviews of each region are presented below. For a more detailed description of each region, including summaries of all of its attractions and towns, just click on the region name below.

Washington's Regions

Southwestern Washington and the Olympic Peninsula is dominated by Mt. Rainier, or simply The Mountain as it's know locally, and offers great mountain biking and hiking. Mt. Saint Helens, the only active volcano in Washington, provides visitors with a upclose look at the disaster and subsequent recovery. Other thrilling recreation can be found in the scenic Columbia River Gorge stretching from Portland, Oregon to Columbia Hills and the beginning of beautiful wine country.

Centered on the Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park is a quiet paradise of temperate rainforest and ruggest coastline. Camping and beaches run the entire coast down to Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge and Long Beach, and Victorian Port Townsend allows for an incomparable ferry ride to Seattle or the San Juan Islands.

Northwestern Washington and the San Juan Islands stretches along the Puget Sound. To the north, the San Juan Islands draw visitors interested in bird and whale watching, sailing, and bicycle touring, or simply those looking to sample a relaxed lifestyle. Skiing and snowboarding has never been better at Mt. Baker east of mild-weathered Bellingham.

The largest city in the northwest United States, Seattle has much to offer year-round: arts and cultural festivals, fine dining and the Pike Place Market. Visitors can grab a cup of coffee at the original Starbucks and enjoy the city outline at dusk from the Space Needle.

Northeastern Washington falls in the rain shadow of the Cascade mountains, but still offers the most extensive freshwater recreation in Washington at places like Banks Lake behind Grand Coulee Dam, and Franklin D. Roosevelt Lake. This beautiful area boasts crosscountry and downhill skiing in the winter, rock climbing in the summer, and concerts at The Gorge Amphitheatre nearly year-round.

Southeastern Washington towards Walla Walla is the heart of Washington's wine country, as well as one of the best apple producing regions in the world. Excellent fishing along the Columbia and Snake rivers or golfing in Yakima brings visitors to this beautiful temperate weather region throughout the year.