10 Underrated Small Towns to Explore in Washington
Washington is the only state in America to be named after the first US president, George Washington. It is the homebase and birthplace of some of the biggest companies in the globe such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Starbucks. But it is also home to some of the most underrated small towns to explore in Washington. In this rainy state that produces more apples than most, you will find thriving seaside towns like Poulsbo and Port Townsend; tribal communities in places like Stehekin and Sequim; and film-worthy landscapes like in Forks and Coupeville. In the Evergreen State of Washington—where Mount St. Helens looms and where the biggest man-made island, Harbor Island, is located—you will be mystified by the fey forests and sylvan mountains of the most underrated small towns to explore in Washington.
Port Townsend
Approximately two hours from Seattle, Port Townsend stands as a humble guardian of the state of Washington. Indeed, during Wordl War I and World War II, the Fort Worden Historical State Park—the magnum opus of Washington’s State Park system—functioned as a military base protecting the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound against possible invasions from the Pacific Ocean. Now that peaceful times permeate Port Townsend, one can leisurely walk the čičməhán Trail (Cheech-ma-han) that the ancient S’Klallam people have walked upon for centuries.
There is also Marrowstone Island from across Port Townsend Bay, home to the Fort Flagler Historical State Park and Mystery Bay State Park where more discoveries and insights can be gleaned about Port Townsend’s defensive position. The most intriguing of Port Townsend’s attractions might just be the Port Townsend Aero Museum, a storehouse containing vintage planes and other historic aircrafts. No need to feel unwanted in Port Townsend, because fine accommodations like the Manresa Castle Hotel, The Monarch Hotel, and Port Townsend Inn will have you feeling like you belong.
Coupeville
About 11 miles from Port Townsend, you can treat yourself to the many attractions of Whidbey Island from the lovely village of Coupeville. One can go beyond Coupeville and go sightseeing at Price Sculpture Forest, Deception Pass State Park, and Fort Casey State Park in Whidbey Island and Camano Island. Originally a collection of Coast Salish villages of the Lower Skagit peoples, Coupeville is considered the second oldest town in Washington. Penn Cove is the most popular attraction in Coupeville with its languid waves and waters for anyone to swim upon. But Coupeville itself is renowned for being the television setting of the cult 90s classic, Practical Magic. Birdwatchers should definitely be taking their binoculars and cameras to Ebey’s Reserve, home to a number of eagles, blue herons, and other avian species. As for those seeking the simple comforts of a bed and a room, you can find both and more at The Inn at Penn Cove, Salty Vons Waterfront Inn, or Tyee Restaurant and Hotel.
Leavenworth
Leavenworth is a stylish mirror of Bavaria amidst the cloudy arms of the Cascade Mountains. Around 9,000 beautifully crafted, centuries-old nutcrackers can be perused at the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, while the history of Leavenworth from a timbertown to the most Bavarian village in the US can be gleaned at the Greater Leavenworth Museum. Travelers can pet reindeers at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, just as they can experience the thrills and rides of Leavenworth Adventure Park. From there, you can zoom about in the Alpine Coaster, engage your muscles in the Alpine Ascent Climbing Wall or the Bavarian Bungee Bounce Trampoline, and immerse yourself in sluicing at the Gems of The Enchantments Mining Sluice.
Leavenworth is also a paradise for many animals in Washington. The Wenatchee River and Waterfront Park, for example, is home to many wild eagles and ospreys. A massive region called the Enchantment borders other enchanting wildernesses like the Lake Wenatchee State Park, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area. You should not miss out on the Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration from June 20 to 23. And you should definitely consider the Haus Rohrbach Pension, the Cashmere Mountain Bed & Breakfast, or Na-Mu Lodge as one of many grand places to spend your days and nights in Leavenworth.
