Washington
Seattle's waterfront, ferry rides through the San Juan Islands and hikes in Olympic and the Cascades make Washington a varied trip.
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Washington is the state in the far northwest corner of the contiguous United States, with Oregon to the south, Idaho to the east and the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north. Most trips start in Seattle, the largest city, on Puget Sound. The Cascade Range splits the state into two very different halves: the wetter west, with Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula and the San Juan Islands, and the drier east, where Spokane is the main city.
Summer, roughly July through September, suits mountain trails and island trips best, while fall and winter bring more rain to the west side. A week covers Seattle, a day trip to the San Juan Islands and a few days in Olympic National Park. Add time for the Cascades or Spokane, or plan a longer trip if you want to see both sides of the state.
Washington in five
- Get an ESTA before you flyMost visitors from visa-waiver countries need an approved ESTA before boarding a flight to the US. Apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, since third-party sites add service fees.Visas and entry
- Get an ORCA card for Seattle transitLink light rail and King County Metro buses both take the ORCA card. Tap on at every boarding and tap off at light rail stations, or you may be charged the full fare.Seattle
- Book the ferry to the San Juan Islands earlyWashington State Ferries from Anacortes is the main way onto the islands. Reserve a vehicle space online for summer weekends, or arrive early if you are walking on.San Juan Islands
- Download offline maps for Olympic National ParkMobile signal is patchy across much of the park and on the roads leading in. Save maps and directions before you leave Port Angeles or Forks.Olympic National Park
- Buy a Discover Pass for state recreation landsMany Washington state parks and trailheads ask for a Discover Pass to park. It is separate from the national park entrance, so one does not cover the other.
Neighborhoods
Where to stay in Washington, the full guide
Seattle
Seattle is a hilly port city on the Pacific coast, known for Pike Place Market, the first Starbucks and a live-music scene that grew out of grunge.
Spokane
A river city in eastern Washington, where waterfalls run through downtown and summer trips reach nearby lakes and mountains.
Olympic National Park
Glacier-topped peaks, a rainforest that gets more than 12 feet of rain a year, and wild Pacific beaches in one Washington park.
San Juan Islands
A Washington archipelago of more than 400 islands and rocks, known for resident orca pods and reached only by water or air.
Things to do in Washington
See all attractions in Washington
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver visitors, visa for others Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 15 to 20% at restaurants and bars; expected
- Time
- UTC-8 Pacific, UTC-7 in summer (daylight saving)
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, gray
- FebruaryWet, gray
- MarchRain, first buds
- AprilTulips, showers
- MayMild, green
- JuneLong days
- JulyDry, warm
- AugustDry, warm
- SeptemberMild, dry
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberRain returns
- DecemberGray, holidays
Right now in Washington
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
3
- Feels like
- -1°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Washington
12:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°3°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue13°5°9%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Wed12°3°25%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Thu14°4°25%Thursday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 25%.
- Fri12°4°17%Friday: Drizzle. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 17%.
- Sat11°4°6%Saturday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 6%.
Updated 08:59 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Coming up
Day trips by train
- San Juan IslandsAbout 2 hours by car, then the ferryFerry-only islands with quiet roads, kayaking and a chance of orcas.Read the guide
- Olympic National ParkAbout 3 hours or more by carRain forest trails and Pacific beaches, best with an overnight.Read the guide
- Washington CascadesAbout 1 to 2.5 hours by car, by valleyAlpine lakes and Leavenworth's Bavarian-style streets.Read the guide
- SpokaneAbout 4 hours by carSpokane Falls and Riverfront Park, a long day trip best as an overnight.Read the guide
Before you go to Washington
Rules for Washington, checked
- Most visa-free visitors need an approved ESTA before flying to the US. Apply only through the official CBP site at esta.cbp.dhs.gov.Source
- Many Washington state parks and trailheads require a Discover Pass to park. Check current rules and where to buy one at parks.wa.gov.Source
- Cannabis is legal for adults in Washington, but federal land, including national parks, bans it, and it cannot be taken out of state.Source
- Federal and state rules set minimum distances from orcas for boats. Check NOAA Fisheries guidance before you go out on the water.Source
Plan around Washington
City base for the ferries, airport trains and waterfront
Read the guideSan Juan IslandsFerry-only islands, quiet roads and a chance of orcas
Read the guideOlympic National ParkRain forest, glacier-capped peaks and Pacific beaches
Read the guideWashington CascadesAlpine lakes, ski towns and a Bavarian-style village
Read the guideSpokaneSpokane Falls, Riverfront Park and a smaller city base
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, tipping and typical daily spending
Read the guideWashington FAQ
How many days do you need in Washington?
Four to five days covers Seattle and a ferry trip to the San Juan Islands. Add two nights for Olympic National Park, and a third if you want the Cascades or Spokane.
How do you get from Seattle to the San Juan Islands?
Drive about 1.5 to 2 hours north to Anacortes, then take a Washington State Ferries boat to Friday Harbor. Walk-on passengers can ride without a car.
Do you need a car in Seattle?
Not for the city. Link light rail, buses and walking cover most sights. A car helps for Olympic and the Cascades, where buses run less often.
Is Seattle or Spokane better for a first trip?
Seattle for ferries, food and the waterfront. Spokane is calmer, with Riverfront Park and Spokane Falls, but it is about four hours by car from Seattle.
Can you visit Olympic National Park from Seattle in one day?
It is possible but a long day, with the drive taking several hours each way. Two nights in Port Angeles or Forks gives time for the rain forest and the coast.
When is the best time for the San Juan Islands?
July to September for dry weather and long evenings. Late spring and early fall are quieter, with shorter ferry lines.