13 Affordable Summer Vacation Spots In Washington
Washington State is sometimes known as the Evergreen State owing to its vast amounts of evergreen forests and wilderness. Ideal for anyone hoping to get out of the city and see nature, Washington has a lot to offer the outdoor adventurer. However, that's not all Washington State has to offer!
It's also well known for its gorgeous beaches with stunning views of the sunset and cliff faces in the mountains. Most of these sites are free or very cheap, so you can get out and have fun without tightening your wallet!
Wildwood Farm Bed & Breakfast
Once a massive racehorse breeding and training ground, Wildwood Farms offers reasonably priced gorgeous suites today. Situated in northern Washington along Skagit Bay, this 80-acre farm offers some amazing views of the surrounding natural beauty.
While the surrounding area affords many opportunities for fun and games, don't sell the onsite attractions short! Partake in hay rides, horse riding lessons, hiking trails, and more without leaving the farm's vicinity.
Enjoy the region's breathtaking natural beauty in a peaceful and quiet area for an affordable price. Most suites cost between $99-$214.00 per night with comfortable, rustic accommodations the whole family will enjoy.
Oak Harbor
The gorgeous town of Oak Harbor is located just a few miles west of Wildwood Farm on Whidbey Island. Oak Harbor is one of the best locations for outdoor enthusiasts, including the nearby Olympic and Cascade Mountains. The region has plenty of local and state parks, meaning visiting Oak Harbor is exciting and affordable.
Auld Holland Inn is one of the most excellent hotels in town, with comfortable accommodations and affordable prices. Booking a room here costs around $135.00 per night for a suite with a queen size bed with modern conveniences like wifi, a coffee maker, and more! After a restful night, visit Windjammer Park for a fun day playing in the water and exploring local wildlife.
Finally, drop by the Island Cafe and Berry Bay Smoothies for delicious food and drink. The Island Cafe offers pick-up and delivery options for popular American dishes via Grub Hub. Berry Bay Smoothies create fantastic lemonades, smoothies, and more, with vegan and dairy-free options available.
Saratoga Woods Park
The breathtaking Saratoga Woods Park is a few miles south of Oak Harbor on Whibley Island along the beach. The Whibley Camano Land Trust protects the lands of the woods and the surrounding region. They host many events yearly, including bike rides and other park activities across Whibley Island.
However, Saratoga Woods is one the best sites to visit while vacationing in Washinton. Waterman Rock is the park's main natural attraction as one of the most enormous glacial erratics in the state. Glacial erratics are massive rocks deposited in floods during the melting of glaciers thousands of years ago, and they have quite a story to tell!
Every year, tourists visit and photograph this gentle giant in the park. Surrounded by woodlands, it makes for an ideal spot to hike or bike and glimpse this state's natural splendor.
Lake Wenatchee State Park
Lake Wenatchee State Park is nestled along Lake Wenatchee in central Washington. This park is a gorgeous and vast location, with swimming, boating, hiking, fishing, and much more for reasonable prices. Annual passes to the park for primary use cost $10.00 per day or $30.00 for an annual park pass.
Lake Wenatchee is a great place to go swimming, boating, and fishing. Or you can visit on one of the qualifying pass-free days and explore the park for free!
Consider camping in the majestic park for a fully immersive experience. Staying onsite will also allow you to hike the 492-acre park. Come with a bike, a small boat, and a fishing pole to see and experience all this park offers.
Leavenworth
Leavenworth is a peaceful, quiet, Bavarian-styled town just a few miles from Lake Wenatchee State Park. This quaint little community rests along the Wenatchee River on the town's eastern border and is an excellent place for boating, fishing, and swimming in the summertime.
Der Ritterhof Inn is a great place to stay while visiting this classy little mountain village. Rooms cost around $159.00 for the queen suite, the two-bed queen suite costs around $179.00 per night, and the family suite costs around $299.00 per night and includes a small kitchen! This charming little inn is close to the downtown region of Leavenworth, with all kinds of attractions and luxuries.
Check out the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, which only costs $5.00 for adult visitors and $2.00 for children. The Wagner family opened the museum in 1995 as a privately owned viewing site of the owner's collection. It's since grown and houses not only Wagner's original collection but several other privately owned collections!
Leavenworth Summer Theater
Just north of the sweet village of Leavenworth is the Leavenworth Summer Theater. A stunning and lovely place to experience music, arts, and plays in the majesty of the mountains surrounding Leavenworth. Founded in 1994, the first year was rough for the theater, but today it's a thriving space for art and celebration.
Some of the first plays include Hansel and Gretel, Sound of Music, and A Christmas Carol. Upcoming shows for the end of summer include The Sound of Music and Cinderella! The performances are first class, with reasonably priced tickets.
Depending on your seat of choice, tickets can cost as little as $14.00 and as much as $40.00 for seats in Section A. Patrons get an up-close seat right next to the stage in the front row. People can sign up to become a patron on their website and start collecting the many perks.