Gig Harbor
Approximately 17 minutes from the city of Tacoma, Gig Harbor welcomes travelers to an assortment of marine and maritime features in Washington. As “the Maritime City,” Gig Harbor is a major waystation and crossroads for ships and ferries traveling the waterways of Washington. The Harbor History Museum elaborates on Gig Harbor’s historic and modern significance for trade and transportation, as well as showcasing dozens of indigenous artifacts and pioneering tools from the olden days. Mount Rainier, one of the highest peaks in the United States, entreats people to a spectacular view of Gig Harbor and most of Washintgon. The Gig Harbor Viewpoint also fulfills this role of giving photographers a panoramic frame to capture. You might fancy a humble exploration of the Gig Harbor Gondola or award-winning draft brews from the Heritage Distilling. Or you might fancy resting at the Inn at Gig Harbor or The Waterfront Inn. Either way, Gig Harbor is an underrated destination that should definitely be visited and cherished.
Sequim
Want to be as close to Olympus even though you might be far away from Greece? Then enjoy the splendors of the Olympic Mountains from Washington’s adorable small town of Sequim. Only about 66 miles from the city of Seattle, Sequim is a convenient stop-by towards the vast Olympic National Park and the Olympic Mountains. One can follow the weaving and winding course of the Dungeness River for a more scenic path through the Olympic Mountains. Or you can visit the Olympic Theatre Arts to witness live performances showcasing the vibrant cultures in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley.
Get an excellent vantage of the city of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, from across the Salish Sea at the New Dungeness Lighthouse. Take care at the Olympic Game Farm when getting near to the many bears and big cats in the protected shelter. Finally, attend the many festivities in Sequim such as the Sequim Lavender Weekend from July 19 - 21 and the Sequim Irrigation Festival every month of May. If all the adventures get you exhausted, you can refreshen and replenish at the Ocean Star Inn, the Olympic View Inn, or the Red Lion Inn & Suites.
Poulsbo
It is no wonder why travelers who visit Poulsbo might consider it a “Little Norway.” With its fjords at Liberty Bay and the Olympic Mountains embracing the town, it is reminiscent of the iconic fjords of Norway and other countries in Scandinavia. To commemorate its cultural and even geographic resemblance to Norway, Poulsbo hosts the Viking Fest and a Road Race every year in the month of May. Additionally, the townsfolk celebrate the a Midsommer Fest in June and the Valisblot on February, in which the Sons of Norway Vikings ignite bonfires for their ancestors. Poulsbo also honor Chief Seattle of the Suquamish People with the three-day festivities of the Chief Seattle Days on August.
If you are not interested in the many riveting festivities in Poulsbo, you can always chill out with alpacas in Sawdust Hill or learn more about Poulsbo’s history at the Poulsbo Heritage Museum, the Poulsbo Maritime Museum, and Naval Undersea Museum. Only about 45 minutes from Sequim, you can seek warmth and relaxation at the Raspberry Ridge Farm, the Poulsbo Inn & Suites, or Hotel Scandi.
Stehekin
Stehekin is a town of many meanings. It either means “the way through” in Salishan, the "turning around place" in Lushootseed/Coast Salish, or "mountain tops" in nxa'amxcin/Interior Salish. But whatever its true meaning is, Stehekin will be your top best choice of destination in Washington for its remoteness and quietude in the North Cascades. Indeed, Stehekin is so remote that the only way through is by boat across Lake Chelan—the third deepest lake in the US—airplane, or on foot.
Once you do find your way through to Stehekin, you can enjoy 350 apple trees at the historic Buckner Orchard, in addition to the beautiful Rainbow Falls. Go on horseback rides across the sublime Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Pack your gear and brave the expansive Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Although it can be an arduous endeavor to find a way through to Stehekin, you will not be turning around from this awesome place in the mountain tops, especially due to the opulent accommodations of Stehekin Garden House, Stehekin Creekside Cabin, and North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin.
