6 Washington Towns That Rival Europe's Best
Journeying through the deep wilderness of the Pacific Northwest, Washington's enticing towns add to the allure. From popular destinations on Puget Sound like Poulsbo to Port Angeles tipping the Olympic Peninsula, the Evergreen State shape-shifts from one European country to the next. Stay in a castle, dine on German fare, or visit Poulsbo during Viking Fest. Eastsound is full of the transcendent beauty of the San Juans.
These Washington towns that rival Europe's best offer access to pristine nature. The mounting list of attractions reflects each town's popularity among chance travelers and those drawn by the distinct foreign vibes.
Eastsound
This commercial center for Orcas Island recreates the feel of the coastal UK in the beautiful San Juans. Accessible by boat, ferry, or private jet, the larger port town retains a peaceful ambiance and an inviting local feel. Downtown is northeast of the Orcas Island Ferry Landing via Orcas Road. Having drawn talented artists and top chefs, see what inspires you on a stroll—the eclectic shops and galleries make for great browsing. From Island Hoppin Brewery to Orcas Art, catch a show at Orcas Center and taste the local vibe on an acculturated level. From your hotel, B&B, or vacation rental, follow the scent wafting from Brown Bear Baking for French pastries.
The island is accessible with beaches and wildlife area trails, without crowds, at the pebbly Crescent Beach. After a foggy morning stroll along the ocean, spend the day in retail therapy, a relaxing massage at one of the parlors, or the Orcas Island Farmer's Market on summer Saturdays at the village green. Nothing makes for a better keepsake than local crafts, island products, or fine art while stocking up on fresh produce and tasting local goodies on a sunny day. There are boat rentals, guided tours, and cruises, while the waterfront Lower Tavern serves drinks, burgers, and seafood.
Ellensburg
Ellensburg rests on the northern shore of the Yakima River in central Washington but gives off Bregenz, Austria vibes. Drop by The Early Bird for breakfast to get rolling. Families enjoy hiking to the east at Olmstead Place Historical State Park, a vision of European countryside along the rolling hills with its red barn, buildings, and displays of farming history, plus tours and picnic areas on a full-day outing. With red accents throughout town, Clymer Museum of Art feels plucked from Europe, an intimate showcase of early Western American art and local rodeo history. Gallery One Visual Arts Center is next door, while Kittitas County Historical Museum is a beautiful old building south of there.
Campus U-Tote-Em is a great pick-me-up for signature burgers, fries, and shakes at a no-frills, old-counter service. Home to Central Washington University, the beautiful grounds call for a stroll. Seek serenity creekside at the campus-adjacent Kiwanis Park. Right downtown, Dick and Jane's Spot, a private property, is not to be missed among art lovers and those after quirky sights, with a yard of unusual art and sculpture. Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park offers boat facilities and swimming during the summer, plus a picnic shelter and amenities to explore the aspen-ridden trails in the fall. Head out with friends for drinks at The Red Pickle, a downhome eatery with American accents in an old filling station.
Leavenworth
Among the nation's topmost European-like towns, this Bavarian-inspired village in the Cascade Mountains draws visitors from around the US. Having turned to its roots out of economic desperation during the mid-20th century, every corner in Leavenworth screams German aesthetics. A simple stroll feels magical, enhanced by traditional food, architecture, and regular annual events. Offering something unique for every group and season, like Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, it is a top-of-the-bucket destination if you have never been. The active enjoy Icicle Ridge Trailhead south of town, while the mountain coaster at Leavenworth Adventure Park provides thrills and views.
Spend a day at Enchantment Park with nature trails and picnics along the Wenatchee River. The next-door München Haus serves German sausages, craft brews, and other staples in authentic decor, with a verdant courtyard and music. Boasting a range of accommodation options, there are B&Bs, cabins, and vacation rentals for any budget and comfort to step out into the picturesque Cascades. Drop by the Willkommen Center and Leavenworth, right between Bavarian Bakery and the popular Nutcracker Museum, with thousands of modern and antique nutcrackers in a Bavarian-style building.
