7 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in Washington

Often called “The Evergreen State” for its bountiful forests, Washington certainly has a wealth of lush forests worth exploring. But if you’re seeking a different kind of escape for a long weekend, you might be surprised by everything else that Washington has to offer. From relaxing and sandy beaches that seem to stretch forever to one of North America’s most exciting up-and-coming wine-country regions, Washington has plenty of unique land and seascapes to make your sweet escape that much sweeter. And when you do want to go to the forest, you’ll not only find the forest but also one of the continent’s most iconic volcanic peaks.

Come to explore seven perfect destinations for a long weekend in Washington, and stay to discover towns that will help you make lasting memories you’ll want to cherish long after your trip concludes.

Vashon Island

In Puget Sound, about 17 miles southwest of Seattle, Vashon Island is close enough to place you a leisurely boat ride away from the bright lights of the big city, yet far enough to also make you feel far removed from all the troubles of the world. In many ways, Point Robinson Park perfectly illustrates Vashon’s best-of-both-worlds vibes: lovely views of Puget Sound and the (inner ring of) Seattle suburbs, but also a historic 1885 lighthouse, verdant forest walking trails, and the playful Oscar the Bird King troll statue by artist Thomas Dambo that make this park feel far removed from the city. For an even wilder escape, try Maury Island Marine Park for prime wildlife watching (including blue herons, bald eagles, chinook salmon, and orcas) and a rare natural grove of Pacific Madrones by the shore.

Vashon Island also has a remarkable craft food and beverage scene, and Pop Pop Bottle Shop on Vashon Highway provides the ideal entry point with its great selection of locally made beers and ciders (and tasty house-made Asian fare). If you’re ready to dive deeper, make sure to visit Nashi Orchards and Dragon’s Head Cider for high-caliber and uniquely Vashon ciders and perries. After running all across the island all day, settle in for the night at the cozy yet sleek cabins at The Lodges on Vashon downtown.

DuPont

At first glance, DuPont appears to be another typical Puget Sound suburb that’s about 15 miles east of Olympia and 49 miles southwest of Seattle. Yet when you take a closer look at this town, you’ll discover a treasure trove of hidden gems. For starters, we have Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge: This is where the Nisqually River meets Puget Sound, so it makes one of the region’s last unspoiled estuaries, a unique ecosystem where more than 250 migratory bird species regularly come, and an ideal habitat for fish like steelhead trout and chinook salmon. If you’re down for more adventures in the great outdoors, take the Sequalitchew Creek Trail and experience a transition from suburbs to forest and eventually to the beach at the old DuPont Wharf.

If you like golf, you may love DuPont, as this town sits within five miles of six championship golf courses, including The Home Course with amazing panoramic views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier, along with the Eagle’s Pride and Chambers Bay courses. Whenever you’re ready to call it a day, enjoy a restful night at hotels like Fairfield Inn & Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton near the I-5 Freeway.

Long Beach

With a name like Long Beach, you expect a whole lot of beaches. Fortunately, this town that’s around 111 miles southwest of Olympia and 111 miles northwest of Portland (Oregon) has one of the world’s longest beaches (stretching for 28 miles!). You can start at the Long Beach Boardwalk for a central main beach that never feels crowded but always provides a charming window to the sea. From there, you can head south to the North Head Lighthouse to discover an 1898 vintage lighthouse that’s guided ships through the “Graveyard of the Pacific” to safety. Or, head north on the Discovery Trail to find “Clark’s Tree,” a 20-foot-tall bronze monument that marks the spot where the Lewis & Clark Expedition reached the Pacific Coast in 1805.

For more adventures around Long Beach, go (back) to Cape Disappointment State Park for beautiful evergreen forest trails and rugged coastline where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, and visit Willapa National Wildlife Refuge for over 17,000 acres of tidelands and temperate rainforest that provides refuge to rare and threatened bird species like western snowy plovers and marbled murrelets. After all your exploring, feel free to kick back and relax at the family-friendly Breakers of Long Beach for a comfy hotel by the beach and the Discovery Trail, or check into The Inn at Discovery Coast for understated luxury by the beach and the heart of town.

Walla Walla

Around 49 miles southeast of Pasco (Tri-Cities) and 153 miles southwest of Spokane, Walla Walla may be that town with the funny-sounding name, but there’s much more to this town beyond the name. In fact, Walla Walla has recently emerged as one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier wine country regions, and you can immediately start to taste the wonder of Walla Walla at tasting rooms for Maison Bleue, Seven Hills Winery, and Bledsoe Family Winery downtown. If you’re up for more of a road trip (and you have a designated driver), head to Pepper Bridge Winery for beautifully balanced and sustainable wines, Valdemar Estates for Spanish-style wines with local Walla Walla flair, and Kinhaven for lovingly crafted small-lot wines that must be tasted to be believed.

