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The Best Places to Visit in Washington State with Kids & Teens
Are you looking for incredible family activities in Washington State? From exploring the rainforest to skiing in the Cascade Mountains, there’s something for everyone! We’ve created this Washington State bucket list just for you. It has some of the best activities to give you and your family an unforgettable experience. You won’t want to miss it!
Planning a trip to Washington State? Keep up on the COVID-19 information concerning travel to Washington here.
Experience Washington With Kids & Teens
In Washington State, families have the unique opportunity to explore its diverse landscape with kids and teens of all ages. From lush evergreen forests in the Olympic National Park to rugged shores surrounding the San Juan Islands, you’ll love it. There’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for outdoor experiences in the North Cascades National Park or more urban activities in Seattle, this list will help make your next family adventure even more memorable!
Plan a day of hiking at a national park. Take your family on an outdoor adventure with some inspiring views of Washington’s stunning scenery. It could be climbing Mt. Rainier with its snow-capped peaks, or exploring along stretches of coastlines around Vancouver Island in the San Juan Islands. You could also explore Olympic National Park where you can canoe and kayak through pristine lakes and hike forest trails surrounded by breathtaking mountain vistas!
Pack a picnic basket full of goodies and have lunch outdoors. Washington has countless scenic spots like Deception Pass State Park or Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. Not only will taking time to stop for lunch keep hungry bellies happy, but it’ll also give everyone an opportunity to take a break from activities and admire beautiful surroundings!
Be sure to add these amazing experiences to your Washington Bucket List – you won’t regret it!
Washington State Bucket List activities for the whole family
Washington with kids and teens is packed with exciting family fun. There is so much interesting history, art and culture to be found in this beautiful US State. Let the landscape, culture, and richness of Washington inspire you as you explore Washington with kids and teens.
Your family will be captivated by all of the history and exciting places to explore and learn about in Washington. These Washington family travel destinations are great places to add to an exciting family travel itinerary as you explore Washington. If you are wanting to road trip or learn virtually, keep reading because you can explore and have awesome adventures in Washington with kids and teens.
Washington With Kids & Teens – Road Trip!
Washington State is a captivating region of the country and there are countless opportunities for family-friendly activities. Whether you’re looking to explore the best things to do near Puget Sound or plan a road trip to visit some of the best places in Eastern Washington, here are 18 things you and your family can do on your next Washington State trip.
One essential stop for any Washingtonian is a visit to the iconic Pike Place Market in Seattle. This world-famous attraction is packed with tasty treats, fresh produce, and unique souvenirs; it’s a must-see for all visitors! Enjoy lunch at one of its famous restaurants while soaking up all that this historic locale has to offer.
Next on your bucket list should be visiting sites along the Columbia River Gorge such as Horsethief Lake State Park or Beacon Rocks camping ground. These outdoor gems feature incredible views and plenty of opportunities for hiking, swimming, mountain biking, climbing, and more. Those looking towards more urban fun may want to detour off Interstate 5 and hit up Tacoma’s historical promenade with perks like top-class food trucks and workshops right downtown.
Discovering some of the charming towns that dot the Washington highways can be an enjoyable pursuit as well! Pull off at Walla Walla for wine tasting or visit Spokane’s Riverfront Park with its rotating selection of activities that range from bowling to paddling boats on Spooner Lake — perfect for keeping little ones occupied before safely resuming your road trip journey back home!
Road-Tripping Allows You To Explore More
Are you ready to let your family experience everything Washington has to offer? If that’s the case, then a Washington with kids & teens road trip is the perfect way to use the world as your classroom. Road-tripping allows you to explore and experience a place just like the locals. That’s the great thing about road trips (and GPS); you can wander where ever you like. Road-tripping can be such an adventure and a great way to learn.
In our family, road-tripping is a series of car journeys from one destination to another to do a field trip. A 5-day road trip usually means at least three of those days will be filled with activities and attractions. But if you live locally or regionally, you may decide to take that road trip in smaller chunks and plan several field trips around the great state of Washington. Below are all the resources you need. Included are super fun ideas that will also super-size your child’s learning about US History, Geography, and famous people & places. So have fun using the world as your classroom with intentional family travel. Let’s explore the historical sites in Washington!
Washington State Bucket List: Historical Sites & Parks
The Pacific Northwest is a great place for families to explore and Southwestern Washington state is home to many wonderful historical sites, parks, and outdoor attractions. From Mt. Rainier in the east to the Olympic Peninsula in the west and from Bainbridge Island in the north to Snoqualmie Falls in the south, there are plenty of options for family fun.
