6 Most Vibrant Towns In Washington
Tucked in the Northwest corner of the United States and topping off the beloved Pacific Northwest, the state of Washington is full of surprises. The lumbering Cascade Mountains snatch one's sightline, but the seemingly impenetrable forests and tantalizing coastlines round out the picture nicely. Amidst the exhilarating landscape are mountain towns, port towns, and eccentric inland communities that thrive on heritage-driven tourism. Whether you're looking to confront the wilderness, work up a sweat, or fill your calendar with thematic events, these six vibrant towns will happily oblige. Let's look a little closer at what the Evergreen State has to offer.
Sequim
Set on the Olympic Peninsula, next to the namesake bay, Sequim is a perfect place to kick off a Western Washington tour. Thanks to its favorable position on the north side of the Olympic Mountains, this Clallam County community enjoys a serene climate bubble that largely spares it from the region's otherwise persistent rains. As a result, fields of lavender bloom each summer, adding vibrant colors and sweet scents to the already lovely town. The late July Sequim Lavender Weekend is a great time for those with a propensity for purple to visit. With that said, it's worth stopping by Sequim any time of the year. There is boating, paddling, fishing, golfing, hiking, and biking galore right in town, plus Olympic National Park and the 120-mile Olympic Discovery Trail, which are right there to whisk outdoor enthusiasts off on energizing adventures.
Leavenworth
Central Washington's Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth injects some novel and upbeat culture into the mix. Swapping the European Alps for the equally dazzling Cascade Mountains, this Chelan County gem shines year-round. With year-round events such as Oktoberfest, the Winter Karneval, Maifest, Love from Leavenworth, and the International Accordion Celebration (to name a few), Leavenworth regularly boasts its jovial side but also flaunts its German heritage on a daily basis across its alpine chalets and authentic taverns (complete with steins and schnitzel!). To cap it all off, there is outdoor recreation aplenty – from the local ski resorts to the 800 miles of hiking trails to climbing, horseback riding, and even some whitewater rafting for good measure. All are willkommen in Leavenworth.
Poulsbo
If the European culture and aesthetic continue to call, but an overseas flight isn't in the cards, then hop over to Pulsbo – another microcosm plucked straight from the Old World continent. Founded in the 1880s by Norwegian immigrants, "Little Norway'' was plopped on the Kitsap Peninsula at the tip of Liberty Bay (which, keeping with the theme, even resembles a fjord). This pedestrian-friendly, family-friendly Scandinavian enclave benefits from a spritely marina, the welcoming Liberty Bay Waterfront Park, and a historic downtown that is filled with satisfying eateries, engaging studios and galleries, and Norwegian-centric souvenir/gear shops. Like Leavenworth, Poulsbo also hosts many popular annual events that highlight its heritage – everything from Viking and Midsommer Fest in the fair-weather season to the heartwarming Lutefisk and Valisblot celebrations in the dead of winter.
Port Townsend
Jutting out from the tip of Quimper Peninsula, where the waters of the Salish Sea, Puget Sound, and the namesake bay all meet, Port Townsend represents Western Washington's wet and wild side. Check out Port Townsend's Boat Haven (the only boatyard open to the public in the state), walk out to the Marine Science Center at low-tide (or take one of their wildlife cruises to see tufted puffins, bald eagles, and sea lions), book a half-day whale-watching tour, in which you are likely to see (depending on the season) orcas, humpbacks, and/or gray and minke whales, or pick up a paddle or raise the sails (if you don't know how, there are local guides) to explore the area according to your own whims. Just don't ignore Port Townsend's dryland attractions for too long. This Jefferson County city has two National Historic Landmark Districts that showcase its Victorian architecture, maritime history, and renowned seafood restaurant scene.
Winthrop
Thanks to Winthrop, Washington even has a Wild West side. This kooky Okanogan County community is lined with an antique boardwalk and an 1850s cowboy facade. Not only is this a fun place to settle into a saloon or shop for some unique crafts, but it is also an outdoor recreation hub in disguise. Winthrop is part of the North Cascades Scenic Byway and is a launching point for the 3.8-million-acre Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (to the West), the 1,200-acre Pearrygin Lake State Park (to the East), and the rest of the 60-mile, glacially-carved Methow Valley. Summer might seem like the ideal season, but winter sports enthusiasts might have just found their new favorite, overlooked outlet. Winthrop offers all three forms of skiing: downhill, backcountry, and cross-country. In terms of the latter, Methow Valley maintains 120 miles of trails, which just so happens to be the largest groomed system on the continent. Regardless of the season, be sure to hop in a hot air balloon to get a bird's-eye-view of the spectacular surroundings.
Puyallup
This agricultural community is always a pleasant place to visit, but a couple of times a year, it bursts with excitement. Puyallup, which sits on the Southeast outskirts of Tacoma, hosts one of the biggest and oldest fairs in the world: the Washington State Fair. Over the course of about three weeks (beginning Labor Day Weekend), the downtown fairgrounds flood with approximately one million visitors. The Spring Fair (a double long-weekend affair in April), Oktoberfest Northwest (guess when), and Holiday Magic (December), with their mixes of music, motorsports, animal attractions, festive displays, rides, food trucks, and more, are also big annual hits. Even if you can't synchronize with the 2024 events calendar, Puyallup is one of the closest substantial hubs from which to visit Mount Rainier National Park (whose star peak can be seen in the skyline), which is only about 50 miles to the Southeast.
The Evergreen State is the ultimate four-season, large-scale outdoor recreation mecca, but it also specializes in localized, community-based experiences. These six vibrant towns provide a mixture of activities based around European, Old West, and/or modern-American sensibilities, as well as quick access to ever-present natural playgrounds (including some of the most beautiful national parks and biggest protected wilderness areas in the country). Washington is many things to many people, but one thing is for sure: it is always teeming with vigor.
