11 Beautiful Places in Washington That Steal My Heart

Washington is without a doubt the most beautiful state in the country. Period! It contains the most beautiful mountain scenery, cityscapes, and seascapes that always leave visitors breathless. Also, there just isn’t a bad time of year to be here. Washington is perfect year-round. Here are 11 pictures of several beautiful places in Washington that will make you want to move there.

1. North Cascades National Park

The North Cascades are unique for a number of reasons but perhaps most unique of all is that it is the least spoiled national park in the country. It offers mountain climbers and nature lovers plenty of adventure. It also is perfect for the fisherman, campers, and photographers. The Cascades shares a border with British Columbia, Canada.

2. Bellingham

The university city of Bellingham, Washington is a very artistic town filled with unique galleries. It’s also surrounded by a gorgeous abundance of nature. This easily makes it one of the most beautiful places in Washington. It arguably becomes the most beautiful land in the country every spring when the nearby Skagit County Tulips Festival occurs.

3. Leavenworth

Leavenworth is known as The Bavarian Village. It celebrates its Bavarian heritage year-round with local residents wearing lederhosen and the blowing of a morning serenade on an alphorn. The buildings and houses are based on German architecture. There are annual festivals, but most famously is the Christmas Lighting Festival.

4. Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

The beautiful Mount Baker National Forest runs alongside the Cascades and it has its own breathtakingly beautiful natural scenery. From the famous Snoqualmie Falls to Picture Lake to the most photographed mountain in the country; Mount Baker – this National Park has so much to offer the adventurously minded and nature lovers.

5. Spokane

Spokane, Washington has some of the most amazingly beautiful parks in the country. It boasts the gorgeous Nishinomiya Japanese Garden, Manito Park, and Riverfront Park. The Nishinomiya Japanese Garden is based on Japanese garden design and is truly breathtaking. My personal favorite park, however, is Riverfront Park because it held the 1974 World’s Fair, which left behind a Ferris wheel, a hand-carved carousel made in 1909, and other awesome classic amusement rides.

6. Port Angeles

The beautiful Port Angeles is an access point to the magnificent Olympic National Park. It lies along the northern shores of the Olympic Peninsula across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Hiking, biking, golfing, boating, kayaking, fishing, birding, you name it! Port Angeles has a lot to offer travelers of all types.

7. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

May 18th, 1980 was the day Mount St. Helens last erupted reducing the peak by 1,300 feet and leveling much of the surrounding area. A cloud of ash rose 13 miles into the air, almost 150 square miles of forest were destroyed, houses were overwhelmed by masses of water and mud, and 57 people lost their lives. Today it is a sight for scientific research as well as recreational purposes such as hiking just as long as you get the correct permits. There is an observatory overlooking the amazing crater and plenty of beautiful natural scenery.

8. Downtown Seattle

It should come to no surprise that Seattle is one of the most remarkable and beautiful cities in the country. The waterfront is relaxing with its piers and parks alongside it. Pike Place Market is a legendary market where many tourists and locals alike shop for a variety of unique goods. The University of Washington is one of the top universities in the nation as well as one of, if not, the most beautiful campuses. There are underground tours in Pioneer Square, theatrical performances at Benaroya Hall, gorgeous museums and beautiful buildings. The city is a wonderful walking or biking city as well with temperate weather year-round. The waterfront also boasts its famous Olympic Sculpture Park and Seattle Aquarium.

9. Mount Rainier National Park

Located south of Seattle, Mount Rainier lies at the center of the national park. The Mount Rainier National Park provides views of the most beautiful places in Washington. The Road to Paradise is also open year-round, allowing visitors to reach high elevations for hiking in summer and snowshoeing in winter. A scenic drive winds through the dense forests, taking in waterfalls and views of the Cascade Mountains volcano. Other attractions are within easy distance of the park, including Northwest Trek wildlife park in Eatonville and the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad in the little town of Elbe.

10. Seattle Center

Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Seattle Space Needle and Monorail have continued to lure tourists with attractions, a park setting, sports venues, as well as many restaurants. Among the newer sightseeing options are the colorful glass artworks at Chihuly Garden and Glass and the hands-on musical exhibits at the Experience Music Project. An architecturally interesting public building, the Seattle Central Library, is also worth a visit for its angular steel-and-glass design.

11.Olympic National Park and the Hoh Rain Forest

From ocean beaches to mountaintops, Olympic National Park overflows with incomparable scenery and is also definitely one of the most beautiful places in Washington. The park covers most of the Olympic Peninsula, and roads only circle the park with a scenic drive on US 101, never cutting through the park’s mountainous heart. Dozens of beaches, over-sized trees in the Hoh Rainforest, lakes, the Sol Duc Hot Springs, waterfalls, as well as wildflowers at Hurricane Ridge near Port Angeles all list among the many reasons to visit this natural glory.