One essential inclusion on your Washington state bucket list of 18 family activities is a visit to Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, where you can enjoy panoramic views of downtown and beyond. Of course, no visit would be complete without some time at Mount Rainier National Park, offering incredible vistas of this majestic landscape as well as numerous trails to explore.
In addition to these must-see destinations, you’ll find plenty more historic sites and parks worth including on your list. Whether it’s taking a stroll across the Deception Pass Bridge or heading eastward towards Walla Walla for some wine tasting, Washington has lots of opportunities for adventure. So pack your bags and get ready for some amazing memories with your family in this fantastic region!
- Space Needle: Tower and Restaurant in Seattle, Washington.
- Mount Rainier National Park: National park near Seattle, Washington.
- Olympic National Park: National park in Port Angeles, Washington.
- Mount St. Helens: Active volcano located in Skamania County, Washington.
- Snoqualmie Falls: Waterfall on the Snoqualmie River in Snoqualmie, Washington.
- San Juan Islands: Archipelago in northwestern Washington.
- Lake Chelan: Lake in Chelan County, Washington.
- North Cascades National Park: National park in northern Washington.
- Mount Baker: Active volcano in northwestern Washington.
Washington State Bucket List: Museums & Galleries
Washington State is well known as one of the most picturesque states in the United States and home to some of the oldest and most diverse settlements in North America. Whether you’re visiting one of its major cities or taking a road trip through its small towns, give yourself and your family a chance to explore some incredible museums and galleries that the state has to offer.
Washington State Bucket List: Eastern Washington
In Walla Walla, one of Washington’s most iconic small-town spots, you’ll find a range of museums that cover everything from local history to art movements. First up is the Whitman College & Northwest Heritage Museum with displays on Native Americans, early explorers, naturalists, and more. Be sure to check out the Maxey Cowdry Gallery for incredible museum collections from Native American cultures from around North America. Or visit the city’s Maryhill Museum of Art – famed for its unique outdoor sculpture garden that combines both European and Native American artworks.
Further up north in Spokane, check out the Mobius Kids’ Museum – an interactive learning center with interactive exhibits such as Sicks’ Lumberjack Steam Train Ride, an artisan bakery café, and much more! If you’re looking for something slightly older, head over to nearby Cheney where you can explore Fort Spokane Visitor Center & Historic Site – a former US Army post renowned for its striking views over Lake Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge.
Washington State has something special in store for every individual or family looking for new experiences on their travels around this part of North America! From vibrant cultural institutions like The Mobius Kids’ Museum or Maxey Cowdry Gallery to historically significant sites like Fort Spokane Visitor Center & Historic Site – make sure these are all highlights on your Washington State Bucket List!
- Chihuly Garden and Glass: Art museum in Seattle, Washington.
- Pacific Science Center: Science museum in Seattle, Washington.
- Seattle Art Museum: Art museum in Seattle, Washington.
- Museum of Flight: Air and Space Museum in Seattle, Washington.
Washington State Bucket List: Gardens, Zoos & Aquariums
Washington State is full of fantastic gardens, zoos, and aquariums! From the Cascade Mountains to the Port of Angeles, there are plenty of fun and educational activities that are perfect for families.
Families visiting the Seattle area can take advantage of a number of activities. Woodland Park Zoo offers a variety of animals from birds to big cats and is sure to delight even the most hard-to-please youngsters. Just outside Seattle lies Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, where visitors can observe sea creatures like penguins, sea lions, and otters up close. Take time exploring the Pacific Science Center grounds featuring an IMAX theater and science exhibits.
Or head out into beautiful outdoors anywhere in the state for some recreational fun! Families can try out winter sports like skiing or snowboarding in places like Leavenworth or Snoqualmie Pass as well as warm weather activities like hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail or kayaking down rivers like the Skykomish River. With so much outdoor recreation available in Washington State, what could be better? These are only two examples–there’s no shortage of quality family-friendly outings available certain to make unforgettable memories!
- Woodland Park Zoo: Zoo in Seattle, Washington.
- Seattle Aquarium: Aquarium in Seattle, Washington.
Washington State Bucket List: Add These To Your Itinerary
Washington State provides a diverse range of family-friendly attractions, from iconic landmarks to natural wonders. For those looking for exciting family activities during their visit, creating a Washington state bucket list is key. With its ancient mountains, cascading waterfalls, and rolling green fields, the Evergreen State is the perfect place to explore with loved ones.
