Greatest Day/Weekend Trips From Seattle

Washington State is full of adventures and lifetime experiences. Whether you are out visiting friends and family, on a business trip or just sightseeing the PNW (Pacific Northwest), it seems that there is never enough time to see it all. While Seattle remains the hub of tourism in the state of Washington, there are plenty of other fantastic destinations to explore in the Pacific Northwest. The destinations featured on this page are what Tripio likes to call “bucket-list” locations outside of the greater-Seattle area. Let’s jump in to the Greatest Day/Weekend Trips from Seattle Washington. 

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Lake Chelan

Photo by Jesse Collins

There is a reason that Eastern Washington is known as the Apple Capital of the World. Chelan is the top producer of apples domestically and a top distributor around the globe. Lake Chelan is a getaway for Washingtonians. Year after year, families and friends gather in droves and head East to enjoy a weekend up at Lake Chelan. Here in Chelan you will find a number of activities to keep you busy. Rent a boat/jet skis and spend hours upon hours ripping the calm waters of the Lake along with seeking out epic places for cliff jumping and other rad adventures! Explore the wineries of Manson and don’t forget to have breakfast at Blueberry Hills Farm. Best places to stay (camping) are Bebee Bridge (Columbia River) and Don Morris Park. Lake Chelan is approximately 3 hours by car from Seattle through the scenic highways of Highway 2 or I-90. 

Greatest Day/Weekend Trips from Seattle – Friday Harbor 

Photo by Matthew Knotek on IG

Friday Harbor offers an incredible experience out at sea. Nestled into Washington State’s beloved Puget Sound and surrounded by the remaining San Juan Islands. In Friday Harbor tourists can see what a life out at sea is truly like…or at least a life out in the Puget Sound. Sailors from all around the PNW come to Friday Harbor to enjoy the town, take the edge off and chow down on some mouth-watering seafood. The Captains Platter at Friday’s Crabhouse is a must! Best time of year to visit Friday Harbor is between the Summer and Fall. To get to Friday Harbor, a ferry or private charter must be taken from any of the greater-Seattle area’s major ports. 

Greatest Day/Weekend Trips from Seattle – Port Angeles 

Photo by Greg Garnhart on Unsplash

Port Angeles is an itty bitty city located along the coast of the Salish Sea. Wet and gloomy for most of the year, but on its days, Port Angeles shines like no other. The city’s main attraction is the Olympic National Forest Park. The Olympic Forest offers a wide variety of activities including nature trails, hiking, breathtaking views of the Cascade mountains and more. For adventure enthusiasts, a visit to the Olympic National Forest is one that you will without a doubt want to add to your travel Custom Itinerary on the Tripio App. While in Port Angeles, get acquainted with the local life. Try a number of diners, pubs and casinos, as well as beaches and street shopping. 

Greatest Day/Weekend Trips from Seattle – Whidbey Island

Photo by Tiare Bowman on Unsplash

How easy is it to get to Whidbey Island? Head North from Seattle until you reach Mukilteo (approximately 30-minutes), hop on a 20-minute ferry and you are there! Whidbey Island offers a scenic tour of the Puget Sound. The island is composed of hills, Evergreen trees, sandy beaches and historic towns. Explore the island just across the Sound and see what gems you can find. Activities on Whidbey Island can be found on the Tripio App.

Greatest Day/Weekend Trips from Seattle – Mt. Vernon

Photo by Mario Mendez on Unsplash

As you are heading North from Seattle, be sure to spend a day in Mount Vernon. This location is home to one of the largest Tulip Festivals in the world. Tourists and locals gather every year to enjoy this beautiful Spring-time event. Mount Vernon and its neighboring town of La Conner are home to a calm and welcoming atmosphere. Small town vibes and local life keep Northwest Washington what it truly is, amazing. Mount Vernon is also near the Puget Sound hub of Anacortes along I-5. These destinations make a perfect day-trip getaway from the busy streets of Seattle. Be sure to add the Mount Vernon Tulip Festival to your Custom Itinerary on the Tripio App!

Greatest Day/Weekend Trips from Seattle – Forks

Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

To conclude our list of travel day trips and bucket list destinations in the PNW, we have Forks, Washington. Forks is one of my favorite places to be in the Pacific Northwest. The beloved city of Forks resides on the most Western tip of the state and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. Forks, Washington is the filming location of the globally famous movies based on Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series. Adventure awaits those who come to visit Forks. Surfing, hiking and site-seeing are all activities that go hand-in-hand with a day/weekend trip to Forks, Washington. Check out the beaches of La Push during your visit!

Does the Pacific Northwest excite you? Then check out our blog on: Pacific Northwest: Top 10

And The Best City Escapes

– Matthew Knotek, Tripio Guru

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