Port Angeles
Is it coastal Italy? Iceland in winter? Tucked between the ocean and the Olympic National Park, Port Angeles feels straight from a fairytale. Ediz Hook alone is enough to convince you of having left America. It has a rugged coastline with a rocky beach, like a golf club jutting into the ocean with abundant wildlife and serene mountain views. The pier looks cut out from the sponge docks in Greece. The art fans enjoy the expansive Fine Arts Center in a real eye-candy piece of architecture of a former residence with galleries, an outdoor art park, and blooms. The intimate Feiro Marine Life Center attracts families for exhibits and local marine life in three touch tanks.
Drop by The Empossible Eden Cafe in the morning and First Street Haven Restaurant at dinner—apt names in the town that feels more like a dream than reality. Verne Samuelson Trail County Park connects to the trails through the national park, with many ascending hikes to channel your inner explorer and spy on the town from above. Lake Crescent is so strikingly blue. Don't miss the 9/11 Memorial Waterfront Park and Art on the Town sculpture for a unique local souvenir before the transcendent sunset at the Waterfront Park. Port Angeles Underground & Heritage Tour is another popular attraction, and visitors can also take the Black Ball Ferry Line to Victoria, British Columbia.
Port Townsend
Port Townsend has a Victorian-era personality at the very tip of the peninsula into Port Townsend Bay. Overlooking the large and beautiful Whidbey Island, there are plenty of European vibes within, including a castle or the tantalizing Kah Tai, a "community park" with wetlands and a blue lagoon with waterfowl, plus walking trails and picnic areas to take in the glory. Fort Worden Historical State Park feels desolate as a former military base along the barren coastal scrap of Puget Sound with camping and rentable houses. A hike to Old Searchlight Station offers top views. Exuding magic vibes, there is no other in Washington like this stately port town against the sparkling ocean.
Its historic buildings, marinas, and coastal mountain views would fit right along the homes by the sea in the Norwegian city of Alesund. Spend a relaxing day at the landscaped Chetzemoka Park with a bandstand, picnic areas, and beach access. The next-door Pope Marine Park is a departure point, with wooden piers and a wide array of boat tours for the seaside profile. The intimate Eaglemount Wine & Cider offers a taste of Italy after a hike to Cape George, on the west side of the peninsula, with a marina beneath blufftop coastal forests. To get the full spectrum of medieval European charm, Alexander's Castle is an 1882 landmark and a contemporary accommodation with bay views.
Poulsbo
Some 35 miles north of Gig Harbor, Poulsbo is a relentless favorite to visit. Just 4.5 square miles in area, this cozy community has an inviting local feel and history that runs deep along Puget Sound. The long, narrow waterway with steep cliffs on each side is the only fjord estuary on the contiguous West Coast of the US. Founded in the 1880s and originally settled by a large number of Scandinavian immigrants, the landscape reminded them of landscapes at home carved out by the fjords. The unique topography, vibrant heritage, and temperate climate make the area rife for discoveries. Home to 12,234 people on the shores of Liberty Bay (Dogfish Bay), Poulsbo is just as authentic within.
First called Dogfish Bay, Norwegian immigrant Jorgen Eliason named it "Paulsbo" after the village in Norway. Take a boat tour, taste traditional delicacies, and shop for the cutest and most authentic souvenirs. A selfie in front of the architecture and the waterway will look straight from overseas. Poulsbo is a culture and outdoor lover's dream, perfect for a family getaway or a road trip with friends. Explore the area via Stottlemeyer Trailhead. Poulsbo's Fish Park is a small bayfront natural area with walking paths, bird watching, and ecology-themed public art. There is a Norwegian pancake breakfast every month and Viking Fest every May.
One of the nation's most naturally scenic, diverse, and adventurous destinations, Washington is home to many real characters. Within its vastness, Mount Rainier is the highest and most topographically prominent peak in the Cascades.
From a Bavarian village to a Victorian seaport, Washington's coolest small towns offer the chance to live out the dream and rival Europe's best. These authentic doppelgangers are proud of their unique heritage. With their architecture and foggy coastlines, the landscapes can pass for Europe's own.