Olympic National Park
In northern Washington, just a few miles south of Vancouver, Canada, is the stunning Olympic National Park. Olympic National Park encompasses just under one million acres of land, including three ecosystems. There is never a dull moment in this park!
There are several beaches to visit, including the Ozette and Kalaloch, and Ruby Beaches. These shorelines are ideal for beachcombing and boating, especially when the weather is nice and warm in summer. Also, check the temperate rainforests for an immersion in the wild heart of the park. The best part is having a blast at Olympic National Park is very affordable. Private vehicles cost $30.00 per day, singular adult admission costs $15.00, and annual passes cost $55.00.
Camano Island State Park
Camano Island is a breathtaking island park island southeast of Oak Harbor and Whibley Island. This gorgeous island allows tourists to break away from the hustle of the more populous regions like Seattle. Conveniently located near the main cultural hubs of Washington, you’ll be close to the mainland without the noise of the fast-paced city.
Camano provides many fun opportunities at a cheap price. Passes to the park only cost $10.00 per day or $30.00 for a yearly pass. You can enjoy the park’s hiking and biking trails, which give a great view of the island and the surrounding Puget Sound. Boating and fishing are other popular pastimes on Camano Island, so bring your supplies!
Rolling Huts
Washington has no shortage of state and national parks, like Camano Island and Olympic National Park. However, tourists don’t always want to camp while exploring the pristine surroundings. Sometimes you want something rugged and comforting, like Rolling Huts.
These gorgeous cabins and lodgings rest in the North Cascades and Methow Valley.
The huts are cozy, with a sleeping area, fireplace, small fridge, and wifi for just $145.00 per night. Ideal for couples, these cabins grant the perfect view of the mountains and forests and are very romantic. Or, you can rent the much larger cabin, also known as the farmhouse, for $275.00 per night. This stunning home has three bedrooms, a kitchen, a washer and dryer, and all the comforts you could want on a wilderness adventure!
Mercer Island
Mercer Island is Much further south of the rugged wilderness of the Northern Cascades and Rolling Huts. Situated between Seattle and Bellevue, it's a stunning place to visit if you want the best of city and country life. Despite being a wealthy neighborhood, there is plenty to do here that won't break the bank.
Mercerdale Park and Luther Burbank Park are some of the island's most affordable and charming places. Mercerdale is an excellent spot to stroll in nature and enjoy music festivals when the time is right. Luther Burbank Park is one of the finest beaches on Mercer Island, with an excellent view of Lake Washington's Waterfront.
Stop in at the Homegrown Restaurant, which offers healthy sandwiches with a farm-to-table experience. Check out their online menu to plan your visit and get a dish right up your alley!
Bellevue Botanical Garden
Bellevue Botanical Garden is just east of Mercer Island on the mainland. It's a fantastic place to visit, with flower beds and forests on the 53-acre lot. While some events and educational activities cost a small fee, visiting the Garden's completely free.
The Fuscia Garden's ideal for summer guests since this is when most of the flowers bloom! With over 100 fuchsia species to enjoy, you'll want to see these flowers in full glory. Also, be sure to visit the Rock Garden and Iris Rain Garden to experience the incredible serenity of the place.
The end of August is when the Arts in the Garden takes place! This fantastic event costs only $10.00 per car and gives an astounding combination of artistic expression and natural wonder.
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
Located east of Mercer Island and south of Bellevue, Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park offers stunning views and experiences. Cougar Mountain has 3,000 acres of unique rugged wilderness and plenty to explore on its many trails and woodland walks.
Many trails take visitors through the second-growth forests, which humans primarily eradicated in the past. However, thanks to local conservation efforts, these gorgeous forests thrive beautifully.
Travel down their 35 miles of trails and see the forest's majesty firsthand. Or, visit the many streams and caverns dotting the landscape!
Saltwater State Park
Just south of Seattle and Mercer Island is one of the finest beaches in Washington, Saltwater State Park. It's one of the finest places to have a picnic, go for a hike, or have a little swim in the pristine waters. You can also enjoy an afternoon of boating or diving among the offshore artificial reefs. In fact, Saltwater State Park is one of the only parks in the state with a reef!
The sandy shores are also ideal for making sandcastles and beachcombing. Check out the local trails, like the McSorley Creek Loop Trail, and get a view of the lovely local wildlife.
The Des Moines Snack Shack is close to the shore and a great place to refuel after a long day out. Get some photos at the nearby State Park Bridge and share your experience with all your friends and family!
Conclusion
As one of the largest states in the U.S., Washington is an excellent place to get a little bit of everything. Delicious food, fascinating natural beauty, and rustic resorts are all over this breathtaking state.
It has many national and state parks, meaning visiting can be cheap and adventurous. But if you don't enjoy camping or hiking, visit the beaches and resort for a more luxurious immersion. Some of the best cities in the northwest are in Washington, including Seattle and Olympia. You're always close to nature, the city, and everything in between!