Experience the ultimate adventure and include Mount Rainier on your Washington state bucket list! This active volcano is the most scenic peak in the Cascade Range and is an ideal location to observe glaciers and snowfields up close. Just east of it lies Mount Baker – another great spot on this bucket list! Adventure seekers can explore its picturesque ski fields in winter and icy glacial streams in summer months.
Washington State Bucket List: Getting outdoors
Take some time to appreciate nature by visiting some of Washington’s finest state parks as well such as Deception Pass State Park or Fort Worden Historical State Park – where you will find excellent camping and hiking opportunities for families. Meanwhile, Puget Sound – home to a stunning variety of marine life – is perfect for those looking for watersports activities at sea level.
For sure add Olympic National Park to your itinerary as you won’t want to miss out on visiting this World Heritage Site. Here visitors can explore old-growth forests plus wildflower meadows full of blooms as well as other natural wonders Wildlife lovers should also take part in whale-watching tours along the Pacific Coast that venture off from Seattle or Victoria Island (Canada). Long beaches are perfect for sand-castle building too!
So make sure you plan ahead with our ultimate Washington State Bucket List to ensure that your family trip has all the fun activities that everyone will enjoy without missing out on any must-see destinations of the Evergreen State!
- Pike Place Market: Marketplace in Seattle, Washington.
- Northwest Trek: Wildlife Park in Eatonville, Washington.
- Gum Wall: Brick wall covered in used chewing gum, in Seattle, Washington.
Washington offers so many exciting things to do! Museums, outdoor activities, and exciting adventures throughout the state. Are you finding it hard to fit it all in or afford to do it all while you are visiting? Luckily, there are great online resources at many of the museums and parks so you can keep learning about Washington.
Washington Places To Visit For Virtual Travel & Learning
Make the most of learning about Washington by taking a few virtual field trips and incorporating the Washington State Study pack into your pre-and post-visit activities. Your kids will enjoy hands-on activities and museums more when they have a little understanding of the people and places they will be visiting. Add in a good book, some digital activities to learn history and geography, and some super art for easy ways to inspire and educate. It’s all in these US State Study resources.
Washington – Use The World As Your Classroom
The Washington State Study pack makes it easy for your family to have fun learning about Washington at home (virtually) or on the road.
Learn About Washington’s Famous People
- William Boeing – Aviation Pioneer
- Bill Gates – Software Developer
- Seattle Duwamish – Native American Chief.
- Chief Joseph – Native American Leader
Learn About Washington’s Famous Landmarks:
- Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
- Mount Rainier National Park
- North Cascades National Park
- Olympic National Park
- San Juan Island National Historical Park
- Whitman Mission National Historic Site
You will also find resources for science, art, and geography to round out a packed week (or longer) of learning resources for kids aged 4th grade to 12th grade.
The Washington State Study has all the resources in a PDF. You and your kids can pick and choose which ones you want to complete. It is a carefully curated course for middle/high schoolers. There are exciting videos and selected lessons so your family can easily learn online.
Homeschool, Travel & Learn With The Let’s Study The Americas, the Caribbean, Australia & Oceania Bundle
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Use The World As Your Classroom
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Exploring The Pacific Northwest?
Oregon, Idaho & Alaska are exciting stops for families that love to use the world as their textbook. These posts will help you homeschool, travel, and learn together. Have fun! Below are a few more resources to help you use the world as your classroom.
There are many must-see attractions in Washington state for families, including Mount Rainier National Park, Seattle’s Space Needle, and the Pacific Science Center.
Yes! Washington state is home to many outdoor activities suitable for all ages, including hiking, swimming, and kayaking. Some popular destinations for these activities include Lake Chelan and Snoqualmie Falls.
Yes! Washington state has many winter activities to enjoy, such as skiing and snowboarding at destinations like Crystal Mountain and Stevens Pass. You can also take a winter hike in Olympic National Park.
Washington state has a variety of family-friendly museums to choose from, such as the Museum of Flight in Seattle, the Children’s Museum of Tacoma, and the Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett.
Yes! There are many whale-watching tours available for families in Washington state, with Gray’s Harbor being a popular destination. Other options include whale-watching tours from Seattle and Friday Harbor.
The best way to experience Washington state’s scenic beauty is by taking a road trip along the Cascade Loop or visiting Olympic National Park. These destinations offer breathtaking views of mountains, lakes, and forests.
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