Beyond the vineyards, there’s even more to see and do in Walla Walla. For a convenient natural escape, head to Fort Walla Walla Park for a 70-acre wildlife preserve, a network of hiking and biking trails, a skate park, a disc golf course, and even an off-leash dog park. Just a short drive away, Bennington Lake is great for fishing and mountain biking. For tee times, book an outing at Veterans Memorial Golf Course and/or Wine Valley Golf Club. When you’re finally ready to settle down, enjoy an elegant and comfortable stay in town at the Marcus Whitman Hotel, or indulge in a fully immersive Wine Country retreat at Yellowhawk Resort (which has its own winery).

Ashford

When you crave the ultimate mountain escape, you might as well ascend to Washington’s most iconic volcanic mountain. About 82 miles southeast of Seattle, Ashford serves as a year-round gateway to Mount Rainier National Park. At the park, you can hike multiple trails sporting amazing views of Washington’s tallest peak (which stands 14,410 feet above sea level) and the surrounding alpine forest. Just outside park boundaries and closer to town, Glacier View Wilderness has more mountain trails worth exploring. And for a different kind of park experience, go to Recycled Spirits of Iron Sculpture Park (also known as Ex-Nihilo) for a wild and wonderful world imagined by the artist Dan Klennert.

When you crave a hearty taste of the local flavors, head to Copper Creek Inn for their famous blackberry pie and plenty of yummy burgers, and try Paradise Village for some of the best Ukrainian fare this far west of Kiev. If you feel like staying in Paradise (Village) longer, they also have rooms and cabins available. Or, for a more refined resort experience, book a cabin at Wellspring and splurge on their on-site spa offerings.

Leavenworth

In the Cascade Mountains, about 96 miles north of Yakima and 118 miles east of Seattle, Leavenworth looks and feels like a quaint Bavarian village that somehow flew halfway across the world and landed in Washington. No matter when you visit, you can enjoy the kid-friendly magical wonderland that is Leavenworth Adventure Park, and you can learn more about this town’s captivating backstory at the Greater Leavenworth Museum. During winter, you can ski at areas like Ski Hill, Stevens Pass Nordic Center, and the South Park Nordic Trails at Lake Wenatchee. During summer, you can swim, stroll, and sail at Lake Wenatchee.

Back in town, check out the craft beverage scene at Icicle Brewing Company and Doghaus Brewery for original local beers, and head to (the tasting rooms for) Milbrandt Family Wines and Icicle Ridge Winery for great local wines. To complete your ideal Leavenworth weekend, book a stay at the family-friendly Icicle Village Resort for a Bavarian-style retreat in town, or head over to Cashmere Mountain for a cozy bed-and-breakfast with glorious mountain and forest views.

Friday Harbor

About 104 miles northwest of Seattle, you’ll find Friday Harbor, the main village on San Juan Island. It’s the perfect launchpad for exploring the island’s natural wonders—think special gems like the rugged shoreline of Cattle Point, the longest stretch of publicly accessible wild coastline at South Beach, and prime whale watching by a historic lighthouse at Lime Kiln Point. For some extra refreshing surprises, check out San Juan Vineyard for the San Juans’ only operating winery on the grounds of a historic (1895) school, and San Juan Island Brewery for lagers, pilsners, stouts, and IPA beers made right on the island.

For a more complete view of the San Juan Islands, visit local museums like the San Juan Historical Museum for cool exhibits and artifacts on display at the grounds of an 1890s farm, the San Juan Islands Museum of Art for works by some 100 established and emerging local artists, and The Whale Museum for some epic real-life whale tales. Once you’re ready to experience some fine local hospitality, enjoy your stay at the waterfront Snug Harbor Resort with its own on-site marina, or get some prime rest and relaxation at the secluded Inn to the Woods.

Extend Your Weekend With a Wonderful Washington Escape

Hopefully, now you better understand how and why these towns are seven perfect destinations for a long weekend in Washington. At Ashford, you can soar to new heights on and around Mount Rainier. At Walla Walla, you can sample some of the Northwest’s best wines and take in the lovely scenery of the town’s wineries and vineyards. And at Long Beach, you can stroll the shores and get your feet wet in the ocean. No matter how long of a weekend you can manage to pull off, you can make it feel so much better when you do it in Washington.