Winthrop
Within snowy summits of the North Cascades lies the windy homes of Winthrop. There is a sense of being in the Wild West—minus the hectic violence of that particular period—when gallivanting through the Methow Valley and strolling along the Pearrygin Lake State Park. Winthrop further celebrates its Wild West routes by hosting the annual ’49er Days in May. When looking up at Winthrop’s skies in the first days of March, you will see dozens of air balloons coloring the air. You might even be one of those passengers to be gifted the opportunity of seeing the whole of the North Cascades from above. You can learn all about Winthrop’s humble beginnings at the Shafer Museum, originally called the “Castle” by the first settlers of the town. Only about 25 miles from Stehekin, you can avoid the chill evenings of Winthrop by getting comfortable in Mount Gardner Inn, Chewuch Inn & Cabins, or Winthrop Inn.
Forks
No need to feel lost when you are in a fork in the road, because the sublime community of Forks is like a hidden haven one stumbles upon during a thrilling adventure. Located between the Olympic Mountains and the Pacific Ocean beaches in the Olympic Peninsula, the knifing rivers of the Calawah, Sol Duc, and Bogachiel are abundant with steelhead and salmon fresh for the taking. As the rainiest town in the contiguous United States—with an average rainfall of 120" annually—there are dozens of recreational areas surrounding Forks such as the Olympic National Park, Rialto Beach, the Hoh Rain Forest, Kalaloch Beach, Lake Ozette, Cape Flattery at the Northwest Coast, Lake Crescent, and many more.
The lumber from these mystical and misty woodlands has contributed much to Forks’ prominence as the Forks Timber Museum illustrates, just as John’s Beachcombing Museum features a gallery of trinkets and objects from beaches near the uniquely-shaped rock formation called the Hole-In-The-Wall. While traipsing through Forks’ forests, some areas might seem familiar to you if you ever watched the Twilight movie series. Indeed, Forks was the prominent film site for the vampire romance many are familiar with, and Forks is proud of this fact by hosting a four-day Twilight festival every September. So whether you are a fan of Twilight or just a backpacker eager to explore the untamed wilderness of the Olympic Peninsula, you can take a bite out of Forks and stay a while in Forks Motel, Dew Drop Inn, or Olympic Suites Inn.
Friday Harbor
On San Juan Island, you will find the serene small town of Friday Harbor, a major commercial center in the San Juan Islands archipelago. The waters of the Salish Sea are home to many magnificent whales, and Whale Museum ensures the protection and awareness of these underwater giants. One can appreciate the lively culture and artistry of Friday Harbor at the San Juan Islands Museum of Arts (SJIMA), while the San Juan Historical Museum exhibits the explorations of Captain Vancouver and the histories of Coast Salish settlements like Friday Harbor.
Further reverence of Washington’s indigenous cultures can be seen in Musqueam First Nation artist, Susan Point, and her Coast Salish house posts in Fairweather Park. There are also two Salmon Story Boards and a Reef Net Captain Totem Pole at the San Juan Island National Historical Park. For more modern and state-of-the-art exhibits, you can explore the American Camp which superintendent Elexis Fredy explains is a “tribute to the multiple histories of San Juan Island and their meaning for different individuals and groups and the unique environment of our island.” Regarding of whether you are in Friday Harbor in Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, or any other day of the week, you will definitely be spending you nights in comforting abodes like The Orca Inn, Discovery Inn, or Friday Harbor House.
Pack umbrellas and well-insulated clothes from Amazon or some other company for when you are traveling through Washington. As the rainiest state in the US, Washington can be an arduously wet and cold destination for those unaccustomed to the inclement weather. But once you do reach the most underrated small towns to explore in Washington, you will not feel any regrets visiting these enchanting locations. There is no greater feeling than sipping a hot mug of Starbucks in the frigid heights of the North Cascades and the Olympic Mountains or in the breezy island towns in the Salish Sea. So start clearing your schedule in your Microsoft computer to visit the many underrated small towns in a state where Microsoft, Starbucks, and Amazon first began.
