Top 10 Places to Visit in Washington
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#1 Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park located on the Olympic Peninsula protects a vast wilderness, different ecosystems, glacier-capped mountains, rain forests, and over 70 miles of coastline. The park has two most visited sites: Hoh Rainforest and Hurricane Ridge. Hurricane Ridge forest area is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the U.S. Hurricane Ridge is a mountainous area known for hiking, skiing, and snowboarding.
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#2 Seattle
Known as Emerald City, Seattle is a world-class city with many wonderful attractions for everyone. Best places to visit are Seattle Center, Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pike Place Market Foundation, and Olympic Sculpture Park. The city has many family fun attractions including Seattle Great Wheel, waterfront, Pier 57, and Woodland Park Zoo.
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#3 Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park preserving Mount Rainier, an active volcano is America's fifth oldest national park. More than 25 glaciers descend the flanks of the volcano. The mountain peaks ranges from 1,600 feet to over 14,000 feet with highest point in the Cascade Range. From glaciers and volcanic peaks to river valleys and old growth forest, Mount Rainier National Park has wide diversity of environments.
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#4 North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is located about 100 miles northeast of Seattle. There is no entrance fee to visit the national park. The park consists of a northern and southern section, bisected by the Skagit River. North Cascades National Park is known for the rugged mountain peaks of the North Cascades Range, numerous waterways, and vast forests. Park activities include hiking, camping, boating, mountaineering, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing.
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#5 Spokane
Located in eastern Washington, Spokane is the 2nd biggest city of the state. With so many things to do, Spokane offers family fun, outdoor recreation, arts and culture, and many more attractions. Best places to visit are Riverfront Park, Manito Park, Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, Spokane Falls, and Mount Spokane State Park.
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#6 Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass is one of the most-visited state park of Washington state. The park is located on two islands - Fidalgo to the north and Whidbey to the south. The Canoe Pass and Deception Pass bridges connect the two islands, creating a gateway for exploration. The park's recreational activities include campgrounds, hiking trails, beaches, and tidepools.
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#7 Tacoma
Located southwest of Seattle, Tacoma is the 3rd biggest city of the state. Known as the "City of Destiny", Tacoma is also famous for is its glass art. The museum of glass is a art museum dedicated to 20th and 21st Century Glass collection. The Bridge of Glass connecting the Museum of Glass to the downtown is a popular attraction. Best places to visit are: Point Defiance Park, Museum of Glass, and Tacoma Art Museum.
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#8 Bellingham
Located just 20 miles south of the U.S.-Canada border, Bellingham is popular northernmost city. Bellingham is a famous tourist destination known for outdoor adventure and scenery from the Salish Sea to Mt. Baker and North Cascades National Park. Places to visit and near by attractions include Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Whatcom Falls Park, Mt. Baker Ski Area, San Juan Islands, and North Cascades.
Photograph by Andre Engels, via Wikimedia Commons
#9 Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Located on the west side of the Cascades from the Canada–US border, The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is one of the most visited forests. It is known for glacier covered peaks, spectacular mountain meadows and forests. The forest contains many scenic points of interest with two tall volcanoes, Mount Baker and Glacier Peak.
Photograph by Meher Anand Kasam, via Wikimedia Commons